Sunshine Supergirl

I'll introduce myself, going with the current trend..
I tend to ramble on quite a lot, so please skim liberally:

Hi, I'm Summer! I'm sixteen, I've been unschooled since 4th grade with
occasional unrewarding forays into parent-led or classroom education.

I live in Austin, Texas where there is an amazing secular homeschool group
called Austin Area Homeschoolers that has a couple hundred families. I've
found socialization to not be a problem at *all* -- not even "less of a
problem than it's made out to be", no... Actually, it's one of the reasons why
I love my life so much -- I don't think I would be as happy in a school social
scene. Maybe my group is unique or whatever, but we have at least 40 active
teens, and more total, plus I'm friends with many of the younger kids and
adults. There's "even" a fairly active, but not rushed, dating scene.

And, on top of all that, I have teenage unschooled friends all over the
country because of Grace Llewellyn's utopian, life-changing camp, Not Back To
School Camp -- which just got it's own domain name, for any who are
interested... Camp is full this year, but Grace is also running a very
interesting sounding community camp -- http://www.nbtsc.org

Aside from my social life, which I could ramble on about for quite some time,
I intern at a computer company called GirlGames Inc. that makes CD-Roms and
websites for the pre-teen and teenage girl market (http://www.girlgames.com)
-- I mostly write quizzes, fashion profiles, and the like, and I also do some
web design and graphic stuff there, as well as the occasional inane office
task. In any case, it's an awesome place to be three times a week, and I'm
learning a lot.

I also have my own webpage, which is currently at
http://www.bga.com/~melissab, but will soon be going through an identity
crisis and moving to it's own domain name -- the old address hasn't been
updated since December because I've been working on the new one.

I take drama, mostly Shakespeare, and act as much as possible -- it's becoming
a true love. I'm obsessed with the aformentioned author, Mr. Shakespeare, in
particular with Hamlet and it's character Ophelia -- I have a website
dedicated to her, too, and often find myself "dashing off" pages of text to
the requests for Ophelia paper ideas or research help that flood my mailbox.

I write. A lot. Mostly poetry, some songs, a few stories. I've had a couple
poems appear in the London based Quaker newsletter "The Friend", although I'm
agnostic and don't go to a Quaker church, the editor wanted to publish me..
:-).. I've also performed some of them, and a song, at the talent show at
camp, and I've had a few letters to the editor published in local papers.

My west-african drumming lessons ended a few months ago, much to my dismay,
but I do drum a lot.

I play soccer, and skate. I used to ride horses but the stable I was riding
(and working at) lost it's best instructor and my beloved horse, so I'm taking
a break and hoping my friend Kate will start a novice vaulting (gymnastics on
horseback) team soon.

I take a lot of pictures, although my latest role of people camping out for
Star Wars hasn't been developed yet. Art is an obsession I gleamed from my
mother, who's a freelance artist. From my dad I got a love of pop culture, and
I'll admit that I get pretty caught up in that whole movies-and-celebs thing.
Also from my dad, a love of politics -- we lived in Washington for 18 months
while he worked for the President, and I am currently scrambling to convince
my friends that they MUST register and vote for Al Gore in 2000... I love
debating politics, and other issues...

Like animal rights. I'm a vegetarian, and have been for a long time before
anyone else in my family was (my parents converted after my dad's heart attack
in Feb., and have both become totally trim and healthy to the hospital's
shock.) A lot of my friends disagree with me about AR stuff, I have some
pretty radical views -- but I love defending them. The same goes for youth
rights, a natural outgrowth of unschooling in a way -- I hold the view that
the voting age should be lowered to at the very least to include teenagers who
pay income tax, and I believe in the loosening of laws that allow parents to
basically do whatever they want to their kids, including forcing them to work
& hand over their paychecks to mom and dad.

