Michael A Stefanic

Hi, I've been lurking and enjoying the discussions for a few weeks.
Thought I would join in the fray:
> Why do you un/homeschool:
My oldest son and I were unschooling since he was an infant without even
knowing it! We just went with his interests and expanded as he grew. Over
time, we have completely immersed ourselves in trucks, planes, knights,
dinosaurs and ancient Egypt, (to name a few). It occurred to me that we
should keep this going and I started doing all the reading I could about
homeshooling. The more I read, the more I'm convinced it is the way to go
for our family. Alex has always been extremely "reserved" with outsiders
and has insisted since he could talk that he did not want to go to
school. I think he would have been a basket case this past year if he
was forced to attend kindergarten and his incredibly bright, inquisitive
mind would have gotten lost in the process. Also, I want to preserve my
childrens sense of self. they are wonderful people and they need to
develop and grow at their own pace.

> How many children do you have?
2, a boy and a girl
Alex, age 5 (6 in July) and Sean Marie age 2 1/2

> What are your children's most recent interests?
I listed a lot of Alex's above. He also has become passionate about
swimming and hopefully will take lessons soon. He has never liked
participating in class settings or without me, but he seems to be
evolving from that stage and is almost ready to try a class out. Sean
Marie at this point pretty much follows her brothers interests, but she
has shown to have a natural way with animals. She also loves to dress up,
dance and generally be a whirl wind of activity.

> What area does your family live in?
About an hour north of Chicago, IL

> Do you have any pets?
Oh yes: 1 dog, 3 cats and 66 rats. I have a "pet rat rescue" or
shelter, taking in unwanted rats and trying to find them homes. Many end
up spending their lives with us. I have a web site at
www.geocities.com/pet_rat_rescue
>
> Anything else you would like to add?
We have had a "family bed" since Alex was 2 months old. We all like this
arrangement and I am steeling myself for the day when the kids tell me
they want to sleep in their own rooms. I did not nurse my children
(gasp) for medical and personal reasons and we are as close as any mother
and her children can be. Everything is what you make it.

We are irreligious but moral, good people and intellectually interested
in all religions.

We have a dream to someday live on many acres with many animals (well,
that last part is my dream). I loved hearing about you "farmers".

Just my 2 cents about the TV thing. My mantra is "all things in
moderation". TV's do have an off button, ours spends most of its time in
that state. There is A LOT of crap out their but we don't watch it. We
enjoy the goodies on PBS, Discovery etc. My kids know when the TV gets
turned off it stays off. From not being exposed to mindless crap (which
I'd include lots of kids programing) they don't have much interest in it.
Except Pokemon, but everybody has their faults, I myself am an X Files
junky.

Sorry for going on so long, hope I didn't sound too defensive.> ~ Shelley

CA Nelson

Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re:unschooling Fill in the blanks Hi Shelley!
   I didn't think you sounded defensive at all. It was so refreshing to hear how you're letting your children go at their own pace rather than rushing them to do "age appropriate" activities.  For instance, my daughter has never been left with a babysitter because 1) dh and I don't feel comfortable doing that yet and 2) Accalia wouldn't be comfortable with that. People are shocked that she's almost one and has spent almost all of her time with us <gasp!>
   I also loved to hear you talk about the family bed. We also do the family bed and I don't even want to think about Accalia saying she's ready for her own bed or room. Accalia nurses and I plan to let her decide when she's ready to quit. It has been so valuable to us in our bonding and other aspects of our relationship, but I don't think anyone would doubt the closeness among you and your children just because you didn't nurse.
   Anyway, glad to have met you.

--
Amy Nelson
Mama to Accalia (6/14/99)
"The hardest to learn was the least complicated." - The Indigo Girls
From: Michael A Stefanic <sveetp@...>

[email protected]

In a message dated 6/13/00 2:03:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
acnelson@... writes:

<< Accalia wouldn't be comfortable with that. People are
shocked that she's almost one and has spent almost all of her time with us
<gasp!> >>
My daughter is 3 1/2 and has not been with a sitter since I quit working when
she was 6 months old. Matthew (1) has never been us either. We just have to
found a need and he is not read. Truefully, my cautions Ali is still not
ready.

