taking the plunge
arcarpenter2003
Well, today was the day. I called Fisher's school principal and told
him we would be homeschooling, starting next week. He's only got two
half-days of school left, since this is parent-teacher conference week
-- a chance to say good-bye.
Now that the wheels are in motion, I'm surprised at how many fears are
surfacing for me. I thought I felt very sure of this. When we made
the decision to do it *now*, Fisher was feeling overscheduled and very
much wanted to do it. Now his thoughts are turning to his nice
teachers and the things about school that he does like (recess, gym,
music <g>), and the fact that people there like him. I know in the
long run this is the right thing, but the transition is feeling a
little dicey.
I'll take any and all words of encouragement. <g>
Amy
him we would be homeschooling, starting next week. He's only got two
half-days of school left, since this is parent-teacher conference week
-- a chance to say good-bye.
Now that the wheels are in motion, I'm surprised at how many fears are
surfacing for me. I thought I felt very sure of this. When we made
the decision to do it *now*, Fisher was feeling overscheduled and very
much wanted to do it. Now his thoughts are turning to his nice
teachers and the things about school that he does like (recess, gym,
music <g>), and the fact that people there like him. I know in the
long run this is the right thing, but the transition is feeling a
little dicey.
I'll take any and all words of encouragement. <g>
Amy
Julie Solich
Amy,
Think of it like diving into a swimming pool. You dread the initial plunge
but once you're in the water, it's exactly where you want to be!
Julie, in the water and loving it!!
Think of it like diving into a swimming pool. You dread the initial plunge
but once you're in the water, it's exactly where you want to be!
Julie, in the water and loving it!!
----- Original Message -----
From: "arcarpenter2003" <arcarpenter@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 5:13 PM
Subject: [UnschoolingDiscussion] taking the plunge
> Well, today was the day. I called Fisher's school principal and told
> him we would be homeschooling, starting next week. He's only got two
> half-days of school left, since this is parent-teacher conference week
> -- a chance to say good-bye.
>
> Now that the wheels are in motion, I'm surprised at how many fears are
> surfacing for me. I thought I felt very sure of this. When we made
> the decision to do it *now*, Fisher was feeling overscheduled and very
> much wanted to do it. Now his thoughts are turning to his nice
> teachers and the things about school that he does like (recess, gym,
> music <g>), and the fact that people there like him. I know in the
> long run this is the right thing, but the transition is feeling a
> little dicey.
>
> I'll take any and all words of encouragement. <g>
>
> Amy
>
>
>
>
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Heidi
Hey Amy! You're doing great, simply by taking this deep breath and
making that phone call.
Now...hang out with your child. Don't worry about whether he's
learning or what...he IS, take it from me...and let him take the
lead. Enjoy him. It's like Julie S said...like diving in and the
water's fine!
blessings, HeidiC
--- In [email protected], "arcarpenter2003"
<arcarpenter@c...> wrote:
making that phone call.
Now...hang out with your child. Don't worry about whether he's
learning or what...he IS, take it from me...and let him take the
lead. Enjoy him. It's like Julie S said...like diving in and the
water's fine!
blessings, HeidiC
--- In [email protected], "arcarpenter2003"
<arcarpenter@c...> wrote:
> Well, today was the day. I called Fisher's school principal andtold
> him we would be homeschooling, starting next week. He's only gottwo
> half-days of school left, since this is parent-teacher conferenceweek
> -- a chance to say good-bye.are
>
> Now that the wheels are in motion, I'm surprised at how many fears
> surfacing for me. I thought I felt very sure of this. When we madevery
> the decision to do it *now*, Fisher was feeling overscheduled and
> much wanted to do it. Now his thoughts are turning to his nice
> teachers and the things about school that he does like (recess, gym,
> music <g>), and the fact that people there like him. I know in the
> long run this is the right thing, but the transition is feeling a
> little dicey.
