Jeff & Diane Gwirtz

> choices that were not only a waste of my time but of my resources and money
> as well. I tend to agree with Diane, let them try it for one marking period
> and then if they decide to come home they must stay through the rest of the
> year.
>
I just wanted to clarify that we didn't insist that he stay for one
marking period. That happened to be how long he stayed. He could
have come home the first day if he wanted to.

I agree with you, Beth, but I used to feel like your husband. I
thought that if the kids started something - lessons, etc. that they
needed to finish. Finally, I've come to the conclusion that the
process is more important than the end result. Just because they
don't finish a project, a book, a class, etc. doesn't mean that they
didn't learn what they needed to at that time. Now, if I paid for a
class and then they didn't want to go, we would probably work out a
compromise. I certainly don't want to throw money away. I have
found though, that sometimes the kids are more willing to give
something a try because they know they'll have a say in whether they
continue.

Diane from KS
jagwirtz@...

Beth Oberle

to Sandra Brown in Ann Arbor: The issue of the kids deciding to attend
school eventually was one my husband and I discussed before we decided to
homeschool. He was had many questions in that regard. Such as how would
they adjust? Would they fit in? and if they decided to go, could they change
their mind? I found Diane in KS response interesting. My husband felt that
if the girls decided to attend school they had to stick with it for the full
school year. His perspective is that I start lots of things and don't
follow through and finish, he wants the girls to learn the importance of
finishing what you start. My perspective is that I try lots of things to
see what I like and if it doesn't work for me I set it aside. This allows
me to get to know myself and do what is true to me--something that I wasn't
allowed the opportunity for in PS. This being "forced" to follow through on
things that weren't true for me caused me to continue in jobs and education
choices that were not only a waste of my time but of my resources and money
as well. I tend to agree with Diane, let them try it for one marking period
and then if they decide to come home they must stay through the rest of the
year.

Also, Sandra, I recently received a brochure for a Waldorf Homeschool
Conference in Oct. Have you ever attended this, and if so what did you
think? When I began homeschooling it was partly because I wanted to send
the girls to a Waldorf school but couldn't afford it and there wasn't one
close enough. Now that we've been doing it awhile I've moved away from
Waldorf and toward unschooling. It did look like they had some interesting
and informative speakers and topics scheduled.

Becky: I'll be sitting next to you at the neighboring bridge table being an
outspoken old lady too! My dear Grandma is still a very outspoken old lady
at 95 and I've been told I take after her!

Elizabeth: I'm interested in the apprenticeship question too. I'm curious
to see the responses you get.

I have other things to say and ask but my post is already too long and wordy
so I'll close for now and compose my other thoughts later.

Beth O in IL
http://members.tripod.com/BerthasBabies/welcome.html
http://members.tripod.com/BerthasBabies/berthasbabies.html

Olivia

At 09:37 AM 08/27/1999 -0700, you wrote:
>His perspective is that I start lots of things and don't
>follow through and finish, he wants the girls to learn the importance of
>finishing what you start. My perspective is that I try lots of things to
>see what I like and if it doesn't work for me I set it aside. This allows
>me to get to know myself and do what is true to me--something that I wasn't
>allowed the opportunity for in PS. This being "forced" to follow through on
>things that weren't true for me caused me to continue in jobs and education
>choices that were not only a waste of my time but of my resources and money
>as well.

Beth:

This is something that also bothers my husband about me (and about our
son). I often start things with gusto, then move on to something else, then
return to it later...or not. He had the same fear about my involvement with
homeschooling. My husband is very goal oriented: you must start and finish
something in a linear way, and in a timely fashion. But I think if you
don't try something in fear that you won't like it or won't complete it,
then you may miss finding a new passion or interest.

Olivia

[email protected]

In a message dated 99-08-27 16:08:21 EDT, you write:

<<
Beth:

This is something that also bothers my husband about me (and about our
son). I often start things with gusto, then move on to something else, then
return to it later...or not. He had the same fear about my involvement with
homeschooling. My husband is very goal oriented: you must start and finish
something in a linear way, and in a timely fashion. But I think if you
don't try something in fear that you won't like it or won't complete it,
then you may miss finding a new passion or interest.

Olivia >>

maybe you could tell him that you are going to take something that you have
to finish-- like skydiving! This always shuts my hubby up (in a nice way!)
LOL
Rachael

Lisa Fuller

I'm the same way, always jumping in with both feet and, when the interest wanes,
jumping out just as quickly. My dh also has a problem with it, well, actually it
is just a standing joke:) He's always asking what my new passion will be (this
month, its bellydancing;). I think he's getting used to it.

Enjoy,

Lisa F.

Olivia wrote:

> From: Olivia <liv2learn@...>
>
> At 09:37 AM 08/27/1999 -0700, you wrote:
> >His perspective is that I start lots of things and don't
> >follow through and finish, he wants the girls to learn the importance of
> >finishing what you start. My perspective is that I try lots of things to
> >see what I like and if it doesn't work for me I set it aside. This allows
> >me to get to know myself and do what is true to me--something that I wasn't
> >allowed the opportunity for in PS. This being "forced" to follow through on
> >things that weren't true for me caused me to continue in jobs and education
> >choices that were not only a waste of my time but of my resources and money
> >as well.
>
> Beth:
>
> This is something that also bothers my husband about me (and about our
> son). I often start things with gusto, then move on to something else, then
> return to it later...or not. He had the same fear about my involvement with
> homeschooling. My husband is very goal oriented: you must start and finish
> something in a linear way, and in a timely fashion. But I think if you
> don't try something in fear that you won't like it or won't complete it,
> then you may miss finding a new passion or interest.
>
> Olivia
>
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