I'm straight-edge, although not by culture. I simply use it as a catch-all
term for the fact that I don't eat meat, smoke, drink, or do illegal drugs,
and never plan to. Unlike the above, this isn't a belief that I think most
people "should" adopt -- it's simply a choice I've made for myself.. Actually,
I'm for the legalization of some drugs, and the fact that I never plan to
drink surprises a lot of people... Including, I think, my parents. :-)

I recently took a research paper writing class from a homeschool group parent
and professor -- it was really fun and interesting. I wrote my paper on...
*are you ready for this?*... hip-hop & Shakespeare -- kind of testing the idea
of merging fields or ideas that seem opposing or just radically different. It
explored the benefits of using hip-hop to teach Shakespeare in the classroom,
stuff like that. Like I said, the class was a very interesting experience.

Anyway, I feel as if I've gone on long enough... I just really enjoy sharing
my incredibly positive experiences as an unschooler with other people who are
like-minded (at least about one thing!)

I've enjoyed the discussions thus far, and I hope I didn't bore you TOO much.

Oh, one last thing.. I think this marks about the fifth mailing list that Eryn
and I are both on. :-)
--
.summer. ("like the season")

summie@...
http://www.bga.com/~melissab ... for now
AIM: SummieStar
ICQ: 3981586

"In the 7-11 of my soul, you're my red slurpee"
-Ben Lee

A.Y.

Su. Actually, it's one of the reasons why

> I love my life so much --

Thank you Summer!!! I'm going to print this out in huge letters to pin on my
wall, so when I have those "doubt days" I can look at it and remember that this is
my goal for my kids. I really want them to love life and live it to the utmost.

It is really helpful for us Moms and Dads to have experienced homeschoolers,
especially unschoolers to listen too.
Thanks again!
Ann

[email protected]

Hey Summer!!

It's great to meet you!!! Matter of fact I would like to talk to you and
Eryn about creating some teen space on the unschooling.com site!


But Summer, we're gonig to have to talk about this one...

<< we lived in Washington for 18 months
while he worked for the President, and I am currently scrambling to convince
my friends that they MUST register and vote for Al Gore in 2000... I love
debating politics, and other issues... >>

You just must explain what you see in Al Gore. <sly grin>

LisaKK

::she just is::

Summer said:
Oh, one last thing.. I think this marks about the fifth mailing list that
Eryn
and I are both on. :-)

Lol, I think so! Nice to see you on here :-) ~Eryn

==
"I dreamed I was a butterfly, flitting around in the sky;
then I awoke. Now I wonder: Am I a man who dreamt of
being a butterfuly, or am I a butterfly dreaming that I am
a man?" - Chuang Tsu
http://www.camenaworks.com/Eryn/
#24591173 ::she just is::
AIM :: Opal Fayre

Michele Moss

Hello everyone!

I just joined your list yesterday and figured i'd read a few days to
get caught up with the subjects being discussed before introducing
myself. But already on the second day, I am so excited to have found
this group that I don't even know where to start.

I am a work-at-home Mom of a very spirited three year old (May 27th)
son, Sterling. I have my own fast-paced business that requires long hours and
demands lots of attention, ironically very much like my son! <G>
So between the two, i'm usually pretty crazy by the end of the day.
then add in variable #3 - dh who retired from the air force but works
two part-time jobs with unpredictable, irratic schedules. and of
course there's all those other projects - well, won't get into that
right now.

I guess in the back of my mind, I've always known that if i want the
best thing for my son that i will have to home-school. but i still
continue to have the ongoing battle in my mind of why i should
home-school vs. why he should maybe go to school. As he's getting
older, I've begun to research a little more actively and suddenly
came to the realization that i already have been "unschooling" him
since he was an infant!

