Kolleen

>Ren write:
>In an unschool world, the idea of "getting behind" is nonexistant.

Yes, precisely. There is no 'getting behind' OR 'getting ahead'. There
just 'is'.

Tis better to supply an atmosphere that allows one to cultivate their
gifts, than to wonder what those gifts precisely are.

And then you have the fears and insecurities of the parent that might not
have internal or external support. If all the women here that are with
their spouses for financial reasons left and started a commune, these
fears would dissapate. But then that would be absurb in reality wouldn't
it?

I trust my child a lot more than I trust myself. And on the rare times I
question him, I'm really questioning myself.


>The person said she was not comparing her children to ps children,
>nor imposing some false schedule on them.
>That was a bit helpful to understand.
>But then who are they being compared to if they can "get behind".
>I thought it was worthy of questioning.
>I still think it is.

Agreed here. It is worthy of questioning and definately worthy of
bringing to the table for a good discussion. If the original poster wants
to bring this up again so we can all benefit from the talk, then please
do so!


>And I am dumbfounded that questioning that premise would cause all of
>this backlash.

Heh, it still can't be as bad as the 'coin lady' on the spiritual list I
talked about earlier. THAT is the second one for the books.

I'm almost afraid to either bore you or scare you with my first one
*laughing*

Let move forward and understand the thought process of what 'getting
behind' means to some of us here.


regards,
kolleen

Leslie Moyer

+ Let move forward and understand the thought process of what 'getting
+ behind' means to some of us here.

Ok, I'll bite.....

"Getting behind" means, to some, I think, "the fear of what others will
think":

Grandpa who quizzes your 8 year old on her addition facts.
The neighbor who is a retired teacher and thinks you're crazy.
Your homeschooling group "friend" who is skeptical of unschooling.
Your sister-in-law the second-grade teacher whose daughter read at age 3.
And even that voice inside your head from public school.

I think the vast, vast majority of new homeschoolers/unschoolers have a fear
about "what if it doesn't work"...."how will I know if it is working or
not?"..."what should I do if it doesn't seem to be working?"

I think the "getting behind" response could have validated the *fear* part
of the question....that part is a valid *feeling*. It deserves respect.
I'm not saying the questioner wasn't respectful--I already said that
earlier.....I'm just saying that by acknowledging that a valid fear exists
for that person goes a long way toward positive communication. Then the
original poster will be more receptive to what else you have to say.

--Leslie Moyer