Unschooling Mom
Unschooling for us is as much about deschooling ourselves as parents as it is about any particular approach to education. Thus, unschooling in our home means not only honoring our sons’ natural curiosity and choosing to allow their innate desire to learn thrive unhindered; but just as importantly, to trust in this process and to let go of our own preconceived notions about what this might look like at any given moment.
So much of our journey is therefore simply about deprogramming ourselves. My writing is as much about my journey to learn to trust more deeply as it is about my sons’ varied paths in exploring the world. Given our historical and cultural approach to child-rearing, this is not always easy. I have doubts sometimes and worry about my choices (like most thinking parents do). I fail, often, and fall very short of that to which I strive.
Be that as it may, there are nevertheless ever more moments of clarity in which I can see the outpouring of an innate curiosity, a drive to discover, a passion so alive in my sons that I pause in wonder. In these moments all doubts cease, for I know there is a wisdom at work much more brilliant than anything I could ever have fathomed, let alone teach.
There are of course many more reasons for choosing to keep my children at home; but for me at least, they all flow from one central principle: namely, a deep and abiding commitment to allow my sons the time, the support and the freedom to delve deep into the mysteries of both themselves and their world.
10 Activities for Tough Parenting Days
Posted in Parenting on October 14, 2016
There are days as a parent when nothing seems to go smoothly. You’ve been up all night with a teething baby, you’re older child woke up for the day at 4:45 (right after you’d finally gotten the baby back to sleep) and is now behaving like what can only be described as a crazed lunatic. Read More »
Book Review: Marshall B. Rosenberg's "Nonviolent Communication"
Posted in Book Reviews, Parenting on October 12, 2016
Marshall B. Rosenberg, Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life: Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships. Marshall B. Rosenberg, Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life: Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships - on Amazon. Marshall Rosenberg’s groundbreaking book and workshops have inspired many around the world to work towards developing a language of clarity and compassion. For Rosenberg, Read More »
Some Thoughts On Motion
Posted in Parenting on October 4, 2016
Well, I guess I should admit it. I’m a doer. Ask my partner and he’ll tell you without hesitation that I like to get stuff done. I must take after my mom who refers to herself as an ‘active listener,’ basically meaning she’ll be moving around ceaselessly as you try to carry on a conversation Read More »
On Trust
Posted in Homeschooling, Parenting on October 1, 2016
Lately I’ve been struggling to remember just why we’ve chosen to learn the way we have. More often than I’d like to admit, I’ve been having difficulty articulating for myself and for others why we’ve chosen this path. I feel stumped and fall silent when faced with questions from friends and opposition from some of Read More »
10 Reasons to Unschool Your Children
Posted in Unschooling on October 1, 2016
I don't normally do top 10 lists. They are so... cliché? Spammy? Usually from BuzzFeed and an utter waste of time? Nevertheless, I really do think this might be a useful list to people who aren't super familiar with unschooling. 1. You already know how to do it (and so do they!) If your little one Read More »
