UNschooling for Dummies

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/unschooling-homeschooling-book-tests-classes/story?id=10410867

I wasn't going to dignify the ridiculously biased GMA segment on Unschooling with a response. But the more I read the more furious it makes me! I have long held the belief that "News" in the traditional sense is worthless. Tuning into Larry King (on CNN mind you, News is right there in it's name for goodness sake) you end up with gossip rag fodder. Who cares about what unsavory women Tiger Wood's is screwing behind his wife's back or what misguided young actor overdosed. That may be newes for Entertainment channels, but if I am turning on the news, I want just that, news. I want the facts, not the opinions of the biased media.

The GMA segment was edited beyond recognition, that poor family was crucified and Unschooling given an unfair portrayal. I have often said you can tell how much someone knows about homeschooling by their first question to you (or your kids) upon finding out that is your method of unstruction. If the first question is "What about socialization" than it is clear they have learned everything they think they know about homeschooling from Wife Swap.

Most of you dear readers I have the pleasure of knowing in real life. You have been to my home, you have met my children and you have seen our family in action. If you have had a 5 minute conversation with my 6 year old you probably have gone home to find a dictionary. Her vocabulary exceeds my own sometimes! My son's knowledge of geography and trivial minutiae is astounding, he can tell you facts about countries I didn't even know existed. Last night I was telling a friend (yes, we have lots of those!) that my oldest child diagrams sentences for fun. She finds it relaxing, and she enjoys Algebra they way other enjoy Sudoku or Crosswords.

Unschooling is a choice, and a lifestyle. The kids learn because they are curious. They are curious because they were born that way and they have not had their love of learning bored out of them by mundane repetition and memorization. They play and explore and discover new things because they have never been told they can't and they are not ridiculed or penalized for getting an answer different than what is historically accepted. They have beautiful social skills because they are in the world every day, in real situations with lots of different people. Because they have loving adults in their lives to model generosity and kindness, and they have never been bullied.

As loving parents we want to give our kids the best possible foundation to have a joy-filled, satisfying life. Unschooling is not unparenting; just because our life doesn't look like your doesn't make it crazy.

Ridiculous

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Parenting/divorce-battle-joseph-reyes-faces-jail-baptizing-daughter-church/story?id=9845919

I usually listen to NPR on my way home from work, but the sound of Diane Rehm's voice was grating on my nerves today so I dialed down one to HLN. The discussion was in regard to the above story, of a father in the middle of a divorce who had his daughter baptized in the Catholic Church despite a court order declaring the child to be raised in the Jewish faith.

All of the comments in the time I was listening were from callers appalled at the audacity of a judge to declare one religion over another. Maybe I am missing something, but I do not see this as a religious issue, nor do I see it as a Church vs State matter.

These parents entered into a LEGAL marriage contract, which they decided not to honor. They then petitioned the COURT for a LEGAL judgement of divorce. They were obviously unable to come to any amicable agreement, because when the mother was awarded custody she requested from the court (and was granted) permission to continue raising the child in the Jewish faith. By the way, during the course of the marriage the father converted to Judaism. He now says the conversion was not voluntary, which is ludicrous. It is my understanding that a Jewish conversion takes at minimum a year of instruction and interaction with a Rabbi. Did someone hold a gun to this man's head for an entire year to facilitate the conversion? Ridiculous.

What did these two talk about prior to marriage? He knew she was Jewish, she knew he was Catholic. It seems he was not practicing his Catholicism, which makes sense if he was willing to convert. It is all irrelevant to me, as I said, I do not believe this to be a religious issue. It's not as though the police busted in the door of a happy family and forcibly denied them the right to raise their child in the religion of their choice. The parents made the child's religion the court's decision by proving themselves incapable of reaching a peaceful resolution on their own. Religion is not a legal matter, divorce and child custody certainly are.

You don't get to pick and choose the issues in which the Court can direct your life, when you voluntarily put your life into the Court's hands. It's not OK to utilize the legal state of marriage when you want to be married, then tell the court to butt out when you want to break a legally binding contract. And another thing, Mr. Reyes (the father) apparently entered into a written contract with the mother when he signed a document agreeing that their daughter would continue to be raised in the Jewish faith. He was paying tuition for her Jewish pre-school, so it isn't as though he was unaware.

The issue, as I see it, is not that he baptized a Jewish daughter in the Catholic church. The crux of this matter is that he intentionally violated a Court Order. He also called in the media to watch him do it, which is not illegal, but is really stupid.

