One of my favorite authors on "unschooling" is John Holt.  I thought about grabbing some of his best quotes for this column but there are far too many to pick from! 

 John was the person who coined the term "unschooling."  However, his meaning was simple;  removing a child from the public school classroom.  That is all unschooling really meant.  However, many homeschooling analysts have added so many definitions that it is rather confusing.  What parents do with their children after removing them from a classroom situation (or what they do instead of putting them there in the first place) has become one of the most debated and discussed aspects of homeschooing, I believe. 

Unschooling styles are as numerous as there are families.  Or as many as there are individuals in those families!  Let me give you a few personal examples:

My oldest child is self motivated and learns anything she wants to.  I don't have to coerce her.  She is driven to learn, as most children are in one manner or another. She teaches classes in an area she has become proficient in, and has her own cottage business which is teaching her how to manage her finances, time and resources.

My second child is content to read, act out characters, write his own stories, and work hard when he can see a tangible reward at the end. He's learning responsibility in several areas of his life and I am thankful we can be here to guide him.

The third child is a lesson in perseverance.  She will stick with something long after everyone else has given up.  She loves nature and also has learned that she can take on any job offered and will stick to it.  To this child however, the process is the reward.

And what about our fourth child?  He is very social, very busy and must have his hands in a project of his own design from sun up until sundown.  Very curious; makes up his own words if he doesn't know one that will fit.  "Flustraphobia" is one of his recent creations.  It fit the situation perfect!

My kids are all so unique.  ALL people are!  We try to hard to make everyone the same, unfortunately. 

Something I constantly have to remind myself, amidst the standardization mindset that even I get caught up in at times:  I am not raising my kids to be standardized.  I am aware of their uniqueness.  They are all different, and individuals.  I will not beat my head up against the wall trying to fit my square pegs in that round hole anymore.  It is not good for them, or for me either.  I have to learn what their bent is and go with that flow or our "educational" journey will be nothing but strife and frustration for all involved.

Do I do this perfectly?  Heavens, no! 

As I am working with my children and learning along side of them I have to pray hard and realize that there are many years of public schooling working against me personally, and in my endeavor to train and raise my kids. 

I was once a child who was forced to be standardized, all my corners were sheared off while I was being crammed into that round hole against my will, and against everything that is right.  Slowly, that part of me is coming alive again but only because I have the opportunity to really learn right along with my kids--learning with them, about them, and all about myself.

You are welcome to quote me on that!

Blessings!

Nancy

Nancy Baetz has been unschooling herself and her four children for 16+ years and enjoys the journey most days! She believes that the Lord has given these children to her and her husband and that with God's help, they will grow and learn with grace and mercy and become who they were meant to be.  You are more than welcome to stop by her homeschool blog or visit her website at www.nancybaetz.com

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