Hi everyone
I was wondering if this forum had some tips for explaining to people that we are unschooling? I have some really critical friends that have shaken me a bit, challenging me (through gossiping, not directly) about "my children not learning anything" and that they "can't read". It's funny that I never check up on their public schooled children, but anyway.
Although I know these things are not true, it does hurt. I know and understand my children and am giving them time to develop at their own pace, not a government schedule.
I want to know how others have dealt with this.
We also have an issue with relatives and friends cornering my children and sort of "testing" them or checking up on their schooling. I want to help my children to know what to say, and feel comfortable and confident.
I am dreading telling my parents, but will have to soon. They have always been so supportive of our homeschooling, but not sure that they will understand unschooling. My mom was a teacher :smile:
We live in a country that is fixated on "matriculation" or other certification for high school. I am not sure we will be going that route, and people have criticized that I am not preparing my children for life and that they won't get a job. I disagree.
I do realize that most these people are actually caring and mean well. But it is so "out the box" for them they cannot believe or trust unschooling.
I know it sounds scary, I was scared at the beginning too, and still have some fears, but .... when I see my children making new connections, and learning, about what they want to, at exactly the time they need it, I trust unschooling and believe, and I know I will continue to bring them up this way, as it will equip them for life.
Regards,
Lindy
I was wondering if this forum had some tips for explaining to people that we are unschooling? I have some really critical friends that have shaken me a bit, challenging me (through gossiping, not directly) about "my children not learning anything" and that they "can't read". It's funny that I never check up on their public schooled children, but anyway.
Although I know these things are not true, it does hurt. I know and understand my children and am giving them time to develop at their own pace, not a government schedule.
I want to know how others have dealt with this.
We also have an issue with relatives and friends cornering my children and sort of "testing" them or checking up on their schooling. I want to help my children to know what to say, and feel comfortable and confident.
I am dreading telling my parents, but will have to soon. They have always been so supportive of our homeschooling, but not sure that they will understand unschooling. My mom was a teacher :smile:
We live in a country that is fixated on "matriculation" or other certification for high school. I am not sure we will be going that route, and people have criticized that I am not preparing my children for life and that they won't get a job. I disagree.
I do realize that most these people are actually caring and mean well. But it is so "out the box" for them they cannot believe or trust unschooling.
I know it sounds scary, I was scared at the beginning too, and still have some fears, but .... when I see my children making new connections, and learning, about what they want to, at exactly the time they need it, I trust unschooling and believe, and I know I will continue to bring them up this way, as it will equip them for life.
Regards,
Lindy