New Thread
Lynda
How much is too much and how young is too young.
My cousins were in town last weekend and a bunch of us unschooling moms got
together, one of whom my cousin brought over with her.
This woman has 3 kids ages 2, 4 and 5. She has the oldest child enrolled in
a charter school because "it offers so much that he wanted." The youngest
is enrolled in Kindergym, Kinderart and two or three more activities. The 4
yo is going to ballet, gymnastics and four or five other activities. The 5
yo not only has "school" activities but karate and cub scouts and a couple
of other things.
Mom does all the planning but says it is unschooling because the kids showed
an interest in each activity. The rest of us weren't buying that a 2 yo
voiced wanting to sign up for all these activities. The same with the 4 yo
and 5 yo.
They live in a gated community, mom drives a Cadillac SUV and going camping
means buying Eddie Bauer. Personally, I think she is a misplaced Marin
County yuppy playing keep up with the Joneses and that the kids all have to
be in the "right" groups and organized activities. She doesn't belong to
the unschooling group or any homeschooling groups, only a parent group for
the charter.
At anyrate, my real question is how do folks handle young children who see
something on television or hear about a friend doing it and do the "me too"
routine. Do you rush out and sign them up for ballet because they saw a
ballarina on tv? Or sign them up for karate because they like to watch the
Karate Kid movies. Or do you try and set up some activity with a
homeschooling group so they can "play" at it until they are older and really
know what it is that they want or buy them a ballarina costume so they can
play at home. Not to say that they don't "want" to be a ballarina at that
moment, just that what they want is to play at it, not get serious about it
and take lessons in a very organzied sense.
AND, also, how much is too much. I thought it was a bit too much to haul a 2
yo around 6 days a week (plus he has sunday school on sundays) and on some
days to 3 different activities.
Seems way too much to me when you have to have a white board and 5 different
colored pens so you can keep track of who belongs where and when. AND, when
they kids have to be up EVERY day at 7 and some at 6 so they can "enjoy" all
their activities.
Lynda
My cousins were in town last weekend and a bunch of us unschooling moms got
together, one of whom my cousin brought over with her.
This woman has 3 kids ages 2, 4 and 5. She has the oldest child enrolled in
a charter school because "it offers so much that he wanted." The youngest
is enrolled in Kindergym, Kinderart and two or three more activities. The 4
yo is going to ballet, gymnastics and four or five other activities. The 5
yo not only has "school" activities but karate and cub scouts and a couple
of other things.
Mom does all the planning but says it is unschooling because the kids showed
an interest in each activity. The rest of us weren't buying that a 2 yo
voiced wanting to sign up for all these activities. The same with the 4 yo
and 5 yo.
They live in a gated community, mom drives a Cadillac SUV and going camping
means buying Eddie Bauer. Personally, I think she is a misplaced Marin
County yuppy playing keep up with the Joneses and that the kids all have to
be in the "right" groups and organized activities. She doesn't belong to
the unschooling group or any homeschooling groups, only a parent group for
the charter.
At anyrate, my real question is how do folks handle young children who see
something on television or hear about a friend doing it and do the "me too"
routine. Do you rush out and sign them up for ballet because they saw a
ballarina on tv? Or sign them up for karate because they like to watch the
Karate Kid movies. Or do you try and set up some activity with a
homeschooling group so they can "play" at it until they are older and really
know what it is that they want or buy them a ballarina costume so they can
play at home. Not to say that they don't "want" to be a ballarina at that
moment, just that what they want is to play at it, not get serious about it
and take lessons in a very organzied sense.
AND, also, how much is too much. I thought it was a bit too much to haul a 2
yo around 6 days a week (plus he has sunday school on sundays) and on some
days to 3 different activities.
Seems way too much to me when you have to have a white board and 5 different
colored pens so you can keep track of who belongs where and when. AND, when
they kids have to be up EVERY day at 7 and some at 6 so they can "enjoy" all
their activities.
Lynda
psam ordener
> At anyrate, my real question is how do folks handle young children who seetoo"
> something on television or hear about a friend doing it and do the "me
> routine.When mine have asked for something like this, we talked it over, making sure
he understood how much boring practice is involved, how he wouldn't be on
the Olympic gymnastics or soccer team immediately, etc.
We'd visit a class and watch to see if he really wanted to participate.
Most of the classes for youngers around here (Gymboree, dance, gymnastics,
karate, etc.) allow kids a trial visit. If he didn't want to continue, we
went home. If he really wanted to try it, we signed up for the least
possible time to see how it would work out.
