UNSCHOOLING! (was butt-kissing humor and not sticking to real topics)
[email protected]
In a message dated 12/16/02 2:42:11 PM, robin9700@... writes:
<< > THis is waht I do not understnd. You are making fun of Teresa's
comment
Holly had cramps this morning. She's eleven, and will at some point have
cramps regularly for a while, I suppose. Hasn't started her period, but
showed me where it hurt, said it it didn't feel like any sore muscles from
skating, nor any stomach or intestinal thing. She took an Aleve, sat with
hot corn bag on it for a while, felt better, and went bicycling with a
neighbor who just got a new bike. Before that she was listening to the Raffi
Chistmas stuff (which has been lost in a box in the garage for two years),
and helping me make pancakes.
Other kids her age are in school, pretty much marking time because it's the
week before a vacation and schools get airy and ghostly in those times, from
some people being gone and the rest being distracted. Anyone trying to "keep
up with school" in such seasons can totally relax.
Kirby ate pancakes, was sweet to everyone (his vacation did him good), talked
to his dad about various things, culminating in his coming and asking if we
had a copy of Disney's Jungle Book. I didn't ask why. Maybe because he saw
Treasure Planet this weekend, and I know Keith likes The Jungle Book. I had
one home-copy I bought at a fleamarket or somewhere. He took it happily.
Then Keith took him to work, where he'll be from the 2:30 he got there to
7:30 tonight, first doing general floor stuff, and later running anime gaming
night. Lots of kids consider him a famous gaming celebrity in town. He gets
awestruck looks at the mall. And he has over two years now of real work in
a retail business.
Marty is helping his dad cut wood to make a medieval rope bed, for camping.
Before that he was playing an online game a friend of his just finished after
two years of planning, brainstorming and home experimentation. It's
finished. Oh... and he skated to the credit union to get me cash, and then
tried to rent a DVD or video, but Hollywood Video was out of both (of the
movies he wanted). After the wood is cut, Marty and I are going to watch Good
Will Hunting. He doesn't believe it has "the f word" more than Jay and
Silent Bob. I said I was sure it did. That made me remember that Holly has
requested a click counter (like people use for gate counts) as a gift and I
had forgotten. I wish we had it today. I'll use tic-marks on a notebook
and later we'll have to count the other. I told Marty I thought there were
online sites with counts already, but he wants us to count them ourselves.
I've seen Good Will Hunting twice; he's never seen it.
All in all, although it's a light day (so far, at 2:53), I'm fully confident
that my kids are having more experiences today which will spark their thought
and imagination than kids in school, AND they're getting some exercise.
Holly's biking, Marty skated on errands, and Kirby will get that sort of
exercise people get working with ten or twenty kids, moving between and
around tables, then taking all that stuff up and vacuuming. PE.
Keith just said "Well thank you, Martin" outside the window, and Marty said
"You're welcome."
Time to watch a movie.
Later!
Sandra
<< > THis is waht I do not understnd. You are making fun of Teresa's
comment
> (which a gree should not have been said in the first place) and potentiallySo, about unschooling...
> egging her on and in your previous post requested that she quite her anger.
> And this is why I will gladly leave this list. Not because of the
> message....please undrsatnd that...it is this type of dishonesty that I
> cannot be a silent witness to.
>>
Holly had cramps this morning. She's eleven, and will at some point have
cramps regularly for a while, I suppose. Hasn't started her period, but
showed me where it hurt, said it it didn't feel like any sore muscles from
skating, nor any stomach or intestinal thing. She took an Aleve, sat with
hot corn bag on it for a while, felt better, and went bicycling with a
neighbor who just got a new bike. Before that she was listening to the Raffi
Chistmas stuff (which has been lost in a box in the garage for two years),
and helping me make pancakes.
Other kids her age are in school, pretty much marking time because it's the
week before a vacation and schools get airy and ghostly in those times, from
some people being gone and the rest being distracted. Anyone trying to "keep
up with school" in such seasons can totally relax.
Kirby ate pancakes, was sweet to everyone (his vacation did him good), talked
to his dad about various things, culminating in his coming and asking if we
had a copy of Disney's Jungle Book. I didn't ask why. Maybe because he saw
Treasure Planet this weekend, and I know Keith likes The Jungle Book. I had
one home-copy I bought at a fleamarket or somewhere. He took it happily.
Then Keith took him to work, where he'll be from the 2:30 he got there to
7:30 tonight, first doing general floor stuff, and later running anime gaming
night. Lots of kids consider him a famous gaming celebrity in town. He gets
awestruck looks at the mall. And he has over two years now of real work in
a retail business.
Marty is helping his dad cut wood to make a medieval rope bed, for camping.
Before that he was playing an online game a friend of his just finished after
two years of planning, brainstorming and home experimentation. It's
finished. Oh... and he skated to the credit union to get me cash, and then
tried to rent a DVD or video, but Hollywood Video was out of both (of the
movies he wanted). After the wood is cut, Marty and I are going to watch Good
Will Hunting. He doesn't believe it has "the f word" more than Jay and
Silent Bob. I said I was sure it did. That made me remember that Holly has
requested a click counter (like people use for gate counts) as a gift and I
had forgotten. I wish we had it today. I'll use tic-marks on a notebook
and later we'll have to count the other. I told Marty I thought there were
online sites with counts already, but he wants us to count them ourselves.
I've seen Good Will Hunting twice; he's never seen it.
All in all, although it's a light day (so far, at 2:53), I'm fully confident
that my kids are having more experiences today which will spark their thought
and imagination than kids in school, AND they're getting some exercise.
Holly's biking, Marty skated on errands, and Kirby will get that sort of
exercise people get working with ten or twenty kids, moving between and
around tables, then taking all that stuff up and vacuuming. PE.
