Mary Bianco

>From: "Heidi <bunsofaluminum60@...>"

<<I'm trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel, when Robby WON'T
gravitate towards the computer.>>



The one thing I can't help but wonder about is, what do you think his
computer time will lead to that is so bad? He's a kid, not a 42 year old guy
who sits around in his underwear all day long chatting on the computer! <BG>
Sorry for the visual!!!

I know my total unschooled kids are only 8 at the most, but, and I will say
so far, I've never had the stress of worrying if what we are doing is right
or will work. Any doubts I have usually has to do with behavior and if what
my husband and I are doing is the best way to handle it. As far as the
education part, hell no. They are kids and will be kids for such a long time
yet and then again not long at all. Why make them grow up fast or worry
about what they will be doing when they are 25??

I don't have many school kids my childrens age to go by. One I often look at
is my oldest's cousin who is the same age as my Joseph. Joseph can be
downright goofy when he's out playing around. He's a happy kid who doesn't
care what people think. Today he was dancing in the aisles at the grocery
store with not a care in the world until a lady commented on his new dance
style. He only stopped long enough to hug me and then kept right on dancing.
I've formed conga lines in that same store with my 3 youngest and could care
less what people probably think. Fortunately most laugh. Haven't had any
join in yet.

But I digress. Point is when I see him around school kids his age, he tends
to seem somewhat more juvenile than most. But you know what? He's only 8
years old. That's exactly what I could hope for from him. Being a silly kid
doing things kids should be doing. The previous cousin I was speaking of is
nothing at all like Joseph or Sierra. She is only a few months older than
Joseph and when she has been here on occasion, she doesn't really play with
my kids. She starts to but doesn't seem to be interested. She wants to go in
with Tara (who's 17) and dance and sing and look at her clothes and makeup.
She's a little Britanny Spears wannabe who is obsessed by what she wears and
how she looks. She's also overweight and every other week on a diet with her
mom. She barely spends any time on the computer compared to my 2 who do a
lot and also on TV and gameboy and playstation. I wouldn't trade that for
anything in the world.

See my point? If not, I'll just chalk it up to my rambling!!!

Mary B




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Heidi <[email protected]>

Hi Mary

Thanks for the excellent reply. My experience with kids under the
gov't system has been about the same, and I know many more government
schooled kids than homeschooled kids. They don't know how to play! A
boy up the street, Robby's age, always wants to sit in front of the
TV or computer when he's here, and when Robby goes up to his house,
they watch TV the whole time, unless the kid's mom says "Outside!" My
kids have always "acted their ages" i.e....like KIDS! When I see
young kids emulating Brittney...ugh. Makes me sick, actually.

And I was wrong about Robby wanting back on the computer today. After
I got done, he wanted lunch, and then we worked on his solar system.
We're making a big solar system in the whole house: 7ft. sun at one
end, and we've *tried* to make it to scale ROFLOL LOL LMBO ain't
happening. Jupiter is HUMONGOUS!!! L So, we were busy with that for a
long time, and now he's out riding his bike again. He hasn't been
back to the computer since before breakfast.

>what do you think his
> computer time will lead to that is so bad?

Well, your imagery of some loser type, having no life but his online
games and chat rooms...that isn't far off the mark, I guess. I know
some young men who pretty much play computer games. I'm not talking
about teens, either. Early 20's and still slouching along quite
irresponsibly. But these guys weren't unschooled, either. They are
high school grads.

anyway, thanks again. I'm most definitely coming outside my own box
here. I've had more fun with my kids in the past two weeks, than in
the whole of the "school year" before that, since mid-October.

peace,
Heidi is off and running with a life of her own (from Googlisms)


--- In [email protected], "Mary Bianco"
<mummyone24@h...> wrote:
> >From: "Heidi <bunsofaluminum60@h...>"
>
> <<I'm trying to see the light at the end of the tunnel, when Robby
WON'T
> gravitate towards the computer.>>
>
>
>
> The one thing I can't help but wonder about is, He's a kid, not a
42 year old guy
> who sits around in his underwear all day long chatting on the
computer! <BG>
> Sorry for the visual!!!
>
> I know my total unschooled kids are only 8 at the most, but, and I
will say
> so far, I've never had the stress of worrying if what we are doing
is right
> or will work. Any doubts I have usually has to do with behavior and
if what
> my husband and I are doing is the best way to handle it. As far as
the
> education part, hell no. They are kids and will be kids for such a
long time
> yet and then again not long at all. Why make them grow up fast or
worry
> about what they will be doing when they are 25??

Mary Bianco

>From: "Heidi <bunsofaluminum60@...>"

<<anyway, thanks again. I'm most definitely coming outside my own box
here. I've had more fun with my kids in the past two weeks, than in
the whole of the "school year" before that, since mid-October.>>



Heidi,

You will find that if you just try to relax and ease up on the regular
worries of parents of schooled children, you will see clearly that all will
be well. And the worries can be many as the "school" mentality can reach so
much more than just education. And also sometimes you will literally have to
force yourself to be patient. It will all come together.

Mary B


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