You can't join Cub Scouts until you're 6 yo or in first grade. Mine (13yo
and 8yo) are in Scouts and have been since Tigers (6yo, first grade). They
also participate in a local soccer club (their choice; the older one is a
referee and the younger one plays). Since that takes up 4 nights a week,
we don't allow anything else (unless it can be done during the day, and fits
into Mom's schedule).
I feel sorry for the kids who are dragged from place to place like that, but
some of them really seem to like it.
psam
psamo@...
Motherhood - not just a job, it's an Adventure!
Lynda
The eldest may be 6, I'm not sure. I do know the youngest won't be 3 until
next October and he has things scheduled for 6 days a week.
I think they are already suffering burnout. We went to the park here in
town (75 acres with a zoo which has a petting zoo, a couple of acres in
playgrounds and the rest is a forest with trails and a duck pond) and they
were too perfect and didn't seem to know how to play without directions.
In fact, it made me feel tired <g> and glad that eldest drives and takes
some of the burden off poor ol' mom <g> in this house.
Lynda
next October and he has things scheduled for 6 days a week.
I think they are already suffering burnout. We went to the park here in
town (75 acres with a zoo which has a petting zoo, a couple of acres in
playgrounds and the rest is a forest with trails and a duck pond) and they
were too perfect and didn't seem to know how to play without directions.
In fact, it made me feel tired <g> and glad that eldest drives and takes
some of the burden off poor ol' mom <g> in this house.
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: "psam ordener" <psamo@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, February 03, 2002 3:52 PM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] New Thread
> > At anyrate, my real question is how do folks handle young children who
see
> > something on television or hear about a friend doing it and do the "me
> too"
> > routine.
>
> When mine have asked for something like this, we talked it over, making
sure
> he understood how much boring practice is involved, how he wouldn't be on
> the Olympic gymnastics or soccer team immediately, etc.
>
> We'd visit a class and watch to see if he really wanted to participate.
> Most of the classes for youngers around here (Gymboree, dance, gymnastics,
> karate, etc.) allow kids a trial visit. If he didn't want to continue, we
> went home. If he really wanted to try it, we signed up for the least
> possible time to see how it would work out.
>
> You can't join Cub Scouts until you're 6 yo or in first grade. Mine
(13yo
> and 8yo) are in Scouts and have been since Tigers (6yo, first grade).
They
> also participate in a local soccer club (their choice; the older one is a
> referee and the younger one plays). Since that takes up 4 nights a week,
> we don't allow anything else (unless it can be done during the day, and
fits
> into Mom's schedule).
>
> I feel sorry for the kids who are dragged from place to place like that,
but
> some of them really seem to like it.
>
> psam
> psamo@...
>
> Motherhood - not just a job, it's an Adventure!
>
>
>
> Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
> Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
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>
>
Kolleen
>Lynda wrote:Most of the time this is played out by playing with the older kids, which
>At anyrate, my real question is how do folks handle young children who see
>something on television or hear about a friend doing it and do the "me too"
>routine.
is usually where they hear it from.
Or mini-programs for the 3 & 4 year olds.
>AND, also, how much is too much. I thought it was a bit too much to haul a 2Agreed here. But apparently that mother doesn't take issue with it. She's
>yo around 6 days a week (plus he has sunday school on sundays) and on some
>days to 3 different activities.
probably playing out her 'thing' by doing so.
kolleen
joanna514
I was teaching my daughters girl scout troup some card games, and at
the introduction of the first one, I said, I wrote the rules, and you
can each take a copy and teach it to your family if you want.
One girl immediately said, "oh, we don't have time for family game
nights. We're always going to activities."
I thought she was exaggerating and mentioned it to the mom.
She was NOT exaggerating. The mother starts telling me, how between
the 3 basketball teams, and one lacrosse team this girl is on, the
little brother is also on a soccer travel team and the park and rec
league AND boys basketball, they are literally gone every day. I was
shocked. She said, well, they need to be doing something. I do it
for my own sanity as much as for them.
I took that to mean, she couldn't imagine actually spending time at
home with them. Just being a family. These kids also go to school.
Not to mention girl scouts and anything else outside of sports she
didn't mention.
She's always been an overactive lady. always complaining about how
she can't say no(school volunteer stuff), and therefore always has
too much on her plate. I wondeer if that's a form of escapism.??
Joanna
the introduction of the first one, I said, I wrote the rules, and you
can each take a copy and teach it to your family if you want.
One girl immediately said, "oh, we don't have time for family game
nights. We're always going to activities."
