photo by Karen James
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"I concluded a year or so ago that, if there is such a thing as reincarnation, I'd like to come back as a little flame on a birthday candle sometime. It would be a very short cycle, but man, it would be a happy one." —Gina Trujillo |
"The biggest thing that helped me with young kids was just to slow down." —Jill Parmer |
When you do things, look for the joy and service in them, and your life will be softer and more meaningful. |
No matter where a person is, a step up is a step up. Happier is happier. |
Many things are made better by slowing down. Touching a child is nicer in slow motion than abruptly. Responding to a question can be improved by a pause as long as a single breath.Lisa J Haugen wrote:
That's why I love the 'add light and stir' blog title. It's such a lovely image—add a little bit, let it swirl into your life, and incorporate. Add a little more. Gently and slowly.
"As an unschooling parent, one of the most fun things to do is to share things with your child that you think they might be excited about or to do things with your child that they tell you they are excited about, just like you did with them when they were little. It keeps the enthusiasm of life and learning alive!" —Laurie Wolfrum |
LIVE
LOVE
LAUGH
LEARN
That's the best thing about unschooling, having all of those L-words bundled up into one lovely lifestyle.—Ronnie Maier
The more they get, the less they need. |
Don't be the clock's mother. Don't watch the clock to see if it's time to eat. Watch your child. Or watch the clock to see if it's time to offer another snack, but don't let the clock say "not yet" or "Must EAT!"
It isn't good parenting or self control for an adult who has reproduced to be looking to a mechanical device to make decisions for her. Clocks are great for meeting people at a certain time, but they were never intended to be an oracle by which mothers would decide whether to pay attention to a child or not. Your child knows whether he's hungry. You don't. The clock doesn't either, never did, and never will.
"My kids think learning is what life is for. And I agree with them." —Pam Sorooshian |
If there is one thought that will help you understand unschooling and respectful parenting it is this: The primary goal is joyful living. All other goals are secondary. |
All decent parents, of course, want their children to be happy. But they assume that sometimes happiness needs to be sacrificed to get something better. But for unschooling, peaceful parents meeting any goal must also meet the goal of living life more joyfully. |
"Are we there yet?" (center column, halfway down)
photo by Sandra Dodd
If you eliminate "have to" from your thoughts, it's like driving a nice standard transmission rather than riding in the back of a crowded bus. If you see everything as a conscious choice, suddenly you are where you have chosen to be (or you have a clear path to moving toward where you would rather be). |