Lily James

Question: Is part of unschooling the idea that you try to be very busy
yourself with things your child can participate in if they want to, and then
make sure you're open to explaining, showing, and then letting them take
over?

Husband: My husband had a breakthrough last night. I've been talking about
homeschooling with him in the same way that I talked about extended
breastfeeding. That is, I never come out with a banner and say "THIS IS WHAT
I BELIEVE SHOULD BE DONE!" I just sort of say "Hmm, I've been wondering..."
and "Well I'm not sure but..." etc to sort of ease him into it with
information and thoughts, since he's very traditional-minded. He's been
great so far -- still nursing at age 2.25 and he's very supportive of my
homeschool efforts/ideas. ANYWAY, I had been talking about the whole
'socialization' issue and I know I've said a few times about how school
socialization stinks anyway -- in the same room with the same people every
single day and you get in TROUBLE for talking! :) And last night he told
*ME* that he felt like the things I do with Benny will make him much more
interesting to himself and others than putting him in preschool, and went on
to say how as he grows up he will meet more people, learn to seek
answers/info from more diverse sources... I mean you all know the deal --
but it was just so funny and so good to hear it actually coming from him.
And of course I wasn't like, "Okay, based on your new belief in homeschool,
I will now pull a 40 page contract from my hip pocket and request that you
sign away our child's future into the hands of HOMESCHOOL INC" *cackle* I
just said, "OH, that's interesting. I think I agree." Heh heh. Baby steps.
Baby steps.

Potty: Potty training? Child has no interest, except when older playmates
are here using the potty. Then he'll sit on it, or they take turns sitting
on it, etc. I don't *care* I mean I really don't, but should I be, like,
reading him a book about potties or something? Can someone recommend a good
one? I didn't potty train until I was 3 or so -- I went to Montessori in a
diaper and in two days was potty trained by the other kids. Of course, Benny
isn't going to Montessori... do I need to have another kid model it for him
more often? Or should I just let it go? I feel like if he had an older
sibling he'd be using the potty now.

Love,
LILY



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Camille Bauer

<<Is part of unschooling the idea that you try to be very busy
yourself with things your child can participate in if they want to, and then
make sure you're open to explaining, showing, and then letting them take
over?>>

I wouldn't say it is something you try... Get interested in things! :) In school I hated reading, I have hated it for years, but once I began to unschool myself and let my creativity explode, I have been devouring books like there is no tomorrow :) Now I try new and different things all the time, and sometimes the boys get interested, sometimes they don't...

<<"OH, that's interesting. I think I agree." Heh heh. Baby steps.
Baby steps.>>

Yeah!! :)

<<Potty: Potty training? Child has no interest, except when older playmates
are here using the potty. Then he'll sit on it, or they take turns sitting
on it, etc. I don't *care* I mean I really don't, but should I be, like,
reading him a book about potties or something? >>

I wouldn't do anything, just let him do it. He learned to walk, and talk and I promise he won't go off into the adult world wearing diapers <g> Really though, just let him do it in his own time.

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joanna514

do I need to have another kid model it for him
> more often? Or should I just let it go? I feel like if he had an
older
> sibling he'd be using the potty now.
>
> Love,
> LILY

My third was 3 1/2-4 before he was using the potty regularly.
I really don't think he felt the signals until that time.
My 1st and 3rd both took a while to use the potty regularly and they
both have night time dryness problems. My 2nd and 4th both pretty
much just started using the potty around 2 and neither wet the bed.
I wouldn't worry, if it doesn't bother you. I admit getting really
tired of poopy diapers and definately nudged in the direction of the
potty. We got "Once Upon a Potty"(book,doll and video) from my SIL,
but I don't think it really did any good. Though they loved the
video.
Joanna

Tia Leschke

>
>Question: Is part of unschooling the idea that you try to be very busy
>yourself with things your child can participate in if they want to, and then
>make sure you're open to explaining, showing, and then letting them take
>over?

Sounds like a great plan. You just want to make sure you have time to
follow *their* lead a lot in addition to their having your lead to follow
if they want.


>Husband: My husband had a breakthrough last night.

Neat story. My dh was skeptical at first. Now he's a big booster of
homeschooling.


>Potty: Potty training? Child has no interest, except when older playmates
>are here using the potty. Then he'll sit on it, or they take turns sitting
>on it, etc. I don't *care* I mean I really don't, but should I be, like,
>reading him a book about potties or something? Can someone recommend a good
>one? I didn't potty train until I was 3 or so -- I went to Montessori in a
>diaper and in two days was potty trained by the other kids. Of course, Benny
>isn't going to Montessori... do I need to have another kid model it for him
>more often? Or should I just let it go? I feel like if he had an older
>sibling he'd be using the potty now.

None of mine were reliably using the toilet before they were 3 - 3 1/2. My
daughter actually trained herself just before age 2. ( I just talked about
how she'd want to use the toilet when she was a bigger girl.) Then we
moved. Six months later, she just about had it and we moved again.
Sigh.
Tia

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
Eleanor Roosevelt
*********************************************
Tia Leschke
leschke@...
On Vancouver Island