New to unschooling....HELP
[email protected]
Hello all! I have visited unschooling.com numerous times
and I just signed on to the loop. Here's a brief backgound....
Although I have been reading John Holt for years this is my first
step to unschool my children. We have three kids, Zach (9), Drew (6),
and Chloe (who has always been unschooled...4 yrs.) Well, the boys
were excited to be "homeschooled" this year and Thursday August 30th
was spent at a park day for all the homeschoolers/unschoolers in our
area. A few days have passed now and my oldest faces me today and
loudly announces that I have not taught him A THING and how is he
supposed to learn!!!?? So, I say quite calmly, well what would you
like to learn?? He gets quite angry at my reponse and replies, "I
don't know! You are just supposed to be teaching me something! I
can't just watch T.V. all day!" LOL I laugh because my oldest is my
most television addicted child. I respond, "anything you want to do
is fine with me...math, science, play a game, anything." He walked
away in a huff. A short time later he did bring out a game and we
all played. I could tell he was still very bothered by my lack
of "formal lessons" and after the game was finished I brought out his
math book from the last school year. I showed him the book and
explained to him that the work inside was extremely easy (it is far
below his abilities) and he agreed. I then showed him that out of an
entire year the book had not even been halfway completed. I pointed
out that I felt if he wanted to do it he could sit and complete the
entire book in a day or two. He wouldn't have to wait for the teacher
or for kids who did not understand, etc.. He kind of laughed in
agreement with me. He did not, and I did not expect him to, work in
the book but helped put the game away and went back to the T.V.
I can tell he does not grasp what I am explaining fully. He still
does not understand why I am not sitting down and "teaching" him.
Is "unschooling" a philosphy that I should sit and explain to him in
detail? I have made numerous points to him but never totally and
completely explained. The funny thing is I expected him to be
thrilled by the fact that he was not going to be made to "work" and
instead his reaction caught me totally offguard!! I really should
have known better!!!!
By the way....the television is somewhat of a problem. My husband
will not let me take it out of the house, which is what I want to do!
My son CAN sit in front of that thing for hours if I were to let him
and I almost feel he has been doing just that for the past couple
days as a silent protest against my method of "instruction." He did
not watch much television over the summer and now he cannot seem to
be able to shut it off. Of course, it may be that all of his
neighborhood friends have gone off to school. For the time being
should I plan lots of activity in the home...experiments, read
outloud time, playing games, etc...my car is broken down and won't be
ready for a least a week. Some unschoolers believe that I should just
let boredom take it's toll and let the kids lead the activity when
they are ready. Any thoughts on this??????
Thank you all...I would appreciate ANY input!
Tara
and I just signed on to the loop. Here's a brief backgound....
Although I have been reading John Holt for years this is my first
step to unschool my children. We have three kids, Zach (9), Drew (6),
and Chloe (who has always been unschooled...4 yrs.) Well, the boys
were excited to be "homeschooled" this year and Thursday August 30th
was spent at a park day for all the homeschoolers/unschoolers in our
area. A few days have passed now and my oldest faces me today and
loudly announces that I have not taught him A THING and how is he
supposed to learn!!!?? So, I say quite calmly, well what would you
like to learn?? He gets quite angry at my reponse and replies, "I
don't know! You are just supposed to be teaching me something! I
can't just watch T.V. all day!" LOL I laugh because my oldest is my
most television addicted child. I respond, "anything you want to do
is fine with me...math, science, play a game, anything." He walked
away in a huff. A short time later he did bring out a game and we
all played. I could tell he was still very bothered by my lack
of "formal lessons" and after the game was finished I brought out his
math book from the last school year. I showed him the book and
explained to him that the work inside was extremely easy (it is far
below his abilities) and he agreed. I then showed him that out of an
entire year the book had not even been halfway completed. I pointed
out that I felt if he wanted to do it he could sit and complete the
entire book in a day or two. He wouldn't have to wait for the teacher
or for kids who did not understand, etc.. He kind of laughed in
agreement with me. He did not, and I did not expect him to, work in
the book but helped put the game away and went back to the T.V.
I can tell he does not grasp what I am explaining fully. He still
does not understand why I am not sitting down and "teaching" him.
Is "unschooling" a philosphy that I should sit and explain to him in
detail? I have made numerous points to him but never totally and
completely explained. The funny thing is I expected him to be
thrilled by the fact that he was not going to be made to "work" and
instead his reaction caught me totally offguard!! I really should
have known better!!!!
By the way....the television is somewhat of a problem. My husband
will not let me take it out of the house, which is what I want to do!
My son CAN sit in front of that thing for hours if I were to let him
and I almost feel he has been doing just that for the past couple
days as a silent protest against my method of "instruction." He did
not watch much television over the summer and now he cannot seem to
be able to shut it off. Of course, it may be that all of his
neighborhood friends have gone off to school. For the time being
should I plan lots of activity in the home...experiments, read
outloud time, playing games, etc...my car is broken down and won't be
ready for a least a week. Some unschoolers believe that I should just
let boredom take it's toll and let the kids lead the activity when
they are ready. Any thoughts on this??????
Thank you all...I would appreciate ANY input!
Tara
M and L Hand
We have a rule that they only watch one hour of TV per day. We don't have access to great public educational channels, and the schedule for the cable channels is hard to figure out here.
Previously, in another location, we watched the WAM! channel lots. It had great stuff on during the day. We've been gone for a year, and I don't know what it looks like now.
It will take awhile for the kids to start finding things to do. In the meantime, you can say "read anything you want, but read" or something like that. My children go through spurts where they really love doing workbooks / worksheets...and then they'll not look at them again for weeks. Sometimes they'll get all caught up in playing their instruments (ukulele, recorder, etc.) and decide to work on either learning new songs or getting better at old ones.
We go to homeschool PE and field trips. But mostly, I sincerely try to answer their questions, and I've shown them how to look things up in the encyclopedias. They are getting much better at finding out the answers they want to know.
If it gets really bad, you can "accidentally" lose the remote (since no kid nowadays understands how to use a TV without one!) or unplug the TV until something else is done to your satisfaction. Don't let your son be a couch potato. It could make for trouble with CPS if ever somebody turned you in!
Laurie
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Previously, in another location, we watched the WAM! channel lots. It had great stuff on during the day. We've been gone for a year, and I don't know what it looks like now.
