[email protected]

In a message dated 5/31/02 7:14:04 AM Central Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:

<< Please
be assured I am not asking questions or starting arguments just to ask
questions or start arguments, I genuinely would like to look at this from
different perspectives >>


I can tell from your honest questions and willingness to hear the answers
that this is true!!!
It can be really difficult, but often a shift in how we view the child is all
that's needed.
I do believe you could give her more freedom, less direction about the little
things.
Some of the things you've listed are typical of many children. They don't
understand that the baby is in danger, and just because you've told them so
doesn't mean they believe you.
I don't have time to answer to every single trait you've listed right now, I
could do it tonight, but I've got to get ready for work soon.
I really think you would benefit in a BIG way from reading some of Anne O's
posts about her son over at unschooling.com.
The article she wrote for the Nov./Dec issue of HEM brought tears to my eyes.
Her son has challenges far above and beyond ADD. Things like high level
autism and other labels could be applied to him. She talks about her quest
for information in understanding his difficulties and how she chooses to not
label him or see him in any way but her sweet, wonderful boy. There are ways
that she meets his uniqe needs, but she largely credits him for leading them
to unschooling.
For teaching them, and for changing their lives.
She writes eloquently and beautifully on this topic, I think you'd really
enjoy reading her stuff.
You can back order that issue of HEM for 6.50 ( I recently did so myself) and
Sandra has a great article in that issue also.
She has also written a lot on the topic over at unschooling.com message
boards.
More later...
Ren

[email protected]

Hi , someone was looking for the book The Children On The Hill.
Abebooks(www.abebooks.com) has it for around $8.00.
Dot

Julie Stauffer

<<We just kind of asked and expected them to be nice and eventually they
were>>

I understand what you are saying because we have always had various species
living well together, currently 3 dogs, a cat, 5 goats, a parakeet and 10
rabbits. The border collie doesn't appear to be trying to harm the cat in
anyway, just herding it like the sheep dogs on "Babe." The poor cat will
finally just sit down and the dog will circle and circle him in a crouched
manner. It seems like the dog just thinks this is what she is supposed to
be doing.

Julie

[email protected]

In a message dated 5/31/2002 5:14:14 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:


> I believe that, despite its academic value, a graduate degree does
> not necessarily lend itself for easy homeschooling. On the contrary,
> it can become a hindrance in homeschooling practices; especially when
> one is trying to follow the child's lead. The practice of the
> teacher, college lecturer, scholar or professor is to lecture, not to
> create; to teach, not to play; to perpetuate a canon, not to open up
> uncharted paths to learning.

It COULD be a hindrance. For me - it is a constant reminder that I don't want
MY kids to be subjected to such ridiculous instructional methods and it gives
me absolute confidence that unschooling is a way better idea.

--pam


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 5/31/2002 5:14:14 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:


> 1. How long have you homeschooled?

7 or 8 years

> 2. How many children do you have? How old are they?

3 -- 11, 14, 17

> 3. Why are you homeschooling?

To live a good life -- enjoy life - allow kids to develop happily and
joyfully and lovingly.

> 4. What is your homeschooling approach and/or style?

Unschooling.

> 5. What is your educational and/or professional background?

BA, MA and ABD in Econometrics. Teaching credential courses completed except
for student teaching component (Seconday, single subject credential program
in mathematics, social science and business education). 27 years of teaching
college-level Economics and Statistics at many different colleges and
universities. Business experience - statistical analysis of energy
conservation programs and marketing/survey research.

> 6. Has your educational and/or professional background had any
> influence over your homeschooling style?

Yes. I am very aware of the negatives of standard educational methods and do
not intend to subject my children to such ridiculous impositions. I am very
aware that school doesn't equal education.

--pam sorooshian (willing to write more - later - if you need it)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 5/31/2002 5:14:14 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:


> Can
> someone convince me that now that she is out of school these traits are not
>
> challenging anymore?

Some traits may be challenging still of course - some yes, some no. But all
kids have traits that are challenging. Imagine (I'm sure it is difficult <G>)
having an overly passive child who doesn't have much energy, for example.
Imagine ME - social butterfly that I am - having a child who craves solitude
and only wants a friend or two - not a group person. Imagine unschooling kids
who don't communicate well. Imagine kids who are explosive - who get really
angry easily.

All of these are challenges - personality traits that make parenting more
difficult than with easy-going kids.

And kids each have their own individual mix of these traits and they interact
differently with each different member of the family and differently in
different situations.

But they don't need labels -- they just need to be recognized and handled as
you, the parent, figure out works best for your child. In fact, to label them
is to make it seem like the label really TELLS you anything more than what
YOU already know, as a parent. Lots of the traits listed for ADD are common
traits in all kids - the ADD lable just means that these traits are so
persistent and intense that they always interfere with their functioning in
at least a couple of different environments.

But -- the label itself is not going to be relevant at all unless a kid is in
school and needs special services there.

--pam


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Tia Leschke

>I understand what you are saying because we have always had various species
>living well together, currently 3 dogs, a cat, 5 goats, a parakeet and 10
>rabbits. The border collie doesn't appear to be trying to harm the cat in
>anyway, just herding it like the sheep dogs on "Babe." The poor cat will
>finally just sit down and the dog will circle and circle him in a crouched
>manner. It seems like the dog just thinks this is what she is supposed to
>be doing.

It *is* natural behavior for a border collie. I heard about a party once
where a border collie lived. After the party had been going for a while,
the people noticed that they were all standing in the middle of the room!
The only thing I can think of is to notice and reward the dog anytime she
*isn't* herding the poor cat.
Tia

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