Re: [Unschooling-Discussion] Digest Number 3937
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/23/03 01:59:08 PM Central Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:
"Gee, if you were unschooling you wouldn't have to think about that
at all". She was not amused.
I often feel with regular school-at-home type HSers that I must not mention
the joys of unschooling my children, that they feel very threatened by it.One
woman was asking me about unschooling and kept coming back to her concern
about
retaining Authority over her children. What is with this????
I want to be an advocate for unschooling, yet am not comfortable really
talking about it to these other homeschoolers because it seems to freak them
out.
Any one else go thru this?What do you do?
Also, how do I get over this weird desire to buy school supplies every time
school rolls around?<G>
Nancy in BC
I too feel at odds with the school-at-homers. Most of the people I know in
our area are very nice, but Oh! Don't mention what you do! They look at you like
the lady in the boutique in Pretty Woman looked at Julia Roberts right before
she tells her "We don't have anything here that will fit you." At 4-H the
other night; the only other unschooler mom I know in my town and I were talking.
Another Mom came up and said; "I am starting the Five In A Row coop up again,
are either of you interested?" The other Mom just shook her head and said no,
but I had to open my big mouth and say; "Oh, thanks for offering, but we don't
use curriculums, we unschool... blah blah blah!" <g> This lady smiled a tight
smile and said; "Well that is why we use Five In A Row! We like the
unschoolish leanings, you should check it out!"
Once, when we first started, a Mom was giving me all this advice on how you
have to start your day early so the kids can have breakfast eaten and dishes
done while you set everything up at the table. Then she said you have to make
the kids understand that from 9 to 3 you are NOT Mom, you are the teacher! You
have to get control right from the start or they will never respect you or
buckle down. She said and I quote; "There will be days when your kids hate you,
but you have to keep that goal in sight at all times and having them hate you
for a little while is a small price to pay, besides it is good for them." I was
in shock and had no response. She smiled and patted me on the knee. As if I
needed her comfort! UGH!
As for buying school supplies, I still do. I love this time of the year! I
get paper, new markers, glue, unbroken crayons... all at huge sales! I stock up.
Our house is full of writers and artists, and when Crayola's are on sale we
buy! Don't look at it as back to "School" stuff, look at it as July and August
are great sale months for unschoolers to get new packs of crayons and glue for
their kids to make huge paper domes, airplanes, and mobiles in fusha and
chartreuse! My kids love to go to Target and Walmart and see all the harried Moms
and kids running around with their lists while they happily put what ever
catches their eye in the cart knowing that soon the park wont be so crowded. That
soon they wont have to share the bike trails, the man at the museum wont be so
grumpy and will be happy to see "his favorite kids" back. They love to see
the looks on other kids faces when chatty Mom's ask if they got the teacher they
wanted this year, and they get to say "YES! We got the best teacher of all!
Ourselves! We don't have to go to school!" or their favorite, "Is that all that
is on your list this year?" asked by the Mom in line behind us as our total
is $11.62 and she knows her total is going to be something like $111.62 and my
kids get to say, "We don't know what is on our list this year, we haven't made
one yet." and then turn to me and ask if I will move some of my plants on the
porch so they can make a fort. Because they want to bombard Dad, when he gets
home, with all the planes they are going to make with the paper we just
bought. Ahh the glory of back to school sales! Revel in them, gloat in your leisure
as you sail through the crowded aisles, picking and choosing what you will!
~Nancy
He felt that his whole life was some kind of dream and he sometimes wondered
whose it was and whether they were enjoying it.
Douglas Adams
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected] writes:
"Gee, if you were unschooling you wouldn't have to think about that
at all". She was not amused.
I often feel with regular school-at-home type HSers that I must not mention
the joys of unschooling my children, that they feel very threatened by it.One
woman was asking me about unschooling and kept coming back to her concern
about
retaining Authority over her children. What is with this????
I want to be an advocate for unschooling, yet am not comfortable really
talking about it to these other homeschoolers because it seems to freak them
out.
Any one else go thru this?What do you do?
Also, how do I get over this weird desire to buy school supplies every time
school rolls around?<G>
Nancy in BC
I too feel at odds with the school-at-homers. Most of the people I know in
our area are very nice, but Oh! Don't mention what you do! They look at you like
the lady in the boutique in Pretty Woman looked at Julia Roberts right before
she tells her "We don't have anything here that will fit you." At 4-H the
other night; the only other unschooler mom I know in my town and I were talking.
Another Mom came up and said; "I am starting the Five In A Row coop up again,
are either of you interested?" The other Mom just shook her head and said no,
but I had to open my big mouth and say; "Oh, thanks for offering, but we don't
use curriculums, we unschool... blah blah blah!" <g> This lady smiled a tight
smile and said; "Well that is why we use Five In A Row! We like the
unschoolish leanings, you should check it out!"
