I Can't Label This

Next time someone asks, I'm very tempted to say we "out" school. Most people don't understand what unschooling really means because the "un" leads them to believe its negative. They probably haven't read anything by John Holt either.

Our educational pursuits often take us away from home so "home" schooling isn't entirely accurate.

I could tell people we are autodidacts, but you'd be surprised how many people have no idea what that means. "What is an autodidact?" I enjoy suggesting they look it up on their own, knowing they become one executing that task.

I've heard the term "Life Learner", thrown around in unschooling circles, but that sounds too obvious to me. Isn't everyone always learning from their life experiences?

"Interest based" -again, so obvious to me.

"Free learning" - It has a hippie vibe I could love, but at the same time it alienates anyone outside our lifestyle.

The more I ponder this, I don't like using the word "school" at all, but that word is the bridge between my world and theirs. Anyone educated traditionally equates "school" to education.

So what about "Alternative schooling"? - I could warm up to this label, but that's probably because it reminds me of "alternative music". (Am I letting my Generation X show?) Plus I admit, I'd like a little more oomph.

I'm inspired by other "Outs"; Outside, Out And About, Out Of The Closet, Out Of The Box, Out Sourced, Out Wit - Out Play - Out Last, (Thank you Survivor). Out Schooling creates a message we are educating ourselves away from the mainstream, but does it have an air of superiority?

Its my intent to express we're more about being unconfined. (There's "un" sneaking in there again.) We want to express we feel its important and more meaningful to us if we choose our own paths.

Choosing a label to allow for a good first impression is very difficult. Can't I just invite you to hang out with us and maybe then you'll understand?

Hey, did you catch that? How about Hang Out Schooling? Hmmm... no, that sounds like we're doing nothing important.

Maybe I should simply find it entertaining watching jaws drop when I say, "My children don't attend school."

Out is not In. Out feels better to me than In because I'm not looking for inclusion, but rather the chance to go anywhere we want to. I'm not trying to get In because there is so much more to go Out and play with! In may feel safe, but its really not.

The people who truly want to understand, will seek a more clear definition. The people who only want to judge won't. I've reached the point where I know our lifestyle works very well for us and is exactly how we were meant to live.

How will I decide to define it after all of this contemplation? I think it will depend on how I'm asked.