It will take awhile for the kids to start finding things to do. In the meantime, you can say "read anything you want, but read" or something like that. My children go through spurts where they really love doing workbooks / worksheets...and then they'll not look at them again for weeks. Sometimes they'll get all caught up in playing their instruments (ukulele, recorder, etc.) and decide to work on either learning new songs or getting better at old ones.
We go to homeschool PE and field trips. But mostly, I sincerely try to answer their questions, and I've shown them how to look things up in the encyclopedias. They are getting much better at finding out the answers they want to know.
If it gets really bad, you can "accidentally" lose the remote (since no kid nowadays understands how to use a TV without one!) or unplug the TV until something else is done to your satisfaction. Don't let your son be a couch potato. It could make for trouble with CPS if ever somebody turned you in!
Laurie
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Tracy Oldfield
If it gets really bad, you can "accidentally" lose the
remote (since no kid nowadays understands how to use a
TV without one!) or unplug the TV until something else
is done to your satisfaction. Don't let your son be a
couch potato. It could make for trouble with CPS if
ever somebody turned you in!
Laurie
LMAO mine do!! Cos we lose the remote, (one of them,
the numbers have rubbed off) or the batteries fall out,
or the darn thing breaks... dh is taking one of ours
into the shop to swap it today... guess what, it's the
newest one...
So they know how to change channels and sound from the
buttons on the boxes, and they know how to work the
video... unschooling in action, i say ;-)
Tracy
remote (since no kid nowadays understands how to use a
TV without one!) or unplug the TV until something else
is done to your satisfaction. Don't let your son be a
couch potato. It could make for trouble with CPS if
ever somebody turned you in!
Laurie
LMAO mine do!! Cos we lose the remote, (one of them,
the numbers have rubbed off) or the batteries fall out,
or the darn thing breaks... dh is taking one of ours
into the shop to swap it today... guess what, it's the
newest one...
So they know how to change channels and sound from the
buttons on the boxes, and they know how to work the
video... unschooling in action, i say ;-)
Tracy
Jon and Rue Kream
My eight year old loves to read books by Holt, The Unschooling Handbook, and
any other books that talk about how she lives. Would that interest him?
~Rue
-----Original Message-----
From: TarazSpot@... [mailto:TarazSpot@...]
Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2001 3:09 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] New to unschooling....HELP
Hello all! I have visited unschooling.com numerous times
and I just signed on to the loop. Here's a brief backgound....
Although I have been reading John Holt for years this is my first
step to unschool my children. We have three kids, Zach (9), Drew (6),
and Chloe (who has always been unschooled...4 yrs.) Well, the boys
were excited to be "homeschooled" this year and Thursday August 30th
was spent at a park day for all the homeschoolers/unschoolers in our
area. A few days have passed now and my oldest faces me today and
loudly announces that I have not taught him A THING and how is he
supposed to learn!!!?? So, I say quite calmly, well what would you
like to learn?? He gets quite angry at my reponse and replies, "I
don't know! You are just supposed to be teaching me something! I
can't just watch T.V. all day!" LOL I laugh because my oldest is my
most television addicted child. I respond, "anything you want to do
is fine with me...math, science, play a game, anything." He walked
away in a huff. A short time later he did bring out a game and we
all played. I could tell he was still very bothered by my lack
of "formal lessons" and after the game was finished I brought out his
math book from the last school year. I showed him the book and
explained to him that the work inside was extremely easy (it is far
below his abilities) and he agreed. I then showed him that out of an
entire year the book had not even been halfway completed. I pointed
out that I felt if he wanted to do it he could sit and complete the
entire book in a day or two. He wouldn't have to wait for the teacher
or for kids who did not understand, etc.. He kind of laughed in
agreement with me. He did not, and I did not expect him to, work in
the book but helped put the game away and went back to the T.V.
I can tell he does not grasp what I am explaining fully. He still
does not understand why I am not sitting down and "teaching" him.
Is "unschooling" a philosphy that I should sit and explain to him in
detail? I have made numerous points to him but never totally and
completely explained. The funny thing is I expected him to be
thrilled by the fact that he was not going to be made to "work" and
instead his reaction caught me totally offguard!! I really should
have known better!!!!
By the way....the television is somewhat of a problem. My husband
will not let me take it out of the house, which is what I want to do!
My son CAN sit in front of that thing for hours if I were to let him
and I almost feel he has been doing just that for the past couple
days as a silent protest against my method of "instruction." He did
not watch much television over the summer and now he cannot seem to
be able to shut it off. Of course, it may be that all of his
neighborhood friends have gone off to school. For the time being
should I plan lots of activity in the home...experiments, read
outloud time, playing games, etc...my car is broken down and won't be
ready for a least a week. Some unschoolers believe that I should just
let boredom take it's toll and let the kids lead the activity when
they are ready. Any thoughts on this??????
Thank you all...I would appreciate ANY input!
Tara
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any other books that talk about how she lives. Would that interest him?
~Rue
-----Original Message-----
From: TarazSpot@... [mailto:TarazSpot@...]
Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2001 3:09 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] New to unschooling....HELP
Hello all! I have visited unschooling.com numerous times
and I just signed on to the loop. Here's a brief backgound....
Although I have been reading John Holt for years this is my first
step to unschool my children. We have three kids, Zach (9), Drew (6),
and Chloe (who has always been unschooled...4 yrs.) Well, the boys
were excited to be "homeschooled" this year and Thursday August 30th
was spent at a park day for all the homeschoolers/unschoolers in our
area. A few days have passed now and my oldest faces me today and
loudly announces that I have not taught him A THING and how is he
supposed to learn!!!?? So, I say quite calmly, well what would you
like to learn?? He gets quite angry at my reponse and replies, "I
don't know! You are just supposed to be teaching me something! I
can't just watch T.V. all day!" LOL I laugh because my oldest is my
most television addicted child. I respond, "anything you want to do
is fine with me...math, science, play a game, anything." He walked
away in a huff. A short time later he did bring out a game and we
all played. I could tell he was still very bothered by my lack
of "formal lessons" and after the game was finished I brought out his
math book from the last school year. I showed him the book and
explained to him that the work inside was extremely easy (it is far
below his abilities) and he agreed. I then showed him that out of an
entire year the book had not even been halfway completed. I pointed
out that I felt if he wanted to do it he could sit and complete the
entire book in a day or two. He wouldn't have to wait for the teacher
or for kids who did not understand, etc.. He kind of laughed in
agreement with me. He did not, and I did not expect him to, work in
the book but helped put the game away and went back to the T.V.
