Julie Stauffer

<<How unschooling won't work>>

Well, I think it will always work, but what the kids learn might be twisted
in some situations.

Example: Parents say they are unschooling but don't actually trust the kids
to make choices, i.e. glares silently at kid if TV is on too long, "loses"
the gameboy, is all happy and smiling if kid chooses a workbook,etc..

Example: Parents are drunks with few interests outside of a bottle. Kids
not allowed to go out into the world because they might "spill the beans".

Julie

Joseph Fuerst

Kathryn,
You, me, and the preschool directors are on the same page on this one.
They stuck to their guns in enabling the two severely allergic kids the
opportunity to attend. I used to be on the Board at this pre-school. I
love them for their "play is the work of childhood" philosophy. And their
firm stance in not pushing "academics".

An the staff had no problem; just a few parents.....It was strange to
wonder about what message those kids of the complaining parents are hearing.
The preschool is only two days a week, 4 hours each. Even if your child
insisted on peanut butter or peanut products daily.....there's always after
school snacks......other opportunities to eat on 'school' days.....and FIVE
days a week when it's not an issue for those children who don't have a
problem!
>
> >
> > A local preschool in our area became a "no-nut" zone this year to
protect
> > two students with nut allergies. It was a big deal...lawyers and
> > everything...about whether the school has the 'right' to restrict what
> > parents can pack in the little ones lunches just to enable TWO students
to
> > attend.
> >
> >
>
> To me, it's sad that this turns into a big deal. What are they teaching
their
> kids? That our right to bring peanut butter to school is more important
than
> having Jessie and Mark there? Call me crazy, but I think people are more
> important than food preferences. Altering something this simple to show
> love, caring, and respect for another person seems pretty basic.
>
> Sigh...
> Kathryn

Joseph Fuerst

> Just for your consideration.
>
> Pop = Pondering offensive post.
> Poop = Pondering others opinions profoundly.
> Crap = considerate response (to) annoying post.
> Mad = making assumptions defensively.
> Spam = someone's post angered me.
> Spits = someone's post is total shit.
> Asthma = assuming someone's trying (to) hurt me, again!
> Peanuts = presuming everyone assumes nobody understands this stuff.
> ( Still working on constipation ) the acronym, not the condition.
> Deb L
>
LOL! Creativity lives!!!

meghan anderson

You could "get sick" <vbg>. I don't mean to be
flippant, but I think that's what I'd be tempted to do
if I thought I was going to be attacked and undermined
on 3 separate occasions (but of course then you
wouldn't see the family that you want to see)! Could
you say something like this to your brother when you
meet up: I know you don't approve of my homeschooling,
but the fact is I know it is the right thing to do for
MY family. We will have to agree to disagree on this
subject. I don't want to get into any discussions
about it and I don't want any comments made about it
while we are together. It makes the visit tense for me
and I can't relax and enjoy myself fully.
If he persists, you could tell him outright that your
homeschooling has nothing to do with him and that no
matter how hard he tries, he will never have control
over the situation, so let it go!
Good luck!
Warmly Meghan


<<Hi, folks --

Thanksgiving is coming. And while I love most of my
relatives, there
is
always potential for the big
"we-think-you-shouldn't-homeschool" fight
at
any family gathering. (Or long car trip with my
brother.)

I don't take criticism really well -- especially the
heavy-handed kind
that
starts with "your are ruining this child!!!!"

Anybody got any happy thoughts for rising above this
or just slogging
through? I'm going to three and a half family
gatherings over the long
weekend, and it's really more than I can sail through
serenely.

Thanks!
Betsy>>

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Elizabeth Hill

meghan anderson wrote:

>
> If he persists, you could tell him outright that your
> homeschooling has nothing to do with him and that no
> matter how hard he tries, he will never have control
> over the situation, so let it go!
> Good luck!
> Warmly Meghan

Hi, Meghan --

I think I'll put your idea together with some of the others and that'll get
me through.

I'm inspired by your suggestions, and the previous ones, to say (to any
provocation) "Thanks for the suggestion." and "I'll keep that in mind."
Then I can dwell on the fact that their suggestions are JUST WORDS and they
don't have the power to come to my house and tear up my R-4 form and march
my son down to the school and enroll him.

If I can't hold on to my cool, I think I'll borrow someone else's. (I'm
thinking the stereotypically stiff-upper-lippy Giles, in Buffy the vampire
slayer saying oh-so-mildly "If I want your suggestions...")

I always feel so terrible when I fly off the handle. But, honestly, people
say some shockingly rude things. ("You've gotta put this kid in school or
he'll never be normal.")

Betsy

P.S. ("I'll keep that in mind" means I'll memorize every harsh word you
said and then I'm gonna come on line and mock you to my friends here.
Snort.)

Tia Leschke

>
>I always feel so terrible when I fly off the handle. But, honestly, people
>say some shockingly rude things. ("You've gotta put this kid in school or
>he'll never be normal.")

"You call what comes out of the public schools *normal*? Wow! I sure
wouldn't."
<g>
Tia

On Vancouver Island
**************************************************************************
It is the answers which separate us, the questions which unite us. - Janice
Levy

Bridget

--- In Unschooling-dotcom@y..., Elizabeth Hill <ecsamhill@e...> wrote:
I'm
> thinking the stereotypically stiff-upper-lippy Giles, in Buffy the
vampire
> slayer saying oh-so-mildly "If I want your suggestions...")
>

"I'll never want your opionion, Spike."

BTW - Did you see the encore presentation? They trimmed it to fit
ina n hour time slot. One of our favorite lines got cut. Who could
resist chuckling at Xander saying, "Does this mean I have to be your
queen?"

Bridget

Tia Leschke

>
> >
>
>When people are shockingly rude to you, I see no reason to be polite back.
>I never could figure why some families (mine included) seem to think that
>politeness is reserved for non-family members and not needed with family
>members.

I can't figure that one out either. The other day, my MIL told my
step-daughter that her hair was awful. It was the worst colour she had
chosen yet, and she looked like a witch. Emily certainly chooses some
outrageous fashions in hair and clothes, but I thought we had managed to
convince the grandparents that she was still the same person inside. Emmy
is pretty thick-skinnned around strangers, but it hurt her badly coming
from her beloved grandmother. I couldn't believe she would say a thing
like that. I know she wouldn't say something like that to a friend.
Tia

What you think of me is none of my business.
*********************************************************
Tia Leschke leschke@...
On Vancouver Island