I thought she was exaggerating and mentioned it to the mom.
She was NOT exaggerating. The mother starts telling me, how between
the 3 basketball teams, and one lacrosse team this girl is on, the
little brother is also on a soccer travel team and the park and rec
league AND boys basketball, they are literally gone every day. I was
shocked. She said, well, they need to be doing something. I do it
for my own sanity as much as for them.
I took that to mean, she couldn't imagine actually spending time at
home with them. Just being a family. These kids also go to school.
Not to mention girl scouts and anything else outside of sports she
didn't mention.
She's always been an overactive lady. always complaining about how
she can't say no(school volunteer stuff), and therefore always has
too much on her plate. I wondeer if that's a form of escapism.??
Joanna
--- In Unschooling-dotcom@y..., Kolleen <Kolleen@m...> wrote:
> >Lynda wrote:
> >At anyrate, my real question is how do folks handle young children
who see
> >something on television or hear about a friend doing it and do
the "me too"
> >routine.
>
> Most of the time this is played out by playing with the older kids,
which
> is usually where they hear it from.
>
> Or mini-programs for the 3 & 4 year olds.
>
> >AND, also, how much is too much. I thought it was a bit too much
to haul a 2
> >yo around 6 days a week (plus he has sunday school on sundays) and
on some
> >days to 3 different activities.
>
> Agreed here. But apparently that mother doesn't take issue with it.
She's
> probably playing out her 'thing' by doing so.
>
>
> kolleen
Joseph Fuerst
> She's always been an overactive lady. always complaining about howEscapism, sadism...something like that; living your life for others
> she can't say no(school volunteer stuff), and therefore always has
> too much on her plate. I wondeer if that's a form of escapism.??
> Joanna
>
expectations, striving to make your children "the best" and "the most"
*successful* they can be (after all, they're accomplishments reflect on
your *success* as a mom, right?).
Susan
momact
I wonder when these kids ever get to model meaningful work in a
meaningful life ~ isn't THAT unschooling? They see the back of mom's
head in the car more than anything else, I suspect. It sounds like
maybe mom has no life of her own and is spending a lot of time and
energy avoiding getting a life of her own by giving her kids such
a "great life."
Aimee in TX
meaningful life ~ isn't THAT unschooling? They see the back of mom's
head in the car more than anything else, I suspect. It sounds like
maybe mom has no life of her own and is spending a lot of time and
energy avoiding getting a life of her own by giving her kids such
a "great life."
Aimee in TX
--- In Unschooling-dotcom@y..., "Lynda" <lurine@s...> wrote:
> How much is too much and how young is too young.
>
> My cousins were in town last weekend and a bunch of us unschooling
moms got
> together, one of whom my cousin brought over with her.
>
> This woman has 3 kids ages 2, 4 and 5. She has the oldest child
enrolled in
> a charter school because "it offers so much that he wanted." The
youngest
> is enrolled in Kindergym, Kinderart and two or three more
activities. The 4
> yo is going to ballet, gymnastics and four or five other
activities. The 5
> yo not only has "school" activities but karate and cub scouts and a
couple
> of other things.
>
> Mom does all the planning but says it is unschooling because the
kids showed
> an interest in each activity. The rest of us weren't buying that a
2 yo
> voiced wanting to sign up for all these activities. The same with
the 4 yo
> and 5 yo.
>
> They live in a gated community, mom drives a Cadillac SUV and going
camping
> means buying Eddie Bauer. Personally, I think she is a misplaced
Marin
> County yuppy playing keep up with the Joneses and that the kids all
have to
> be in the "right" groups and organized activities. She doesn't
belong to
> the unschooling group or any homeschooling groups, only a parent
group for
> the charter.
>
> At anyrate, my real question is how do folks handle young children
who see
> something on television or hear about a friend doing it and do
the "me too"
> routine. Do you rush out and sign them up for ballet because they
saw a
> ballarina on tv? Or sign them up for karate because they like to
watch the
> Karate Kid movies. Or do you try and set up some activity with a
> homeschooling group so they can "play" at it until they are older
and really
> know what it is that they want or buy them a ballarina costume so
they can
> play at home. Not to say that they don't "want" to be a ballarina
at that
> moment, just that what they want is to play at it, not get serious
about it
> and take lessons in a very organzied sense.
>
> AND, also, how much is too much. I thought it was a bit too much to
haul a 2
> yo around 6 days a week (plus he has sunday school on sundays) and
on some
> days to 3 different activities.
