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erikanunn@... writes:


> That just
> because there are "bad" options out there, it doesn't mean my kids are going
>
> to rush out and always choose them if I am not reigning them in.
>


I've seen this spelling of "rein" before, and thought I would comment
now because the present topic is subconscious meaning in the words we choose.
Spelling or word choice (as in homonyms) can reveal added meaning.

When parents see their job as "reining" then aren't they also setting
themselves up to "reign?" If we don't wish to reign over our children like
monarchs, then perhaps we ought not center our parenting on reining in their
every move like horseback riders, either. The two concepts are congruent in a
subconscious way to me.

Also, posters here have referred to a "mute" point (the legal homonym
of "moot") which in combined form nicely captures the idea of being silent
on a point about which further talk is useless. I had a colleague in financial
administration who used this homonym in meetings and always meant it
sincerely, pronouncing it "mute" -- mewt -- and imo using it correctly for his meaning!


Another congruent combination I recall him coining was the word
"lax-adaisical" to combine lax and lackadaisical. That one always made me smile.

Anybody know any other word combinations with congruent meaning, from
your own experience? Enjoying this kind of thing is something unschoolers
particularly are good at imo -- just the kind of thing that standardized
curriculum and testing try to stamp out of our lives.

Btw, I also object to the way testing and standards ignore the
importance of a well developed sense of humor.

I suppose there are a few folks who somehow thrive without a good
sense of humor, but it must be a real struggle! <gg>JJ


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In a message dated 2/3/2004 8:27:49 AM Central Standard Time,
jrossedd@... writes:


> I suppose there are a few folks who somehow thrive without a good
> sense of humor, but it must be a real struggle! <gg>JJ
>

I have always considered my sense of humor an essential element in my life. I
don't know how I could have made it through raising six boys w/o it. I grew
up with three sisters, I do have one brother but our house was a woman's world
since we greatly outnumbered him. Having six sons has been an interesting,
hair-raising journey, it was the laughter that saved my sanity, LOL
Laura Buoni


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