>>my Lili was a TV zombie >>

My little one too!
>>They are hooked, and it makes them very
upset not to have it on. Hope this doesn't happen to your little ones, as
it is very stressful "getting them off the tube" now.>>

My daughter started out just mildly interested, while she was play with other
things....I am not sure what or when she became "hooked" but it has taken
lots determination from me to get her un-hooked. She is finally after weeks
using her imagination, willingly and happily. One show a day is the rule in
our house for little ones, but now most days she does not even ask for that.
YEPPY! (only took me a couple of weeks, she was hooked bad!)

Holly, You have described my hubby to a tee. Drives me batty! Working on
the computer and not paying attention to the tv.

[email protected]

In a message dated 6/13/00 8:05:51 PM Central Daylight Time, Jaam1224@...
writes:

<< only took me a couple of weeks, she was hooked bad!) >>
Hi Julie, this was the case with us earlier this spring... I got the boys
off the tube for a while, then as time went on, we slid, and they began
watching too much again. So, now we are trying to back off again.
Congratulations on your success. I know it is not an easy feat to achieve!
~Karen

CA Nelson

Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re:unschooling Fill in the blanks Glad to know we're not the only ones "babying" our baby (one year today!). We've found it's possible to have quality couple and family time while she's with us, and frankly I don't think I'll feel very comfortable being apart from her until she's no longer nursing and maybe not even then.

--
Amy Nelson
Mama to Accalia (6/14/99)
"The hardest to learn was the least complicated." - The Indigo Girls
From: Jaam1224@...

My daughter is 3 1/2 and has not been with a sitter since I quit working when
she was 6 months old.  Matthew (1) has never been us either.  We just have to
found a need and he is not read.  Truefully, my cautions Ali is still not
ready.

Bonnie Painter

Son 5 and still in the bed, that's okay, no one is using his bed... :)


>From: CA Nelson <acnelson@...>
>Reply-To: [email protected]
>To: <[email protected]>
>Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re:unschooling Fill in the blanks
>Date: Wed, 14 Jun 2000 12:26:57 -0500
>
>Glad to know we're not the only ones "babying" our baby (one year today!).
>We've found it's possible to have quality couple and family time while
>she's
>with us, and frankly I don't think I'll feel very comfortable being apart
>from her until she's no longer nursing and maybe not even then.
>
>--
>Amy Nelson
>Mama to Accalia (6/14/99)
>"The hardest to learn was the least complicated." - The Indigo Girls
>From: Jaam1224@...
>
>My daughter is 3 1/2 and has not been with a sitter since I quit working
>when
>she was 6 months old. Matthew (1) has never been us either. We just have
>to
>found a need and he is not read. Truefully, my cautions Ali is still not
>ready.
>

________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

CA Nelson

Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re:unschooling Fill in the blanks Yeah, we still have Accalia's unused crib set up, but we're planning to tear it down soon. Although, it is a good place to store laundry :).

--
Amy Nelson
Mama to Accalia (6/14/99)
"The hardest to learn was the least complicated." - The Indigo Girls


Son 5 and still in the bed, that's okay, no one is using his bed... :)


Trisha Sides

LOL! That takes me back. My grandmother spent $600 on a crib we used as a
clothes hamper for 2 years!
Trisha


>
>Yeah, we still have Accalia's unused crib set up, but we're planning to
>tear
>it down soon. Although, it is a good place to store laundry :).
>
>--
>Amy Nelson
>Mama to Accalia (6/14/99)
>"The hardest to learn was the least complicated." - The Indigo Girls
>
>
>Son 5 and still in the bed, that's okay, no one is using his bed... :)
>
>

________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

CA Nelson

Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re:unschooling Fill in the blanks Trisha-
   I feel bad because we've never used the crib that my MIL set up at their house for our visits. And my mom bought a playpen just in case we'd want to put the grandbabies in it from time to time, but that sits unused in a corner. Ah well.

