[email protected]

In a message dated 5/9/2003 4:18:05 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:

> Who's unschooling a teenager? Do we actually avoid a lot of the teenage
> rebellion crap because they basically don't have much to rebel against, or
> is
> that just wishful thinking on my part?
>

Well, I can only speak for my experience, and I have to start out by saying
that Julian, since infancy, has always been a mellow, easygoing kid, so maybe
it's just him.

Julian is 13, and he's one of my favorite people to be around. He's kind,
gentle, funny, and pleasant. He's remarkably in tune with other people, and
has more empathy than I see in most adults (and I work for a church!). Thus
far, I'm not seeing signs of rebellion.

For example....the Mall. Julian, being a 13 year old boy, is not real into
shopping. However, he knows I do enjoy it sometimes, and don't really have
anyone around most of the time to do it with (who doesn't hate it). He
periodically suggests we spend an afternoon at the mall together, and is
extremely good company on the rare occasion that I take him up on it. He
even hangs out patiently if I'm in a masochistic mood and try on clothes.
Furthermore, while at the mall, he often TAKES MY HAND AND HOLDS MY HAND....
even when there are other teenagers around. (I am told that this is
unusual.)

No, really, I don't expect that he'll suddenly turn into a demon.

Kathryn


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