Keith just said "Well thank you, Martin" outside the window, and Marty said
"You're welcome."
Time to watch a movie.
Later!
Sandra
Gerard Westenberg
<< asking if we had a copy of Disney's Jungle Book. I didn't ask why. Maybe because he saw
Treasure Planet this weekend, and I know Keith likes The Jungle Book. >>
We saw Treasure Planet this weekend - and it had a trailer for Junble Book 2, so maybe that's the connection?...BTW, after watching Treasure Planet, some of the younger kids were asking abput supanovas and black holes so we looked up info and I learned something, too. Unschooling is great for all of us. :-)..Leonie W. .
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Treasure Planet this weekend, and I know Keith likes The Jungle Book. >>
We saw Treasure Planet this weekend - and it had a trailer for Junble Book 2, so maybe that's the connection?...BTW, after watching Treasure Planet, some of the younger kids were asking abput supanovas and black holes so we looked up info and I learned something, too. Unschooling is great for all of us. :-)..Leonie W. .
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
crazymoma67 <[email protected]>
To get back to the topic of unschooling, I too am very new to the
concept, and I am willing to learn from anyone willing to offer
advice or suggestions. Here's how our first day went. You think we
are on the right track?
I had to get up and take my oldest son to school. He loves school and
has no desire to stay home. My dd woke up with her period this
morning so she had a quiet morning curled up in bed after taking some
Midol. My 11 yo ds, after getting up bright and perky at 7:30 am!,
spent all morning playing on the computer to his hearts content.
Ususally, I have had to beg plead and bargain with him to get up and
get ready for school. It was wonderful to see him get up happy this
morning. My 7 yo, otoh, slept til almost 10. After he had a bowl of
oatmeal for breakfast, he said he was ready for school.. LOL He was
grinning so big and he brought me a book called "What your second
grader needs to know" He actually loves that book and he and I took
turns reading whatever struck his fancy. This morning he wanted to
look at maps and try to figure out which state is bigger and
fartherest away from us. He loves maps and geography. OH..
<interjection> I saw this interactive globe from Leap Frog while I
was shopping this weekend.. I know he would love that thing.. Maybe
Santa can come up with some inventive budgeting to cover it for a
surprise gift ( since ds doesnt even know the thing exists) OK back
to our day...I gave the kids an early christmas present of some of
those velvet posters. They spent a while coloring those in and
proudly displaying thier talents. We had bologna sandwiches for
lunch and some chex mix and Sundrop. The boys spent a lot of time
outside as it was in the upper 60s here today. We wrapped more
Christmas presents, each child taking a turn to help wrap the others
gifts. Dd had an orthodontist appt at 3, she got green and red
bands. Dd asked for cinnamon toast when we got home, and everyone
decided they wanted some, so I made a pan of cinnamon toast. Dd
checked her email and surfed around the net some while the boys spent
some more time outside jumping on the trampoline. I had plenty of
time to sweep the floor, pick up clothes and toys, wash dishes and
throw in a load of laundry. All in all, a very good first day of the
rest of our unschooling lives.
Diane
concept, and I am willing to learn from anyone willing to offer
advice or suggestions. Here's how our first day went. You think we
are on the right track?
I had to get up and take my oldest son to school. He loves school and
has no desire to stay home. My dd woke up with her period this
morning so she had a quiet morning curled up in bed after taking some
Midol. My 11 yo ds, after getting up bright and perky at 7:30 am!,
spent all morning playing on the computer to his hearts content.
Ususally, I have had to beg plead and bargain with him to get up and
get ready for school. It was wonderful to see him get up happy this
morning. My 7 yo, otoh, slept til almost 10. After he had a bowl of
oatmeal for breakfast, he said he was ready for school.. LOL He was
grinning so big and he brought me a book called "What your second
grader needs to know" He actually loves that book and he and I took
turns reading whatever struck his fancy. This morning he wanted to
look at maps and try to figure out which state is bigger and
fartherest away from us. He loves maps and geography. OH..
<interjection> I saw this interactive globe from Leap Frog while I
was shopping this weekend.. I know he would love that thing.. Maybe
Santa can come up with some inventive budgeting to cover it for a
surprise gift ( since ds doesnt even know the thing exists) OK back
to our day...I gave the kids an early christmas present of some of
those velvet posters. They spent a while coloring those in and
proudly displaying thier talents. We had bologna sandwiches for
lunch and some chex mix and Sundrop. The boys spent a lot of time
outside as it was in the upper 60s here today. We wrapped more
Christmas presents, each child taking a turn to help wrap the others
gifts. Dd had an orthodontist appt at 3, she got green and red
bands. Dd asked for cinnamon toast when we got home, and everyone
decided they wanted some, so I made a pan of cinnamon toast. Dd
checked her email and surfed around the net some while the boys spent
some more time outside jumping on the trampoline. I had plenty of
time to sweep the floor, pick up clothes and toys, wash dishes and
throw in a load of laundry. All in all, a very good first day of the
rest of our unschooling lives.