I can tell he does not grasp what I am explaining fully. He still
does not understand why I am not sitting down and "teaching" him.
Is "unschooling" a philosphy that I should sit and explain to him in
detail? I have made numerous points to him but never totally and
completely explained. The funny thing is I expected him to be
thrilled by the fact that he was not going to be made to "work" and
instead his reaction caught me totally offguard!! I really should
have known better!!!!
By the way....the television is somewhat of a problem. My husband
will not let me take it out of the house, which is what I want to do!
My son CAN sit in front of that thing for hours if I were to let him
and I almost feel he has been doing just that for the past couple
days as a silent protest against my method of "instruction." He did
not watch much television over the summer and now he cannot seem to
be able to shut it off. Of course, it may be that all of his
neighborhood friends have gone off to school. For the time being
should I plan lots of activity in the home...experiments, read
outloud time, playing games, etc...my car is broken down and won't be
ready for a least a week. Some unschoolers believe that I should just
let boredom take it's toll and let the kids lead the activity when
they are ready. Any thoughts on this??????
Thank you all...I would appreciate ANY input!
Tara
Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
To unsubscribe, set preferences, or read archives:
http://www.egroups.com/group/Unschooling-dotcom
Another great list sponsored by Home Education Magazine!
http://www.home-ed-magazine.com
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
[email protected]
In a message dated 09/05/2001 7:10:21 AM !!!First Boot!!!, TarazSpot@...
writes:
be explained more than once! :)
Good luck.
Nance
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
writes:
> I can tell he does not grasp what I am explaining fully. He stillSounds like a good idea to me. But, if he's like most people, it may have to
> does not understand why I am not sitting down and "teaching" him.
> Is "unschooling" a philosphy that I should sit and explain to him in
> detail? I have made numerous points to him but never totally and
>
be explained more than once! :)
Good luck.
Nance
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 9/5/01 1:10:20 AM, TarazSpot@... writes:
<< "anything you want to do
is fine with me...math, science, play a game, anything." >>
I avoid "math" and "science" as terminology. You might want to consider that.
It tends to categorize things that shouldn't and really can't be categorized
well.
<< I could tell he was still very bothered by my lack
of "formal lessons" >>
Maybe getting out a couple of times a week for specific "explores" would
help. Let him know that you're doing an unschooling field trip (or
something) and take a picnic, the dog, some sketch pads, to an isolated park
or canyon and draw some leaves (and play) or go to the children's museum (and
play) or to the video store to find obscure movies, or to an ethnic food
store for foreign candy and exotic vegetables. He will learn things he can
talk about and will feel more "educated." Try to get out quite a bit here at
first.
-=-He still
does not understand why I am not sitting down and "teaching" him.
Is "unschooling" a philosphy that I should sit and explain to him in
detail?-=-
Maybe a little at a time. Watch his face to gauge interest, understanding,
and frustration. Drop it when it seems better to drop it. Ask him how he
learned to play Lego, or how to ride a bike--not from school or lessons.
Watch for other things--people doing things or discussing things they learned
on their own, out of fascination or need. Mention it when it comes to light
naturally.
-=-My son CAN sit in front of that thing for hours if I were to let him
and I almost feel he has been doing just that for the past couple
days as a silent protest against my method of "instruction." -=-
But he's learning there too. You yourself, too, need to begin to see
learning everywhere.
He won't sit there during the hours you've taken all the kids out to explore.
<<For the time being
should I plan lots of activity in the home...experiments, read
outloud time, playing games, etc...>>
Why not? Games and cooking projects and art projects for those kids who are
interested would make the days warm and memorable. Be willing to have kids
wander away, and back, or to say "no thanks." You might have to finish the
cookies all by yourself, but it's good practice for you too, to make things
available and not take it personally if kids' attention spans are short.
-=-my car is broken down and won't be
ready for a least a week.-=-
What's with the yard or the neighborhood? Are there places to walk? Things
to do outside?
-=-Some unschoolers believe that I should just
let boredom take it's toll and let the kids lead the activity when
they are ready. Any thoughts on this?????? -=-
I think if the homelife itself isn't full of stimulating opportunities,
unschooling won't work very well. Dig through your old stuff and find things
they've never seen. Let them go through your souvenir box, or your jewelry
box, or pull all the plastic stuff out of the cabinets and let them use them
as blocks (and later you can wash and reorganize them).
Find magazines and scissors and let them cut out words and pictures for a
collage to be made later/someday.
Rent movies. Find videos around the house they haven't watched for a while,
or borrow some from your neighbors.
Make play-dough and find things around the house to use as play-dough molds
and imprints that you yourself never thought before would be good play-dough
tools.
If kids are bored, parents can find them something new and stimulating. If
the parents can't, that will become a problem all by itself eventually, as
unschooling goes.
Sandra
Sandra
"Everything counts."
http://expage.com/SandraDoddArticles
http://expage.com/SandraDodd
<< "anything you want to do
is fine with me...math, science, play a game, anything." >>
I avoid "math" and "science" as terminology. You might want to consider that.
It tends to categorize things that shouldn't and really can't be categorized
well.
<< I could tell he was still very bothered by my lack
of "formal lessons" >>
Maybe getting out a couple of times a week for specific "explores" would
help. Let him know that you're doing an unschooling field trip (or
something) and take a picnic, the dog, some sketch pads, to an isolated park
or canyon and draw some leaves (and play) or go to the children's museum (and
play) or to the video store to find obscure movies, or to an ethnic food
store for foreign candy and exotic vegetables. He will learn things he can
talk about and will feel more "educated." Try to get out quite a bit here at
first.
-=-He still
does not understand why I am not sitting down and "teaching" him.
Is "unschooling" a philosphy that I should sit and explain to him in
detail?-=-
Maybe a little at a time. Watch his face to gauge interest, understanding,
and frustration. Drop it when it seems better to drop it. Ask him how he
learned to play Lego, or how to ride a bike--not from school or lessons.
Watch for other things--people doing things or discussing things they learned
on their own, out of fascination or need. Mention it when it comes to light
naturally.
-=-My son CAN sit in front of that thing for hours if I were to let him
and I almost feel he has been doing just that for the past couple
days as a silent protest against my method of "instruction." -=-
But he's learning there too. You yourself, too, need to begin to see
learning everywhere.
He won't sit there during the hours you've taken all the kids out to explore.
