tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post1539239616031212497..comments2024-02-09T18:05:09.362+11:00Comments on owlet: unschool monday :: redefiningAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18038992332864003462noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-55943719246085900132012-07-27T13:54:56.411+10:002012-07-27T13:54:56.411+10:00I adore this post. Honestly, I don't even rem...I adore this post. Honestly, I don't even remember how I got here...but I'm glad to have found you. We're moving from unschooling back to "child-led," relaxed homeschooling because my seven-year-old only child is utterly bored having so much unstructured time. We're both excited to have 'plans' again and I'm making zero apologies. :)Jessica Allenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11764516347562026461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-29040439414779601742012-07-15T22:12:11.290+10:002012-07-15T22:12:11.290+10:00Hi Megan, I suppose I came to a place of peace wit...Hi Megan, I suppose I came to a place of peace with it all. Some of the judgement I'd felt within radical unschooling circles didn't seem as oppressive when I removed myself from it... We are still just living, but sometimes it helps to have a name to describe how you go about what you do, so you can identify people who are living similarly. Especially when you are outside the mainstream. I've enjoyed bringing Unschool Monday back because I missed those people I met up with along the way. It helps to share the journey, I think. xxAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18038992332864003462noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-61386233067255875392012-07-10T11:30:47.254+10:002012-07-10T11:30:47.254+10:00so what happened? why did you start it back up aga...so what happened? why did you start it back up again?Meganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14924375277167951392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-52294968705215102212012-02-10T10:24:39.307+11:002012-02-10T10:24:39.307+11:00We home educate (home school, unschool-ish or what...We home educate (home school, unschool-ish or whatever you want to call it!) our 13 year old son (for the past year and a half). It has been a joy, a blessing, a learning journey for our family, but it can also be a cross to bear.<br /><br /> We don't follow any particular schedule except those of my son's many outside activities- Scouts, Army cadets, rugby, gymnastics, kayaking, weaving class, swimming and camping with the Scouts and cadets as well as friends. These outside activities are all his interests, accumulated over the years, slowly building to his present busy-ness. <br /><br />Sometimes we will insist on some Math work or 'report' on a particular subject, but mostly we are led by my son's interests or a passing topic of conversation, or a news or documentary, or a magazine or book, or a place we've been to, etc. Pretty much we learn from the world. It has amazed us how much 'learning' is presented in daily life if a person is open to the possibilities. We are also very lucky to have a child whom is interested in the outside world, various topics, and who will pick up a book or will research a subject without being told to do so.<br /><br />However, one of the problems we have encountered is other people's expectations of what THEY consider education (be they home schooling or schooled) and trying to apply that to us. Your learning journey is your family's, no one elses. Do what suits you and your situation, your family, your life schedule and your children. Be Happy.Mrs T-Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14973434792733226692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-53065044533968431112012-01-09T22:27:45.242+11:002012-01-09T22:27:45.242+11:00What a fascinating insight in your journey. I'...What a fascinating insight in your journey. I'm reasonably new to the idea of unschooling and this post has been an introduction into the concept of radical unschooling. I find that labels can easily create division as well as connection. Thank you for sharing your journeysDottieBirdandGoodEgghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14404816648661644569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-561350706846145862012-01-05T13:14:28.333+11:002012-01-05T13:14:28.333+11:00Wow! Looks like you hit a chord!! I will miss the ...Wow! Looks like you hit a chord!! I will miss the 'unschool mondays' posts, but like another commenter said, I found it hard to join in because learning just interweaves with everyday life. I did, however, love the window into your experiences 'unschooling'. I am also relieved to hear that it's not all sunshine and roses as far as food and screen time etc go - I still doubt whether I would be able to let go enough to give my Smalls unlimited screentime - but as my oldest turns four on Monday, I feel like I have a year or two until I would even consider trying it. Anyway - thank you for the unschool mondays theme - it was ace - and it's nice that you can put it to bed now that you feel it has done its dash...<br />Happy New Year!bethhttp://www.miaowthecat.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-13455923056405737912012-01-05T07:57:56.956+11:002012-01-05T07:57:56.956+11:00Loved reading that post as I think it's a real...Loved reading that post as I think it's a really great topic, especially in Australia, to be discussing. I consider myself a radical unschooler - if I would label myself as something. But I think it can get very confused with 'free for all' parenting. RU is so new in Australia and we so lack the role models of older, wiser familis who have lived an RU lifestyle. I think if we had more of the Sandra Dodd's around us then we'd be able to be clear as to what RU is. Reading on a group list is so not the full story of how people actually live their lives.