Sterling has always been very advanced for his age, very alert, very
active and tireless. He loves to learn, has a great imagination,
asks questions that are well beyond his years and is constantly
shocking me, has amazing logical reasoning and problem solving
skills. Most days, i have a hard time keeping up with him, mentally
and physically. so i have to seriously ask myself - "just how lost
will a child like this be in a conventional school system?". I know
if i try to answer that question, it will only result in a lot of
negative criticism of the school system and that is not my intend
here. I just can't see the school system as i know it being able to
provide the stimulation and learning environment that he not only
needs, but demands. I don't ever want to put him into a situation
that will squash his love of learning, rather than nuture it or cause
him to be labeled as disruptive or distracted (or worse - ADD)
because he's bored or does not conform to a standard, structured
learning style.

Although I have only read posts here for two days, I sense that other
parents here are making choices to home-school for very similiar
reasons and not exclusively religious reasons. With over 200 members
i'm sure many also choose for religious reasons but that the
discussions here include a very wide spectrum of unschooling issues that
parents face in pursuit of unschooling their children. I can't tell
you how excited I am at the thought that i've found a network of
people that can relate on this level of unschooling and actually feel
a big sigh of relief.

I'm sure I have found a place to learn so much from others and hope
that i will be able to offer something of value in return.

Thanks for being out there!!




Michele Moss
Mom of Sterling Tyler age 3 yrs old
Parents of Spirited Kids Resource Web site:
http://www.icstech.net/~michele
Parents of Spirited Kids Discussion Group:
http://www.egroups.com/list/psk

Monica L. Molinar

Michelle! Are you sure your Sterling and my Tristan aren't clones??? <gg>
Although I really dislike labels, "spririted" definitely describes him.. Thanks
for the links... I'll be stopping by!

And welcome to the group!! :-)

~Monica

Lisa Bugg

Hi and Welcome!

that the
> discussions here include a very wide spectrum of unschooling issues that
> parents face in pursuit of unschooling their children. I can't tell
> you how excited I am at the thought that I've found a network of
> people that can relate on this level of unschooling and actually feel
> a big sigh of relief.

You've just summed up the main goal for unschooling.com. :) We're really
glad it brings relief and hopefully over the next few months, it'll bring
joy too.

It sounds like you are going to have quite a year with such a demanding
business and such a wonderful son. Remember to let the housework go. <vb.>

LisaKK

[email protected]

Welcome to the group, Michele! You sound like such a wonderfully positive
person! It will be great to get to know you! Lori in TX

[email protected]

In a message dated 8/3/99 9:45:53 PM, michele@... writes:

<<Most days, i have a hard time keeping up with him, mentally
and physically. so i have to seriously ask myself - "just how lost
will a child like this be in a conventional school system?". >>

Welcome to the list! The school system, in general, is a lot less nimble and
dedicated than you are. If you can barely keep up, it's hard for me to
imagine the school system being able to really satisfy your son.

I think it's great that you have a head start on thinking about your son's
schooling needs. You can start gradually researching and planning now in
your little bits of free time, but I'd like you to promise NOT to start
worrying until he's at least 5. You can wear yourself out that way, and it
doesn't help.

I encourage you to find a support group and meet some homeschoolers in your
area, even if you or your husband can only attend park days sporadically
because of your schedules. Most homeschoolers that I have met are great kids
and they play with kids of other ages pretty readily. And many HS groups
will have 3 year olds, because primary grade kids do have younger brothers
and sisters.

Best wishes,
Betsy

Michele Moss

> From: "Monica L. Molinar" <Monica@...>
>
> Michelle! Are you sure your Sterling and my Tristan aren't
> clones??? <gg>

maybe so!

Although I really dislike labels, "spririted"
> definitely describes him..

i don't like labels either but i guess we need to have a reference
point for the sake of discussion. was Tristan's temperament the
reason you decided to unschool?

Thanks for the links... I'll be stopping
> by!
>
> And welcome to the group!! :-)
>
> ~Monica
>
Thanks!
Michele Moss
Infinity Computer Solutions
Great Falls, MT
406-727-5609
http://www.icstech.net

Michele Moss

> From: "Lisa Bugg" <LisaBugg@...>
>
> Hi and Welcome!
>
> that the
> > discussions here include a very wide spectrum of unschooling
> > issues that parents face in pursuit of unschooling their children.
> > I can't tell you how excited I am at the thought that I've found
> > a network of people that can relate on this level of unschooling
> > and actually feel a big sigh of relief.
>
> You've just summed up the main goal for unschooling.com. :) We're
> really glad it brings relief and hopefully over the next few months,
> it'll bring joy too.
>
i'm really looking forward to it!