Can someone please explain to me how this is a religious matter? I really don't see it, but apparently am the only one in the country (or at least in the CNN listening audience) that holds such an opinion.

UWWG here we come!!

We are getting geared up for the 3rd Annual UWWG; Unschoolers Winter Waterpark Gathering. Each year hundreds of Unschooling families from all over the world converge on the the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center in Sandusky, Ohio for a week of fun. This year, the keynote speaker is John Taylor Gatto, and I have to say I am really excited to hear him speak.

We have met some wonderful families at this event, and it is wonderful to reunite with them in the bitter cold of winter. The warmth and sunshine of the indoor waterpark help too! This is a trip we look forward to all year, and we feel extremely blessed to be able to do it again.

This year we have decided to drive. In years past Kenny has not wanted to take too many days with both of us away from work, but he seems to be over that this year. We are leaving the house Saturday morning as early as every one's sleep schedule will accommodate. I am hoping for 7:30 or no later than 8:00. We will make a quick stop @ Bagel Lovers for road provisions and be on our way. The first leg of our trip will take us from home to Leesport, PA to Ozzy's Family Fun Center. There we will have lunch and let the kids blow off some steam in either the roller rink or the indoor play structure. Once we are fortified we will get back in the truck and head to Pittsburgh for the night. Sunday we plan to have breakfast on the strip and then make our way to the Pittsburgh Zoo. My baby boy is really into Polar Bears so this will be a special treat for him.

Sandusky is a short 2.5 hour drive from Pittsburgh, and we plan to spend Sunday to Thursday at the resort. There are some fabulous activities planned, including a winter carnival and lots of interesting funshops. The kids love to be surrounded with tons of friends, and since nearly the entire resort is booked with our group the parents can be assured someone always has their eye on their child. And the kids are always in a group, so the atmosphere is super relaxed.

We leave the resort on Thursday and I have no plan for our return journey. I want to stop at my mother's and visit with she and my sister. And I have every one's Christmas presents to deliver since we were unable to be together for the holiday.

All in all, this has the makings of another perfect family vacation. Wish you could join us!

I love my boy.

After a fun day @ Pumpkintown and making pottery, it is finally time to settle in and get some work done. Because of Kenny III's recent math aversion I have started allowing him to do 1 problem in each section, and if he gets it right on his own he is done. If it is incorrect he has to keep doing that section until he completes it, correctly, alone.

I just went over to get a drink from my water bottle only to find it empty. Kenny says to me, total deadpan "You may want to refill that. I get stressed out in times like these and use most of my water crying."

I had to walk away to keep from laughing at him! He has no idea how easy he has it! And, until a week or two ago, he always enjoyed math. Granted, it is getting more challenging, but I do not belabor a point. If he gets the concept, we move on.

At least he's always good for a laugh!!!!

See you in September

So here it is Labor Day, the unofficial end to summer. This is the beginning of my favorite time here on the East End. While we are sad to see some of our "summer friends" go home, I must admit I also breathe a huge sigh of relief. While I am cognizant, and appreciative, to the boost to local economy that tourists bring, I loathe the attitudes that oft times come with them. I am relieved to have our roads back and our beaches populated by locals. The water is still warm enough to enjoy, the sun is still shining, the farms are still producing...it's beautiful.
We school year round, but an annual tradition I am honored to continue is the "Back to No School Beach Day". When I first began homeschooling on the East End the celebration was held @ Wildwood. I remember that first year hanging with friends at the beach during the day, then taking my kids to Davis to pick peaches which we then came home and canned. In the part of PA where I am from peaches are done in August, the extended growing season out here is like a precious gift!! My kids eat more canned peaches than I can put up. If you have never had a summer-ripe peach in the middle of a bitter cold winter's day, please, come to my house. It is a treat not to be missed.
Shortly after the first day of public school my kids and I usually take a break from our schooling to head down to Florida for a few weeks. We become caretakers for my in-loves ever growing ranch, herd of horses, and my husband's grandfather (soon to be 97) while they take their annual vacation. This year, however, they will be coming here! It has been at least 5 years since my mother-in-love has been back up here, and I am so excited to share what is her favorite time of year also. They will be staying with us for a few days of their trip and we just can't wait to have them.
Enjoy fall, pick some apples, visit the vineyards, go clamming...get out there and experience the East End as it should be!!!!!!!