Diaper Swappers

cpendergraff · 03-21-2013, 02:06 PM

Tell me how it works?
Is love to do unschooling, but I'm afraid!
I have always loved organization and planning and worksheets----I'm afraid of the unknown!

DD has been leaning more toward "can we learn about x today" which I do, but it kills my OCD! Sigh. I know I need to get over it, but its hard. Help?!

lizgrace07 · 03-21-2013, 02:12 PM

I think it takes some time to become comfortable with the idea and let go. I think the best thing to do is spend plenty of time reading about unschooling and unschooling families.

I like the book "A Little Way of Homeschooling". Also, you might enjoy these posts: http://christinapilkington.com/2013/...rning-in-2012/

~Laura~ · 03-22-2013, 07:36 PM

One of my favorite videos about unschooling is this one. It starts off a little dry but it's worth the watch.

Amandamama · 03-22-2013, 08:14 PM

A great intro book is "the unschooling handbook" by Mary Griffith. Gives examples from many different families on how ther children learn all the traditional academic subjects without textbook lessons.
There are also a bunch of great blogs and online sites:
Sandra Dodd's website is excellent, as is Dayna Martins.
If there's any chance you can get to an unschooling conference, I highly suggest it

There are also some beginner yahoo groups as well.

RainandRedemption · 03-22-2013, 10:13 PM

We were thinking about unschooling for a bit, once we realized our curriculum and approach weren't what we really wanted. A lot of the philosophy really appeals to me. There was something that just didn't settle right, for our family though. Maybe it's that we are kind of unorganized, and can also be unmotivated?

Maybe it's cause Im somewhat of a control freak, and I have to have at least some vague idea of what Im working towards, or else my efforts become scattered and not effective? I don't know.

I spent about 3 weeks online doing nothing but reading about homeschooling

and came across the Charlotte Mason approach, and Im totally sold. It has what I liked about the "facilitating learning", but then there are also goals that Im working toward (that I believe in wholeheartedly and find WAY important).
We're going with ambleside online. I recommend looking into it at least, if unschooling appeals to you. Its very similar.

The math were using is very different from anything else Ive seen too. Its pretty much all mental math through games and activities, and focuses on teaching kids to think mathematically, rather than just plug numbers into a formula.

03-21-2013, 02:06 PM	#1
cpendergraff Registered Users Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 1,350 Ratings: 26 Feedback: 100% My Mood:	Unschoolers Tell me how it works? Is love to do unschooling, but I'm afraid! I have always loved organization and planning and worksheets----I'm afraid of the unknown! DD has been leaning more toward "can we learn about x today" which I do, but it kills my OCD! Sigh. I know I need to get over it, but its hard. Help?! __________________ Mother to two lovely ladies I make fabric button earrings and vintage style cabochon earrings. A $1 from every purchase helps to buy children's books for my local library. See post and fanpage for more information!

03-21-2013, 02:12 PM	#2
lizgrace07 Registered Users Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 2,036 Ratings: 114 Feedback: 100%	Re: Unschoolers I think it takes some time to become comfortable with the idea and let go. I think the best thing to do is spend plenty of time reading about unschooling and unschooling families. I like the book "A Little Way of Homeschooling". Also, you might enjoy these posts: http://christinapilkington.com/2013/...rning-in-2012/ __________________ Catholic wife to the very best hubby in the world and mama to three wild boys: John-Paul, William, and Oliver. Theodore is on the way!

03-22-2013, 07:36 PM	#3
~Laura~ Registered Users Join Date: May 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 3,891 Ratings: 117 Feedback: 99% My Mood:	Re: Unschoolers One of my favorite videos about unschooling is this one. It starts off a little dry but it's worth the watch. __________________ Wife to my amazing DH Mom to '04, '07 & '09

03-22-2013, 08:14 PM	#4
Amandamama Registered Users Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 175 Ratings: 11 Feedback: 100%	Re: Unschoolers A great intro book is "the unschooling handbook" by Mary Griffith. Gives examples from many different families on how ther children learn all the traditional academic subjects without textbook lessons. There are also a bunch of great blogs and online sites: Sandra Dodd's website is excellent, as is Dayna Martins. If there's any chance you can get to an unschooling conference, I highly suggest it There are also some beginner yahoo groups as well.

03-22-2013, 10:13 PM	#5
RainandRedemption Registered Users Formerly: windandrainmama Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 5,088 Ratings: 62 Feedback: 100%	Re: Unschoolers We were thinking about unschooling for a bit, once we realized our curriculum and approach weren't what we really wanted. A lot of the philosophy really appeals to me. There was something that just didn't settle right, for our family though. Maybe it's that we are kind of unorganized, and can also be unmotivated? Maybe it's cause Im somewhat of a control freak, and I have to have at least some vague idea of what Im working towards, or else my efforts become scattered and not effective? I don't know. I spent about 3 weeks online doing nothing but reading about homeschooling and came across the Charlotte Mason approach, and Im totally sold. It has what I liked about the "facilitating learning", but then there are also goals that Im working toward (that I believe in wholeheartedly and find WAY important). We're going with ambleside online. I recommend looking into it at least, if unschooling appeals to you. Its very similar. The math were using is very different from anything else Ive seen too. Its pretty much all mental math through games and activities, and focuses on teaching kids to think mathematically, rather than just plug numbers into a formula. __________________ * Jen~ happy, homeschooling mom to two * Expecting #3 in Aug 2013! * * Trade with me! * Last edited by RainandRedemption; 03-22-2013 at 10:15 PM.