> It sounds like you are going to have quite a year with such a
> demanding business and such a wonderful son. Remember to let the
> housework go. <vb.>
>
> LisaKK
>
> HUH?? housework?? you mean i was suppose to be doing housework
all this time? <G> honestly though, i learned to put that at the
bottom of the priority list when Sterling was born. i had no choice!
it was either sleep now and then, or housework. i opted for
grabbing a few winks whenever i could which wasn't very often!



Michele Moss
Mom of Sterling Tyler age 3 yrs old
Parents of Spirited Kids Resource Web site:
http://www.icstech.net/~michele
Parents of Spirited Kids Discussion Group:
http://www.egroups.com/list/psk

Michele Moss

> From: ECSamHill@...
>
> In a message dated 8/3/99 9:45:53 PM, michele@... writes:
>
> <<Most days, i have a hard time keeping up with him, mentally
> and physically. so i have to seriously ask myself - "just how lost
> will a child like this be in a conventional school system?". >>
>
> I think it's great that you have a head start on thinking about your
> son's schooling needs. You can start gradually researching and
> planning now in your little bits of free time, but I'd like you to
> promise NOT to start worrying until he's at least 5. You can wear
> yourself out that way, and it doesn't help.
>
thanks and i know what you mean about wearing out. but in my
original post i made the little comment that i realized i had been
unschooling Sterling since he was an infant? I was serious and meant
it literlly. and it's also part of what already wears me out! <G>
He already knew his alphabet just a tad over a year old. some of
them he couldn't even say correctly yet and made up names he could
pronounce! like "W" - that's another story. He can count to 30
without looking at the numbers and to 100 when looking at them. he's
doing simple math and starting to read. none of this is because i
sat down and taught him. he just learned it from various activities
we did in an effort to keep him as busy as he demanded to be.

the "busy and wearing him out" is also part of the reason i
decided to try him a pre-school while battling with my conscious of
whether to home-school or not. he's way beyond the academics for
pre-school but that was not my purpose for sending him anyhow and
planned to remain his primary educator. i found a pre-school that
accepts part-time attendance, minimum 2 days a week. they recognize
various learning styles unlike many and their overall philosophy and
teaching methods happen to lean towards Sterling's learning style. I
was sending him more for the reason of "something different to do"
and "please help me wear him out!". <G> He gets a little change of
scenery and other kids to do activities with. He started in June and
LOVES it! but he also still loves the more advanced stuff he does
with Mom and insists on doing certain things we normally do together.
on the other hand, i am also being realistic that eventually the public
school will say "all or nothing" and i will have to either fully unschool
or go with the public school and i know they will not be anything
like his pre-school.

> I encourage you to find a support group and meet some homeschoolers
> in your area, even if you or your husband can only attend park days
> sporadically because of your schedules. Most homeschoolers that I
> have met are great kids and they play with kids of other ages pretty
> readily. And many HS groups will have 3 year olds, because primary
> grade kids do have younger brothers and sisters.

Sterling has a tendancy to seek out 4 and 5 year olds wherever we go.
and I actually found this list through another homeschooler that i met
at Sterling's gymnastics class the other day. the gal at the desk
asked if Sterling was going to pre-school this year as she handed me
their new fall schedule. i mentioned homeschooling, and another gal
overheard me and came over to talk to me. i thought it was great!
>
> Best wishes,
> Betsy
>
Thanks Betsy!