<<For the time being
should I plan lots of activity in the home...experiments, read
outloud time, playing games, etc...>>
Why not? Games and cooking projects and art projects for those kids who are
interested would make the days warm and memorable. Be willing to have kids
wander away, and back, or to say "no thanks." You might have to finish the
cookies all by yourself, but it's good practice for you too, to make things
available and not take it personally if kids' attention spans are short.
-=-my car is broken down and won't be
ready for a least a week.-=-
What's with the yard or the neighborhood? Are there places to walk? Things
to do outside?
-=-Some unschoolers believe that I should just
let boredom take it's toll and let the kids lead the activity when
they are ready. Any thoughts on this?????? -=-
I think if the homelife itself isn't full of stimulating opportunities,
unschooling won't work very well. Dig through your old stuff and find things
they've never seen. Let them go through your souvenir box, or your jewelry
box, or pull all the plastic stuff out of the cabinets and let them use them
as blocks (and later you can wash and reorganize them).
Find magazines and scissors and let them cut out words and pictures for a
collage to be made later/someday.
Rent movies. Find videos around the house they haven't watched for a while,
or borrow some from your neighbors.
Make play-dough and find things around the house to use as play-dough molds
and imprints that you yourself never thought before would be good play-dough
tools.
If kids are bored, parents can find them something new and stimulating. If
the parents can't, that will become a problem all by itself eventually, as
unschooling goes.
Sandra
Sandra
"Everything counts."
http://expage.com/SandraDoddArticles
http://expage.com/SandraDodd
[email protected]
The TV will probably be it's own cure one of these days. Two years ago
my son received a Playstation as a gift. He played it for days and days.
It drove me nuts, I could just picture his brain withering up, and he
just could not tear himself away. I said nothing to him about it and it
nearly made my sister in law call the friendly folks at CPS. One
afternoon around four, it was getting dark already and he sort of " woke
up" from the Playstation trance to find himself still in his pj's. Wow!
It's like it hit him that all that time was gone, never to be recovered.
We don't have any trouble with Playstation or TV trance any more.
It might work that way for your son too.
Deb L
my son received a Playstation as a gift. He played it for days and days.
It drove me nuts, I could just picture his brain withering up, and he
just could not tear himself away. I said nothing to him about it and it
nearly made my sister in law call the friendly folks at CPS. One
afternoon around four, it was getting dark already and he sort of " woke
up" from the Playstation trance to find himself still in his pj's. Wow!
It's like it hit him that all that time was gone, never to be recovered.
We don't have any trouble with Playstation or TV trance any more.
It might work that way for your son too.
Deb L
[email protected]
Objection to this advice:
<< If it gets really bad, you can "accidentally" lose the remote >>
Trust is a crucial important element of unschooling. You need to trust them
and they need to trust you.
Sandra
<< If it gets really bad, you can "accidentally" lose the remote >>
Trust is a crucial important element of unschooling. You need to trust them
and they need to trust you.
Sandra
[email protected]
<< It drove me nuts, I could just picture his brain withering up, and he
just could not tear himself away. >>
If you try to play some of those games, you might find your brain isn't
withering up, but actually getting a heck of a workout and thinking some
thoughts you couldn't have had otherwise.
<< It's like it hit him that all that time was gone, never to be recovered.>>
For the benefit of the some-hundred others on the list who are considering
video games, it is not our family's experience that it is time gone. It is
time solving puzzles, thinking lightning-fast, and having fun.
Sandra
just could not tear himself away. >>
If you try to play some of those games, you might find your brain isn't
withering up, but actually getting a heck of a workout and thinking some
thoughts you couldn't have had otherwise.
<< It's like it hit him that all that time was gone, never to be recovered.>>
For the benefit of the some-hundred others on the list who are considering
video games, it is not our family's experience that it is time gone. It is
time solving puzzles, thinking lightning-fast, and having fun.
Sandra
another Philosypher
I get addicted to video games. Especially the puzzle
kind. I'll play them for hours at a time, resenting
the time I have to stop and go cook dinner or
something. But when I figure out the whole puzzle or
know that I have gone as far as I can with my
capabilities I stop. Maybe that's what happened with
your son. He learned all he wanted from it and set it
aside.
Learn from others, but go to your own school
Joy in NM
Homeschooling mom of two
Michael Alexander 16 yo
Kenna Rose 13 yo
Married 17 years to Scott
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kind. I'll play them for hours at a time, resenting
the time I have to stop and go cook dinner or
something. But when I figure out the whole puzzle or
know that I have gone as far as I can with my
capabilities I stop. Maybe that's what happened with
your son. He learned all he wanted from it and set it
aside.
>=====
> << It drove me nuts, I could just picture his brain
> withering up, and he
> just could not tear himself away. >>
> << It's like it hit him that all that time was gone,
> never to be recovered.>>
>
Learn from others, but go to your own school
Joy in NM
Homeschooling mom of two
Michael Alexander 16 yo
Kenna Rose 13 yo
Married 17 years to Scott
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Sandra,
You are so right about the video games! My anecdote was too brief,
merely meant to suggest that kids really do figure out what's best for
them when they need to. My son still enjoys his games and TV but has
found for himself their proper context in HIS life.
He has actually learned a great deal from video games, and it improved
his fine motor skills measurably. This turned out to be a benefit to his
piano playing, hand writing and cartooning. I didn't mean there is no
value in these games or TV, but to reassure the other mom these things
usually work themselves out. The hand / eye coordination of video game
players is astounding! I've stayed up many a night playing Xena, Warrior
Princess.
Do you know where I can get a chakram, by any chance?
Deb L
You are so right about the video games! My anecdote was too brief,
merely meant to suggest that kids really do figure out what's best for
them when they need to. My son still enjoys his games and TV but has
found for himself their proper context in HIS life.
He has actually learned a great deal from video games, and it improved
his fine motor skills measurably. This turned out to be a benefit to his
piano playing, hand writing and cartooning. I didn't mean there is no
value in these games or TV, but to reassure the other mom these things
usually work themselves out. The hand / eye coordination of video game
players is astounding! I've stayed up many a night playing Xena, Warrior
Princess.
Do you know where I can get a chakram, by any chance?
Deb L
Johanna SanInocencio
our son was obsessive about the Sega, especially Sonic the Hedgehog until he
mastered the game. now he hardly touches it.
Johanna
Life is the ultimate learning experience!
mastered the game. now he hardly touches it.
Johanna
Life is the ultimate learning experience!