--
Amy Nelson
Mama to Accalia (6/14/99)
"The hardest to learn was the least complicated." - The Indigo Girls


LOL! That takes me back. My grandmother spent $600 on a crib we used as a
clothes hamper for 2 years!

Trisha Sides

Amy,
I know how you feel. A couple of my best friends got together and bought
me a very nice playpen/sleeper before Gary was born and I never used it.We
always either held him or kept him in a sling. I didn't conciously choose to
be an attachment parent, I'd never heard the term before, it was just
natural to me.It was what my instinct told me to do.
My own father never quite got it.He asked me once when Gary was about four
months old " If he doesn't sleep during the day, what does he do?" he
couldn't understand why I wouldn't put him in a crib and leave him in
another room! And this is a man who has 3 children of his own!
Trisha
Amy wrote;
>Trisha-
> I feel bad because we've never used the crib that my MIL set up at
>their
>house for our visits. And my mom bought a playpen just in case we'd want to
>put the grandbabies in it from time to time, but that sits unused in a
>corner. Ah well.
>
>--
>Amy Nelson
>Mama to Accalia (6/14/99)
>"The hardest to learn was the least complicated." - The Indigo Girls
>
>
>LOL! That takes me back. My grandmother spent $600 on a crib we used as a
>clothes hamper for 2 years!
>

________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

CA Nelson

Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re:unschooling Fill in the blanks Trisha-
   What kind of sling do you use? We've never really used one with Accalia. I have a NoJo but really don't like it, and I'm contemplating buying a Maya Wrap Pouch. I always hear such good things about OTSBH, but I'm not a big fan of all of that padding.
   Hey, isn't babywearing in different cultures a great topic for your kids to learn about?

--
Amy Nelson
Mama to Accalia (6/14/99)
"The hardest to learn was the least complicated." - The Indigo Girls

 I know how you feel. A couple of my best friends got together and bought
me a very nice playpen/sleeper before Gary was born and I never used it.We
always either held him or kept him in a sling. I didn't conciously choose to
be an attachment parent, I'd never heard the term before, it was just
natural to me.It was what my instinct told me to do.
My own father never quite got it.He asked me once when Gary was about four
months old " If he doesn't sleep during the day, what does he do?" he
couldn't understand why I wouldn't put him in a crib and leave him in
another room! And this is a  man who has 3 children of his own!

Holly Atchison

Amy,

I have the OTSBH and I love it. My dd Tacy who is 2 still fits in there and
she loves it. The padding also makes it nice on my shoulders.

Holly


>From: CA Nelson <acnelson@...>
>Reply-To: [email protected]
>To: <[email protected]>
>Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re:unschooling Fill in the blanks
>Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2000 09:10:18 -0500
>
>Trisha-
> What kind of sling do you use? We've never really used one with
>Accalia.
>I have a NoJo but really don't like it, and I'm contemplating buying a Maya
>Wrap Pouch. I always hear such good things about OTSBH, but I'm not a big
>fan of all of that padding.
> Hey, isn't babywearing in different cultures a great topic for your
>kids
>to learn about?
>
>--
>Amy Nelson
>Mama to Accalia (6/14/99)
>"The hardest to learn was the least complicated." - The Indigo Girls
>
> I know how you feel. A couple of my best friends got together and bought
>me a very nice playpen/sleeper before Gary was born and I never used it.We
>always either held him or kept him in a sling. I didn't conciously choose
>to
>be an attachment parent, I'd never heard the term before, it was just
>natural to me.It was what my instinct told me to do.
>My own father never quite got it.He asked me once when Gary was about four
>months old " If he doesn't sleep during the day, what does he do?" he
>couldn't understand why I wouldn't put him in a crib and leave him in
>another room! And this is a man who has 3 children of his own!
>

________________________________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

CA Nelson

Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re:unschooling Fill in the blanks Holly-
   Good to know. I might have to give it a try. I have a nearby friend with one, so maybe I should borrow it from her.