<br /><br />It would be totally failing our kids and ourselves if we never ever said no or we made family life totally about the kids. That's not unschooling but more permissive parenting, in my opinion. I think people who are new to the RU concept get burnt out and upset when they allow their children's lives to be child-centred rather than family-centred. It's so OK as an RU parent to encourage less screen time when we can see, as a responsible parent, that our children are struggling behaviour/mood wise. It's so OK for us to encourage healthy eating and good bed times. That's not anti-unshooling but responsible parenting. Where the difference lies, I think, is how we discuss those things.If we demand them and force them and our children are miserable because of that then I think a problem sets in. But what I've found with my own child is that he is really open to my thought and opinions and generally respects them because he knows I'm not trying to force him to do something he doesn't want to do but rather helping him to feel better/be healthier etc. I also have to give a lot, of course. But then I'm not always a perfect decision maker either so it's a fluid, ever changing thing. I have found som families who have a whacky take on RU where kids turn out to be rude, unruly bratty types. I really don't think those parents are RUing though, I think they are mis-understanding the philosophy big time. I've seen that behaviour in kids of parents who are ultra strict too. same thing - disconnection. I'd rather talk about parenting and living as a family in terms of connection and what it is to connect well with one another and help each other live comfortably and contentedly together. Giving and taking all the time.<br />Sorry, I've blabbed on abit too much. It's a topic that I could talk about til the cows come home;) <br />Enjoy your kids learning in 2012. We will really miss Unschool Monday. xxAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06894025320777652313noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-53568087950175902842012-01-04T17:06:41.231+11:002012-01-04T17:06:41.231+11:00Big nods of the head here too. We like "unstr...Big nods of the head here too. We like "unstructured" learning - following the kids interests, chasing great ideas. But they kind of want (need?) and request boundaries - I think that is the best kind - where they request them. <br /><br />I'm sure I'll still love your blog, thoughtful words and beautiful pics.Ingihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06396226904711922049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-78027803180058416532012-01-04T07:01:46.863+11:002012-01-04T07:01:46.863+11:00A wonderful post! Yes we fall quite a bit short of...A wonderful post! Yes we fall quite a bit short of the "labels" too :)<br />We balance waldorf with unschooling and the limits and boundaries that suit the personalities in our family best!a soulful lifehttp://scrapsofstarlight.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-8120126140620134062012-01-03T14:18:28.081+11:002012-01-03T14:18:28.081+11:00sometimes I think we're an unschooling family ...sometimes I think we're an unschooling family with structure. If such a thing could exist... I love that your girls asked for more structure and guidance. That rocks. Hope your new direction continues to be rewarding for you all.tracey.becker1@gmail.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09606831315390042198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-41199356037484862942012-01-03T12:30:28.747+11:002012-01-03T12:30:28.747+11:00I actually just recently started following your bl...I actually just recently started following your blog, and I found it b/c of Unschooling Mondays, but I'm so glad you wrote this post!!! What you described is so our family, and I've been feeling as if I'm stuck in this strange limbo of "are we or aren't we unschoolers". I know, without a doubt, that radical unschooling will not work for me and my family, but so much of how we learn is through our day to day living (ie, unschooling). This post really has been refreshing for me. I guess I forgot that we don't NEED a label. Thank you for reminding me!Tashahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04820434226236422627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-82325485760982800532012-01-03T12:17:14.266+11:002012-01-03T12:17:14.266+11:00I had a feeling this was coming, the end of unscho...I had a feeling this was coming, the end of unschool Monday I mean... I found it hard as a participant to come up with unschooling specific posts once a week, it was all just living to me and I found myself looking for the learning instead of just trusting it was happening anyway. I applaud your ability to come up with new posts every week for such a long time. Thanks for hosting, it was fun. I'm looking forward to a more label-less blog from you in future xxKimberleyhttp://www.wildecrafted.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-2234299501988207962012-01-03T08:59:57.841+11:002012-01-03T08:59:57.841+11:00I've got to admit, I kinda see the term unscho...I've got to admit, I kinda see the term unschooling as a bit of an aggressive one - a term to use when you want people to shut up and leave you alone, and natural learning has always appealed more in it's focus...that being said, I suspect there's no label that would fit our mob and our approach either. I've always balked at the no limits and no boundary concept in radical unschooling too. In my experience, kids really like boundaries, cause they realise that if you protect them in the little ways, it probably means that you'll protect them in the big ways too, and then they can relax and know that you're looking out for them. I like to think of myself as an animal mammal mother:) Animal mums are looking out for the safety of the kids, indulgent when they're in a good mood and well fed, and snappy when they're not or just get pissed off with the younguns tugging on thier skin too much. Showing a good healthy range of human animal emotions, reactions, and needs all at the same time, which is essential when you realise that through what we show them, we're teaching them as possibilites and realities of an adult life. Just my take on it anyway:) Bravo you beautiful woman for being unschooled enough to just find your own way and drop all labels!! Afterall, isn't following the pack a very passe thing to do when you're trying to let go of the need for one?Helena Posthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07442132139130785495noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-21942504996653254032012-01-03T00:31:54.350+11:002012-01-03T00:31:54.350+11:00I'm