----- Original Message -----
From: <ddzimlew@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2001 9:12 AM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] New to unschooling....HELP
> The TV will probably be it's own cure one of these days. Two years ago
> my son received a Playstation as a gift. He played it for days and days.
> It drove me nuts, I could just picture his brain withering up, and he
> just could not tear himself away. I said nothing to him about it and it
> nearly made my sister in law call the friendly folks at CPS. One
> afternoon around four, it was getting dark already and he sort of " woke
> up" from the Playstation trance to find himself still in his pj's. Wow!
> It's like it hit him that all that time was gone, never to be recovered.
> We don't have any trouble with Playstation or TV trance any more.
> It might work that way for your son too.
> Deb L
>
>
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Julie Stauffer
Hi Tara,
My oldest was in school for just over a year and she had great difficulty
adjusting to unschooling. She was so....expectant. I decided to help her
along by asking if she wanted to do things like read, watch a movie, go to
the park, go to a museum, cook, etc.. After a couple of months, she was
more comfortable but still not yet initiating much herself. So I started
doing things that interested me and she would ask to join in. Again, this
went on for several months. She is now a very self motivating kid (except
when she is a couch potato LOL).
Actually, I think the TV is a very good segue into unschooling. Watch it
with your kids. Ask questions, point out plot similarities (Hey, that is
basically Romeo and Juliet)....not in a "let me teach you stuff" kind of
way, but how you would watch TV with a friend.
Good luck.
Julie
My oldest was in school for just over a year and she had great difficulty
adjusting to unschooling. She was so....expectant. I decided to help her
along by asking if she wanted to do things like read, watch a movie, go to
the park, go to a museum, cook, etc.. After a couple of months, she was
more comfortable but still not yet initiating much herself. So I started
doing things that interested me and she would ask to join in. Again, this
went on for several months. She is now a very self motivating kid (except
when she is a couch potato LOL).
Actually, I think the TV is a very good segue into unschooling. Watch it
with your kids. Ask questions, point out plot similarities (Hey, that is
basically Romeo and Juliet)....not in a "let me teach you stuff" kind of
way, but how you would watch TV with a friend.
Good luck.
Julie
Julie Stauffer
<<It could make for trouble with CPS if ever somebody turned you in>>
I, for one, refuse to modulate my life in fear of child protective services.
I only do what I think is best for my children. If I change that because of
fear of CPS, what kind of mother does that make me?
Trusting kids means trusting kids. It doesn't mean trust them only while
they are doing things I like. That would be easy, but it wouldn't be trust.
Trust means having faith when things move out of your comfort zone.
Julie
I, for one, refuse to modulate my life in fear of child protective services.
I only do what I think is best for my children. If I change that because of
fear of CPS, what kind of mother does that make me?
Trusting kids means trusting kids. It doesn't mean trust them only while
they are doing things I like. That would be easy, but it wouldn't be trust.
Trust means having faith when things move out of your comfort zone.
Julie
[email protected]
In a message dated 9/5/01 5:56:06 AM US Eastern Standard Time,
mandlhand@... writes:
tv time, I unplugged the tv and declared it 'broken'. I lied to him. I think
that was wholly unappropriate. And really, lying to my son to prevent him
from what I thought was bad?? I *really* hate lying to anyone, esp my son.
I put up a huge fight against tv very recently at the unschooling.com board.
And now I've totally loosened the reigns, well, trying to at least. If you're
interested you might check it out, in the folder 'tv or no tv'. A lot of
people's opinions in there.
I think at this time that unschooling is also uncontrolling. And I'm
*extremely* new to the whole concept. But you determining what your son does
and doesn't do, i.e. couch potato vs. computer junkie vs. cooking nut etc.,
doesn't seem that unschooling to me. I have read some people on here talk
about offering more structure to their kids, but not forcing a structure upon
them. jmho.
brenda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
mandlhand@... writes:
> If it gets really bad, you can "accidentally" lose the remote (since no kidUm, I would not suggest this. My ds is 3.5 and when I wanted to eliminate his
> nowadays understands how to use a TV without one!) or unplug the TV until
> something else is done to your satisfaction. Don't let your son be a couch
> potato.
tv time, I unplugged the tv and declared it 'broken'. I lied to him. I think
that was wholly unappropriate. And really, lying to my son to prevent him
from what I thought was bad?? I *really* hate lying to anyone, esp my son.
I put up a huge fight against tv very recently at the unschooling.com board.
And now I've totally loosened the reigns, well, trying to at least. If you're
interested you might check it out, in the folder 'tv or no tv'. A lot of
people's opinions in there.
I think at this time that unschooling is also uncontrolling. And I'm
*extremely* new to the whole concept. But you determining what your son does
and doesn't do, i.e. couch potato vs. computer junkie vs. cooking nut etc.,
doesn't seem that unschooling to me. I have read some people on here talk
about offering more structure to their kids, but not forcing a structure upon
them. jmho.
brenda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Tracy Oldfield
OK, just to re-iterate, I didn't say anything about
lying to the kids. Just unplugging the TV and not
allowing it to be plugged in until certain things were
done. I don't think that requiring them to get dressed
or do some household chores is too much to ask before
the TV goes on. I also think that asking them to do
something educational is fine - I don't specify what
they need to do. I might say "read, write a letter,
play on the computer, do a workbook, make a craft, just
do something!" and expect them to find something to do
besides sit and watch cartoons.
Laurie, who is beginning to wish she'd never said a word
No-one else seems to have commented on this, perhaps
it's so basic to everyone else that no-one's thought
about it :-)) I just wanted to mention that one of the
things about unschooling (I think, anyway) is that
there's no distinction between what's 'educational' and
what isn't. It's not that long ago (in the big scheme
of things, as it were) that someone spending lots of
time reading would be considered by some (and perhaps
still would today) to be wasting time and not being
'useful.'
Deschooling takes a lot of time, longer for those
who've been in it longer. Separating life into what's
educational and what isn't doesn't help that process
any, I believe.
JMO, and ymmv, of course ;-)
Tracy
lying to the kids. Just unplugging the TV and not
allowing it to be plugged in until certain things were
done. I don't think that requiring them to get dressed
or do some household chores is too much to ask before
the TV goes on. I also think that asking them to do
something educational is fine - I don't specify what
they need to do. I might say "read, write a letter,
play on the computer, do a workbook, make a craft, just
do something!" and expect them to find something to do
besides sit and watch cartoons.
