I responded
It's like learning a new everything, but an all-slightly-better everything.
photo by Renee Cabatic
It's like learning a new everything, but an all-slightly-better everything.
Breathing.Links to all those things are at SandraDodd.com/struggle
Clarity.
Peace.
Positivity.
Thoughts about doing better.
SandraDodd.com/foodIf it doesn't take you directly to your chosen topic, you'll get to a search box.
SandraDodd.com/joy
SandraDodd.com/gratitude
SandraDodd.com/abundance
(like that)
A ten year old boy was being unkind to his five year old brother. Their mom thought it was partly from the older boy having been treated badly when he was in school, and wrote, "Some of those memories and hurt feelings have carried over and he's still My response: You could tell him that he will help himself heal and feel better by being the kind of person he would like for his brother to become. (Nicer than the kids at school.) |
If someone wants to unschool well, positivity is better than negativity. Gratitude is better than resentment. Optimism is better than pessimism. |
Since unschooling is a lifestyle, how can a family wanting to embrace these ideals begin the process? What encouragement would you offer?
Play. Joke. Sing. Instead of turning inward and looking for the answer within the family, within the self, turn it all inside out. Get out of the house. Go somewhere you've never been, even a city park you're unfamiliar with, or a construction site, or a different grocery store. Try just being calm and happy together. For some families, that's simple. For others it's a frightening thought.
Try not to learn. Don't try to learn. Those two aren't the same thing but they're close enough for beginners. If you see something *educational* don't say a word. Practice letting exciting opportunities go by, or at least letting the kids get the first word about something interesting you're all seeing.
"I was thinking the other day about husbands and chores and how many people I've heard say that it shouldn't be their job to pick up after their husband. I never thought of picking up my husband's things as being my cleaning up after him—I've only thought of it as cleaning our house. Does it matter whose laundry or dishes they are? Does he shovel only his own side of the driveway and leave me to climb snowbanks to get to my side of the car? Dividing things yours-and-mine, even socks, in one's internal thoughts doesn't seem to add much happiness." —Colleen Prieto |
Remember that your child is a whole separate person. |