Confessions Of An Unschooling Mother

I'm not a saint. I'm not the mother of the year. I'm not that organized or insightful. Truth be told, its not that difficult.

I simply love them unconditionally and respect them. I use my best judgment to keep them out of harms way, but I've learned to let go and focus on what really matters, my relationship with them.

Everyday I tell them I love them and always show affection. Instead of kisses I get fist bumps and maybe an occasional "man hug", but I accept they are young men, not my little boys anymore.

I respect and trust them enough to not stand in their way. They've had to be patient with me as I've had to deschool myself and evolve from the type of parenting I was raised with.

When doubts began to sneak in, I learned that meant I wasn't spending enough time in their world. Directing my focus on them and not the outside world's expectations helped quickly eliminate any doubt our unschooling lifestyle was working beautifully.

I also learned there was an autodidact within myself that was just as anxious to learn about the world as they were. When your lifestyle follows your own passions, you can't help but model that for your children. Little did they know I learned how to do this from their example.

My children don't fight. They have disagreements, but they discuss them. I remember spraying my brother with Windex in anger along with throwing a set of keys at him nearly taking out his eye. My boys are better people than I was at their age.

My children will help out around the house, often without being asked to do so. I have never seen any teen rebellion in my boys. I think this is because we give them so much freedom along with respect.

I don't schedule their life. They can choose for themselves how their day plays out. Most times when we invite them to share an experience with us as a family, they op in.

Before you think my boys are Stepford children, I can prove otherwise by showing you the dust bunny colonies in their room.

We've just learned how to focus on the important things in life, loving and respecting each other. Once this was in place, the rest came so easy.