I have mixed feelings about this, because I so love the idea of unschooling (or eclectic homeschooling or whatever the heck it is that I'm doing here). And I love the idea of being an unschooling parent, so I'm having an interesting time separating myself from that.
But, here's the deal... Ocean wants more to do. More ways to learn. More ways to grow. More ways to live. And, maybe if I were a different person, I could provide her with more resources and opportunities to do so. And maybe if Peace were a different person, I would have an easier time in providing her with resources and opportunities. And maybe if I wasn't going to have more kids, where infantdom and toddlerdom will take place all over again...
I don't know.
I think there are ways to hold onto the the unschooling mentality even with a child in school. Like, in a way, going to school is a part of unschooling because it is doing what Ocean wants to do. It is how she wants to learn. She wants to go to school.
A friend of mine, who has kids in school, said that maybe I'll find that values of mine will change. Because - despite the Hannah Montana t-shirts, Dora lunchboxes, and forced learning - there are good things to value about having a kid in school.
And I was thinking about how my values have already changed regarding the kids watching TV. No, no, they haven't changed that much, just hear me out here...
Ezra is starting to get REALLY into sports. Pro sports teams. College sports teams. Anything. (I'll post a picture of what he has going on in his room later.) And sports is something that Vernon enjoys as well. So, this past football season, almost every Sunday, Vernon and Ezra would watch part (or all) of the Vikings game on TV (with gentle pleas from me to "at least turn it off during the commercials"). My values had changed from wanting to have no TV for the kids, to valuing the fact that Vernon and Ezra were bonding over this common thing that they enjoy.
So, I'm sure my values will change on the school thing too. They probably already are.
We found this lovely little Montessori Home School Academy that she would be going to. She would still be registered as a homeschooler, but would go to classes there three days a week. We toured it, and it WAS lovely... providing all the sort of learning and environment that I haven't quite figured out how to master myself. It was great. (And with none of the Hannah Montana t-shirts, Dora lunchboxes, or forced learning aspects that I fear.)
We filled out a scholarship, and if they accept it, that is where she will be going next fall.
So, that's that.
5 comments:
I think it sounds lovely. What could be better than a well thought out choice that still adheres to your ideals. Im sure its still a bummer to not be doing unschooling 24/7 at home- I had wanted to and then opted to not do it myself. I feel like my life is too chaotic with a 2 and 3 yr old in the space for my 6yr old to get what he needs. Kudos to you and I hope Ocean LOVES the change.
Wow--this is big news. I loved reading about your thought process. I can see the possibility of one or both of my children ending up in school some day--and how it would be okay if they did. We have to be flexible and open and in tune with what our kids need. That is what you are. I love that.
Curious -- how did she bring it up? Was she influenced by friends who go to school or something else?
RJ - I don't know exactly. When we living in Colorado, they have a homeschool thing set up through the public schools where they go to "school" one day a week, and she really liked doing that. We've always kept the conversation about school open, and she is familiar with school through books and friends and stuff. So, I'm not sure exactly where it came from.
I think a big part of unschooling is that each child has a say in their our learning path. I like to call what we do "child-led learning" and if it's Ocean's choice to go to school that's a big difference than telling her that she has to go (or that you won't let her go or support her choice.). She's empowered and confident enough to know that school is her next step in her unschooling life. How awesome is that? You've guided her without demonizing school and that says a lot.
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