Radical unschooling and organized sports - Page 5

[mammal_mama]

Originally Posted by bellymama

there are a variety of ways a person can apply a certain philosophy of education and lifestyle to their own individual life. obviously we disagree.

Who's been saying that there's only one way to apply RU? In response to some others saying there were 2 options (stay and comply, or move on), I was saying there are myriad options.

but to say that simply because i disagree with you means that i am not cool enough to kick it in a unschooling forum is pretty darn elitest.

I haven't heard anyone here say that you or anyone else isn't "cool enough to kick it in an unschooling forum." Anyway, RU is not representative of the whole unschooling forum.

I was expressing my belief that the reason the OP specified "RU" in the title was to get support from others who understand where she's coming from. She can hear plenty of the "take it or leave it" stuff in mainstream society.

and doesn't really seem to go along with the whole consensual living attitude, of allowing people to do things the way they feel comfortable.

Huh? Because I mentioned that your comment seemed disrespectful of RU, I'm not allowing you to do things the way you feel comfortable? I haven't reported you to a moderator or anything -- it's not like I feel you or anyone should be "silenced" -- I just didn't feel your comment was very supportive of RU.

i wasn't aware that being radically outside the norm of society was something you could only do one particular way. my bad.

Is this really an apology-post? I'm not saying you owe anyone an apology -- but you came on here apologizing, then went on to say some rather insulting things.

Oh, I get it! I'm being too rigid in my definition of "apology." I'm not really, I actually think there are many different ways to express regret over something I've said or done. But following the apology with more insults just isn't one of them.

[mammal_mama]

Originally Posted by 4evermom

Wouldn't it be nice if that attitude could be applied to going to school?

Oh wait, it is. Here, at least.

Here, too!

[UUMom]

Hey! I am very hardcore hsing/AP and I* totally respect my kids yada yada. I am absolutely on the 'unschooling' spectrum.

I resent the whole notion that anyone who questions or ask for clarity about an "'RU' situation gets flack for not falling in step with whatever is posted by an 'RU.'

It's totally unfair. Even Unschoolers have varying opinions, and I don't like that we're all supposed to rah rah each all the time no matter what it is we are discussing.

I am not a tin soldier for anyone. Not for AP, not for Unschooling, not for RU.

[4evermom]

Originally Posted by UUMom

I resent the whole notion that anyone who questions or ask for clarity about an "'RU' situation gets flack for not falling in step with whatever is posted by an 'RU.'

It didn't seem there was much questioning or asking of clarity by everyone, just more of a "Of course that happened, what did you expect, your kid shouldn't play if he doesn't follow commands" sort of response by some.

[UUMom]

Originally Posted by 4evermom

It didn't seem there was much questioning or asking of clarity by everyone, just more of a "Of course that happened, what did you expect, your kid shouldn't play if he doesn't follow commands" sort of response by some.

Ok. I disagree.

But really, carry on with whatever party- lines make you comfy.

[4evermom]

Originally Posted by UUMom

Ok. I disagree.

I thought you were asking for clarity, not that you need validation from the likes of me . I just don't think everybody was looking past the bafflement of someone thinking sports could or should be any other way.

[bellymama]

Originally Posted by UUMom

Hey! I am very hardcore hsing/AP and I* totally respect my kids yada yada. I am absolutely on the 'unschooling' spectrum.

I resent the whole notion that anyone who questions or ask for clarity about an "'RU' situation gets flack for not falling in step with whatever is posted by an 'RU.'

It's totally unfair. Even Unschoolers have varying opinions, and I don't like that we're all supposed to rah rah each all the time no matter what it is we are discussing.

I am not a tin soldier for anyone. Not for AP, not for Unschooling, not for RU.

thank you.

[UUMom]

Originally Posted by 4evermom

I thought you were asking for clarity, not that you need validation from the likes of me . I just don't think everybody was looking past the bafflement of someone thinking sports could or should be any other way.

I did not get that. I was trying. I kept asking questions, but they went unaswered. The OP doesn't even seem to care about the thread. So you know, what the heck are we discussing? Is her dc even on the team any longer?

[umami_mommy]

Originally Posted by UUMom

Ok. I disagree.

