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Electric Moms: Holistic Parenting
“Electric” = energized

“Moms” = that part in each of us that nurtures ourselves and others

“Holistic” = bring all the pieces together as a whole; without separation

“Parenting” = the act of being a caretaker, guardian, mentor and role model

a place people to share wisdom and seek help raise a child (and the...(more)
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A place to discuss education and learning.From homeschooling and unschooling, from public to private, there are as many theories and methods to educate ourselves and our children.  Lets share our insight and wisdom, our desires to better education and learning...(more)
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Gracious One : Goddess of Change
Gracious One posted a reply to the conversation "Schools of Creativity" ()
JoySeeker Laura : Deliberate Creator, Connector
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business voodoo : human being
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  business voodoo : human being

Unschooling

business voodoo said Oct 9, 2008, 12:56 PM:
 

Unschooling is different than homeschooling.

You can be a homeschooler that “unschools”; you can even be in school and still “unschool.”

Here is a blog from a young man who has been unschooled his whole life who went and attended his freshman year in a “real high school.”  It is a very interest perspective.

“Unschooling” is the philosophy that we teach (and learn) through the process of un-learning the programmed behaviour(s) of our society, norms, etc.  It is not that we do not NOT teach how to learn, but rather through teaching our children (ourselves) how to learn and think freely, we discover where we've been “schooled” or “programmed” into a box of limitation of definitions for our beliefs … or something like that.

I love coming on to Gaia because they always have so many “schools” or seminars or cruises or product offerings to help us “unschool” so many areas of our lives.

I am quick to caution not to simply go through the process of replacing one “school” with another one.  And, as you unschool yourself more and more, those offerings that are of the old pattern are very obvious. 

Because, truth be told, most people want that box of defined existence or truth to become their reality rather than create their own reality.  We are addicted to the ease of being that external truth gives us, and, I would say, we are addicted to the discontent we feel … after all, that discontent gives us the urge to change, grow and learn.

Truly creating an 'unschool' is the essence of the nursery rhyme:  “row, row, row your boat gently down the stream.”

There is no longer the struggle to change
but merely the receptivity to change
the flow of life brings us.

That is what I am learning right now:  That different process of change.

peace & harmony,
elaine
'freedom must be exercised to stay in shape!'
  Gracious One : Goddess of Change

Re: Unschooling

Gracious One said Dec 12, 2008, 11:48 AM:
 

I have always and only wanted to homeschool and spent my daughter's first 3 years in school feeling sick to my stomach every morning I sent her to school. I felt so wrong about it. The 'forcedness' of school and any institution makes me ill. It is so wrong to put anyone in a box or to assume anyone must do what others do for sake of social peace or social standards. Status quos are meant to be broken- that's my perspective.  

So- on that basis, I see this unique and creative child and I cannot force her to comply and compromise and especially when I see it breaking her down.  It kills me even more when I see myself bending to the pressures and asking her to comply when deep down i know it is bs.  I always wonder where that comes from. I know that I want to live a life with her in a way that we are free, to grow and expand as we do naturally.  
The problem is, the system- I have a disparaging relationship with her father that has been volitile at times and when others put the fear of what he could do to me I get nervous and I think, well, the system won't respect that I am doing what I'm doing because my instincts are guiding me and I just know what I am doing is right. 
Well, nuff said for now. I just know that I want to learn how to grow and feel comfortable unschooling and to be confidant in it also. I need to learn my rights I guess. 

Anna