--
Amy Nelson
Mama to Accalia (6/14/99)
"The hardest to learn was the least complicated." - The Indigo Girls


Amy,

I have the OTSBH and I love it.  My dd Tacy who is 2 still fits in there and
she loves it.  The padding also makes it nice on my shoulders.

Holly


[email protected]

I have an OTSBH too. My dd was worn until she was two and I became pregnant
with ds. She still wants to be carried. She is like 43lbs. so my hubby gets
to carry her. My ds spent the first 6 months of his life in one. BTW I
didn't not start using one until dd was 6months. She adored it after a
couple of days. So I don't think it is ever too late to start.

Julie

dawn

I have to pop my head up here and say that I used an OTSBH and the one
sold by Parenting Concepts (nojo maybe?) for 7 years (several different
slings in that time as I used one 24/7 for over 2 yrs with my second son),
so obviously I liked that design. Well, I just got a Maya Wrap for my
most recent baby and it is absolutely fabulous and much better than the
others. The fact that it doesn't have a "tail" (the fabric, instead is
the same width from one end ot the other), the larger rings, and no
padding make it much easier to adjust and more comfortable than the other
slings I've used. I let another long-time-padded-sling wearer use it in a
pinch the other day and she agreed that if she had one, she'd have used
her slings even more and for longer.

I love my Maya Wrap. Love it love it love:)


dawn h-s

" "I am a woman here on planet Earth
I have the breath of life in me, a gift given at birth
No one, no body, no powers that be
Can ever, ever, ever take this gift away from me."
--Ruth Pelham


On Fri, 16 Jun 2000, Holly Atchison wrote:

> Amy,
>
> I have the OTSBH and I love it. My dd Tacy who is 2 still fits in there and
> she loves it. The padding also makes it nice on my shoulders.

Shannon Brophy

Just wanted to say that slings just like maya wrap and New Native are easy
to make if you know the least thing about sewing. There are instructions
somewhere on the web. I have made them for friends having babies. I would
someday like to make them for parents who might have a hard time affording
them, or show them how. You could even use an old sheet or get a couple
yards of cotton, denim, or flannel or some other fabric you like.

Shannon

dawn

if anyone knows of a site that has directions for a new native type, I'd
love to know. My oldest son has been using the one we have which is way
too big for him to be comfortable and I think even the size small would
bee too big so I don't want to buy one, especially since I'm guessing the
baby will soon be 1/3 the older's body weight and then he won't wnat to
sling him quite as much as he does now, so I hate to buy one new.


dawn h-s

" "I am a woman here on planet Earth
I have the breath of life in me, a gift given at birth
No one, no body, no powers that be
Can ever, ever, ever take this gift away from me."
--Ruth Pelham


On Fri, 16 Jun 2000, Shannon Brophy wrote:

> Just wanted to say that slings just like maya wrap and New Native are easy
> to make if you know the least thing about sewing. There are instructions
> somewhere on the web. I have made them for friends having babies. I would
> someday like to make them for parents who might have a hard time affording
> them, or show them how. You could even use an old sheet or get a couple
> yards of cotton, denim, or flannel or some other fabric you like.
>
> Shannon
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
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>
> Message boards, timely articles, a free newsletter and more!
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>

Benedict/Kosmacher

>dawn h-s
>
>" "I am a woman here on planet Earth
> I have the breath of life in me, a gift given at birth
> No one, no body, no powers that be
> Can ever, ever, ever take this gift away from me."
> --Ruth Pelham



Oh I like Ruth Pelham! Thank you for bringing her up again for me! amy

CA Nelson

Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re:unschooling Fill in the blanks I know that Accalia would love to be carried at least for a little bit every once in a while, so that's why I have to get a new sling. Hmm, maybe Accalia would like me to use her birthday money for that :)