Laurie, who is beginning to wish she'd never said a word
No-one else seems to have commented on this, perhaps
it's so basic to everyone else that no-one's thought
about it :-)) I just wanted to mention that one of the
things about unschooling (I think, anyway) is that
there's no distinction between what's 'educational' and
what isn't. It's not that long ago (in the big scheme
of things, as it were) that someone spending lots of
time reading would be considered by some (and perhaps
still would today) to be wasting time and not being
'useful.'
Deschooling takes a lot of time, longer for those
who've been in it longer. Separating life into what's
educational and what isn't doesn't help that process
any, I believe.
JMO, and ymmv, of course ;-)
Tracy
M and L Hand
OK, I'm new here and apparently some of you aren't understanding. I was trying to say that IF somebody were to turn that family in and they were investigated, I'd hate for her son to say, honestly, that all he does is watch TV all day. That just would not be good. Unless he is watching Discovery Channel all day. I didn't mean she should go out and buy a canned curriculum or modify HER life in any way - just to think about the TV issue.
Sorry that I seem to have had communication problems with that post. Maybe I should just lurk a bit more.
Laurie
<<It could make for trouble with CPS if ever somebody turned you in>>
I, for one, refuse to modulate my life in fear of child protective services.
I only do what I think is best for my children. If I change that because of
fear of CPS, what kind of mother does that make me?
Trusting kids means trusting kids. It doesn't mean trust them only while
they are doing things I like. That would be easy, but it wouldn't be trust.
Trust means having faith when things move out of your comfort zone.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sorry that I seem to have had communication problems with that post. Maybe I should just lurk a bit more.
Laurie
<<It could make for trouble with CPS if ever somebody turned you in>>
I, for one, refuse to modulate my life in fear of child protective services.
I only do what I think is best for my children. If I change that because of
fear of CPS, what kind of mother does that make me?
Trusting kids means trusting kids. It doesn't mean trust them only while
they are doing things I like. That would be easy, but it wouldn't be trust.
Trust means having faith when things move out of your comfort zone.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
M and L Hand
OK, just to re-iterate, I didn't say anything about lying to the kids. Just unplugging the TV and not allowing it to be plugged in until certain things were done. I don't think that requiring them to get dressed or do some household chores is too much to ask before the TV goes on. I also think that asking them to do something educational is fine - I don't specify what they need to do. I might say "read, write a letter, play on the computer, do a workbook, make a craft, just do something!" and expect them to find something to do besides sit and watch cartoons.
Laurie, who is beginning to wish she'd never said a word
tv time, I unplugged the tv and declared it 'broken'. I think at this time that unschooling is also uncontrolling. And I'm *extremely* new to the whole concept. But you determining what your son does and doesn't do, i.e. couch potato vs. computer junkie vs. cooking nut etc., doesn't seem that unschooling to me. I have read some people on here talk about offering more structure to their kids, but not forcing a structure upon them. jmho.
brenda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Laurie, who is beginning to wish she'd never said a word
> If it gets really bad, you can "accidentally" lose the remote (since no kidUm, I would not suggest this. My ds is 3.5 and when I wanted to eliminate his
> nowadays understands how to use a TV without one!) or unplug the TV until
> something else is done to your satisfaction. Don't let your son be a couch
> potato.
tv time, I unplugged the tv and declared it 'broken'. I think at this time that unschooling is also uncontrolling. And I'm *extremely* new to the whole concept. But you determining what your son does and doesn't do, i.e. couch potato vs. computer junkie vs. cooking nut etc., doesn't seem that unschooling to me. I have read some people on here talk about offering more structure to their kids, but not forcing a structure upon them. jmho.
brenda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Tami Labig-Duquette
I understand, and still dis-agree.
Indiana Tami
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world"
~Ghandi
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Indiana Tami
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>From: "M and L Hand" <mandlhand@...>_________________________________________________________________
>Reply-To: [email protected]
>To: <[email protected]>
>Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] New to unschooling....HELP
>Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2001 15:13:11 +1000
>
>OK, I'm new here and apparently some of you aren't understanding. I was
>trying to say that IF somebody were to turn that family in and they were
>investigated, I'd hate for her son to say, honestly, that all he does is
>watch TV all day. That just would not be good. Unless he is watching
>Discovery Channel all day. I didn't mean she should go out and buy a
>canned curriculum or modify HER life in any way - just to think about the
>TV issue.
>
>Sorry that I seem to have had communication problems with that post. Maybe
>I should just lurk a bit more.
>Laurie
>
> <<It could make for trouble with CPS if ever somebody turned you in>>
>
> I, for one, refuse to modulate my life in fear of child protective
>services.
> I only do what I think is best for my children. If I change that
>because of
> fear of CPS, what kind of mother does that make me?
>
> Trusting kids means trusting kids. It doesn't mean trust them only
>while
> they are doing things I like. That would be easy, but it wouldn't be
>trust.
> Trust means having faith when things move out of your comfort zone.
>
>
>[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
[email protected]
<< OK, just to re-iterate, I didn't say anything about lying to the kids. >>
Then I misinterpreted the quotation marks on "accidently" in this:
If it gets really bad, you can "accidentally" lose the remote
Then I misinterpreted the quotation marks on "accidently" in this:
If it gets really bad, you can "accidentally" lose the remote
[email protected]
<< I was trying to say that IF somebody were to turn that family in and they
were investigated, I'd hate for her son to say, honestly, that all he does is
watch TV all day. That just would not be good. >>
True.
If a child has nothing better to do than watch TV all day, it is vastly
better for an unschooling parent to get that child out and away from the TV
DOING something cool, than to just say "turn off the TV every day for the
rest of your life in case family services comes here."
Deprivation doesn't lead to better unschooling, and if the child is living
for the convenience of the mom, something's wrong with the whole balance
anyway.
(That's what I think some of the other posters were trying to say.)
Sandra
were investigated, I'd hate for her son to say, honestly, that all he does is
watch TV all day. That just would not be good. >>
True.
If a child has nothing better to do than watch TV all day, it is vastly
better for an unschooling parent to get that child out and away from the TV
DOING something cool, than to just say "turn off the TV every day for the
rest of your life in case family services comes here."
Deprivation doesn't lead to better unschooling, and if the child is living
for the convenience of the mom, something's wrong with the whole balance
anyway.
(That's what I think some of the other posters were trying to say.)
