Today began the first full week of school for other families, and I’m glad for the day we had; it made it easy (and wonderful) to be an unschooling family.
The kids played most of the day, drawing pictures, cooking a bit, and Nels made a game called “Clunkers”. They helped my mom and her boyfriend doing gardening out in the yard (for quite some time) and went to the hardware store (where they bought candy). They made an “advent” chain for Halloween – their idea, and being Hogakids they are ridiculously excited about the holiday. Sophie told me there were 48 days until the big night (she will be in So. Cal. with family but Nels will be with us), so the two of them crafted 48 links (in groups of ten, then one group of eight – division with remainders). I am lazy so I didn’t even check to see if “48” was accurate. I just trust it was.
This evening Suse had her first soccer game and immediately scored three goals. She was laughing joyfully the entire time she played. We hadn’t practiced any soccer since her season ended; she was just sort of magically better. Sophie is no soccer progeny – this is just something that happens with all the kids, according to her coach.
Nels finally mastered the monkey bars.
So yeah; kids learn, kids grow. We don’t need to push or pull. It’s amazing if you really let yourself believe in it, and watch.
I enjoy your blog & your wisdom, thanks for sharing like you do. Facebook isn’t nearly as fun with you gone. I come here to treat myself to Hogaboom tales. =)
In my quiet house with delicious soup simmering, I find my self laughing out loud. Your writing is funny and touching at the same time. Warm & wonderful. I want you for a mom in my next life.
much love to you & your sweet family.
Wow Denise – what a sweet comment! I have been so busy sometimes I can barely squeeze out a half-assed post, so I really appreciate the kind words.
I miss FB too sometimes, a lot!
I second that facebook is a little bland without your presence, but somehow I’ve survived. 😉 And I know first hand how hard it can be to eliminate a time-suck from your life without making everybody angry that you “disappeared”.
Also, his being our first official school year of unschooling, I’m right there with you in loving the flow of it. Silas has been having so much fun and learning so much. He still tells me often that he hates learning (he equates it with school and rules and restrictions and general stress), but he’s slowly learning that learning itself isn’t the enemy.
Isn’t it sad how much school can (for many kids) “ruin” subjects, or the idea of learning, or the idea of organized activities sports or whatever? I mean me, I liked school – and did well at it. But school taught me to dislike challenges I couldn’t excel at easily – and it was easy to not push myself, since it was easy for me to get A’s – and A’s were the highest you could aspired to. Everything was for external rewards (GRADES, praise from teachers, a good social set) and it didn’t help me build my own sense of autonomy or work ethic.