Diana E

My girls are twelve and twenty-two. Carrie never
attended school until after testing for her GED and
ACT. Then she attended community college, and did
quite well. Phoenix spent three days in third grade.
I work full-time. I take Phoenix to local
activities like park hikes guided by naturalists and a
sign language class, things which are mostly free.
This year she started art classes at a nearby
foundation, which are not free. We watch movies and
news together, discussing whatever comes up in the way
of social issues, geography, history, use of language,
and this often leads to research at the library, on
the internet, or in our own private library. She is
accustomed to accompanying me everywhere I go, and so
she has first-hand exposure to practical math as it
relates to shopping, banking, etc. I habitually
explain everything I do, and prepare her for new
situations by explaining as much as I know can be
expected. And I answer all questions. While I'm at
work Phoenix stays with her sister, who works third
shift. They go out shopping or siteseeing together,
or watch movies, or use the computers. Phoenix reads
a lot, and I often suggest books I have found
interesting or important. Sometimes she snubs my
suggestions, but often rethinks later and asks for the
title/author so she can locate the books. She likes
to bake, sew, crochet, and is learning to play chess.
Each time a new interest sparks, I gather whatever
materials she needs. I don't care if she continues
more than a day with any particular hobby or subject,
because she is learning something and experiencing
something that will stay with her and lead her in new
directions. When Carrie was fourteen I bought her a
GED manual, which is about the size of a Sears
catalog. I told her that if she wanted to be able to
take her GED test in a few years and attend college or
just be able to show her diploma for job-search
purposes, she would need to study that manual. Mostly
she watched tv, read, wrote to penpals (we didn't have
a computer then). At sixteen she wanted to earn
money, so I helped her find work and learn her new
jobs (she telephoned during her breaks). I taped the
GED programs on public television. She watched those
and studied the manual, along with additional
materials suggested. For one year the three of us
attended city council meetings, where we learned a
bit about the law, met local people, learned more
about the city and county, got to know local police
and firefighters, and were even invited to attend the
city government's Christmas party. We took a first
aid class with the firefighters. I believe I am
obligated to protect my children, and for me that
includes not sending them out into the world on their
own. Since I'm not allowed to sit alongside them in
public school, then they don't need to attend. Even
working next door to the school, I was not called when
Phoenix was injured. And the school would not allow a
parent to forbid paddling. Learning is a natural
lifelong activity. I see no reason to make it painful.

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Diana

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