it’s that time of year
It’s back to school time for so many folks, and even we homeschoolers/unschoolers seem to have a renewed spirit. Or maybe it’s just our discussions that are being renewed. All across the blogosphere, moms are posting away about what they are doing, asking others for advice, and supporting other moms (and dads) doing the same things.
The conversations aren’t new, nor are the subjects. It seems we homeschoolers find comfort in shared experiences. I know that is true for me. I’ve been following many discussions, but one in particular has given me a new sense of comfort.
I have struggled with our learning philosophy and our childrens’ individual learning styles. I welcome these struggles, because working through them helps me grow. That growth helps me become a better mom and a better educator.
I sometimes feel, though, that I’m alone out here in this sea of uncertainty. I occasionally feel that I am the only one who questions decisions and plans when it comes to learning. This is especially true for me when I encounter other unschoolers. So much of the time, those unschoolers seem to me to be so certain, so confident, so….unsinkable. That has often left me feeling even more asea.
Finally, I came across this wonderful post by Not June Cleaver. The post is thought provoking, but the comments were even more wonderful. I finally got to see some unschooling moms put some things into print that I thought only *I* felt. I got to see some unschoolers who like me, have an inner-planner that just can’t seem to let go of ALL of the strucure. They too feel the need to lead their children through some areas of their education.
I don’t know if there is a club for not-so-radically-unschooling parents, but if there is, I’d sure like to join. I like the company.
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September 6th, 2008 @ 2:15 pm
Me! Me!
Oh, I remember the days when unschooling wasn’t so radical, when the use of any kind of ’school” books didn’t automatically discount one as an unschooler.
It’s taken me fourteen years to get to this point. We do occasionally use “school” books and the last child get some formal instructions, but it’s unschooling because it’s at *her* insistence. She’s the one who says “Let’s do this!” or “show me how!” And this is mostly for Math and language arts. Everything else is way unschooled. At least *I* think so.
Anyone who says that we’re not unschoolers – well, I’ve ceased to care. My kids learn a ton, all on their own. Works pretty well for us.
September 6th, 2008 @ 2:22 pm
Doh, I meant to add I think there’s a difference between gentle guidance, giving them options & resources and forcing them to do X number of pages in Y books. :-/
It’ll come. It just takes a while. Or looks different.
September 7th, 2008 @ 11:02 am
The term “unschooler”, at least for me, has come to define more what we’re NOT doing, which is sending our daughter to school, and has less to do with what we are doing, which changes from day to day and isn’t so easily definable.
I thought NotJune’s post was an excellent reflection of what a lot of us go through when trying to work out what our homeschooling experience means for us and our families.
September 7th, 2008 @ 11:37 am
Thanks for the link, Rae! I really appreciated all the comments people left. It really is nice to know others go through the same thing, and some even survive!
September 15th, 2008 @ 11:48 am
I read your post and followed the link you provided. I have a vague idea of unschooling, having never read any books on the topic. But no matter whether one considers themselves unschoolers or not, doubt seems to creep up anyway, especially when you see what others are doing and then the comparison begins.
Wouldn’t it be great to have a club to offer encouragement?? Best of luck to you …