It finally clicked
Anna
I am new to this board, having just heard about it at the SC Schools
Out Support Conference. On the way home I had an incredible moment
of realization that I wanted to share.
At the conference, two adult unschoolers where discussed. The first
was a young man, who at 18, decided he wanted to attend college. He
took the necessary steps, got into the college of his choice where
he was on the deans list through out, graduated and is currently
following his passion. I have to say I liked this story. It was
what I wanted to hear. Since reading my first John Holt book, two
years ago, I fell in love with unschooling. My kids had been trying
to show me this all along but it took reading the book for it to
click. I knew it was for us, BUT I really wanted their educational
journey to include college. I felt it was important for our society
and for growth and development. Later at the conference, we were
told about a young woman who, at 19, traveled across the country,
found an apartment, a job and was taking some classes. At
orientation for her new job she was mistaken for a 30 year old
because of her poise and confidence. I thought this was a nice
story too. Later that day, my sister was talking about a family
friend. He was publicly schooled, did what was expected, high
grades, etc. He went on to college where he maintained a high GPA.
He did this by dropping any class he wasn't going to succeed in,
giving no thought to the class, just the grade. He now lives at
home with his mom, she thought that was best, works the same job he
has had since high school and has no plans to leave. They
constantly fight and bicker, yet his fear of failure paralyzes him
to experience life. After mulling over all of this a bit, it
finally hit me!!! I don't want my children to go to college, I want
my children to live life and pursue their passions. If that
includes a trip to college, fine, if not just as fine! Now many of
you may be saying `duh' about now:) but this was huge for me.
I know that some of the speakers and organizers of the conference
frequent this board. I wanted them to know how they had touched
me. It was so wonderful to be surrounded by people that love and
respect kids and young adults. It was refreshing and reaffirming.
I can't thank them enough for what they have given me and this was
just one example. I had many other such moments, too many to
describe.
Quick background for me, I have two girls almost 3 and almost 5. We
have been enjoying our unschooling journey since birth and look
forward to many enjoyable years ahead.
Anna
Afton 5 in Jan
Raelin 3 in Dec
Out Support Conference. On the way home I had an incredible moment
of realization that I wanted to share.
At the conference, two adult unschoolers where discussed. The first
was a young man, who at 18, decided he wanted to attend college. He
took the necessary steps, got into the college of his choice where
he was on the deans list through out, graduated and is currently
following his passion. I have to say I liked this story. It was
what I wanted to hear. Since reading my first John Holt book, two
years ago, I fell in love with unschooling. My kids had been trying
to show me this all along but it took reading the book for it to
click. I knew it was for us, BUT I really wanted their educational
journey to include college. I felt it was important for our society
and for growth and development. Later at the conference, we were
told about a young woman who, at 19, traveled across the country,
found an apartment, a job and was taking some classes. At
orientation for her new job she was mistaken for a 30 year old
because of her poise and confidence. I thought this was a nice
story too. Later that day, my sister was talking about a family
friend. He was publicly schooled, did what was expected, high
grades, etc. He went on to college where he maintained a high GPA.
He did this by dropping any class he wasn't going to succeed in,
giving no thought to the class, just the grade. He now lives at
home with his mom, she thought that was best, works the same job he
has had since high school and has no plans to leave. They
constantly fight and bicker, yet his fear of failure paralyzes him
to experience life. After mulling over all of this a bit, it
finally hit me!!! I don't want my children to go to college, I want
my children to live life and pursue their passions. If that
includes a trip to college, fine, if not just as fine! Now many of
you may be saying `duh' about now:) but this was huge for me.
I know that some of the speakers and organizers of the conference
frequent this board. I wanted them to know how they had touched
me. It was so wonderful to be surrounded by people that love and
respect kids and young adults. It was refreshing and reaffirming.
I can't thank them enough for what they have given me and this was
just one example. I had many other such moments, too many to
describe.
Quick background for me, I have two girls almost 3 and almost 5. We
have been enjoying our unschooling journey since birth and look
forward to many enjoyable years ahead.
Anna
Afton 5 in Jan
Raelin 3 in Dec