--
Amy Nelson
Mama to Accalia (6/14/99)
"The hardest to learn was the least complicated." - The Indigo Girls

I have an OTSBH too.  My dd was worn until she was two and I became pregnant
with ds.  She still wants to be carried.  She is like 43lbs. so my hubby gets
to carry her.  My ds spent the first 6 months of his life in one.  BTW I
didn't not start using one until dd was 6months.  She adored it after a
couple of days.  So I don't think it is ever too late to start.

[email protected]

In a message dated 6/16/00 4:42:53 PM Eastern Daylight Time, dawn@...
writes:

<< dawn h-s

" "I am a woman here on planet Earth
I have the breath of life in me, a gift given at birth
No one, no body, no powers that be
Can ever, ever, ever take this gift away from me."
--Ruth Pelham

>>
This is beautiful!

Julie

CA Nelson

Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re:unschooling Fill in the blanks Dawn-
   Thank you for the testimonial! I also hate that tail of extra material. Just seems to get in the way with me at least.

--
Amy Nelson
Mama to Accalia (6/14/99)
"The hardest to learn was the least complicated." - The Indigo Girls

I have to pop my head up here and say that I used an OTSBH and the one
sold by Parenting Concepts (nojo maybe?) for 7 years (several different
slings in that time as I used one 24/7 for over 2 yrs with my second son),
so obviously I liked that design.  Well, I just got a Maya Wrap for my
most recent baby and it is absolutely fabulous and much better than the
others.  The fact that it doesn't have a "tail" (the fabric, instead is
the same width from one end ot the other), the larger rings, and no
padding make it much easier to adjust and more comfortable than the other
slings I've used.  I let another long-time-padded-sling wearer use it in a
pinch the other day and she agreed that if she had one, she'd have used
her slings even more and for longer.

I love my Maya Wrap.  Love it love it love:)


[email protected]

In a message dated 6/16/00 8:56:09 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
acnelson@... writes:

<< Hmm, maybe Accalia
would like me to use her birthday money for that :) >>
sounds like a great idea! what kid would not love to be carried in the arms
of a love one without breaking mommy's arms.

Julie

dawn

it has fabric that pulls through the rings, but it is as wide as the
middle part, not sewn into a tail, kwim? it works out nicely b/c you can
tighten just the bottom part or just the top part to make minute
adjustments, depending on what you are doing (for example, with my baby, I
tighten the top part to hold his head closer when he is nursing and loosen
just that part on his head when he is sleeping and not nursing--those 3
minutes a day that happens)


dawn h-s

" "I am a woman here on planet Earth
I have the breath of life in me, a gift given at birth
No one, no body, no powers that be
Can ever, ever, ever take this gift away from me."
--Ruth Pelham


On Fri, 16 Jun 2000, CA Nelson wrote:

> Dawn-
> Thank you for the testimonial! I also hate that tail of extra material.
> Just seems to get in the way with me at least.
>
> --
> Amy Nelson
> Mama to Accalia (6/14/99)
> "The hardest to learn was the least complicated." - The Indigo Girls
>
> I have to pop my head up here and say that I used an OTSBH and the one
> sold by Parenting Concepts (nojo maybe?) for 7 years (several different
> slings in that time as I used one 24/7 for over 2 yrs with my second son),
> so obviously I liked that design. Well, I just got a Maya Wrap for my
> most recent baby and it is absolutely fabulous and much better than the
> others. The fact that it doesn't have a "tail" (the fabric, instead is
> the same width from one end ot the other), the larger rings, and no
> padding make it much easier to adjust and more comfortable than the other
> slings I've used. I let another long-time-padded-sling wearer use it in a
> pinch the other day and she agreed that if she had one, she'd have used
> her slings even more and for longer.
>
> I love my Maya Wrap. Love it love it love:)
>
>
>

[email protected]

It is a hope of mine someday to make slings as a charity item--for moms
leaving the hospital or for high-risk moms or something. A study was done
showing that giving moms a sling really increased the time they spent
holding/wearing their babies.

