Old and New

History is not all old. What happens now and in the future will be history to those not yet born, and even to us, if we live long enough.

SandraDodd.com/history
photo by Sandra Dodd

Growth or erosion

The faith your child has in you is growing or waning at every moment. You're either building your relationship or you're eroding it.

The photo is by Sandra Dodd, of coins on a computer; not important.
The quote is from a chat; not worth reading.

Living a Life of Learning

Unschooling is not the opposite of schooling. It is living a life of learning.


page 4 of The Big Book of Unschooling
photo by Sandra Dodd
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Unschooling Philosophy

In the paperwork I filled out for a conference organizer, I was asked to describe my unschooling philosophy, and wrote:

I see unschooling as the ideal application of the 1960's and 70's "Open Classroom" methods, unlimited by school's schedules and physical limitations, but based in the research about human learning and optimal conditions for children's mental health and growth. In a rich, peaceful environment, learning happens all the time.



SandraDodd.com/interview.html
photo by Sandra Dodd, of a bird's nest in England

Better?

"What will make the situation better?" That might be a good mantra for family changes. Anyone, no matter how young or frustrated, can think of each action in light of "Will it make the situation better?"


SandraDodd.com/unschooling
(quote from an outgoing e-mail)
photo by Sandra Dodd
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Stop and look

Instead of feeling like you need to struggle, just stop and look at your son and think, "Right now what can I do to make his life a little more interesting?"

—Pam Sorooshian

Original, at Always Learning
photo by Sandra Dodd
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Smile one sweet smile

Change a moment. Change one touch, one word, one reaction. If you try to change your entire self so that next year will be better, you might become overwhelmed and discouraged and distraught.

Change one thing. Smile one sweet smile. Say one kind thing.

If that felt good, do it again. Rest. Watch. Listen. You're a parent because of your child. Your child. You should be his parent, or her parent. Not a generic parent, or a hypothetical parent. Be your child's parent in each moment that you interact with her.

The Big Book of Unschooling, page 194
Becoming the Parent you Want to Be
photo by Sandra Dodd
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