sure anything you write will be awesome, h...I'm sure anything you write will be awesome, has been fascinating reading about your unschooled joys.Kirsty @ Bowerbird Bluehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12511849105347338654noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-39323890699517999122012-01-02T23:54:26.256+11:002012-01-02T23:54:26.256+11:00Great post, thanks for sharing your thoughts on th...Great post, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, it seems lots of us have similar ones :)<br />I look forward to reading along with your families journey again this year :)Allanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12745067753379692674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-43392041749445877782012-01-02T22:52:04.915+11:002012-01-02T22:52:04.915+11:00WOW you have just articulated the elephant in my r...WOW you have just articulated the elephant in my room...thank-you...I was beginning to feel quite alone and like there was something wrong...(elated) sigh xxPurpee Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11677712489663624809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-17377022370872157212012-01-02T21:50:03.802+11:002012-01-02T21:50:03.802+11:00Very interesting post. We've home educated for...Very interesting post. We've home educated for almost 18 years and in that time I've probably used all the available 'labels' !! None of which lasted long - not the label or the style! <br />So now we are home educators with an eclectic approach i.e. we do what suits us and only us. At the moment we are learning with a loose Steiner approach but who knows? much as we love it, that may change too! <br />All the best in your endeavours for 2012Evihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15098163128625989839noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-49612445275417880532012-01-02T21:44:23.759+11:002012-01-02T21:44:23.759+11:00Nodding along in understanding, you were one of th...Nodding along in understanding, you were one of the catalysts to our change to a school free life and we've had two long luxurious years of it. Like you, this year, the children have requested structure and rhythm. Looking forward to sharing anything but labels with you this year, unless we're making jam.Kestrelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01163873611934468418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-43685286222615506162012-01-02T21:15:54.931+11:002012-01-02T21:15:54.931+11:00"If you don't embrace it, you must need h..."If you don't embrace it, you must need help letting go or evolving. It seems there are lots of rules to living this limitless life and there is no room for a grey area..."<br />Yep!! Have seen so much of this and I find it so frustrating - the implication that other people know better than you what your family needs, ugh!<br /><br />I define us merely as home schooling/educating, because it is such a large umbrella term under which you can shove anything :)<br /><br />I look forward to reading along as you all find the unique rhythm that fits your unique family xoxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-25317090209367340102012-01-02T20:28:17.309+11:002012-01-02T20:28:17.309+11:00I understand so much of what you say, and have fel...I understand so much of what you say, and have felt similar even back when we first started homeschooling. <br />I've always felt there is no room for labels, found them too restricting. As far as I am concerned when it comes to learning, every one of us dances to the beat of our own drum.<br />Enjoy 2012 and finding the rhythm for each one of you, and also the family as a whole :)Clarehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14898998929180875867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-71944487641739707122012-01-02T20:25:27.069+11:002012-01-02T20:25:27.069+11:00Couldn't agree more. I left the RU label behin...Couldn't agree more. I left the RU label behind years ago and for pretty much the same reasons. While I found that the years we spent deschooling as RUers were absolutely necessary and incredibly valuable at the time, I found that it's chief value was in giving me the confidence to let go of other people's definitions and expectations and focus on what works for us as a family, in harmony with my ethics and values. <br /><br />I do find very tiresome the mantra that if unregulated screentime or sleep or food etc doesn't work for you it's because you aren't letting go enough or trusting enough. It may work for some families but it doesn't for everyone and the idea that you just have to try harder rather than reassess whether it's actually a good fit for your particular circumstances is not always the most productive, I think.Lizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06559993076944364627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-71144163583305668072012-01-02T20:03:41.157+11:002012-01-02T20:03:41.157+11:00As my littles have chosen formal school over homes...As my littles have chosen formal school over homeschooling (for the moment) I really struggle with labels!<br />Thanks for reminding me that rhythm and some structure at home is going to be helpful for both them as learners and our family unit.<br />Looking forward to following you learning adventures.<br />xoelflynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14204266566501279332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-47144547748198676212012-01-02T19:50:10.365+11:002012-01-02T19:50:10.365+11:00Great post.
Have a wonderful family loving and lea...Great post.<br />Have a wonderful family loving and learning year.X AngeAussie Boyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07822875118386645752noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3402465881767446501.post-8936992952921074422012-01-02T19:23:18.463+11:002012-01-02T19:23:18.463+11:00Wow, that was an awesome post! I really like what ...Wow, that was an awesome post! I really like what you said, mostly because it's how I feel too! <br />Happy new year to you and your family!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com