Janet F Hamlin

>><< well is it ok for the kid who's unschooled to
just be mediochre, happy but not necessarily super
talented... >>

Talent is inborn. It can be encouraged and nurtured, but it can't be
created. It can be squished and destroyed, but unschooling won't do that.>>


The whole time I was growing up, all I heard from my parents was "get good
grades, go to college, and get a good job." My true interests were squashed
because "college prep" kids didn't take those courses. I had to take what
they wanted me to take. Period. (I was a shy wallflower type back then who
didn't argue with "authority"). Went to college, rediscovered my squashed
passion, got my doctorate, and now created my own job :).

However, a girl I grew up with was very mediocre academically. Her passion
was art, and while she survived school, her grades weren't very good. When
finally "released" (graduated) she was able to attend art school, and was
able to make a living at art. She became a graphics designer and with a
partner, started a graphics design studio in NYC. Sold it a few years later
and is now a multimillionaire.

Who was more successful academically (and valued by society?) Me.

Who is more successful financially (and valued by society?) She is.

Who is doing what they're passionate about and making a living at it? We
both are.

This is what I want for my kids. Follow their passions, wherever they lead.
If it's college, great. If it's an apprenticeship, great. Whatever it is
I'll support them 100%, whether or not relative (or society) thinks their
pursuits are worthwhile or not or feels they are "wasting their lives" by
not choosing college.

I only enjoyed college when I studied what I wanted. The guidance
counselors didn't know what to make of the freshman biology major who wanted
to take Survey of Latin American Literature. :). But there are lots of
people in college who don't want to be there, have a major they don't want
(society or family or whatever said it would be a good degree to have), and
they are wasting their time.

Janet, mom to Caroline, 6, and Thomas, 3

sparrow

thank you Janet...you are so right..I love hat unschooling
frees a child to be who she wants to be, that is almost
foreign to me. Since I've become a mom though, I'm taking
hold of my indepent thinking and I'm not wanting to let go!
Sparrow

Janet F Hamlin wrote:

> >><< well is it ok for the kid who's unschooled to
> just be mediochre, happy but not necessarily super
> talented... >>
>
> Talent is inborn. It can be encouraged and nurtured, but
> it can't be
> created. It can be squished and destroyed, but
> unschooling won't do that.>>
>
>
> The whole time I was growing up, all I heard from my
> parents was "get good
> grades, go to college, and get a good job." My true
> interests were squashed
> because "college prep" kids didn't take those courses. I
> had to take what
> they wanted me to take. Period. (I was a shy wallflower
> type back then who
> didn't argue with "authority"). Went to college,
> rediscovered my squashed
> passion, got my doctorate, and now created my own job :).
>
> However, a girl I grew up with was very mediocre
> academically. Her passion
> was art, and while she survived school, her grades weren't
> very good. When
> finally "released" (graduated) she was able to attend art
> school, and was
> able to make a living at art. She became a graphics
> designer and with a
> partner, started a graphics design studio in NYC. Sold it
> a few years later
> and is now a multimillionaire.
>
> Who was more successful academically (and valued by
> society?) Me.
>
> Who is more successful financially (and valued by
> society?) She is.
>
> Who is doing what they're passionate about and making a
> living at it? We
> both are.
>
> This is what I want for my kids. Follow their passions,
> wherever they lead.
> If it's college, great. If it's an apprenticeship,
> great. Whatever it is
> I'll support them 100%, whether or not relative (or
> society) thinks their
> pursuits are worthwhile or not or feels they are "wasting
> their lives" by
> not choosing college.
>
> I only enjoyed college when I studied what I wanted. The
> guidance
> counselors didn't know what to make of the freshman
> biology major who wanted
> to take Survey of Latin American Literature. :). But
> there are lots of
> people in college who don't want to be there, have a major
> they don't want
> (society or family or whatever said it would be a good
> degree to have), and
> they are wasting their time.
>
> Janet, mom to Caroline, 6, and Thomas, 3
>
>
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