Julie

***But speaking of doors, I hope others are benefiting from this discussion,
because at least one of the people being quoted has left the list, I
think.***

So many of the posts over the last week have helped me enormously. It
occurred to me yesterday that the process of unschooling in my life is like
the life cycle of an insect. The egg hatches and the nymph changes slightly
with each moult until it becomes the adult insect.

Life over the last couple of years has been one of slow, but constant
change. I reach a place in my growth where I am able to shed an old habit or
mindset completely and start afresh with a new concept until that too
becomes a part of who I am rather than something I am putting into practice
and slowly I am becoming a new person and yet I'm still me. I know my kids
are benefiting from this and they are the reason I began this journey but
along the way I found myself. so thanks guys! It's kinda cool to be able to
be free to be me.

Yesterday Mia had her breakfast for lunch and her lunch for breakfast and
she wore her pyjamas all day. We went to my Mum's briefly at 1pm and on the
way she turned to me (shoeless, wearing her nightie and weighed down by
pencils and paper) and said, "Mummy, I'm having a happy day." And I thought,
me too.

This week I've been able to see I have still been quite controlling with
what she wears and I have realized I could relax a little more with the food
and I posted a positive affirmation in my kitchen above the workbench. It's
"I choose this moment to be patient with others." It's almost miraculous how
easy it has made it for me to be patient. Maybe it is just knowing that it
is my choice not a have to.

There were moments, many of them, last year when I thought I wouldn't be
able to do it. I found the TV irritating and would be upset if the kids
wanted to watch it rather than do something with me. I really made it a
competition in my head between me and the box. I realized I was being
unreasonable and just accepted the choices they were making and now I don't
really notice how much it's on.

The house is noisier but more peaceful and there is so much understanding
between us. I think it's trust.

Life is glorious!!

Julie

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In a message dated 8/22/04 7:55:19 PM, mjsolich@... writes:

<< The house is noisier but more peaceful and there is so much understanding

between us. I think it's trust. >>

That's really sweet. It's hard because people say and hear "peace and
quiet" so often to get them to consider that quiet isn't always peaceful and sound
doesn't equal chaos. There are happy, contented noises!

Thanks for sharing that.

I have the "I think I'm metamorphizing" feelings every few years, and I used
to be uncomfortable and afraid when I was in my 20s and things went all still
inside me, but now I welcome it because I recognize it as "something's going
to change! COOL!"

Sandra