[email protected]

Hello All! I have been totally unable to keep up with the outrageous amount
of postings on this list, but I did catch the last few and feel a need to
talk.

Being raised as many of us were, in a box, being fed predigested information,
it is hard for us to not try to define the undefinable. We cannot define our
children, or unschooling, we can only facilitate (liking that word a bunch)
our children's growing and learning and our own growing and learning. Formal
stuff comes in when it needs to, relaxing happens as it needs to. It all
happens as it needs to, in due time. Perfection has not been met yet by us
earthlings and there is no such thing as absolute or total when it comes to
our chosen way of raising our children. We will all make mistakes, we will
all make changes, we will contstantly grow and learn ourselves. And we will
indeed continue to waste our time trying to define the undefinable.

So let's join hands, closing our mouths, and opening our hearts to what each
of us, every one of us, has chosen as a way of life. Take comfort in our
similar beliefs and feel secure that we are in a place where we are truly
understood and left unjudged by each other. We all share a connection here
that unfortunately, so many other parents are missing out on. We all feel
it, we all take great comfort in it. Finally, someone understands how we
think and feel, and we are safe here. Some of us have journeyed so far to
get here. And so many us need reassurance and encouragement to maintain our
stronghold on the undefined, yet completely natural, path we have chosen.
Some of us have a new feeling of freedom, and are not sure how to take that
leap off of the cliff just yet and are here to get a much needed push.

Wherever each one of us are on our journey... let's not let go of each
others' hands. Let's not section off, or correct each others' words (how
humiliating and "school-like"). Let's continue to embrace each other with
all of our faults and attributes in tow. Let's keep our minds open to what
each other is experiencing and living and learning. Something we have been
wishing and hoping for from our own families, communities, and government,
yet we have been guilty of doing it to own "community" here on this list, is
not keeping our minds open and our mouths shut. let us resolve to encourage
and build up our fellow unschoolers, and school at homers, and classic
homeschoolers, and ecclectic homeschoolers, and religous homeschoolers, and
prepackaged cirric. homeschoolers, and... well ,you get the idea.

Yes, this forum is for those of us who learn outside of the box. But think
about it for a minute ... the inside of the box is really small and confined,
easily definable isn't it? But what about the universe outside of the box...
you can't measure it, you can't categorize it, you can't define it!!!!!!!!!
it is too expansive and awesome even for us to comprehend. We have stepped
out here and found a beautiful world in which we all have room to learn, grow
and live. We must become content to just "be" here and not waste time trying
to figure out what "here" is. Enjoy, embrace, love, live this wonderful life
you have chosen for you and your children. Isn't it beautiful?

A neighbor and I were talking about my garden. She asked if I was ever just
going to sit and enjoy it? Or am I always going to keep working, working,
and working in it? So caught up in its development, that I couldn't find
time to sit and enjoy it for what it was. Something for all of you to think
about today ........

I am giving all of you a big hug... old, new, unsure, insecure, all of you in
your undefinable glory. I am blessed to have your hands to hold and your
encouragement to continue my journey outside of the box (no matter how scary
it is).

Love,
Kim in Ohio

[email protected]

In a message dated 6/11/99 10:57:22 AM EST, APPLEKJF@... writes:

<< Something we have been
wishing and hoping for from our own families, communities, and government,
yet we have been guilty of doing it to own "community" here on this list, is
not keeping our minds open and our mouths shut. let us resolve to encourage
and build up our fellow unschoolers, and school at homers, and classic
homeschoolers, and ecclectic homeschoolers, and religous homeschoolers, and
prepackaged cirric. homeschoolers, and... well ,you get the idea. >>

Kim,
This is exactly what I was feeling from this list before the letters began to
say that we shouldn't do this and we shouldn't do that. The list was so free
and flowing, there were so many posts because so many people were excited to
find a place where they could share. My gosh, people were actually inviting
others to come to their homes and stay if they were coming to see some
historical reenactments, or what ever. This was so neat, I wanted to know
more and be a part of this. Sandra told me to go to AOL and chat, come back
later and I would find a better list. I don't understand how you can learn
if you can't discuss and yes, gasp! chat with each other, that's support.
Now what I find on this list is people who are new to just plain old
Homeschooling, and interested in unschooling, but don't know how they can
apply it, afraid to ask and apologizing for what they might have said that
might have been wrong. People say they want child led learning, well,
children learn by asking questions and if rebuffed, or told to go elsewhere
and come back later, they learn not to ask, So to with adults. We should
all be able to learn and share, no matter what style we use, and yes, it is a
compliment that others want to know what you use. For everyone, you take the
best of everything and use what is right for your family. That IS a
lifestyle.
Teresa

Andi Kaufman

Teresa wrote:
People say they want child led learning, well,
>children learn by asking questions and if rebuffed, or told to go elsewhere
>and come back later, they learn not to ask, So to with adults. We should
>all be able to learn and share, no matter what style we use, and yes, it is a
>compliment that others want to know what you use. For everyone, you take the
>best of everything and use what is right for your family. That IS a
>lifestyle.

Teresa, I am one of those children who was tuaght not to question. SO there
are alot of things that i do not feel i know. Now that I am more secure in
myself I have learned to ask questions. I may stop asking them here if they
are unwelcome but i will ask them and i will find what is best for me. I
agree that asking those questions is important to me on that journey i call
life.

Andi...domestic goddess and active volunteer
mom to Isaac
tl2b@...

Never Underestimate the Power of This Woman!

Andi Kaufman

Kim wrote:
>Being raised as many of us were, in a box, being fed predigested information,
>it is hard for us to not try to define the undefinable.

it is also hard for us to change our way of thinking. some of us are trying
hard to do that and some have been able to. I know I can use some help in
changing my thinking and learning about unschooling.

I was hoping that this list would be for those of us learning too and
needing help.

>Yes, this forum is for those of us who learn outside of the box. But think
>about it for a minute ... the inside of the box is really small and confined,
>easily definable isn't it? But what about the universe outside of the box...
>you can't measure it, you can't categorize it, you can't define it!!!!!!!!!
>it is too expansive and awesome even for us to comprehend.

that is exactly how i feel. it is sometimes a scary place too cus there is
no one to follow. I must find the way on my own. but the guidence and
advice and stories of otehrs would be greatly appreciated.

Andi...domestic goddess and active volunteer
mom to Isaac
tl2b@...

Never Underestimate the Power of This Woman!