Sandra
Elizabeth Hill
>Videos are a great learning opportunity that most deschooling teens (or
> My oldest was in school for just over a year and she had great difficulty
> adjusting to unschooling. She was so....expectant. I decided to help her
> along by asking if she wanted to do things like read, watch a movie, go to
> the park, go to a museum, cook, etc..
pre-teens) aren't resistant to. So, I would encourage trips to the video
store and letting her (the original poster's daughter) pick things during a
deschooling period. (
The website www.imdb.com has tons of information, if you don't know what you
want to see. It's possible to find all the movies ever made by a favorite
movie star, etc.
(As a parent, I also like to use screenit.com to find out what might be
objectionable in a movie -- but don't use it if you hate to have the plot
revealed before you see something.)
Betsy
Bridget E Coffman
On Thu, 6 Sep 2001 02:10:56 +0100 "Tracy Oldfield"
<tracy.oldfield@...> writes:
reach behind the TV and loosen the co-ax connector just enough to make
the picture garbage. I'm the only one who can fix it and that's my
solution when my 9yo son gets into TV too much. I agree that asking them
to do something is not too much!
Bridget
~~~~If electricity comes from electrons...does that mean that morality
comes from morons?~~~~
I sent my Soul through the Invisible,
Some letter of that After-life to spell;
And by and by my Soul returned to me,
And answered, "I Myself am Heaven and Hell." -- The Rubaiyat
<tracy.oldfield@...> writes:
> OK, just to re-iterate, I didn't say anything aboutI don't know where this conversation started but here's my trick - I
> lying to the kids. Just unplugging the TV and not
> allowing it to be plugged in until certain things were
> done. I don't think that requiring them to get dressed
> or do some household chores is too much to ask before
> the TV goes on.
reach behind the TV and loosen the co-ax connector just enough to make
the picture garbage. I'm the only one who can fix it and that's my
solution when my 9yo son gets into TV too much. I agree that asking them
to do something is not too much!
Bridget
~~~~If electricity comes from electrons...does that mean that morality
comes from morons?~~~~
I sent my Soul through the Invisible,
Some letter of that After-life to spell;
And by and by my Soul returned to me,
And answered, "I Myself am Heaven and Hell." -- The Rubaiyat
[email protected]
In a message dated 9/6/01 8:12:12 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
tracy.oldfield@... writes:
I watch the (whatever) movie?" This was a huge issue for me for a long time.
And several times we'd fight because I demanded that breakfast came first.
Then for a run of days I let him do it his way. Breakfast was on the table
and he ate when he was done watching. ( We drink a bright green shake for
breakfast, too messy for the living room) Now, he generally waits on his own,
or if I ask if we can wait he'll say sure. I think giving him control of his
time helped immensely. No longer that power struggle. Just my experience.
Brenda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
tracy.oldfield@... writes:
> . I don't think that requiring them to get dressedThere have been times when my son woke up and eyes only half open, said "Can
> or do some household chores is too much to ask before
> the TV goes on.
I watch the (whatever) movie?" This was a huge issue for me for a long time.
And several times we'd fight because I demanded that breakfast came first.
Then for a run of days I let him do it his way. Breakfast was on the table
and he ate when he was done watching. ( We drink a bright green shake for
breakfast, too messy for the living room) Now, he generally waits on his own,
or if I ask if we can wait he'll say sure. I think giving him control of his
time helped immensely. No longer that power struggle. Just my experience.
Brenda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 9/6/01 10:54:04 PM US Eastern Standard Time,
rumpleteasermom@... writes:
clincher is allowing them to decide if they want to or not. If they have no
choice, why bother asking? I was really into the whole, deprive tv to get
other stuff done thing but I really don't think it's the way to go. I had a
long struggle with my 3yo and in just the last week or so of letting him have
it all he wants, his wants have diminished. (btw thanks to all those on the
message board!:-)) When the vcr was miraculously fixed, i.e., I plugged it
in, he sat in front of it for hours for several days. Today, he never even
suggested turning it on. I think he's got the idea that it's his when he
wants it.
And I feel really awful having lied to my own son to control and manipulate
his activities. I've always thought the best route was to be up front and
stand behind my decisions, even if they made him unhappy. So how do I tell my
3yo that I lied to him?
Overall, just not a good parenting move in my book.
Brenda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
rumpleteasermom@... writes:
> I don't know where this conversation started but here's my trick - II also agree that asking someone to do something is not too much. But the
> reach behind the TV and loosen the co-ax connector just enough to make
> the picture garbage. I'm the only one who can fix it and that's my
> solution when my 9yo son gets into TV too much. I agree that asking them
> to do something is not too much!
>
clincher is allowing them to decide if they want to or not. If they have no
choice, why bother asking? I was really into the whole, deprive tv to get
other stuff done thing but I really don't think it's the way to go. I had a
long struggle with my 3yo and in just the last week or so of letting him have
it all he wants, his wants have diminished. (btw thanks to all those on the
message board!:-)) When the vcr was miraculously fixed, i.e., I plugged it
in, he sat in front of it for hours for several days. Today, he never even
suggested turning it on. I think he's got the idea that it's his when he
wants it.
And I feel really awful having lied to my own son to control and manipulate
his activities. I've always thought the best route was to be up front and
stand behind my decisions, even if they made him unhappy. So how do I tell my
3yo that I lied to him?
Overall, just not a good parenting move in my book.
Brenda
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
<< I don't know where this conversation started but here's my trick - I
reach behind the TV and loosen the co-ax connector just enough to make
the picture garbage. I'm the only one who can fix it and that's my
solution when my 9yo son gets into TV too much. I agree that asking them
to do something is not too much! >>
If your children wanted you to stay home with them more so they loosened the
distributor wires or the battery cable, and then tightened it again after you
had spent some time with them, would that be okay?
Or if they wanted you off the computer so they loosened the phone jack so
your modem connection would be garbage and then restored it after you had
played some games with them, wouldn't you consider that to be sneaky and
underhanded, disrespectful and rude?
Being dishonest is teaching dishonesty.
Sandra
"Everything counts."
http://expage.com/SandraDoddArticles
http://expage.com/SandraDodd
reach behind the TV and loosen the co-ax connector just enough to make
the picture garbage. I'm the only one who can fix it and that's my
solution when my 9yo son gets into TV too much. I agree that asking them
to do something is not too much! >>
If your children wanted you to stay home with them more so they loosened the
distributor wires or the battery cable, and then tightened it again after you
had spent some time with them, would that be okay?