But really, carry on with whatever party- lines make you comfy.

see it might just be me, but this just seems really disrespectful.

[4evermom]

Originally Posted by UUMom

I did not get that. I was trying. I kept asking questions, but they went unaswered. The OP doesn't even seem to care about the thread. So you know, what the heck are we discussing? Is her dc even on the team any longer?

I think you were asking some questions she had already answered at one point, but maybe I'm confused. I think the OP ran away and is waiting for this thread to die a natural death.

[4evermom]

Originally Posted by honeybeedreams

see it might just be me, but this just seems really disrespectful.

Now that idea of a unschooler party line just cracked me up. Like unschoolers could be that organized and coordinated with each other.

[UUMom]

Originally Posted by honeybeedreams

see it might just be me, but this just seems really disrespectful.

You peeps confound me. You speak of this thing called freedom of expression, but call foul when it's exercised.

[UUMom]

ETA: Premature thread ejaculation. My kids need me.

If anyone responds again *I'll be baaakk".

[bellymama]

Originally Posted by UUMom

You peeps confound me. You speak of this thing called freedom of expression, but call foul when it's exercised.

word.

[zeldamomma]

I haven't made it all the way through the thread, but I have a question about team sports. I am not at all athletic-- between the pain and the ridicule, I couldn't see spending anymore time playing sports than they forced me to in school.

But... I know people who think sports are wonderful, and have fond memories of playing on teams as children. In retrospect, I believe most kids were being taught basic sports skills at home (I wasn't). I would like my kids to have positive feelings about sports. My kids are in a homeschool gym class where they are being taught basic sports skills. I wonder if I should be signing them up for some kind of team sport, but the whole team sport culture is totally foreign to me.

How do you find a good sports program? How do figure out how to work sports into your kids life? Should I wait until they ask, or seek something out? I have known people who can spot athletic ability in their kids, but since I don't know anything about most sports, I haven't any idea what direction to pursue.

Any thoughts?

FWIW, I agree with the OP that we take kids' sports WAY TOO seriously. I know people who are convinced a child must commit to a sport by the middle of elementary school if they are going to have any hope of making the varsity team in high school (and why would it matter to be on the varsity team, as long as they were well matched with the teammates and opposition?)

ZM

[umami_mommy]

just because i defend a person's right to freedom of speech means i should support someone coming to a forum to disrespect people?

that confuses me.

[mammal_mama]

Originally Posted by UUMom

I did not get that. I was trying. I kept asking questions, but they went unaswered.

Well, I do recall you asking if it was okay with the coach for the OP's son to walk the run -- even after she'd said that when he'd tried alternating walking with running, the coach had got on him about it.

[mammal_mama]

And I never said I was opposed to free speech. People have a right to say whatever they say -- but "free speech" includes the right to comment on others' statements.

[UUMom]

Unless the OP comes back, I'm done.

[mammal_mama]

Originally Posted by bellymama

it's just biology, it's not about oppressing anyone's spirit, it's about preventing injury.

This was the statement I thought was patronizing toward the OP. To me, it came across like bellymama was implying that the OP just assumed any rules she or her son didn't like, were created for the purpose of "oppressing his spirit."

And I'll be honest about my own baggage here. I have lots of extended family who disagree with my parenting style -- and one relative in particular who has preceded her advice by saying something like, "I know you don't want to 'oppress their spirits,' but ..."

So, this phrase is perceived by me as a way of saying "I already 'understand' where you're coming from -- you're the one who doesn't 'get' reality, so now you need to be quiet and hear me out, since I already 'get' you." It feels condescending to me -- but maybe it doesn't feel that way to anyone else.

bellymama -- I apologize if I totally misread you -- but I must say that your apology seemed even more condescending (to me) than the statement you were apologizing for.

Again, just to clarify: I'm not calling "foul," I'm not trying to kick anyone out of the discussion, I'm not saying anyone should be prevented from saying anything she wants to say. I'm not an athlete -- but my experience as a sports-spectator is that when the "foul" whistle is blown, the purpose is to take some sort of action against the team or player who committed the foul.

I'm not wanting to take action against anyone -- I'm just speaking freely about what I'm hearing in this discussion. And it seems like my words are getting labeled, "party-line," which to me feels just as much like calling "foul" as anything I said.