[email protected]

In a message dated 5/31/2003 12:41:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:
> That somehow I will fail them. Not be interested enough or not be
> able to give the right *guidance* (for lack of a better word). I
> feel like they will present some interest and maybe I won't catch it,
> won't follow through to suggest the library or here is a great book
> with related experiements. So I see I am holding on to the really
> loose, give me a little control, unit studies. So although they take
> up less then 5% of our total time, they are there. I am not sure how
> to rid myself of that fear, maybe just time and maybe that
> conference ;) Looking forward to seeing and talking to everyone in
> person!

I should probably "shut up and read" (the other 50! digests!) but I'm going
to answer anyway.

As for helping or not helping an interest or "catching it"---my parents
weren't dog- or horse-crazy. They *did* fuel the fire a litle bit, but NOT as much
as I would have liked, and not as much as some of my friends' parents did
(buying farms and moving into the country for example! Or buying a RV to travel to
shows every weekend!). But their seeming lack of interest NEVER deterred me
from what I loved. I'm a dog judge---and I've owned a tack shop!

My lack of interest in skateboarding will never deter Cameron's. No matter
how much I "give" to him in skateboarding, it won't compare to those kids whose
dads are ex-pro's or whose moms can "buy & build" skateparks. HE'LL do that on
his own---HE'LL pursue his own dreams. I'll do what I can (We just got back
from a week at Woodward Skate Camp!)---but his dreams are HIS. As an
unschooler, you'll have to do what you're capable of: he'll do the rest.

Give what you can. If they're really interested, there's nothing you can do
to deter them.

That said, there ARE people who ignore and belittle children to the point
that they HAVE no interests---but they aren't unschoolers! Give what you can.
They'll find ways to pursue their dreams.

~Kelly--looking forward to seeing you at the conference too! It'll be an
eye-opener! These kids are REAL!


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

Barb Eaton

So that's where you've been. ;-) How'd it go? Did he have a blast or
what? What a kewl Mom!


Barb E
"By learning to be with myself, to bring peace to myself,
I can be more effective both in creating happiness in my
own life and in offering a helping hand to others."

- Ingrid Bacci, Author



on 6/8/03 11:37 AM, [email protected] at
[email protected] wrote:

> HE'LL do that on
> his own---HE'LL pursue his own dreams. I'll do what I can (We just got back
> from a week at Woodward Skate Camp!)---but his dreams are HIS.
> ~Kelly--looking forward to seeing you at the conference too! It'll be an
> eye-opener! These kids are REAL!