Empowerment
Lori
I have this certificate on the front of my log book.
It just became apparent to me that this was written by
Sandra. Some wise words here, to be sure. Perhaps the
distance between us on this group is not so far?
These lines are of particular interest to me, in light
of the recent threads...
"As bearer of this certificate you are no longer
required to depend on the advice of experts. " (Even
those who consider themselves experts on unschooling.)
"This authorizes you to experiment; to trust and enjoy
your kids; to rejoice when your children surpass you
in skill, knowledge or wisdom; to make mistakes, and
to say "I don't know." (And to share our mistakes and
wisdoms as just that, our own. Offer support, talk
about what worked for some, and encourage each other.)
"You may reclaim control of your family's daily life,
and take what steps you feel necessary to protect your
children from physical, emotional or social harm.
(Setting boundaries, limits are healthy!)
You have leave to think your own thoughts, and to
encourage your children to think theirs."
We all are entitled to our own thoughts, and mistakes.
Just remember that it is in community that we find the
strength to grow.
**********************************
Certificate of Empowerment
by Sandra Dodd
This is intended for those who want to be "certified".
Feel free to print this out for yourself or a friend.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Certificate of Empowerment
As bearer of this certificate you are no longer
required to depend on the advice of experts. You may
step back and view the entire world-not just your
home, neighborhood or town, but the whole Earth-as a
learning experience, a laboratory containing languages
(and native speakers thereof), plants, animals,
history, geology, weather (real live weather, in the
sky, not in a book), music, art , mathematics,
physics, engineering, foods, human dynamics, and ideas
without end. Although collections of these treasures
have been located in museums for your convenience,
they are to be found everywhere else, too.
This authorizes you to experiment; to trust and enjoy
your kids; to rejoice when your children surpass you
in skill, knowledge or wisdom; to make mistakes, and
to say "I don't know." Furthermore, you may allow your
children to experience boredom without taking full
responsibility for finding them something to do.
Henceforth you shall neither be required nor expected
to finish everything you start. Projects, books,
experiments and plans may be discontinued as soon as
something more interesting comes along (or for any
other reason) without penalty, and picked up again at
any time in the future (or never).
You may reclaim control of your family's daily life,
and take what steps you feel necessary to protect your
children from physical, emotional or social harm.
You have leave to think your own thoughts, and to
encourage your children to think theirs.
Each person who reads and understands this is
authorized to extend these privileges to others, by
reproducing and distributing this certificate or by
creating another of his/her own design. Those who
don't feel the need to obtain approval to experiment,
to think, or to do things they've never seen others do
are exempt, as they didn't need permission in the
first place.
=====
"I'm looking for other people who realize that the
universe is one big contradiction,
and the only true purpose to life is to smell the
flowers and hug your friends."
-Colene from the book "Chaos Mode", by Piers
Anthony
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Find the one for you at Yahoo! Personals
http://personals.yahoo.com
It just became apparent to me that this was written by
Sandra. Some wise words here, to be sure. Perhaps the
distance between us on this group is not so far?
These lines are of particular interest to me, in light
of the recent threads...
"As bearer of this certificate you are no longer
required to depend on the advice of experts. " (Even
those who consider themselves experts on unschooling.)
"This authorizes you to experiment; to trust and enjoy
your kids; to rejoice when your children surpass you
in skill, knowledge or wisdom; to make mistakes, and
to say "I don't know." (And to share our mistakes and
wisdoms as just that, our own. Offer support, talk
about what worked for some, and encourage each other.)
"You may reclaim control of your family's daily life,
and take what steps you feel necessary to protect your
children from physical, emotional or social harm.
(Setting boundaries, limits are healthy!)
You have leave to think your own thoughts, and to
encourage your children to think theirs."
We all are entitled to our own thoughts, and mistakes.
Just remember that it is in community that we find the
strength to grow.
**********************************
Certificate of Empowerment
by Sandra Dodd
This is intended for those who want to be "certified".
Feel free to print this out for yourself or a friend.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Certificate of Empowerment
As bearer of this certificate you are no longer
required to depend on the advice of experts. You may
step back and view the entire world-not just your
home, neighborhood or town, but the whole Earth-as a
learning experience, a laboratory containing languages
(and native speakers thereof), plants, animals,
history, geology, weather (real live weather, in the
sky, not in a book), music, art , mathematics,
physics, engineering, foods, human dynamics, and ideas
without end. Although collections of these treasures
have been located in museums for your convenience,
they are to be found everywhere else, too.
This authorizes you to experiment; to trust and enjoy
your kids; to rejoice when your children surpass you
in skill, knowledge or wisdom; to make mistakes, and
to say "I don't know." Furthermore, you may allow your
children to experience boredom without taking full
responsibility for finding them something to do.
Henceforth you shall neither be required nor expected
to finish everything you start. Projects, books,
experiments and plans may be discontinued as soon as
something more interesting comes along (or for any
other reason) without penalty, and picked up again at
any time in the future (or never).
You may reclaim control of your family's daily life,
and take what steps you feel necessary to protect your
children from physical, emotional or social harm.
You have leave to think your own thoughts, and to
encourage your children to think theirs.
Each person who reads and understands this is
authorized to extend these privileges to others, by
reproducing and distributing this certificate or by
creating another of his/her own design. Those who
don't feel the need to obtain approval to experiment,
to think, or to do things they've never seen others do
are exempt, as they didn't need permission in the
first place.
=====
"I'm looking for other people who realize that the
universe is one big contradiction,
and the only true purpose to life is to smell the
flowers and hug your friends."
-Colene from the book "Chaos Mode", by Piers
Anthony
__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Find the one for you at Yahoo! Personals
http://personals.yahoo.com