Or if they wanted you off the computer so they loosened the phone jack so
your modem connection would be garbage and then restored it after you had
played some games with them, wouldn't you consider that to be sneaky and
underhanded, disrespectful and rude?
Being dishonest is teaching dishonesty.
Sandra
"Everything counts."
http://expage.com/SandraDoddArticles
http://expage.com/SandraDodd
[email protected]
<< Then for a run of days I let him do it his way. Breakfast was on the table
and he ate when he was done watching. >>
Is that run of days over? (Just curious.)
Sandra
"Everything counts."
http://expage.com/SandraDoddArticles
http://expage.com/SandraDodd
and he ate when he was done watching. >>
Is that run of days over? (Just curious.)
Sandra
"Everything counts."
http://expage.com/SandraDoddArticles
http://expage.com/SandraDodd
Bridget E Coffman
On Fri, 7 Sep 2001 00:00:32 EDT brendaclaspell@... writes:
away and do other things but my third will sit in front of the TV or
computer ALL day if not told to do other things. I'm not exaggerating
either when I say ALL day. He will watch one movie after another, the
same movie over and over or cooking show, cartoons and construction
shows.
Bridget
~~~~If electricity comes from electrons...does that mean that morality
comes from morons?~~~~
I sent my Soul through the Invisible,
Some letter of that After-life to spell;
And by and by my Soul returned to me,
And answered, "I Myself am Heaven and Hell." -- The Rubaiyat
>. I think giving himYes, but I think it depends on the child too. I have two that can walk
> control of his
> time helped immensely. No longer that power struggle. Just my
> experience.
>
> Brenda
>
>
away and do other things but my third will sit in front of the TV or
computer ALL day if not told to do other things. I'm not exaggerating
either when I say ALL day. He will watch one movie after another, the
same movie over and over or cooking show, cartoons and construction
shows.
Bridget
~~~~If electricity comes from electrons...does that mean that morality
comes from morons?~~~~
I sent my Soul through the Invisible,
Some letter of that After-life to spell;
And by and by my Soul returned to me,
And answered, "I Myself am Heaven and Hell." -- The Rubaiyat
Bridget E Coffman
It isn't that they don't know what I did to the TV . It is that they
can't fix it themselves (at least my youngest can't). And I only use it
as a last resort when the TV starts staying on continuously for days at a
time. My son occassionally 'forgets' that there is life away from the
TV. That's why I do it and he knows why. Mine are older than most of
yours too I think (based on what I've read so far). Mine are 16, 14 and
9. I only have TV problems witht he 9 year old. The 14 year old needs a
12 step program for her reading addiction - I mean really - who need to
take a book in the car TO THE LIBRARY -- to read on the way, not to
return! And the library is only two miles up the road! (I am just
joking for those who don't know me well enough yet - I love that she
reads so much.)
I think there is a world of different between letting them learn to make
their own choices and letting them make YOUR choices too. My kids have a
list of chores and a list of basic amounts of schoolwork to be done each
week. The less they do, the more controlled the following week is. So
it really is up to them but their choices have consequences.
Bridget
On Fri, 7 Sep 2001 09:17:48 EDT SandraDodd@... writes:
comes from morons?~~~~
I sent my Soul through the Invisible,
Some letter of that After-life to spell;
And by and by my Soul returned to me,
And answered, "I Myself am Heaven and Hell." -- The Rubaiyat
can't fix it themselves (at least my youngest can't). And I only use it
as a last resort when the TV starts staying on continuously for days at a
time. My son occassionally 'forgets' that there is life away from the
TV. That's why I do it and he knows why. Mine are older than most of
yours too I think (based on what I've read so far). Mine are 16, 14 and
9. I only have TV problems witht he 9 year old. The 14 year old needs a
12 step program for her reading addiction - I mean really - who need to
take a book in the car TO THE LIBRARY -- to read on the way, not to
return! And the library is only two miles up the road! (I am just
joking for those who don't know me well enough yet - I love that she
reads so much.)
I think there is a world of different between letting them learn to make
their own choices and letting them make YOUR choices too. My kids have a
list of chores and a list of basic amounts of schoolwork to be done each
week. The less they do, the more controlled the following week is. So
it really is up to them but their choices have consequences.
Bridget
On Fri, 7 Sep 2001 09:17:48 EDT SandraDodd@... writes:
> Being dishonest is teaching dishonesty.~~~~If electricity comes from electrons...does that mean that morality
>
> Sandra
comes from morons?~~~~
I sent my Soul through the Invisible,
Some letter of that After-life to spell;
And by and by my Soul returned to me,
And answered, "I Myself am Heaven and Hell." -- The Rubaiyat
[email protected]
<< My kids have a list of chores and a list of basic amounts of schoolwork to
be done each week. >>
Then it's not really unschooling and our answers aren't what you need.
Because there is an ocean of advice for structured homeschoolers and so much
less for unschoolers, I like to keep trying to keep unschooling.com (and its
subsidiary mailing list) a clean lake of unschooling advice.
If a nine-year-old UNschooled child has nothing better to do than watch TV,
that's a problem with the available activities the unschooling mom is
providing. If a nine-year-old kid who has required schoolish activities is
watching TV instead of doing homework, that's not an unschooling question or
problem. It could be avoided by unschooling instead of doing school at home
(however loosely).
-=-The less they do, the more controlled the following week is. So
it really is up to them but their choices have consequences.-=-
The consequences of the family's choice not to unschool has the consequence
that the parents must be increasingly controlling.
Sandra
"Everything counts."
http://expage.com/SandraDoddArticles
http://expage.com/SandraDodd
be done each week. >>
Then it's not really unschooling and our answers aren't what you need.
Because there is an ocean of advice for structured homeschoolers and so much
less for unschoolers, I like to keep trying to keep unschooling.com (and its
subsidiary mailing list) a clean lake of unschooling advice.
If a nine-year-old UNschooled child has nothing better to do than watch TV,
that's a problem with the available activities the unschooling mom is
providing. If a nine-year-old kid who has required schoolish activities is
watching TV instead of doing homework, that's not an unschooling question or
problem. It could be avoided by unschooling instead of doing school at home
(however loosely).
-=-The less they do, the more controlled the following week is. So
it really is up to them but their choices have consequences.-=-
The consequences of the family's choice not to unschool has the consequence
that the parents must be increasingly controlling.
Sandra
"Everything counts."
http://expage.com/SandraDoddArticles
http://expage.com/SandraDodd