>
> I'll take any and all words of encouragement. <g>
>
> Amy
Tim and Maureen
As a Dad, I found this "plunge" pretty hard. Are we hurting them? What would "the guys" think!? What if they grow up "stupid?" My mother's gonna freak! (ex-teacher)
I took lots of deep breaths and one day at a time - like when I was quitting smoking! :O))
Every once in a while I'd think they needed more "discipline" but that faded as I saw the results - now I am in awe of how well it can work. They are such real people!
My thots
TimT
I took lots of deep breaths and one day at a time - like when I was quitting smoking! :O))
Every once in a while I'd think they needed more "discipline" but that faded as I saw the results - now I am in awe of how well it can work. They are such real people!
My thots
TimT
----- Original Message -----
From: Heidi
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2003 6:04 AM
Subject: [UnschoolingDiscussion] Re: taking the plunge
Hey Amy! You're doing great, simply by taking this deep breath and
making that phone call.
Now...hang out with your child. Don't worry about whether he's
learning or what...he IS, take it from me...and let him take the
lead. Enjoy him. It's like Julie S said...like diving in and the
water's fine!
blessings, HeidiC
--- In [email protected], "arcarpenter2003"
<arcarpenter@c...> wrote:
> Well, today was the day. I called Fisher's school principal and
told
> him we would be homeschooling, starting next week. He's only got
two
> half-days of school left, since this is parent-teacher conference
week
> -- a chance to say good-bye.
>
> Now that the wheels are in motion, I'm surprised at how many fears
are
> surfacing for me. I thought I felt very sure of this. When we made
> the decision to do it *now*, Fisher was feeling overscheduled and
very
> much wanted to do it. Now his thoughts are turning to his nice
> teachers and the things about school that he does like (recess, gym,
> music <g>), and the fact that people there like him. I know in the
> long run this is the right thing, but the transition is feeling a
> little dicey.
>
> I'll take any and all words of encouragement. <g>
>
> Amy
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
[email protected]
arcarpenter@... writes:
that affects your whole life, and your son's, in such a dramatic way!
He spent hours every day in a community that became important to him. I
would help Fisher thru saying goodbye to those things, and look at it as a way of
finding out more about him when he tells you what he misses and what he
enjoyed, etc. I think that most people are surprised how much more intimate the
child/parent relationship can be when unschooling/homeschooling. All that time
away can really make a huge difference in the way people connect with each
other.
About what he'll miss:
Take him to the park for "gym and recess", not because a bell rings, but
because he feels like running around! Or how about community open gym time at
the Y or park district ( my community has it every week). Ask him what he
enjoyed about music class and what he didn't, and remind him that he only "has" to
do what he likes, now!!
The transition may be tough but I would simply try to stay conscious and
aware of what's going on, with Fisher AND yourself, deal with it as honestly as
you can as issues come up. Remind yourself that he'll gradually get to a place
where he can relax and follow more natural rhythms of life, when he'll start
to truly experience and appreciate the freedom he's gained by taking him out
of school. But, that doesn't happen automatically. Check out some links about
deschooling, I think Sandra has one on her page.
True freedom does take some getting used to, and there will be occassional
panic and questioning, remind yourself it's part of the process and that
you'll get thru it. I still go thru it sometimes and I've unschooled for 9 years!
I think of it as a way of reminding myself of what's truly important.
That's never a bad thing. ;-)
~Peace
Aimee
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> I'll take any and all words of encouragement. <g>I think it's normal to panic a bit when doing something wholly different,
>
> Amy
>
that affects your whole life, and your son's, in such a dramatic way!
He spent hours every day in a community that became important to him. I
would help Fisher thru saying goodbye to those things, and look at it as a way of
finding out more about him when he tells you what he misses and what he
enjoyed, etc. I think that most people are surprised how much more intimate the
child/parent relationship can be when unschooling/homeschooling. All that time
away can really make a huge difference in the way people connect with each
other.