Diane
crazymoma67 <[email protected]>
I forgot something very important.. In the midst of it, I kept
thinking.. How do I handle this?? I need advice!! I got through the
situation, but I would still like to know how others would have
handled this. I am sure that things like this will come up a lot as
me and my family are all learning how to get along with this new
concept. OK, here's the deal. The kids wanted me to wrap some
Christmas gifts last night.. I wrapped a few for each of them. Well,
7 yo ds wanted to open one this morning. This Christmas is going to
be slim and they dont have many to open. I struggled with what to
do. I have let them open presents before Christmas before.. Then, on
Christmas Eve, when we open packages, they are disappointed because
they have fewer to open than the other children. Because of this,I
had vowed to not let them open any presents early. Well, now that I
am trying to T(My)CS, I didnt know what to do. He got more and more
upset wanting to open his presents. Thats when I decided to wrap up
the velvet poster I had bought and let him open it. My rationale was
that that particular gift was inexpensive and more disposable as a
Christmas gift. The other kids wanted to color thiers too, so I let
them all have thier posters. They really enjoyed the posters today,
and ds was satisfied at opening that one gift. But, now what?? What
about tomorrow ? What if he wants to open all of his gifts and then
he has none to open on Christmas Eve when the other children open
thiers? Lay it on me.
Diane
thinking.. How do I handle this?? I need advice!! I got through the
situation, but I would still like to know how others would have
handled this. I am sure that things like this will come up a lot as
me and my family are all learning how to get along with this new
concept. OK, here's the deal. The kids wanted me to wrap some
Christmas gifts last night.. I wrapped a few for each of them. Well,
7 yo ds wanted to open one this morning. This Christmas is going to
be slim and they dont have many to open. I struggled with what to
do. I have let them open presents before Christmas before.. Then, on
Christmas Eve, when we open packages, they are disappointed because
they have fewer to open than the other children. Because of this,I
had vowed to not let them open any presents early. Well, now that I
am trying to T(My)CS, I didnt know what to do. He got more and more
upset wanting to open his presents. Thats when I decided to wrap up
the velvet poster I had bought and let him open it. My rationale was
that that particular gift was inexpensive and more disposable as a
Christmas gift. The other kids wanted to color thiers too, so I let
them all have thier posters. They really enjoyed the posters today,
and ds was satisfied at opening that one gift. But, now what?? What
about tomorrow ? What if he wants to open all of his gifts and then
he has none to open on Christmas Eve when the other children open
thiers? Lay it on me.
Diane
[email protected]
In a message dated 12/16/2002 6:27:20 PM Eastern Standard Time,
crazymoma67@... writes:
down 'til Christmas? Candy canes work great for us. But many years ago when
Ben and Cameron were here in Columbia already and I was still in St Louis
selling the house at Christmas, "Mrs. Claus" sent a huge box full of 25 small
presents to open every day. Bigger and better than candy canes---but I missed
him so much! He'd call every day to tell me what Mrs. Claus had sent him!
Dollar Store.
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
crazymoma67@... writes:
> What if he wants to open all of his gifts and thenThe Dollar Store? Big Lots? CHEAP, fun trinkets to open as advent count 'em
> he has none to open on Christmas Eve when the other children open
> thiers? Lay it on me.
down 'til Christmas? Candy canes work great for us. But many years ago when
Ben and Cameron were here in Columbia already and I was still in St Louis
selling the house at Christmas, "Mrs. Claus" sent a huge box full of 25 small
presents to open every day. Bigger and better than candy canes---but I missed
him so much! He'd call every day to tell me what Mrs. Claus had sent him!
Dollar Store.
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Betsy
**Lots of kids consider him a famous gaming celebrity in town. He gets
awestruck looks at the mall. **
Gee, maybe you should rent Almost Famous and give him a subtle but
unmistakable lecture about groupies.
::::: ducking and running :::::
Betsy
::::: and then running back to shoot my mouth off some more :::::
**After the wood is cut, Marty and I are going to watch Good
Will Hunting. He doesn't believe it has "the f word" more than Jay and
Silent Bob. I said I was sure it did. That made me remember that Holly
has requested a click counter (like people use for gate counts) as a
gift and I had forgotten. I wish we had it today. ***
I always thought that Four Weddings and a Funeral was the record holder,
but I don't get out much. Surely there is a site on the internet that
will do the counting for you? I'm just not sure what to put into google
to find it.
awestruck looks at the mall. **
Gee, maybe you should rent Almost Famous and give him a subtle but
unmistakable lecture about groupies.
::::: ducking and running :::::
Betsy
::::: and then running back to shoot my mouth off some more :::::
**After the wood is cut, Marty and I are going to watch Good
Will Hunting. He doesn't believe it has "the f word" more than Jay and
Silent Bob. I said I was sure it did. That made me remember that Holly
has requested a click counter (like people use for gate counts) as a
gift and I had forgotten. I wish we had it today. ***
I always thought that Four Weddings and a Funeral was the record holder,
but I don't get out much. Surely there is a site on the internet that
will do the counting for you? I'm just not sure what to put into google
to find it.
Betsy
**This morning he wanted to look at maps and try to figure out which
state is bigger and fartherest away from us.**
Jigsaw puzzles of the U.S. are kind of fun for the size comparison. You
can see which pieces fit on top of other pieces. You can accomplish the
same thing by tracing, but it's more work.
Betsy
state is bigger and fartherest away from us.**
Jigsaw puzzles of the U.S. are kind of fun for the size comparison. You
can see which pieces fit on top of other pieces. You can accomplish the
same thing by tracing, but it's more work.
