re: Ask Steve - Parenting

[openeyes]

http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/200...eve-parenting/

While reading the above post, Steve mentions not wanting his kids to be traditionally schooled, but not having time for homeschooling. He also wants his kids to be able to make their own choices. For anyone that feels that way, I highly recommend checking out the "unschooling" movement.

You can simply google unschooling or check out some of the links below:

Unschooling

"What is "unschooling?" Unschooling is what happens when human beings learn outside the four walls of a school building, at the time and place of their choosing and with the subjects and materials of their choice. It is when children are not forced to learn according to some pre-determined timetable or set of learning objectives. It is a form of education which takes into account and fulfills each child's individual needs and goals, and trusts in the ability of each child to direct his or her own education. It is creative, spontaneous, and remarkable...unlike a structured school education."

Unschooling - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Unschooling contrasts with other forms of home education in that the student's education is not directed by a teacher and curriculum. Although unschooling students may choose to make use of teachers or curricula, they are ultimately in control of their own education. Students choose how, when, why, and what they pursue. Parents who unschool their children act as "facilitators," providing a wide range of resources, helping their children access, navigate, and make sense of the world, and aiding them in making and implementing goals and plans for both the distant and immediate future. Unschooling expands from children's natural curiosity as an extension of their interests, concerns, needs, goals, and plans."

For people who are just starting off as parents (actually anyone could benefit from learning about it), I also recommend googling "attachment parenting".

[carenkh]

Thanks, openeyes. I'm so glad to be unschooling with my boys. I'm very interested in The Sudbury Valley School, too.

This isn't about schooling, but I've learned so much through Living Consensually - it's been essential in how I've grown as a parent.

[Jill]

The Sudbury Valley School is actually in the next town over from me. I looked into it many years ago, but it seemed just a bit too unstructured for my kids. (It might work for a certain type.)

I would highly recommend Montessori schools for preschool through 6th grade or so. It's got structure and order, but allows the children to learn at their own pace through hands on materials. Montessori really saved my kids' self esteem when the public schools had knocked it out of them.

[neilarthur]

Having read this article I was reminded of a book called Juggling Elephants

It is a book about time management but it relates very well to Steve's concerns about dividing his time between parenting and his other goals and committments.

It is an easy and fun read.

I have added some key ideas below:

The ideas are based on a metaphor of your life as a three-ring circus and you are the ringmaster - the 3 rings can be whatever you like but generally it is work(mission), relationships, personal

The ringmaster cannot be in all three rings at once.

The ringmaster always reviews the next act before bringing it into the ring.

The key to success is having quality acts in all three rings.

There is no shortage of acts for the circus.

Every act must serve a purpose.

Not all acts belong in my circus.

Line up acts in the order that makes the best performance.

Schedule major acts at different times.

What ring should I be in at the moment?
What acts should I be focussing on right now?

Steps

List the acts that should be in each ring

Review the list of acts

Look for new acts to bring in

Line up the acts

Determine how to make the existing acts successful

[Lupe]

Steve's take on unschooling