:-) Diane

> Just wanted to say that slings just like maya wrap and New Native are easy
> to make if you know the least thing about sewing. There are instructions
> somewhere on the web. I have made them for friends having babies. I would
> someday like to make them for parents who might have a hard time affording
> them, or show them how. You could even use an old sheet or get a couple
> yards of cotton, denim, or flannel or some other fabric you like.

[email protected]

Diane,
This is a great idea! I volunteer with the Attachment Parenting Intn. - non
profit organization- promoting ap. I am going to mention this idea. Did
anyone find the pattern on the web? How would I even go about finding it?
It seems like such an unsual thing. Any ideas?

Julie

Billy or Nancy

The Diane Rehm Show, produced in Washington, DC and syndicated by National
Public Radio to about 65 NPR stations around the country, will air a
one-hour live segment on home schooling with listener call ins on Tuesday,
June 20, 10am - 11am EST. Guests on the show will include Dr. Brian Ray,
president of the National Home Education Research Institute in Salem,
Oregon, Paul Houston of the National Association of School Administrators,
an experienced home-school mother from New York who has been educating her
children for 5 years, and Billy Greer a long time homeschooling dad from
Maryland and co-founder of the Family Unschoolers Network.

Some of the radio stations that will air the program follow:

Washington, DC area
WAMU 88.5 FM

Oregon, Ashland
KSJK 1230 AM

Oregon, Grants Pass
KAGI 930 AM

To find a station in your area, visit the WAMU web site or call WAMU:
www.wamu.org
(202) 885 1279

CA Nelson

Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re:unschooling Fill in the blanks Dawn-
   Here are a couple sites with directions on how to make your own slings. I believe the second one gives directions for the New Native Carrier. I'm sure I have a few more sites up my sleeves if you'd like them.

http://www.motherofeden.com/slinginstruc.html
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/jenrose/Slingtxt.htm

--
Amy Nelson
Mama to Accalia (6/14/99)
"The hardest to learn was the least complicated." - The Indigo Girls

if anyone knows of a site that has directions for a new native type, I'd
love to know.  My oldest son has been using the one we have which is way
too big for him to be comfortable and I think even the size small would
bee too big so I don't want to buy one, especially since I'm guessing the
baby will soon be 1/3 the older's body weight and then he won't wnat to
sling him quite as much as he does now, so I hate to buy one new.


CA Nelson

Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Re:unschooling Fill in the blanks Julie-
   You're so right. Now hopefully dh wasn't planning to get her something else with that money :).

--
Amy Nelson
Mama to Accalia (6/14/99)
"The hardest to learn was the least complicated." - The Indigo Girls

sounds like a great idea!  what kid would not love to be carried in the arms
of a love one without breaking mommy's arms.

[email protected]

Hi, Julie!

I'd do a web search for baby sling pattern. Or someone here is sure to know.

What kind of volunteer work do you do?

:-) Diane


> Diane,
> This is a great idea! I volunteer with the Attachment Parenting Intn. -
non
> profit organization- promoting ap. I am going to mention this idea. Did
> anyone find the pattern on the web? How would I even go about finding it?

> It seems like such an unsual thing. Any ideas?
>
> Julie

Tracy Oldfield

Is this going to get online at all? Cos I wouldn't be able to receive
any of the radio stations any other way <g>

Tracy
PS, I hope so, I love to put voices to names <g>

On 17 Jun 2000, at 7:41, Billy or Nancy wrote:

The Diane Rehm Show, produced in Washington, DC and
syndicated by National
Public Radio to about 65 NPR stations around the
country, will air a
one-hour live segment on home schooling with listener
call ins on Tuesday,
June 20, 10am - 11am EST.