Michele Moss
Mom of Sterling Tyler age 3 yrs old
Parents of Spirited Kids Resource Web site:
http://www.icstech.net/~michele
Parents of Spirited Kids Discussion Group:
http://www.egroups.com/list/psk

Andi Kaufman

Michelle wrote:
>> HUH?? housework?? you mean i was suppose to be doing housework
>all this time? <G>

nah. i dont do it often. It is way at the bottom of my list. the only thing
under it is taking out the trash! :)

when i decide to stay home with isaac afer he was born, i discussed this
with my partner and told him that i was there to take care of the kids not
to wash, clean or cook and anything else i got done was extra!

Andi...domestic goddess and active volunteer
mom to Isaac
tl2b@...

Never Underestimate the Power of This Woman!

Diana Asberry

Welcome Michele!
I've been on this list-mostly lurking-for several months and saw your
reference to the PSK loop. Silly me, as if I don't have enough to read, I
just joined Parents of Spirited Kids.
I have 2 dd's, ages 2 & 6--both highly spirited ...some well-meaning parents
have commented that they act more "like boys" than girls ( I assumed the
stereotypical calm, shy, sugary type)--which is farrrrr from these two...
And that is one of the reasons we unschool.

Diana A.
"the world is our classroom"
--apt.in Dover, NH; house in Indy
SAHM to C-C (6) and Libby (2)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Cleaning your house while the kids are little is like shoveling the
sidewalk before it stops snowing."
---Phyllis Diller




----Original Message Follows----
From: "Michele Moss" <michele@...>

Hello everyone!

I just joined your list yesterday and figured i'd read a few days to
get caught up with the subjects being discussed before introducing
myself. But already on the second day, I am so excited to have found
this group that I don't even know where to start.

I'm sure I have found a place to learn so much from others and hope
that i will be able to offer something of value in return.

Thanks for being out there!!
Michele Moss
Mom of Sterling Tyler age 3 yrs old
Parents of Spirited Kids Resource Web site:
http://www.icstech.net/~michele
Parents of Spirited Kids Discussion Group:
http://www.egroups.com/list/psk

--------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ----------------------------

Jeff & Diane Gwirtz

Hi Stephanie - glad to have you here. I always enjoy hearing what
brought people to homeschooling/unschooling. Interesting that so
many paths can lead to the same place. I recently saw a program on
television with a segment on selective mutism. I had never heard of
it before. What a challenge that must be. Hope you enjoy your time
here.

Diane from KS
jagwirtz@...

[email protected]

Hello all!
My name is Stephanie, wife (and best friend) to Ron, mother to Martin 9yos,
James 7yos, Stacie 5yod, and Tiffany 4yod. We have been "learning" since I
found out that I was pregnant, but officially schooling since June. A great
many things have happened in our lives to bring us to the homeschooling
environment, including my 9 yos being approached about smoking, the recent
bombing of a local school, two children being bored in school, and my
youngest having Selective Mutism. We do have Math 65 for the oldest, who is
having trouble in mathematics. Other than that, we use life, worksheets,
computer, and just about anything in our journey to discover us. I am looking
forward to learning all that I can, and I am hoping that this is a place for
my family to be.
Stephanie

[email protected]

In a message dated 09/18/1999 4:27:54 AM !!!First Boot!!!, jagwirtz@...
writes:

<< I recently saw a program on
television with a segment on selective mutism. I had never heard of
it before. What a challenge that must be. >>
Diane-
Would that program have been 20/20? I had both of my girls in Headstart last
year. Tiffany's teacher saw us in Super Kmart 2 weeks ago and told us about
the program. I went into the search and dug up all of the information that I
could on the subject. It is suprising how much she fits the "mold". I am
ADHD, my 7 yos is ADD, and my oldest would have been diagnosed ADD this year
I am sure. I am so happy to be out of the system. I refuse to go to the
school to have my daughter tested, because that is how the schools try to get
you on abuse. Not this mom. We do it one day at a time, and try to keep
everything so that the children and Mommy can deal with everything. I am
starting my own business this fall, and I am hoping that this will make the
transition easier on the children. They have done exceptionally well so far.
Both dh and I have been home for the summer, and we are trying to keep it
that way.
Sorry that I got so long...<smile>
Stephanie

Jeff & Diane Gwirtz

> Would that program have been 20/20? I had both of my girls in Headstart last
>
It probably was. I know it was a show like that, but I get them all
confused. It sounds like you're taking a really positive approach.
Good luck! What kinds of business are you starting?