Betsy
Gerard Westenberg
<All in all, a very good first day of the
rest of our unschooling lives. >
Your day sounds just great, and relaxed, and fun and lots of learning happening! Diane, our days run pretty similar to yours - kids tend to get interested in a variety of areas and we follow up where and when we want...Leonie W.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
rest of our unschooling lives. >
Your day sounds just great, and relaxed, and fun and lots of learning happening! Diane, our days run pretty similar to yours - kids tend to get interested in a variety of areas and we follow up where and when we want...Leonie W.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
crazymoma67 <[email protected]>
> Jigsaw puzzles of the U.S. are kind of fun for the sizecomparison. You
> can see which pieces fit on top of other pieces. You canaccomplish the
> same thing by tracing, but it's more work.Yeah, we've had those around here before with the other children but
>
> Betsy
they were never as interested in geography as Phillip. I do need to
get some new ones for him.. The tracing is a good idea too, he loves
to trace pictures and things
Diane
crazymoma67 <[email protected]>
> Dollar Store.Why didnt I think of that?? :-) The dollar store is one if not THE
>
> ~Kelly
favorite store of my kids. Give em a buck and they are happy..lol
In his eyes, a toy that costs a dollar or two is just as fun to open
and play with. Thanks Kelly
Diane
crazymoma67 <[email protected]>
--- In [email protected], "Gerard Westenberg"
<westen@b...> wrote:
kids tend to get interested in a variety of areas and we follow up
where and when we want...Leonie W.
I am pretty much winging it.. I know my instincts are pretty good,
but sometimes old habits are hard to break. It's easy to fall back
into familar routines. I've been researching and reading and reading
and learning and listening for several weeks now. I've tried to
unschool as much as possible with my kids still in school till I got
all of my ducks in a row with my state regs. The last few weeks of
school, the kids basically just showed up to be counted present so
truancy wasn't an issue. They knew the BIG DAY was coming and they
were so excited. I think my Dd, Lydia (13) was a little apprehensive
about giving up routines and "school work". She has always succeeded
in PS and she thrives on structure. The boys, (Phillip, 7 ,and Cal,
11) OTOH let it go with wild abandon. Lydie really struggled with
the decison to stay at home. I think she felt a lot of pressure from
her friends and teachers at school. But, she decided she wanted to
give unschooling a try. Of course, if we can gradually shift our
whole lives into an unschooling totality, then her going to PS will
become obsolete. Are there any other unschoolers who made this
decision with older children? How did the transition work out?
Diane
<westen@b...> wrote:
> <All in all, a very good first day of thelearning happening! Diane, our days run pretty similar to yours -
> rest of our unschooling lives. >
>
> Your day sounds just great, and relaxed, and fun and lots of
kids tend to get interested in a variety of areas and we follow up
where and when we want...Leonie W.
>Thanks for the words of encouragement, Leonie.
I am pretty much winging it.. I know my instincts are pretty good,
but sometimes old habits are hard to break. It's easy to fall back
into familar routines. I've been researching and reading and reading
and learning and listening for several weeks now. I've tried to
unschool as much as possible with my kids still in school till I got
all of my ducks in a row with my state regs. The last few weeks of
school, the kids basically just showed up to be counted present so
truancy wasn't an issue. They knew the BIG DAY was coming and they
were so excited. I think my Dd, Lydia (13) was a little apprehensive
about giving up routines and "school work". She has always succeeded
in PS and she thrives on structure. The boys, (Phillip, 7 ,and Cal,
11) OTOH let it go with wild abandon. Lydie really struggled with
the decison to stay at home. I think she felt a lot of pressure from
her friends and teachers at school. But, she decided she wanted to
give unschooling a try. Of course, if we can gradually shift our
whole lives into an unschooling totality, then her going to PS will
become obsolete. Are there any other unschoolers who made this
decision with older children? How did the transition work out?
Diane
kayb85 <[email protected]>
He might like the Which Way USA activity kit that comes once a month
in the mail from highlights.
Sheila
-- In [email protected], Betsy <ecsamhill@e...>
wrote:
in the mail from highlights.
Sheila
-- In [email protected], Betsy <ecsamhill@e...>
wrote:
>comparison. You
>
> **This morning he wanted to look at maps and try to figure out which
> state is bigger and fartherest away from us.**
>
> Jigsaw puzzles of the U.S. are kind of fun for the size
> can see which pieces fit on top of other pieces. You canaccomplish the
> same thing by tracing, but it's more work.
>
> Betsy
[email protected]
In a message dated 12/16/02 4:27:42 PM, crazymoma67@... writes:
<< But, now what?? What
about tomorrow ? What if he wants to open all of his gifts and then
he has none to open on Christmas Eve when the other children open
thiers? Lay it on me. >>
If the gifts were driving him crazy, I'd hide them rather than let him open
them. They make pretty decorations, but it's not worth making him nuts.
Also you might wrap up other things, just for fun. His lunch. I don't know.
Distract him?
Have him wrap up some stuff in his room or let other kids, and let him guess
what (of his familiar stuff) is in there? Wrap up pajamas before bed? Wrap
up his pillow? Maybe that would make it all kinda funny and fun.
Sandra
<< But, now what?? What
about tomorrow ? What if he wants to open all of his gifts and then
he has none to open on Christmas Eve when the other children open
thiers? Lay it on me. >>
If the gifts were driving him crazy, I'd hide them rather than let him open
them. They make pretty decorations, but it's not worth making him nuts.
Also you might wrap up other things, just for fun. His lunch. I don't know.
Distract him?
Have him wrap up some stuff in his room or let other kids, and let him guess
what (of his familiar stuff) is in there? Wrap up pajamas before bed? Wrap
up his pillow? Maybe that would make it all kinda funny and fun.
Sandra
[email protected]
In a message dated 12/16/2002 10:46:18 PM Eastern Standard Time,
crazymoma67@... writes:
while (mostly slept and watched tv---for about a year). He's a full-convert
now (he'll be 15 next month), and sees all his friends in high school SO
miserable. He talks with them about it all the time: they think he'll get no
education and won't be successful---they're brainwashed already! But at the
same time, they envy his life BIG TIME! Of course HE'S the one who has the
time to write, direct, and produce the screenplay they're FINALLY going to
tape during Christmas vacation!
These kids also HATE their parents right now. They're constantly grounded or
punished and are always having things withheld---mostly for not doing some
school-related thing. They're trying to get away with something---ANYthing!
