As they grow

It's amazing to watch the little ones changing into beings that can rationalize and reason. Even if it makes you cry.

A simple conversation with my 4 year old about him treating himself better so he can be around for a long time, brought up the subject of death and dying. So now I have a 7yo who is crying and telling me about his happiest memory of cooking while clinging to me; a 6yo who is crying and hugs me while whispering he doesn't want "you and Daddy to die" and then the 4yo old looks up at me with tears pouring down his face saying, "if you die, we wouldn't have a mommy anymore".

Try not crying through all that!!!

Not just because it was sad, but that they are processing humanity.

Of course 8yo has to put it all back into perspective as he lets me know that he will cry when I die, but that's not right now and that his brothers are probably crying because they are picturing what I will look like dead. I quietly whisper to him with a hug, that he should keep that nugget of info to himself because I didn't think his brothers had even thought of that and that might make them cry more. What a day!!!

Food Network fun

We have been watching a lot of Food Network lately and it has spawned some hilarious evenings of creative entrees and dessert options made from Playdoh. All 4 boys have become "chefs", both head and sous. Last night was sushi pizza, sushi lasagna, tacos, milkshakes and strawberry pie. They have also learned a lot of food history from watching "Good Eats" with Alton Brown. Hopefully we will get a chance to get all the boys into the kitchen or out on the grill this summer.

Unschooling in the News

Well, whether we unschoolers were content with staying out of the limelight or not, the past 2 days of reporting on Good Morning America has put us all out there. The show yesterday of the Biegler family was so slanted it was scandalous! And did Juju yell at the son when she questioned his judgement at 7? There was enough controversy to invite the family back on this morning's show where the attitude was a bit more subdued. It was nice that the family was able to answer some of the questions posted on the ABC website, but it was still such a tiny view of the vastness of unschooling.

Swiss Army Wife has written a wonderful post on the subject that I recommend. http://www.swissarmywife.net/2010/04/unschooling-stephanopoulos-good-morning-america-fail/ and another must read from Lee Stranahan "Unschooling : How "Good Morning, America" Got It All Wrong" http://ow.ly/1AA8H

I confess that I was compelled to leave a comment on the GMA website as well (kjrp68).

I am just happy that was not my family under the microscope as life has been difficult enough. I do take strength from the fact that the judge made it clear to the folks living in the house we are planning on buying that they must be out by tomorrow...or else. Our unschooling lifestyle has been under major scrutiny by all our relatives that we have stayed with (on both sides of our families). It is always hard to "pretend" to fit into the boxes others live in. BUT not much longer!!! We will be able to have our OWN HOME BASE with which to learn and live and love life! Can't wait!!!

Unschoolers Unite!

Rethinking Everything is an annual gathering of unschoolers from around the world. It is an amazing sight to see youth empowered and parents getting a chance to share with other like-minded folks. I highly recommend getting your registration in early and check their website at http://www.rethinkingeverything.net/

It is an experience that will change your life!

Transforming Children’s Anger With Empathy Listening

Transforming Children’s Anger With Empathy Listening

Posted using ShareThis

Right where you are...

The past couple of weeks question of "what grade are you in" has popped up. My 7 year old has a cousin who is his age and she is in 2nd grade, so he likes to consider himself as a 2nd grader. The 6 year old thinks that Kindergarten sounds cool and that's what he says when people ask. I have told them that they can say they are homeschoolers, but it seems that they have learned that adults feel the need to "quiz" them. They make it clear with their expressions that they are not trained seals and usually the adult gives up the silly questions.

My 7yr old has been working on reading and we had a really good time with sentence structure and the use of periods as sentence stoppers. Math and science have been his biggest loves lately and he and the 6yr old take great pride in paying for their purchases at the gas station themselves. Which leads me to a tiny rant...we (myself and our 4 boys - DH stayed in the car) went inside a convenience store on Friday night and the decision regarding what non-sticky/chewy candy each of them should buy usually takes FOREVER, but makes them very happy when I noticed out of the corner of my eye that there was someone watching us. I looked over and noticed the cashier was standing there watching us and I was ticked off to say the least. I mentioned to the boys that we were being watched and that it was time to make our way to the counter. Once we reached the counter, the cashier was very rude and ordered us to place all our items on the counter. I explained to him that the 2 oldest boys would be paying for their items themselves and it was important to them to do so. Typically that gets a big thumbs up from the person working and they are glad to help out with the math lesson. Not so much with this guy. The 6yr old made his purchase with exact change, but when the 7yr old handed over the $1.20 for $1.18 purchase, he received no change. I questioned the cashier and he replied, "Does he need it?" to which I replied, "Yes, sir. It is his money." Not exactly what I was thinking in my head, but much nicer said outloud.

Then I had to have a conversation about being on point with the boys. It's already a crazy world, but as homeschoolers we are a pretty laid back family. My sons are fairly easy going and think the best of people. They are always surprised when people are rude. I had to explain to them that people have prejudices that we aren't always prepared for, but need to be. Because we were a family of young children at the candy isle, this person assumed we would be more likely to steal. If my husband would have been in there, it is possible that he would have had an issue with him because of race. Anyway, it is really hard to balance being a nice person with being prepared for other people's baggage...

Ok, enough of that and back to some cool stuff.

We examined a grasshopper yesterday and found (and picked up) a cool caterpillar that I need to research and find out more about it. Cool website for those with nature loving families is www.acornnaturalists.com

Enjoy these beautiful fall days and hug your family!

Peace & Blessings.

5 Orange Potatoes: best unschooling blog 2009

5 Orange Potatoes: best unschooling blog 2009