>
> Seems way too much to me when you have to have a white board and 5
different
> colored pens so you can keep track of who belongs where and when.
AND, when
> they kids have to be up EVERY day at 7 and some at 6 so they
can "enjoy" all
> their activities.
>
> Lynda
[email protected]
Wow,
I really think this thread is getting a little judgemental.
What's that saying about walking in someone else's shoes?
Elissa, who will soon be singing
Yippee - Kai - Yay!
I really think this thread is getting a little judgemental.
What's that saying about walking in someone else's shoes?
Elissa, who will soon be singing
Yippee - Kai - Yay!
Joseph Fuerst
I lost this.....do you mean the thread on children being in lots of
structured activities? or did I miss something? (quite possible, I'm sure)
Susan, who doesn't always look closely at subject lines.
structured activities? or did I miss something? (quite possible, I'm sure)
Susan, who doesn't always look closely at subject lines.
----- Original Message -----
From: <ElissaJC@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2002 8:47 AM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re: New Thread
> Wow,
> I really think this thread is getting a little judgemental.
> What's that saying about walking in someone else's shoes?
>
> Elissa, who will soon be singing
> Yippee - Kai - Yay!
>
>
>
> Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
> Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
>
> To unsubscribe, set preferences, or read archives:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Unschooling-dotcom
>
> Another great list sponsored by Home Education Magazine!
> http://www.home-ed-magazine.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
[email protected]
Yes.
Here's how I feel. I don't know these people, I don't know their history or
their reasons why their kids are in lots of activities. Maybe thye have
depression and need structure to prevent a relapse. Maybe thye were raised
very hands off and think this is the way to raise children. Maybe this is
better thn the way they were raised and they are trying.
I can't presume that someone does something different that I see as wrong,
simply because they don't *want* to do anything different or don't care or
wnat control. I try to remember that my (our) way of parenting/looking at
life is VERY radical for most people. We should set an example drop gentle
hints and when they ASK for a different perspective, THEN slam them with our
ideas. (After all they asked! lol)
Maybe parents of young children put them into lots of activities because
they have no one in the neighborhood or want to meet other parents with
kids. I don't know.
I used to sit on the beach with a friend and "critique" people as they
walked by or sunbathed. This is what this feels like to me.
If we are talking about one persons friend then lets talk about ways to
introduce what we think are better ideas to that friend. How can we show
these other parents that they cacn relax and not run their kids around. Lets
think of ways to explain that the mainstream view of raising kids might not
be right rather than saying *they* are wrong.
Elissa, who will soon be singing
Yippee - Kai - Yay!
BTW, I don't even remember who started the thread or any names so PLEASE
don't think I am personally bashing someone.
Here's how I feel. I don't know these people, I don't know their history or
their reasons why their kids are in lots of activities. Maybe thye have
depression and need structure to prevent a relapse. Maybe thye were raised
very hands off and think this is the way to raise children. Maybe this is
better thn the way they were raised and they are trying.
I can't presume that someone does something different that I see as wrong,
simply because they don't *want* to do anything different or don't care or
wnat control. I try to remember that my (our) way of parenting/looking at
life is VERY radical for most people. We should set an example drop gentle
hints and when they ASK for a different perspective, THEN slam them with our
ideas. (After all they asked! lol)
Maybe parents of young children put them into lots of activities because
they have no one in the neighborhood or want to meet other parents with
kids. I don't know.
I used to sit on the beach with a friend and "critique" people as they
walked by or sunbathed. This is what this feels like to me.
If we are talking about one persons friend then lets talk about ways to
introduce what we think are better ideas to that friend. How can we show
these other parents that they cacn relax and not run their kids around. Lets
think of ways to explain that the mainstream view of raising kids might not
be right rather than saying *they* are wrong.
Elissa, who will soon be singing
Yippee - Kai - Yay!
BTW, I don't even remember who started the thread or any names so PLEASE
don't think I am personally bashing someone.
Lynda
Well, I started the thread but like so many others, it has grown a mind of
its own <g>
The original questions was "how young is too young and how much is too
much."
This was a request for personal opinions. Opinions sometimes get redefined
as judgements.
IMNSHO, 7 days of planned activities, some that started with rousting the
kids at 6 a.m. is way too much for a 2 yo. I was rather surprised that a
mother could make a claim of unschooling while enrolling her 5 yo (may be
six now since he is in Cub Scouts and someone said they have to be 6) in a
charter school because he supposedly requested it because of all the
activities he could join plus enrolling him in classes outside the charter 7
days a week. Also, there is a 4 you girl that is enrolled in 2 to 3 classes
per day seven days a week. She has a marks alot board with color coding so
that "everyone knows where they have to be each day."