It's NOT just the "school"/education part of it that's different. It's the
BEING with them.
Yesterday, Duncan (6.5) went to a friend's house, so Cam and I had the day
together. We shopped and had lunch. As we ate, I saw a sign for a shop that
does body-piercing. I asked whether he really wanted anything pierced. (At
14, he might need a parent there to get it done. He had extra Christmas $$; I
was there, so...) He said no. <g> But we talked a lot about piercings. And
tattoos ---illegal in SC; he didn't know that. That morphed into Blue Laws
(which SC ALSO has many of), and children's rights and....we're back to his
schooled friends! And how THEIR moms would have NEVER offered piercings! <BWG>
Dropping his brother off at a friend's...$1
Three CD's...$29
Lunch @ Andy's...$11
No body piercings...0
Ability to shop, eat lunch, and chat with a teenager in the middle of a
"schoolday"---and call it "education"...priceless!
<G>
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
crazymoma67@... writes:
> Are there any other unschoolers who made thisWe took Cameron out after 6th grade. He struggled and deschooled for a long
> decision with older children? How did the transition work out?
while (mostly slept and watched tv---for about a year). He's a full-convert
now (he'll be 15 next month), and sees all his friends in high school SO
miserable. He talks with them about it all the time: they think he'll get no
education and won't be successful---they're brainwashed already! But at the
same time, they envy his life BIG TIME! Of course HE'S the one who has the
time to write, direct, and produce the screenplay they're FINALLY going to
tape during Christmas vacation!
These kids also HATE their parents right now. They're constantly grounded or
punished and are always having things withheld---mostly for not doing some
school-related thing. They're trying to get away with something---ANYthing!
It's NOT just the "school"/education part of it that's different. It's the
BEING with them.
Yesterday, Duncan (6.5) went to a friend's house, so Cam and I had the day
together. We shopped and had lunch. As we ate, I saw a sign for a shop that
does body-piercing. I asked whether he really wanted anything pierced. (At
14, he might need a parent there to get it done. He had extra Christmas $$; I
was there, so...) He said no. <g> But we talked a lot about piercings. And
tattoos ---illegal in SC; he didn't know that. That morphed into Blue Laws
(which SC ALSO has many of), and children's rights and....we're back to his
schooled friends! And how THEIR moms would have NEVER offered piercings! <BWG>
Dropping his brother off at a friend's...$1
Three CD's...$29
Lunch @ Andy's...$11
No body piercings...0
Ability to shop, eat lunch, and chat with a teenager in the middle of a
"schoolday"---and call it "education"...priceless!
<G>
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
crazymoma67 <[email protected]>
--- In [email protected], SandraDodd@a... wrote:
missing. If I had thought of these things before hand, then we
wouldnt have had the big melt down ( before I let him open the
poster) An ounce of prevention, as they say :-)
Diane
>him open
> In a message dated 12/16/02 4:27:42 PM, crazymoma67@y... writes:
>
> << But, now what?? What
> about tomorrow ? What if he wants to open all of his gifts and then
> he has none to open on Christmas Eve when the other children open
> thiers? Lay it on me. >>
>
> If the gifts were driving him crazy, I'd hide them rather than let
> them. They make pretty decorations, but it's not worth making himnuts.
>don't know.
> Also you might wrap up other things, just for fun. His lunch. I
>him guess
> Distract him?
>
> Have him wrap up some stuff in his room or let other kids, and let
> what (of his familiar stuff) is in there? Wrap up pajamas beforebed? Wrap
> up his pillow? Maybe that would make it all kinda funny and fun.Those are all great ideas too! I think forethought is what I am
>
> Sandra
missing. If I had thought of these things before hand, then we
wouldnt have had the big melt down ( before I let him open the
poster) An ounce of prevention, as they say :-)
Diane
crazymoma67 <[email protected]>
>of a
> Dropping his brother off at a friend's...$1
> Three CD's...$29
> Lunch @ Andy's...$11
> No body piercings...0
>
> Ability to shop, eat lunch, and chat with a teenager in the middle
> "schoolday"---and call it "education"...priceless!Kelly, that does sound like a wonderful day. Although, not too
>
> <G>
>
> ~Kelly
>
different from one I would spend with my oldest son, who has decided
to finish out public high school. He is a Jr this year and he just
has too much fun with his friends at school. Yeah, the academics can
suck, but he tolerates them. That is just his choice, and he knows
he can leave school anytime if he wants. Maybe that is why he does
not resent school, because he knows he has options. I've never told
him that he couldnt get a tatoo or a body piercing, but he's never
shown any interest in one. If he did, I would say, well, it's your
body.. have at it..LOL
Teresa
[email protected]
In a message dated 12/17/2002 8:02:25 AM Central Standard Time,
crazymoma67@... writes:
unschooling as soon as I found it, and he taught me a lot. He went back in
the second half of 10th and stayed through the first half of 11th. (But
before that he went to college. <g>) He went to school for the girls, he
says.
We spent a day like that yesterday, kinda. I was actually spending it with
the 9 yo (don't take sensitive 9yo's to see 8 Crazy Nights, BTW), and we were
at the mall where my son works. So we spent time with him in his store, and
on his break and had fun. He's not pierced or tattooed, but works in a place
with lots of people who are, and sells body jewelry at the store.
Long ago I told him he couldn't get pierced or tattooed until he was 18,
because I didn't want to be the one he blamed if he didn't like it or
regretted it someday. He did get an earlobe pierced this summer, but let it
grow back because it hurt too much!
All this time since he left school (the first time), it seems to me that he
has been just marking time until he can be and do stuff on his own. That's
not to say that he didn't learn and do things in these intervening years!
