Michelle Harper

HI All!!   I just thought it would be a good idea to do some sort of intro, which we may have already done. I get kinda confused on who's who.  And since we have so many new people everyday, it would be nice to know more about them.  So I've listed a few categories, and filled my answers in myself, so we can all get to know each other better.  This would be very helpful to me, to get to know people better.  Thanks.
 
Why do you un/home school?  I un/homeschool because I want the best  for my child. I believe he is a unique, and wonderful individual who has the right to learn at his own pace, and cultivate the skills that are inherent in him naturally.  So that when he grows up he may choose a labour of love, that best suits him, and that he will consider to be his life work, rather than serve his community in a position that does not encourage his spirit to be whole.  The public school system does not offer the means to achieve this goal.  His emotional, spiritual, mental, and educational health depends on his freedom to choose his own path of learning, and I am here to provide him with the resources to cultivate his dreams, so he can make them come true(we can go on forever with this one , eh'?)
How many children do you have, how old, and names(if you wish)?  1 son, 4 almost 5, Zain
What's your child/ren's most recent interest(s)?  Math concepts, through asking various, and many people"How old are you?", and many follow-up questions, He is comparing and figuring in his head........Magicians,,we read book last night about magicians, and he was real interested, so for his birthday next month , I've just arranged to have a real magician come, doves, wands, and all...WHAT fun! Pajama Sam games, and carrying little gadgets in his pockets for saving the day.  (his favorite clothes are the ones with many pockets)
WHat area does your family live in?  The Pacific Northwest, a beautiful green, lush area.
Are you satisfied with the homeschooling laws in your state?  I need to know more about them,  but as I have not run into any peroblems yet, I am satisfied at this point.
DO you have any pets?   yes, 3 dogs  Bart, Cucca, & cedar   a wolf hybrid,a sharpei, and a mix of the two    2 cats, Zalia, & Grandma  2 birds, finches  Fred & wilma, and 3 fish
ANy thing else you'd like to add:  We are avid plant and tree lovers..we own a small Tree company, and I am a wildcrafter, and study herbalism.....My honey is Dana, and I am Michelle..sometimes called Snakefootwoman(my given name) We love Nature, Sweatlodge, and have a deep connection with SPIRIT.  Many Blessings!  I;m intensely greatful for this list, because it provides lots of information, supprt, and discussion...a Big Thanks for all on the list.
 
There are no rules with this request.  Do as you please.          Michelle
(P.s) Add any appicable questions you feel are helpful to your own needs at knowing people.

April

Why do you un/home school? Because I spent years doing curriculum with my
kids and that's just not how they learned. I finally realized that most of
what they were learning was when pursuing their own interests but that I
wasn't leaving much time for their own interests. What I was teaching
wasn't sticking so why waste my time?

How many children do you have, how old, and names? 4 kids: Kate:almost 14,
Lisa:11, Karl:9 and Ben:4

What's your child/ren's most recent interest(s)? Hmm, the boys build with
legos, blocks, K-nex, and some other things I don't know what they're
called. We have recently discussed insects and book making. Kate wants to
learn to make a web page and Lisa is busy with her volunteer work at the
library. Kate also reads at least a book a day. We are all currently
re-reading (aloud) the Little House books.

WHat area does your family live in? The Midwest

Are you satisfied with the homeschooling laws in your state? Yes. No
restrictions at all.

DO you have any pets? no

ANy thing else you'd like to add: We are at the beginning of our unschooling
journey but are so much happier. The kids are learning more and we have
time now for more reading aloud and going to the many museums and zoos and
such in our area. We live in the suburbs and I love it, we are not into
natural eating (though we do eat fairly healthy), we are learing to
incorporate the many great TV shows on cable into our learning, and though I
love my kids dearly and they are well adjusted, we do not do what you would
call attachment parenting. Just thought I would add some diversity to the
list! LOL (as though this group isn't diverse!, I just seem to be in the
minority with these things, but that's OK by me. I love the wisdom I've
seen here).

April