It didn't sound to me like the kids were making the choices but rather that
mom was making the choices and that she had latched onto the word
"unschooling" from going to the activities that my cousin plans.
So, it wasn't really a request for what anyone thought about the woman, her
story was simply an explanation of why I was asking the question.
So, Elissa, whaddaya think, are 2, 4 and 5 yos the ones doing the leading in
circumstances such as this? Personally I can't picture a 2 yo asking or
even giving an indication that they want 7 days of structured activities in
their life each week.
Lynda
its own <g>
The original questions was "how young is too young and how much is too
much."
This was a request for personal opinions. Opinions sometimes get redefined
as judgements.
IMNSHO, 7 days of planned activities, some that started with rousting the
kids at 6 a.m. is way too much for a 2 yo. I was rather surprised that a
mother could make a claim of unschooling while enrolling her 5 yo (may be
six now since he is in Cub Scouts and someone said they have to be 6) in a
charter school because he supposedly requested it because of all the
activities he could join plus enrolling him in classes outside the charter 7
days a week. Also, there is a 4 you girl that is enrolled in 2 to 3 classes
per day seven days a week. She has a marks alot board with color coding so
that "everyone knows where they have to be each day."
It didn't sound to me like the kids were making the choices but rather that
mom was making the choices and that she had latched onto the word
"unschooling" from going to the activities that my cousin plans.
So, it wasn't really a request for what anyone thought about the woman, her
story was simply an explanation of why I was asking the question.
So, Elissa, whaddaya think, are 2, 4 and 5 yos the ones doing the leading in
circumstances such as this? Personally I can't picture a 2 yo asking or
even giving an indication that they want 7 days of structured activities in
their life each week.
Lynda
----- Original Message -----
From: <ElissaJC@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2002 7:21 AM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re: New Thread
> Yes.
> Here's how I feel. I don't know these people, I don't know their history
or
> their reasons why their kids are in lots of activities. Maybe thye have
> depression and need structure to prevent a relapse. Maybe thye were raised
> very hands off and think this is the way to raise children. Maybe this is
> better thn the way they were raised and they are trying.
> I can't presume that someone does something different that I see as wrong,
> simply because they don't *want* to do anything different or don't care or
> wnat control. I try to remember that my (our) way of parenting/looking at
> life is VERY radical for most people. We should set an example drop gentle
> hints and when they ASK for a different perspective, THEN slam them with
our
> ideas. (After all they asked! lol)
> Maybe parents of young children put them into lots of activities because
> they have no one in the neighborhood or want to meet other parents with
> kids. I don't know.
> I used to sit on the beach with a friend and "critique" people as they
> walked by or sunbathed. This is what this feels like to me.
> If we are talking about one persons friend then lets talk about ways to
> introduce what we think are better ideas to that friend. How can we show
> these other parents that they cacn relax and not run their kids around.
Lets
> think of ways to explain that the mainstream view of raising kids might
not
> be right rather than saying *they* are wrong.
> Elissa, who will soon be singing
> Yippee - Kai - Yay!
> BTW, I don't even remember who started the thread or any names so PLEASE
> don't think I am personally bashing someone.
>
>
>
> Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
> Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
>
> To unsubscribe, set preferences, or read archives:
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Unschooling-dotcom
>
> Another great list sponsored by Home Education Magazine!
> http://www.home-ed-magazine.com
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
[email protected]
So, Elissa, whaddaya think, are 2, 4 and 5 yos the ones doing the leading in
circumstances such as this? Personally I can't picture a 2 yo asking or
even giving an indication that they want 7 days of structured activities in
their life each week.
Lynda
Who cares?
I don't know. the answer to your question, It's neither right or wrong.
I also don't know this two year old so I can't decide if they were making a
choice. I think she probably wasn't. BUT
I can't picture someone actually striking their child, or molesting someone
or going to college at 10, or eating fish eyeballs (Iron Chef) but that
doesn't mean it doesn't happen.
Have you ever said something to the mom? Are you close enough to do so? Has
she ever said anything to you about her choice?
BTW, like I said, I didn't remember the beginning post. I was just getting
uncomfortable with the tone that was developing as the discussion went on.
The tone I was reading was "Look at all these people. they are so wrong. See
what she is doing how horrible! What a control freak! etc. etc."
But, I may very well have been reading this completely ewrong, after all, it
is email.
