Julie Stauffer

<<the issue of 'requiring' came up when someone suggested that if you
require anything of your children, you are not unschooling, including
chores>>

Actually the issue came up when someone described themselves and their
family as unschoolers and then stated they require their children to write
in journals.

If I trust my son to be able to learn all the algebra he needs in his chosen
path through life, how can I not trust my son to be able to learn to live
with others and meet his obligations and responsibilities? I either trust
him or I don't.

Julie

Julie Stauffer

<<when you keep saying "no requirements" it sure sounds like mom has to do
it all>>

Only if you assume other family members are not willing to help. Rather
than think of it as "adult/child" interactions, think of how you interact
with your spouse. Before there were kids.

Did dh require you to do laundry? Did you require dh to mow the lawn?
Probably not. Each person did the things they enjoyed or at least didn't
hate. At least in our family, the things everyone hates get divvied up or
put off until company is coming :)

If you, if Dh is willing to pitch in to do things voluntarily, why wouldn't
a child? My 11yo voluntarily cleans her room, cares for her many animals
and does the dishes after supper. The 8yo voluntarily helps with the yard
and cares for his animals and helped me start all my seeds yesterday. My
5yo loves to help cook, particularly cutting vegetables for salads. My 3yo
enjoys the laundry. My 2yo sets the table every evening. These are things
the kids ASK to do.

Julie