Just Add Light and Stir

Why does...?            Because... Who will...?           I think... When did...?           Let's ask... Where are......

Joyce wrote: Formal learning is being certain you can't let go of the side of the pool. Unschooling is paddling around in the de...

There are no guarantees, but we can always do a little better. SandraDodd.com/guarantees photo by Laurie Wolfrum

Find ways to relax, rather than to struggle. A nice outside metaphor for this is Devil's Snare, invented by J. K. Rowling for...

Even the nicest of words can be ruined if they're spoken in a condescending, treacly way. It's not bad for infants, and it...

a mom named Lisa wrote: There is plenty of value in TV/movies. It's as much of a dream world for kids as books (if not more). I ...

For young children, costumes and decorations can make them feel powerful, or beautiful, and a little afraid—in a fun way, if the adult...

Sandra Dodd: Principles produce all kinds of answers where rules fail. Alex Polikowsky: Some people come to unschooling and in the...

Sandra Dodd, response in 2000 to: Can anyone explain to me "unschooling"? It's like "just say no." Just s...

A mom named Sandy: To most children or people it is apparent and that is only one of MANY examples of simple things that he questions....

Sandra Dodd: If there is more resentment and negativity than there is love and sweetness, that family is not succeeding at unschooli...

The terms "web" and "net" have both been commandeered by the internet. The idea of a grid or web or matrix to represent...

Jen Keefe wrote: I fought motherhood for a long time. What helped me settle in and fall in love with this life and in practical love...

Schuyler Waynforth wrote: [A relative once said] that he thought science was one of those things that must be taught in school. He f...

This is a photo of a concrete pad at our house, between a wall and a car. It won't look like that now, but one day it did, from refl...

Unschooling is difficult. It's a luxury. It's not a guarantee, it's not a right, it's not a product anyone can sell you,...

Jen Keefe wrote: I’ve found it fascinating (I don’t use that word lightly) how many different things are connecting for me, as an...

from a discussion on eye contact: When someone recommends turning full on toward the child, that means don't keep reading your n...

Exploring the world (including food) needs to be done in a supported and supportive way, in an open and non-fearful way, in a sensible...

It's easy for people to "yeah, but..." themselves way off track. It's harder to relax into considering that maybe th...