Unschooling: Impressing Other People
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.…
Getting Kids to Help with the Chores
Should parents expect kids to help with the chores? How do we encourage kids to have a generous attitude and want to be part of the family team, helping with the work? Here’s a simple suggestion that doesn’t involve chore…
Encouraging Kids to Say Thank You
How do we encourage our younger children to say thank you? Do they need only our good example to copy? Is learning good manners enough? Our kids could just repeat the polite words. But is it better if their response…
Rules, Responsible Parenting and Radical Unschooling
If you do a Google search on unschooling it won’t take you very long to find someone criticising unschoolers. The most judged unschoolers are those who have adopted a radical way of life: those who do not force a set…
Remembering to Trust
Our family is problem solving. The oven is broken so we can’t cook scones, muffins, cakes, and biscuits: all those treats we really enjoy. We talked over the problem while we ate lunch. “We do have a microwave…” I started to say. And then someone mentioned the donut maker, the toaster and the sandwich toaster. We wondered what treats we could cook using these bits of equipment. “We’ll do some research this afternoon,” Imogen decided, “and then Charlotte and I…
A Main Course of Reading Out Loud
This morning we took a trip into town. While Imogen and Charlotte had piano lessons, the younger girls and I made the most of our waiting time, and did some grocery shopping. It was gone 11 am before we arrived back home. We carted all the shopping bags into the house and unpacked them, before putting on the kettle. A few minutes later, I sank with relief onto the sofa with my cup of coffee. “Do you want to hear…
So How Do You Feel On a Monday Morning?
When I was a child, I’d awake on a Monday morning with a pain in my stomach. I was always reluctant to get out of bed and face the week. Five days of school stretched out ahead, and the weekend seemed so far away. I lived for Saturday and Sunday. The rest of the week was to be endured. My children know nothing about that ‘Monday morning feeling’. Every day is good as far as they are concerned. We wake…
Some Maths to Share on One of Those Tired Mornings
Last Friday morning, I had to take Imogen to an appointment. When I returned home, Sophie and Gemma-Rose were waiting for me, hoping I’d spend some time with them. But what I really wanted to do, after driving to and from town, was sit quietly with a cup of coffee. I looked at the girls’ hopeful faces and then I remembered something. “If you make me a cup of coffee, I’ll have a look for a game we can play…
Comparing Homeschooling Styles: a Child’s View
Sophie and I are strolling up to the village together, arm in arm. Sophie is chattering but my mind is a million miles away… until I hear her say, “Miranda does much more school work than we do.” “What do you mean?” “She knows every language.” “She can’t know every language. Which ones is she learning?” I ask. “French… Greek… and Latin.” “Well, you were learning Latin. You could learn it again, if you want to.” “Miranda learns lots of…
My ‘Bad’ Homeschooling Days
Some years ago I offended a friend. She was telling me about her bad homeschooling day. I should have offered some empathy but I didn’t. Before I could stop myself, I tactlessly suggested the problem might lie with the mother rather than her children. I regretted my words instantly when I saw my friend’s upset face. Later I returned with a huge bunch of flowers and apologised profusely and my friend forgave me and all was put right. So why…
Sharing Jane Eyre
“The cinema is showing Jane Eyre,” says Imogen, her voice full of longing. “Would you and Charlotte like to see it?” I ask. A big smile spreads across Imogen’s face as she answers, “Yes, please!” “You could come with us!” adds Charlotte. I look at the girls’ eager faces. They really want me to go along and I think, “Why not?” I’ve only seen two movies on the big screen in 19 years. I used to be the willing volunteer…
A Doctor’s Waiting Room Education
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.…
I’m going to do something I shouldn’t because it’s breaking the rules. But I’m going to do it anyway. I’m breaking my blogging pact. Yes, two weeks in, and I [...]
Each evening, do you reflect on your day? Do you make a note of the blessings and delights you received? How about the difficult times? Perhaps you think about the [...]
Should people who use AI feel ashamed? Should I feel that way? While researching AI, I found a commenter saying authors who use AI to promote their work should be [...]
Does Unschooling Work?
Does unschooling work? I guess the answer to that question depends on what we mean by the word ‘work’. Where do we hope unschooling…
Unschooling Maths – What Does Learning Math/s Naturally Look Like?
Many parents say, “We unschool except for maths.” I understand why some people are reluctant to let go of maths because, years ago, we…
Can You Trust Me and My Unschooling Stories?
Can you trust what I say? What if I am making things up, putting an unrealistic positive spin on my stories, implying I’m perfect…