It's just not all what he *wanted* to do. Everything he's really *wanted* to
do has been blocked by driving laws, day time curfews and compulsory
attendance, and at times he had to live furtively, watching his back.
Now he's really doing it, though. His goal is to be a "rock star" and we can
laugh at the cliche, but now he's in a band and doing auditions with record
companies and benefit concerts and everything. Doing what he wants to do,
with complete freedom (fettered by money, sometimes!)...and we get to claim
he's still in high school if it's convenient!
Tuck
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
crazymoma67@... writes:
> Although, not tooMy 18 yo left school at 6th grade like Kelly's. Completely jibed with
> different from one I would spend with my oldest son, who has decided
> to finish out public high school. He is a Jr this year and he just
> has too much fun with his friends at school. Yeah, the academics can
> suck, but he tolerates them. That is just his choice, and he knows
> he can leave school anytime if he wants. Maybe that is why he does
> not resent school, because he knows he has options. I've never told
> him that he couldnt get a tatoo or a body piercing, but he's never
> shown any interest in one. If he did, I would say, well, it's your
> body.. have at it..LOL
>
unschooling as soon as I found it, and he taught me a lot. He went back in
the second half of 10th and stayed through the first half of 11th. (But
before that he went to college. <g>) He went to school for the girls, he
says.
We spent a day like that yesterday, kinda. I was actually spending it with
the 9 yo (don't take sensitive 9yo's to see 8 Crazy Nights, BTW), and we were
at the mall where my son works. So we spent time with him in his store, and
on his break and had fun. He's not pierced or tattooed, but works in a place
with lots of people who are, and sells body jewelry at the store.
Long ago I told him he couldn't get pierced or tattooed until he was 18,
because I didn't want to be the one he blamed if he didn't like it or
regretted it someday. He did get an earlobe pierced this summer, but let it
grow back because it hurt too much!
All this time since he left school (the first time), it seems to me that he
has been just marking time until he can be and do stuff on his own. That's
not to say that he didn't learn and do things in these intervening years!
It's just not all what he *wanted* to do. Everything he's really *wanted* to
do has been blocked by driving laws, day time curfews and compulsory
attendance, and at times he had to live furtively, watching his back.
Now he's really doing it, though. His goal is to be a "rock star" and we can
laugh at the cliche, but now he's in a band and doing auditions with record
companies and benefit concerts and everything. Doing what he wants to do,
with complete freedom (fettered by money, sometimes!)...and we get to claim
he's still in high school if it's convenient!
Tuck
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Karin
>CUTE - Kelly!
> Dropping his brother off at a friend's...$1
> Three CD's...$29
> Lunch @ Andy's...$11
> No body piercings...0
>
> Ability to shop, eat lunch, and chat with a teenager in the middle of a
> "schoolday"---and call it "education"...priceless!
>
> <G>
>
> ~Kelly
Loved reading about your day with your son. :-)
Karin
[email protected]
In a message dated 12/17/2002 7:34:40 AM Eastern Standard Time,
kbcdlovejo@... writes:
turned 13dd. I love spending time with her.
Can never understand parents who look forward to school or camp or some
activity so they "won't have to deal with their teenage children". This was
an actual discussion last night at my daughter's basketball practice. Some of
the parents were dreading the upcoming school hiatus because they'd have
"their children at home and have to deal with them more". Maybe if they quit
trying to control them and really spent time with their children they'd know
how terrific they are?
Anyway, your day with Cam sounded similar to our outing last week. Eric 11ds
was at a friend's house, so Carly and I went to the mall in Charlottesville.
This was her big day; she got her ears pierced. Then we had lunch and
discussed everything. It's like having lunch with a close girl friend. I
wouldn't trade that experience with her for the world.
As Kelly said, "Priceless".
Ginny in Virginia
PS, thanks to all who post on this board; I gain so much from your insight,
points of view, comments; I'm returning to listening and learning mode.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
kbcdlovejo@... writes:
> It's NOT just the "school"/education part of it that's different. It's theCame out of listening mode to thank you. I forwarded your post to my newly
> BEING with them.
>
> Yesterday, Duncan (6.5) went to a friend's house, so Cam and I had the day
> together. We shopped and had lunch. As we ate, I saw a sign for a shop that
> does body-piercing. I asked whether he really wanted anything pierced. (At
> 14, he might need a parent there to get it done. He had extra Christmas $$;
> I
> was there, so...) He said no. <g> But we talked a lot about piercings. And
> tattoos ---illegal in SC; he didn't know that. That morphed into Blue Laws
> (which SC ALSO has many of), and children's rights and....we're back to his
> schooled friends! And how THEIR moms would have NEVER offered piercings! <
> BWG>
>
>
> Dropping his brother off at a friend's...$1
> Three CD's...$29
> Lunch @ Andy's...$11
> No body piercings...0
turned 13dd. I love spending time with her.
Can never understand parents who look forward to school or camp or some
activity so they "won't have to deal with their teenage children". This was
an actual discussion last night at my daughter's basketball practice. Some of
the parents were dreading the upcoming school hiatus because they'd have
"their children at home and have to deal with them more". Maybe if they quit
trying to control them and really spent time with their children they'd know
how terrific they are?
Anyway, your day with Cam sounded similar to our outing last week. Eric 11ds
was at a friend's house, so Carly and I went to the mall in Charlottesville.
This was her big day; she got her ears pierced. Then we had lunch and
discussed everything. It's like having lunch with a close girl friend. I
wouldn't trade that experience with her for the world.
As Kelly said, "Priceless".