Once, when we first started, a Mom was giving me all this advice on how you
have to start your day early so the kids can have breakfast eaten and dishes
done while you set everything up at the table. Then she said you have to make
the kids understand that from 9 to 3 you are NOT Mom, you are the teacher! You
have to get control right from the start or they will never respect you or
buckle down. She said and I quote; "There will be days when your kids hate you,
but you have to keep that goal in sight at all times and having them hate you
for a little while is a small price to pay, besides it is good for them." I was
in shock and had no response. She smiled and patted me on the knee. As if I
needed her comfort! UGH!
As for buying school supplies, I still do. I love this time of the year! I
get paper, new markers, glue, unbroken crayons... all at huge sales! I stock up.
Our house is full of writers and artists, and when Crayola's are on sale we
buy! Don't look at it as back to "School" stuff, look at it as July and August
are great sale months for unschoolers to get new packs of crayons and glue for
their kids to make huge paper domes, airplanes, and mobiles in fusha and
chartreuse! My kids love to go to Target and Walmart and see all the harried Moms
and kids running around with their lists while they happily put what ever
catches their eye in the cart knowing that soon the park wont be so crowded. That
soon they wont have to share the bike trails, the man at the museum wont be so
grumpy and will be happy to see "his favorite kids" back. They love to see
the looks on other kids faces when chatty Mom's ask if they got the teacher they
wanted this year, and they get to say "YES! We got the best teacher of all!
Ourselves! We don't have to go to school!" or their favorite, "Is that all that
is on your list this year?" asked by the Mom in line behind us as our total
is $11.62 and she knows her total is going to be something like $111.62 and my
kids get to say, "We don't know what is on our list this year, we haven't made
one yet." and then turn to me and ask if I will move some of my plants on the
porch so they can make a fort. Because they want to bombard Dad, when he gets
home, with all the planes they are going to make with the paper we just
bought. Ahh the glory of back to school sales! Revel in them, gloat in your leisure
as you sail through the crowded aisles, picking and choosing what you will!
~Nancy
He felt that his whole life was some kind of dream and he sometimes wondered
whose it was and whether they were enjoying it.
Douglas Adams
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 23/08/2003 20:13:48 Pacific Daylight Time, Dnowens@...
writes:
I am very afraid of people like that. Then she will wonder why her children
don't visit her in the old folk's home!
Good advice on the school supply front from everybody so far.Just may have to
check that out.
My son's friend is starting junior high school this year.Grade 8 in Canada.
He says he is very nervous. I wish I could keep him home with me. Funny the
kids don't feel so sorry for my son this year because doesn't go to school.
they have been hanging around here a lot this summer and see what he gets to do
all the time.
Nancy in BC
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
writes:
> Once, when we first started, a Mom was giving me all this advice on how youThat is absolutely nauseating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> have to start your day early so the kids can have breakfast eaten and dishes
>
> done while you set everything up at the table. Then she said you have to
> make
> the kids understand that from 9 to 3 you are NOT Mom, you are the teacher!
> You
> have to get control right from the start or they will never respect you or
> buckle down. She said and I quote; "There will be days when your kids hate
> you,
> but you have to keep that goal in sight at all times and having them hate
> you
> for a little while is a small price to pay, besides it is good for them." I
> was
> in shock and had no response. She smiled and patted me on the knee. As
I am very afraid of people like that. Then she will wonder why her children
don't visit her in the old folk's home!
Good advice on the school supply front from everybody so far.Just may have to
check that out.
My son's friend is starting junior high school this year.Grade 8 in Canada.
He says he is very nervous. I wish I could keep him home with me. Funny the
kids don't feel so sorry for my son this year because doesn't go to school.
they have been hanging around here a lot this summer and see what he gets to do
all the time.
Nancy in BC
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/24/03 01:38:20 AM Central Daylight Time, LOWRIEK@...
writes:
That is absolutely nauseating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am very afraid of people like that. Then she will wonder why her children
don't visit her in the old folk's home!
Exactly! Or she will wonder why they dumped her in the worst pit in town
instead of the beautiful new senior living apartments! <g> I think of her every
now and then, I remember her beautiful kids and wonder how they are doing and
how much they hate her now!
BTW, how many Nancy's are there here? I've been off list for ever! I guess I
will have to change my signature to Nancy in Kansas!
~Nancy in KS
Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped.
Elbert Hubbard
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
writes:
That is absolutely nauseating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am very afraid of people like that. Then she will wonder why her children
don't visit her in the old folk's home!
Exactly! Or she will wonder why they dumped her in the worst pit in town
instead of the beautiful new senior living apartments! <g> I think of her every
now and then, I remember her beautiful kids and wonder how they are doing and
how much they hate her now!
BTW, how many Nancy's are there here? I've been off list for ever! I guess I
will have to change my signature to Nancy in Kansas!
~Nancy in KS
Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped.
Elbert Hubbard
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]