Its back to school time, and the questions are being asked of me.
"What curriculum are you using?"
"What are the boys doing for high school?"
I've even noticed doubts coming from my husband, which surprises me. Personally, I've never felt stronger in my conviction to give my children an unschooled life. We've been home, learning together through life for almost 11 years now.
This morning, I watched on the Fox News Network, an unschooling debate. It was all but 3 minutes. (Fox News is dumbed down, but that's another blog.)
One of the negative points was Unschoolers can't possibility be prepared for the real world. Ummm.... Unschoolers live and learn IN the real world. We don't need to prepare for it because we're here already! We never left it.
Thinking back on my own experience of public schools and college. Was I prepared for the "real world" as I left formal, institutionalized education? That would be a big, fat NO WAY!
Schooling made choices for me. I didn't have to give it much thought. I just followed the path they created and played the game the way they wanted me to play it. Once out on my own, I had to make those decisions for myself, and I hadn't had any practice doing that.
I floundered for a few years before finding my way, and honestly feel I wasted years of my life just trying to figure out who I was and what I wanted to accomplish. Always doing what others asked of me, I had no clue how to dream my own dreams.
Now that I'm free and have awoken the true autodidact nature God gave us all, I have such peace. When presented with obstacles, I no longer panic, but understand how challenges can always be creatively worked through discovery.
I watch with sympathy as others struggle and stress out because something seems like its too hard or difficult to understand. They don't get it. The process of following your curiosity and questioning leads to greater self confidence. We aren't suppose to know it all, and those who seem to know more than us, really don't. We all have our own set of life experiences and individual talents.
I think if those who doubt the process could spent time with us, they'd understand, it really does work. My children have learned to read, write and solve equations. My children have also developed self confidence, self discipline, and they have a loving respect for others.
I'm not worried that the kid across the street is learning about the Civil War and mine isn't. Why not? Because lately, World War II is more interesting to my son.
What gives me comfort is knowing my children know how to learn. Every day presents new questions they seek out answers for. I can't stop that process and if I tried to control it, I could possibly do more harm than good. How far they take the ride is up to them, not me.
11 comments:
Dawn, you are so inspiring to me and I eagerly await your blogging because it gives me courage to step even further outside of that "box" that I've always known called "school".
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your wisdom.I appreciate it more than you will know.
Awesome! I agree completely, I am totally convicted of the unschooling life and it's what we've always done. We live in the real world not some artificial environment moving to the bell and sitting in a room with 30 people our age. What on earth is real about that?
Oh well this is your blog, I won't rant, I get it, you get it, more people need to get it.
It's Stephanie (RCU), I had to create an account to comment.
Well said Dawn, you are an awesome writer.
Nicely said :O) I've always wanted this, but seem to brush it off every year. I have my reasons, which I know isn't an excuse. Maybe someday it will just be the right time. Either way... great post!
SO easy to have doubt when the world around you says you must do this and that. I am not saying in my own case I have doubt I am trying to push through them with giving the best I know how with my kids and it sucks
My hubby has been doubting this year too. Very nicely written blog.
Very well put, and you are so right about it all! I have no personal experience with home-schooling, but we have friends who did and are doing it with great success! One young man went on to college, graduated with honors, completed his Masters Degree, and is now a deputy with the Sheriff's department (something he always wanted). He just got married and we are very proud of him! Your way works, and works so well!!
Well said, Dawn. Well said.
Well said. I'm going to get a bumper sticker. "I'd rather be unschooling" because I'd rather be. I can only hope I helped to light an inner fire that might burn through even though I'm not there to see it.
AMEN !
I agree with you on so many levels, Dawn. I thank God for my curiosity, and I pray I instilled it in every child I touched, especially my son. Thank you so much for the encouraging reminder about what true learning is all about.
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