Ginny in Virginia
PS, thanks to all who post on this board; I gain so much from your insight,
points of view, comments; I'm returning to listening and learning mode.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Gerard Westenberg
<Are there any other unschoolers who made this
decision with older children? How did the transition work out?>
Have you read this book by Grace Llewellyn - Real Lives : 11 teenagers Who Don't go To School? Some of the kids in thii book didn't start unschooling/homeschooling until they had been in school for several years. Some good stories which may be helpful...Leonie W.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
decision with older children? How did the transition work out?>
Have you read this book by Grace Llewellyn - Real Lives : 11 teenagers Who Don't go To School? Some of the kids in thii book didn't start unschooling/homeschooling until they had been in school for several years. Some good stories which may be helpful...Leonie W.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kelli Traaseth
Diane,
I'm way behind on my e-mails and sure you have gotten lots of responses, but,,,
Your day sounded great!!
Isn't it wonderful, unschooling, that is, I have to pinch myself sometimes!<g> Is this really my life? I love it.
Take Care,
Kelli
"crazymoma67 <crazymoma67@...>" <crazymoma67@...> wrote:To get back to the topic of unschooling, I too am very new to the
concept, and I am willing to learn from anyone willing to offer
advice or suggestions. Here's how our first day went. You think we
are on the right track?
I had to get up and take my oldest son to school. He loves school and
has no desire to stay home. My dd woke up with her period this
morning so she had a quiet morning curled up in bed after taking some
Midol. My 11 yo ds, after getting up bright and perky at 7:30 am!,
spent all morning playing on the computer to his hearts content.
Ususally, I have had to beg plead and bargain with him to get up and
get ready for school. It was wonderful to see him get up happy this
morning. My 7 yo, otoh, slept til almost 10. After he had a bowl of
oatmeal for breakfast, he said he was ready for school.. LOL He was
grinning so big and he brought me a book called "What your second
grader needs to know" He actually loves that book and he and I took
turns reading whatever struck his fancy. This morning he wanted to
look at maps and try to figure out which state is bigger and
fartherest away from us. He loves maps and geography. OH..
<interjection> I saw this interactive globe from Leap Frog while I
was shopping this weekend.. I know he would love that thing.. Maybe
Santa can come up with some inventive budgeting to cover it for a
surprise gift ( since ds doesnt even know the thing exists) OK back
to our day...I gave the kids an early christmas present of some of
those velvet posters. They spent a while coloring those in and
proudly displaying thier talents. We had bologna sandwiches for
lunch and some chex mix and Sundrop. The boys spent a lot of time
outside as it was in the upper 60s here today. We wrapped more
Christmas presents, each child taking a turn to help wrap the others
gifts. Dd had an orthodontist appt at 3, she got green and red
bands. Dd asked for cinnamon toast when we got home, and everyone
decided they wanted some, so I made a pan of cinnamon toast. Dd
checked her email and surfed around the net some while the boys spent
some more time outside jumping on the trampoline. I had plenty of
time to sweep the floor, pick up clothes and toys, wash dishes and
throw in a load of laundry. All in all, a very good first day of the
rest of our unschooling lives.
Diane
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I'm way behind on my e-mails and sure you have gotten lots of responses, but,,,
Your day sounded great!!
Isn't it wonderful, unschooling, that is, I have to pinch myself sometimes!<g> Is this really my life? I love it.
Take Care,
Kelli
"crazymoma67 <crazymoma67@...>" <crazymoma67@...> wrote:To get back to the topic of unschooling, I too am very new to the
concept, and I am willing to learn from anyone willing to offer
advice or suggestions. Here's how our first day went. You think we
are on the right track?
I had to get up and take my oldest son to school. He loves school and
has no desire to stay home. My dd woke up with her period this
morning so she had a quiet morning curled up in bed after taking some
Midol. My 11 yo ds, after getting up bright and perky at 7:30 am!,
spent all morning playing on the computer to his hearts content.
Ususally, I have had to beg plead and bargain with him to get up and
get ready for school. It was wonderful to see him get up happy this
morning. My 7 yo, otoh, slept til almost 10. After he had a bowl of
oatmeal for breakfast, he said he was ready for school.. LOL He was
grinning so big and he brought me a book called "What your second
grader needs to know" He actually loves that book and he and I took
turns reading whatever struck his fancy. This morning he wanted to
look at maps and try to figure out which state is bigger and
fartherest away from us. He loves maps and geography. OH..
<interjection> I saw this interactive globe from Leap Frog while I
was shopping this weekend.. I know he would love that thing.. Maybe
Santa can come up with some inventive budgeting to cover it for a
surprise gift ( since ds doesnt even know the thing exists) OK back
to our day...I gave the kids an early christmas present of some of
those velvet posters. They spent a while coloring those in and
proudly displaying thier talents. We had bologna sandwiches for
lunch and some chex mix and Sundrop. The boys spent a lot of time
outside as it was in the upper 60s here today. We wrapped more
Christmas presents, each child taking a turn to help wrap the others
gifts. Dd had an orthodontist appt at 3, she got green and red
bands. Dd asked for cinnamon toast when we got home, and everyone
decided they wanted some, so I made a pan of cinnamon toast. Dd
checked her email and surfed around the net some while the boys spent
some more time outside jumping on the trampoline. I had plenty of
time to sweep the floor, pick up clothes and toys, wash dishes and
throw in a load of laundry. All in all, a very good first day of the
rest of our unschooling lives.
Diane
~~~~ Don't forget! If you change topics, change the subject line! ~~~~
If you have questions, concerns or problems with this list, please email the moderator, Joyce Fetteroll (fetteroll@...), or the list owner, Helen Hegener (HEM-Editor@...).
