Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] food & choices
Alan & Brenda Leonard
> << Like many things, I'm sure folks with olderThat's a risk I guess we'll have to take.
> kids perspectives on this are probably different than mine, since my son is
> 5, not 15. I can easily see how this might change as a child grows older. >>
>
> If you start when they're fifteen it's not going to work as well as it will
> if they grew up with choices.
I will confess that some of what I've read here about food pushes my
buttons. I do not know many homeschoolers; however, some that I do know
homeschool on a tight budget. I'd like to think I'm still unschooling, even
if I'm not affluent. Even if I can't afford what other people might
consider necessary. It never struck me that they'd be connected.
I hope my child grows up to know that his parents made choices to do things
they believed in, wholeheartedly, rather than those that might pay more
money. Even if it limited *his* choices in certain things.
>IMO, it is not whether it is the kids' goals or the parents' goals that isThank you, Pam. I know you weren't referring to food at this point, but
>significant, but it is the discarding of schoolishness -- no assignments, no
>tests, no grades .
this made me feel better. It's somehow what I think of unschooling to be.
(But then again, maybe I don't get it.)
brenda
who's sorry if her attitude is offending anyone.
[email protected]
In a message dated 4/30/02 7:58:32 AM, abtleo@... writes:
<< I'd like to think I'm still unschooling, even
if I'm not affluent. >>
If my kids only got ice cream once a month, they would eat it all (as it was
doled out). If they can eat all they want, it's still only bought once a
month.
They don't binge.
When I was a kid there were six in the family and donuts were very rare. If
a dozen donuts came in, two were mine. Within a couple of hours they were
gone.
If a dozen donuts come in here (it's rare, but when they do), they sit. I
eat one. One of the kids will eat half. After a couple of days they're
gone, and sometimes the last two are dipping only.
I'm pretty sure that those who limit food have the vision that those who
don't have kids eating all the time, and that ice cream or donuts are bought
every day. That's not nearly true.
It's only related to unschooling in the philosophical way--of treating
children like people, not like kids.
Our food choices came before the unschooling, because we started that when we
still figured the kids would go to school. Their choices about foods (and
clothes) made it easier for us to say "Sure, whatever!" about videos, books,
games, bedtimes, activities, etc.
-=-I hope my child grows up to know that his parents made choices to do things
they believed in, wholeheartedly, rather than those that might pay more
money. Even if it limited *his* choices in certain things.-=-
This certainly does describe every unschooling parent I personally know. But
it's not a financial consideration, on the food. It's a philosophical one.
And I wholeheartedly believe that giving them choices now (about learning and
other aspects of their lives) will make their lives easier and better
throughout.
Sandra
<< I'd like to think I'm still unschooling, even
if I'm not affluent. >>
If my kids only got ice cream once a month, they would eat it all (as it was
doled out). If they can eat all they want, it's still only bought once a
month.
They don't binge.
When I was a kid there were six in the family and donuts were very rare. If
a dozen donuts came in, two were mine. Within a couple of hours they were
gone.
If a dozen donuts come in here (it's rare, but when they do), they sit. I
eat one. One of the kids will eat half. After a couple of days they're
gone, and sometimes the last two are dipping only.
I'm pretty sure that those who limit food have the vision that those who
don't have kids eating all the time, and that ice cream or donuts are bought
every day. That's not nearly true.
It's only related to unschooling in the philosophical way--of treating
children like people, not like kids.
Our food choices came before the unschooling, because we started that when we
still figured the kids would go to school. Their choices about foods (and
clothes) made it easier for us to say "Sure, whatever!" about videos, books,
games, bedtimes, activities, etc.
-=-I hope my child grows up to know that his parents made choices to do things
they believed in, wholeheartedly, rather than those that might pay more
money. Even if it limited *his* choices in certain things.-=-
This certainly does describe every unschooling parent I personally know. But
it's not a financial consideration, on the food. It's a philosophical one.
And I wholeheartedly believe that giving them choices now (about learning and
other aspects of their lives) will make their lives easier and better
throughout.
Sandra
zenmomma *
>>I will confess that some of what I've read here about food pushes mybuttons.>>
It might be worth a moment for you to think about why then. You might end up
with the exact same opinions, or you might be prompted to look at some of
those hot button issues differently. Doesn't hurt to take them out and give
them a look once in awhile, eh? It forces us to really look at why we make
the decisions we do.
>>I hope my child grows up to know that his parents made choices to doAbsolutely. :o) We can only do and offer from what we've got. I've just
>>things they believed in, wholeheartedly, rather than those that might pay
>>more money. Even if it limited *his* choices in certain things.>>
found it better for the kids, to let them *have* the choice from what we've
got at any given moment, rather than making some items special by declaring
them temporarily off-limits. They really DO make good choices. I'm not
seeing kids with constant candy in their mouths or never-ending TV zombie
faces.
>>brendawho's sorry if her attitude is offending anyone.>>
I like your questions, Brenda. :o)
Life is good.
~Mary
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