Continuum Concept/unschooling
Erika Nunn
Was hoping to start a new discussion regarding The Continuum Concept, which
I am sure many of you have read. I have been reading the posts here for a
week or so, and at first did not grasp the concept of "unparenting" (heh heh
I like that term now). I DO understand unschooling, but had not considered
the fact that my children could indeed make their own choices with bedtimes,
food, etc., and end up not watching TV all day and eating sugar. Well,
after a few days of reading, a little bell went off inside my head and I
realized that this IS the continuum concept in a industrialized society.
Right?
I "did" the continuum concept with my children as babies, and have seen the
wonderful results. Then, as they started to get older (they are 3 and 4
now), I did not know how to incorporate the CC into our lives and decided
that it was impossible in our society. Now after reading these posts, it
seems to me that unparenting/unschooling IS it. I always remember in the CC
the part where the man did not force the boy to follow him into the woods to
go hunting (if I remember correctly), because if the boy did not WANT to
follow the man he would lose all sense of himself (I don't think I am
explaining myself well, but I hope you know what I am attempting to get at
here).
Anyway, in these past few days I have taken off restrictions regarding TV,
food, and bedtimes. These last few days have been the first time since my
children were babies that I felt like I was connected to them again and am
seeing them in that same CC way I used to when they were babies. For awhile
I really felt like I had lost that connection where I could see them as
"people" and not just "kids." I also feel such a tremendous amount of
relief that I am not a "bad" parent because I don't make my kids eat some
allotted amount of vegetables or something. Anyway, I will stop as I feel
like I am rambling, but I was hoping I will get some feedback.
Thanks!
Erika :)
_________________________________________________________________
Find high-speed �net deals � comparison-shop your local providers here.
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I am sure many of you have read. I have been reading the posts here for a
week or so, and at first did not grasp the concept of "unparenting" (heh heh
I like that term now). I DO understand unschooling, but had not considered
the fact that my children could indeed make their own choices with bedtimes,
food, etc., and end up not watching TV all day and eating sugar. Well,
after a few days of reading, a little bell went off inside my head and I
realized that this IS the continuum concept in a industrialized society.
Right?
I "did" the continuum concept with my children as babies, and have seen the
wonderful results. Then, as they started to get older (they are 3 and 4
now), I did not know how to incorporate the CC into our lives and decided
that it was impossible in our society. Now after reading these posts, it
seems to me that unparenting/unschooling IS it. I always remember in the CC
the part where the man did not force the boy to follow him into the woods to
go hunting (if I remember correctly), because if the boy did not WANT to
follow the man he would lose all sense of himself (I don't think I am
explaining myself well, but I hope you know what I am attempting to get at
here).
Anyway, in these past few days I have taken off restrictions regarding TV,
food, and bedtimes. These last few days have been the first time since my
children were babies that I felt like I was connected to them again and am
seeing them in that same CC way I used to when they were babies. For awhile
I really felt like I had lost that connection where I could see them as
"people" and not just "kids." I also feel such a tremendous amount of
relief that I am not a "bad" parent because I don't make my kids eat some
allotted amount of vegetables or something. Anyway, I will stop as I feel
like I am rambling, but I was hoping I will get some feedback.
Thanks!
Erika :)
_________________________________________________________________
Find high-speed �net deals � comparison-shop your local providers here.
https://broadband.msn.com
[email protected]
The hunting example made lots of sense to me. For my husband that example
alone was the beginning of his unschooling understanding rather than the "because
I said so come on you'll have fun NOW" mode.
The ages of your children IMO are wonderful. Around 3-4 was when my daughter
would have explored the "testing me" stage (she's 4.5). We never really went
into that stage because she knew I wasn't standing with my shield saying NO.
My oldest (now 12) did attend school for 2 years but I have always been
behind him 100% and he has always known he had first say if something was not ok
with him. Oh coarse this just irritated his school as they had no manipulation
over him and were forced to be genuine.
Just my babbling thoughts this evening.
By the way I see their are several new to this list.
Welcome to the list. I am Laura D from Maine and Mom to Dustin 12 , Cassidy
4.5 , Nicholas 20 mo and EDD of Zachary Tyler 5/03/04.
********************************************************************
<<Then, as they started to get older (they are 3 and 4
now), I did not know how to incorporate the CC into our lives and decided
that it was impossible in our society. Now after reading these posts, it
seems to me that unparenting/unschooling IS it. I always remember in the CC
the part where the man did not force the boy to follow him into the woods to
go hunting (if I remember correctly), because if the boy did not WANT to
follow the man he would lose all sense of himself (I don't think I am
explaining myself well, but I hope you know what I am attempting to get at
here).
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
alone was the beginning of his unschooling understanding rather than the "because
I said so come on you'll have fun NOW" mode.
The ages of your children IMO are wonderful. Around 3-4 was when my daughter
would have explored the "testing me" stage (she's 4.5). We never really went
into that stage because she knew I wasn't standing with my shield saying NO.
My oldest (now 12) did attend school for 2 years but I have always been
behind him 100% and he has always known he had first say if something was not ok
with him. Oh coarse this just irritated his school as they had no manipulation
over him and were forced to be genuine.
Just my babbling thoughts this evening.
By the way I see their are several new to this list.
Welcome to the list. I am Laura D from Maine and Mom to Dustin 12 , Cassidy
4.5 , Nicholas 20 mo and EDD of Zachary Tyler 5/03/04.
********************************************************************
<<Then, as they started to get older (they are 3 and 4
now), I did not know how to incorporate the CC into our lives and decided
that it was impossible in our society. Now after reading these posts, it
seems to me that unparenting/unschooling IS it. I always remember in the CC
the part where the man did not force the boy to follow him into the woods to
go hunting (if I remember correctly), because if the boy did not WANT to
follow the man he would lose all sense of himself (I don't think I am
explaining myself well, but I hope you know what I am attempting to get at
here).
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Fetteroll
on 1/12/04 7:48 PM, Erika Nunn at erikanunn@... wrote:
Just as a side note, I've never read the word unparenting used in anyway
except disparagingly. We *are* parenting. We're just doing it more
respectfully :-)
Though you might call it un-"conventional parenting"!
Joyce
> For awhileThat's really cool!
> I really felt like I had lost that connection where I could see them as
> "people" and not just "kids."
Just as a side note, I've never read the word unparenting used in anyway
except disparagingly. We *are* parenting. We're just doing it more
respectfully :-)
Though you might call it un-"conventional parenting"!
Joyce
[email protected]
In a message dated 1/13/04 4:54:36 AM, fetteroll@... writes:
<< Just as a side note, I've never read the word unparenting used in anyway
except disparagingly. We *are* parenting. We're just doing it more
respectfully :-) >>
"Parenting" as used by some people means "kneejerk parenting," being
controlling without really looking at why, putting the rules and schedules ahead of
the children's realities.
What we're sharing here is mindful parenting, coming from awareness and
principles and compassion and joy.
Sandra
<< Just as a side note, I've never read the word unparenting used in anyway
except disparagingly. We *are* parenting. We're just doing it more
respectfully :-) >>
"Parenting" as used by some people means "kneejerk parenting," being
controlling without really looking at why, putting the rules and schedules ahead of
the children's realities.
What we're sharing here is mindful parenting, coming from awareness and
principles and compassion and joy.
Sandra