To unsubscribe from this group, click on the following link or address an email to:
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kelli Traaseth
My daughter (8) just fell upon those of ours, I had ordered them for my son, but they didn't fly for him, not a workbook kind-of guy. She on the other hand really likes them. She is just figuring out reading so she gets excited when she can read the directions and do alot of it on her own. It is also pretty fun to do together too.
Kelli
"kayb85 <sheran@...>" <sheran@...> wrote:He might like the Which Way USA activity kit that comes once a month
in the mail from highlights.
Sheila
-- In [email protected], Betsy <ecsamhill@e...>
wrote:
~~~~ Don't forget! If you change topics, change the subject line! ~~~~
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kelli
"kayb85 <sheran@...>" <sheran@...> wrote:He might like the Which Way USA activity kit that comes once a month
in the mail from highlights.
Sheila
-- In [email protected], Betsy <ecsamhill@e...>
wrote:
>comparison. You
>
> **This morning he wanted to look at maps and try to figure out which
> state is bigger and fartherest away from us.**
>
> Jigsaw puzzles of the U.S. are kind of fun for the size
> can see which pieces fit on top of other pieces. You canaccomplish the
> same thing by tracing, but it's more work.Yahoo! Groups SponsorADVERTISEMENT
>
> Betsy
~~~~ Don't forget! If you change topics, change the subject line! ~~~~
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Kelli Traaseth
Cool day Kelly!
Tatoos are really illegal there? I can't imagine.
Kelli
kbcdlovejo@... wrote:In a message dated 12/16/2002 10:46:18 PM Eastern Standard Time,
crazymoma67@... writes:
while (mostly slept and watched tv---for about a year). He's a full-convert
now (he'll be 15 next month), and sees all his friends in high school SO
miserable. He talks with them about it all the time: they think he'll get no
education and won't be successful---they're brainwashed already! But at the
same time, they envy his life BIG TIME! Of course HE'S the one who has the
time to write, direct, and produce the screenplay they're FINALLY going to
tape during Christmas vacation!
These kids also HATE their parents right now. They're constantly grounded or
punished and are always having things withheld---mostly for not doing some
school-related thing. They're trying to get away with something---ANYthing!
It's NOT just the "school"/education part of it that's different. It's the
BEING with them.
Yesterday, Duncan (6.5) went to a friend's house, so Cam and I had the day
together. We shopped and had lunch. As we ate, I saw a sign for a shop that
does body-piercing. I asked whether he really wanted anything pierced. (At
14, he might need a parent there to get it done. He had extra Christmas $$; I
was there, so...) He said no. <g> But we talked a lot about piercings. And
tattoos ---illegal in SC; he didn't know that. That morphed into Blue Laws
(which SC ALSO has many of), and children's rights and....we're back to his
schooled friends! And how THEIR moms would have NEVER offered piercings! <BWG>
Dropping his brother off at a friend's...$1
Three CD's...$29
Lunch @ Andy's...$11
No body piercings...0
Ability to shop, eat lunch, and chat with a teenager in the middle of a
"schoolday"---and call it "education"...priceless!
<G>
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yahoo! Groups SponsorADVERTISEMENT
~~~~ Don't forget! If you change topics, change the subject line! ~~~~
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To unsubscribe from this group, click on the following link or address an email to:
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Tatoos are really illegal there? I can't imagine.
Kelli
kbcdlovejo@... wrote:In a message dated 12/16/2002 10:46:18 PM Eastern Standard Time,
crazymoma67@... writes:
> Are there any other unschoolers who made thisWe took Cameron out after 6th grade. He struggled and deschooled for a long
> decision with older children? How did the transition work out?
while (mostly slept and watched tv---for about a year). He's a full-convert
now (he'll be 15 next month), and sees all his friends in high school SO
miserable. He talks with them about it all the time: they think he'll get no
education and won't be successful---they're brainwashed already! But at the
same time, they envy his life BIG TIME! Of course HE'S the one who has the
time to write, direct, and produce the screenplay they're FINALLY going to
tape during Christmas vacation!
These kids also HATE their parents right now. They're constantly grounded or
punished and are always having things withheld---mostly for not doing some
school-related thing. They're trying to get away with something---ANYthing!
It's NOT just the "school"/education part of it that's different. It's the
BEING with them.
Yesterday, Duncan (6.5) went to a friend's house, so Cam and I had the day
together. We shopped and had lunch. As we ate, I saw a sign for a shop that
does body-piercing. I asked whether he really wanted anything pierced. (At
14, he might need a parent there to get it done. He had extra Christmas $$; I
was there, so...) He said no. <g> But we talked a lot about piercings. And
tattoos ---illegal in SC; he didn't know that. That morphed into Blue Laws
(which SC ALSO has many of), and children's rights and....we're back to his
schooled friends! And how THEIR moms would have NEVER offered piercings! <BWG>
Dropping his brother off at a friend's...$1
Three CD's...$29
Lunch @ Andy's...$11
No body piercings...0
Ability to shop, eat lunch, and chat with a teenager in the middle of a
"schoolday"---and call it "education"...priceless!
<G>
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yahoo! Groups SponsorADVERTISEMENT
~~~~ Don't forget! If you change topics, change the subject line! ~~~~
If you have questions, concerns or problems with this list, please email the moderator, Joyce Fetteroll (fetteroll@...), or the list owner, Helen Hegener (HEM-Editor@...).
To unsubscribe from this group, click on the following link or address an email to:
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Visit the Unschooling website: http://www.unschooling.com
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
---------------------------------
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 12/18/2002 3:28:05 AM Eastern Standard Time,
kellitraas@... writes:
underground.
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
kellitraas@... writes:
> Tatoos are really illegal there? I can't imagine.You have to go to NC or GA! Legally, anyway. I'm sure there are a few
>
underground.
~Kelly
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]