Diane from KS
jagwirtz@...

[email protected]

In a message dated 09/17/1999 11:05:47 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
LifesLearn@... writes:

<< My name is Stephanie, wife (and best friend) to Ron, mother to Martin
9yos,
James 7yos, Stacie 5yod, and Tiffany 4yod. >>

Welcome Stephanie...

I'm Sam(antha) and I have two older daughters plus my 14yod still at home.
Hope you enjoy this list....hope you learn a lot!!

Sam

Diana Asberry

Welcome Stephanie!!!

Diana A.
"the world is our classroom"


----Original Message Follows----

Hello all!
My name is Stephanie, ...
forward to learning all that I can, and I am hoping that this is a place for
my family to be.
Stephanie

[email protected]

Welcome Steph, I am sure you will enjoy, and learn a lot here, I have!
Teresa

[email protected]

Diane-
I am starting a wedding accessory business. I did all the floral
arrangements, the card box (instead of wishing well), and the favors for our
wedding, and I have had some people actually ask if I would make some things
for them. So, now I am going to follow that nudge, and go with it. My dh was
injured last November, and he has been home off and on since. He has been
home since April. We have all the time together, so now we should make use of
it! LOL
We actually like being home all the time together.... LOL
Stephanie

[email protected]

In a message dated 09/18/1999 11:52:22 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
LifesLearn@... writes:

<< I am starting a wedding accessory business. I did all the floral
arrangements, the card box (instead of wishing well), and the favors for our
wedding, and I have had some people actually ask if I would make some things
for them. So, now I am going to follow that nudge, and go with it. My dh was
injured last November, and he has been home off and on since. He has been
home since April. We have all the time together, so now we should make use
of
it! LOL
We actually like being home all the time together.... LOL >>

How fun! After our wedding I had considered becoming a wedding
consultant or some such thing. I really enjoyed putting it together and
getting the most bang for my (dads <g>) buck. Then I realised I wouldn't
be happy if the bride didn't like my ideas. I like your idea of wedding
accessories!
My dh is a contractor and sometimes he works a lot,
other times he is home a lot. We like it when he is home. He tends
to do lots of things in the shop or home improvement and we like him
around. He doesn't get underfoot at all. Although sometimes he tells us,
"I gotta get a job" LOL. Gets a bit chaotic with three littles.

Kathy

K WORTHEN

Hi Everyone! I am new to your list and am looking forward to making some new
online freinds. My husband Keith and I home/unschool our 3 daughters,
Samantha (7yr.), Dana (4yr. in May), and Casey (2yr. in May). Samantha was
in school until Dec. '99. She was not doing well-having lots of attention
problems and even though the idea of homeschooling we had always been
chicken to try it. However, her last conference did not go well, so we
decided to try it. We are enjoying it, although we still have some details
to work out. Like how does the house get/stay clean and what do you do with
your always has to be nursing 2 year old when your 7 year old wants to study
astronomy RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!? Any ideas would be appreciated. Thank You.
Amy Worthen
Lowell, MA

A. Yates

First and last, your house will never be the same, but enjoy it. You
will have years when your house will be immaculate.
Then,
nurse will studying? Nurse and read ect...
Ann


K WORTHEN wrote:

> From: "K WORTHEN" <kworthen@...>
>
> Hi Everyone! I am new to your list and am looking forward to making
> some new
> online freinds. My husband Keith and I home/unschool our 3 daughters,
> Samantha (7yr.), Dana (4yr. in May), and Casey (2yr. in May). Samantha
> was
> in school until Dec. '99. She was not doing well-having lots of
> attention
> problems and even though the idea of homeschooling we had always been
>
> chicken to try it. However, her last conference did not go well, so we
>
> decided to try it. We are enjoying it, although we still have some
> details
> to work out. Like how does the house get/stay clean and what do you do
> with
> your always has to be nursing 2 year old when your 7 year old wants to
> study
> astronomy RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!? Any ideas would be appreciated. Thank
> You.
> Amy Worthen
> Lowell, MA
>
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> [ONElist Sponsor]
> Please click above to support our sponsor
> -----------------------------------------------------------------------
> Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
> Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
>

Olivia

Hi Amy:

I don't have any great ideas for you, but just wanted to say hello because
we are in Mass. also, but in the south central part. I have one boy who
will be 7 very soon and this is our first year at home. The one thing I am
learning to do is leave the housework and enjoy our activities instead. It
hasn't been easy to do, but I am trying really hard to make the most of the
times when my son actually wants to do something, even if I had other
household chores planned. I found it took time for my son to become more
self-directed after having been in school even for just a little while.

Best wishes,
Olivia

[email protected]

In a message dated 02/16/2000 2:21:56 AM !!!First Boot!!!,
kworthen@... writes:

<< We are enjoying it,

***So are we. It's great, isn't it.******

although we still have some details
to work out. Like how does the house get/stay clean

*****LOl -- it doesn't! Low standards, that's the key.********

and what do you do with
your always has to be nursing 2 year old when your 7 year old wants to study
astronomy RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!? Any ideas would be appreciated. Thank You.
Amy Worthen
Lowell, MA >>

*****Don't know the answer here. Mine were a little older when we started.
7 yo tho -- he could be reseraching on computer or looking stuff up while
waiitng for your undivided attention. Maybe??*****



Good luck.

Nance

[email protected]

>>>Ariel gets rude and bossy sometimes to me.>>>

I've told my kids that I don't like being treated that way so I'm going
in another room to get away from it. Little kids usually hate that!

Mary Ellen
Gain weight... Stay Active... Get Smarter...
New Year's Resolutions are EASY for Babies!
<Hi and Lois>

Tracy Oldfield

I've told my kids I'm too tired/cross/fed-up/sad to
deal with whatever atm and take myself to another room
while I calm down. Must remember this one, haven't
used it for a while. Oh, and before anyone thinks I've
abandoned them, I am going to follow up the chat
support group thing, just my brain isn't functioning
all taht well atm. wonder why?? *grin*

Tracy

>>>Ariel gets rude and bossy sometimes to me.>>>

I've told my kids that I don't like being treated that
way so I'm going
in another room to get away from it. Little kids
usually hate that!

Mary Ellen
Gain weight... Stay Active... Get Smarter...
New Year's Resolutions are EASY for Babies!
<Hi and Lois>

[email protected]

Hi all. I'm a homeschooling (past 4 yrs) mom of 2 girls (10 and 6). I'm
a nervous homeschooler and I'm constantly changing curriculum to see if
it's better than the last. As a result, my 10 yr. old is not on grade
level and hates math. My 6 yr. old was real interested in reading until
I started teaching phonics, now she has no desire. All I really want is
for them to love learning not hate it. So that brought me here. I've
read all I could online and off about unschooling and though I'm
terrified I'm going to do it. My dh is part of my worries; he has to
see results. He expects genuises since I homeschool and I don't know if
he'll have the patience to wait on Raven to read when she's 10. I also
have a serious pet peeve. Why is it when you homeschool people HAVE to
test your kids? I went to a book store and a library yesterday. My 10
yr. old asked the lady how much a book was. The woman said half the
retail and asked Courtney what is half of $5 and Courtney stammered a
little and said I don't know and then she told her. At the library, my
6 yr old was asked to say her alphabet and write her name. (She was
getting a card so I understand the writing part). Is it me being too
defensive? Am I going to be able to handle unschooling with my fears?
Sorry so long, I just needed to get that out.
Thanks.
Terra