Alan & Brenda Leonard

6/14/03 09:32:

> Isn't that enough or are we being selfish? Any thoughts? Sandra, what's your
> thoughts?
> How can we handle this without leaving on bad terms? There I go with the word
> bad, you know what I mean. Christopher doesn't want to loose the wonderful
> relationship he has with his grandparents but they won't talk to him either
> and
> he's in tears. I'm so angry that they are acting like this!

((((((((((Kim))))))))) How stressful this sounds for you.

I'm really happy for your family; it sounds like a long-time dream is really
coming true for you, and it also sounds like unschooling is helping you all
be at peace with each other. That's wonderful. Is that selfish? Not in my
book. It's great to care about your parents, and to weigh what they think.
But in the end, you have to do what is going to be right for yourselves.

It's hasn't been long since you told them, so time may help smooth things
out some. Perhaps you can work some things out with your in-laws with firm
plans. Maybe they'd feel better if they know that you're definitely coming
on the first weekend of every month or something like that. Agree to call
every week, etc. It sounds like they are panicking and not being reasonable
right now.

I hope that you can communicate to both sets of grandparents just how
important they are to your son, and how hurt he is by their apparent
rejection of your choices. Write it, call them and tell them, whatever it
takes. Make sure they know that you aren't going to lie down and put up
with them being hurtful of him.

Maybe someone else will have better ideas.

brenda