BTW
Elissa, who will soon be singing
Yippee - Kai - Yay!
-----Original Message-----
From: Lynda <lurine@...>
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Date: Wednesday, February 06, 2002 4:27 PM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re: New Thread
circumstances such as this? Personally I can't picture a 2 yo asking or
even giving an indication that they want 7 days of structured activities in
their life each week.
Lynda
Who cares?
I don't know. the answer to your question, It's neither right or wrong.
I also don't know this two year old so I can't decide if they were making a
choice. I think she probably wasn't. BUT
I can't picture someone actually striking their child, or molesting someone
or going to college at 10, or eating fish eyeballs (Iron Chef) but that
doesn't mean it doesn't happen.
Have you ever said something to the mom? Are you close enough to do so? Has
she ever said anything to you about her choice?
BTW, like I said, I didn't remember the beginning post. I was just getting
uncomfortable with the tone that was developing as the discussion went on.
The tone I was reading was "Look at all these people. they are so wrong. See
what she is doing how horrible! What a control freak! etc. etc."
But, I may very well have been reading this completely ewrong, after all, it
is email.
BTW
Elissa, who will soon be singing
Yippee - Kai - Yay!
-----Original Message-----
From: Lynda <lurine@...>
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Date: Wednesday, February 06, 2002 4:27 PM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re: New Thread
>Well, I started the thread but like so many others, it has grown a mind of7
>its own <g>
>
>The original questions was "how young is too young and how much is too
>much."
>
>This was a request for personal opinions. Opinions sometimes get redefined
>as judgements.
>
>IMNSHO, 7 days of planned activities, some that started with rousting the
>kids at 6 a.m. is way too much for a 2 yo. I was rather surprised that a
>mother could make a claim of unschooling while enrolling her 5 yo (may be
>six now since he is in Cub Scouts and someone said they have to be 6) in a
>charter school because he supposedly requested it because of all the
>activities he could join plus enrolling him in classes outside the charter
>days a week. Also, there is a 4 you girl that is enrolled in 2 to 3classes
>per day seven days a week. She has a marks alot board with color coding soin
>that "everyone knows where they have to be each day."
>
>It didn't sound to me like the kids were making the choices but rather that
>mom was making the choices and that she had latched onto the word
>"unschooling" from going to the activities that my cousin plans.
>
>So, it wasn't really a request for what anyone thought about the woman, her
>story was simply an explanation of why I was asking the question.
>
>So, Elissa, whaddaya think, are 2, 4 and 5 yos the ones doing the leading
>circumstances such as this? Personally I can't picture a 2 yo asking orraised
>even giving an indication that they want 7 days of structured activities in
>their life each week.
>
>Lynda
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <ElissaJC@...>
>To: <[email protected]>
>Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2002 7:21 AM
>Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re: New Thread
>
>
>> Yes.
>> Here's how I feel. I don't know these people, I don't know their history
>or
>> their reasons why their kids are in lots of activities. Maybe thye have
>> depression and need structure to prevent a relapse. Maybe thye were
>> very hands off and think this is the way to raise children. Maybe this iswrong,
>> better thn the way they were raised and they are trying.
>> I can't presume that someone does something different that I see as
>> simply because they don't *want* to do anything different or don't careor
>> wnat control. I try to remember that my (our) way of parenting/looking atgentle
>> life is VERY radical for most people. We should set an example drop
>> hints and when they ASK for a different perspective, THEN slam them with
>our
>> ideas. (After all they asked! lol)
>> Maybe parents of young children put them into lots of activities because
>> they have no one in the neighborhood or want to meet other parents with
>> kids. I don't know.
>> I used to sit on the beach with a friend and "critique" people as they
>> walked by or sunbathed. This is what this feels like to me.
>> If we are talking about one persons friend then lets talk about ways to
>> introduce what we think are better ideas to that friend. How can we show
>> these other parents that they cacn relax and not run their kids around.
>Lets
>> think of ways to explain that the mainstream view of raising kids might
>not
>> be right rather than saying *they* are wrong.
>> Elissa, who will soon be singing
>> Yippee - Kai - Yay!
>> BTW, I don't even remember who started the thread or any names so PLEASE
>> don't think I am personally bashing someone.
>>
>>
>>
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>
>
>
>Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
>Check it all out at: http://www.unschooling.com
>
>To unsubscribe, set preferences, or read archives:
>http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Unschooling-dotcom
>
>Another great list sponsored by Home Education Magazine!
>http://www.home-ed-magazine.com
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