Monday, March 31, 2014

To have with you throughout your life

Ben Lovejoy wrote:

I split hairs about rules and principles because I see and have lived with the differences, and I believe they represent two opposing forces in a home and school environment. Principles are internal; rules, external. We enforce principles for ourselves, while others force rules upon us. Principles are something people stand for and seem to have with them throughout their lives. Rules are something people tend to follow and just as soon cast aside once the situation that warranted the rules in the 1st place is over and done with.
Principles represent a standard of conduct that people uphold because the standard stands for something important to them. Principles come from observation, reflection, and active discussions with others. Rules are more like borders that contain someone and can only be crossed with specific permission. They’re usually cut and pasted from another generation’s set of rules, and figuratively hung from the homes and offices of the plagiarists with the same reverence as a diploma. The problem is there is absolutely nothing original or reasonable about rules. They’re hollow and senseless.
—Ben Lovejoy

Part of an analysis of rules, commands, choices and change:
"No Rules-Sir, Yes Sir"
photo by Sandra Dodd
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Sunday, March 30, 2014

Something very different

plants in clay pots next to a board fence"Unschooling seems to be able to move through the teen years that are so difficult for most parents with fewer difficult moments. Unschooling is doing something that is very different from other kinds of parenting."
—Schuyler Waynforth
March 29, 2014
Gold Coast symposium

More by Schuyler SandraDodd.com/schuylerwaynforth
photo by Sandra Dodd

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Inside their own heads

"Unschooling doesn't magically save kids from making bad decisions or protect them from harm. Nothing can do that. What unschooling parents can do is step back from the idea that our greater knowledge about the world is something we can give to our kids. We can be friends, allies, facilitators, consultants, partners, but they're the ones inside their own heads, making their own connections."
—Meredith Novak *
 mosaic of broken art tiles by kids
SandraDodd.com/nest
(the quote isn't there, but other things are)
photo by Sandra Dodd

Friday, March 28, 2014

Keep learning in mind

If learning is always in mind, learning always happens.
SandraDodd.com/learning
photo by Sandra Dodd
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Thursday, March 27, 2014

The most delightful person

"I want to be the most delightful person in the world for my child."
—Zanna Rickard
 wooden doll furniture that's also a puzzle.jpg
Comment from Australia ALLive session in Melbourne, March 23, 2014
photo by Sandra Dodd

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Right for your child


Rather than look at labels that try to pigeonhole people into being this sort of parent or that sort of parent, be the parent that is right for your child in each moment.
—Laurie Wolfrum

SandraDodd.com/parents
photo by Sandra Dodd

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Patterns and dots

Giraffe to ride, on an outdoor carouselFind, consider, value connections.

Notice, contemplate, appreciate patterns.
SandraDodd.com/connections
photo by Sandra Dodd