About what he'll miss:
Take him to the park for "gym and recess", not because a bell rings, but
because he feels like running around! Or how about community open gym time at
the Y or park district ( my community has it every week). Ask him what he
enjoyed about music class and what he didn't, and remind him that he only "has" to
do what he likes, now!!
The transition may be tough but I would simply try to stay conscious and
aware of what's going on, with Fisher AND yourself, deal with it as honestly as
you can as issues come up. Remind yourself that he'll gradually get to a place
where he can relax and follow more natural rhythms of life, when he'll start
to truly experience and appreciate the freedom he's gained by taking him out
of school. But, that doesn't happen automatically. Check out some links about
deschooling, I think Sandra has one on her page.
True freedom does take some getting used to, and there will be occassional
panic and questioning, remind yourself it's part of the process and that
you'll get thru it. I still go thru it sometimes and I've unschooled for 9 years!
I think of it as a way of reminding myself of what's truly important.
That's never a bad thing. ;-)
~Peace
Aimee
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Scott Bieser
>You're doing the right thing, even if the transition may be difficult.
>arcarpenter@... writes:
> > I'll take any and all words of encouragement. <g>
> >
> > Amy
> >
I'm not sure of your situation but it might be worthwhile, during the last
couple of days at the school, for your son to collect phone numbers and
contact info for his favorite friends there. Unless distance is an issue
there's no reason to cut your son off completely from his school friends.
They can still socialize on weekends, in late afternoons, etc. as the
situation permits.
--Scott Bieser
proprietor, LibertyArtworx.com
Professional Graphics and Personal Opinions
http://www.libertyartworx.com
Buy stuff with my art on it!
http://www.cafepress.com/libartworx
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[email protected]
In a message dated 11/5/2003 1:38:44 PM Mountain Standard Time,
AimeeL73@... writes:
But, that doesn't happen automatically. Check out some links about
deschooling, I think Sandra has one on her page.
==================
http://sandradodd.com/deschooling
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
AimeeL73@... writes:
But, that doesn't happen automatically. Check out some links about
deschooling, I think Sandra has one on her page.
==================
http://sandradodd.com/deschooling
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
pam sorooshian
On Nov 5, 2003, at 12:53 PM, Scott Bieser wrote:
he won't be cut off. I did this when I pulled my oldest out of 4th
grade - it was very comforting to my social butterfly child.
-pam sorooshian
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
> I'm not sure of your situation but it might be worthwhile, during theGet a special calendar and make playdates right away - so he sees that
> last
> couple of days at the school, for your son to collect phone numbers and
> contact info for his favorite friends there.
he won't be cut off. I did this when I pulled my oldest out of 4th
grade - it was very comforting to my social butterfly child.
-pam sorooshian
National Home Education Network
<www.NHEN.org>
Serving the entire homeschooling community since 1999
through information, networking and public relations.
[email protected]
Just hold onto your heart and try to relax. Every transition in life has a
level of insecurity and uncertainty. What a wonderful journey you are starting
with your child. Just put one foot in front of the other and trust yourself
and your child. The fact that it is hard to say good bye to teachers shows
that you have a loving child who's good at building relationships, so good job to
you! I, just after four months of making this life style change drove by my
sons would be school and felt 100% sure that I made the right choice for our
family. It takes time and try to remember that the JOY IS IN THE JOURNEY. Good
Luck to you.......Jenny
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
level of insecurity and uncertainty. What a wonderful journey you are starting
with your child. Just put one foot in front of the other and trust yourself
and your child. The fact that it is hard to say good bye to teachers shows
that you have a loving child who's good at building relationships, so good job to
you! I, just after four months of making this life style change drove by my
sons would be school and felt 100% sure that I made the right choice for our
family. It takes time and try to remember that the JOY IS IN THE JOURNEY. Good
Luck to you.......Jenny
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]