the network for radical unschooling families
Balloonatikmama's Discussions
9yr old yearning to read
Replied Apr 23
Sibling Rivalry
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9yr old yearning to read
Replied Jan 27
Balloonatikmama's Page
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Comment Wall (5 comments)
- At 1:28pm on January 30, 2009,
Jill Parmer said…
- Gillian! Hi! Gosh, I wonder when our paths are going to cross again in person.? I keep up with you by reading your blog, looks like you're having fun. I'm having fun and busy with my kids.
- At 2:34am on September 12, 2008,
Schuyler Waynforth said… - Look at all the waves. I can't wave from here. It would be like butterfly wings or something. And I have to wave easterly to not have it swimming against the jet stream. I could wave north over the poles and then to you. I'll look on Google Earth and figure it out.
- At 1:45am on September 7, 2008,
Cid said… - I'm not sure if we actually *met* at LIFE is Good, but I know I admired your kiddos from afar ;)
Peace, Love, Free- Cid
- At 7:30pm on August 13, 2008,
zenmomma said… - Waving hello from Corvallis! It looks like you're getting some computer time today. :o)
- At 11:32pm on August 11, 2008,
Ginger said… - Yeah! You're here! Waves from So.CA!
Profile Information
- what does "radical unschooling" mean to you?
- Living free in the woods of BC! (that was my short answer, but if you know me you know I am never satisfied with a short answer when a long one will do...)
To me the term "radical unschooling" has nothing whatesoever to do with school and isn't really all that radical or in-your-face either. It is just living life in equal partnership with every member of my immediate family no matter what their size or age, free from mandated learning or mandated just about anything else. Within the sweet-yet-complex balance of the needs of all our family members, we trust each other to decide for ourselves when to sleep, when and what to eat, what to do with our day, what our passions are and how best to follow them. We trust that embracing those passions with our full hearts will lead us down amazing paths and fill us with all we might ever need to feel, know, do and be. We question and think and respect and choose our own paths, fully supported by one another, encouraged to be our best selves, our wholest beings. We don't bow to convention or do what we "should" or what we think others think we "should". We try to choose feeling good over the righteousness of being right, we try not to knee-jerk "wrong" when one of us wants to pursue something unconventional, we try to think outside the box and find ways to explore together, believing that there is something worth learning down even the most unlikely of paths. We strive each day, each moment, to suck the maximum joy out of every second - we believe that joy is something we can fully achieve regardless of the outward circumstances in our lives, that we can "choose" to open ourselves to creative ways of being joyful despite, or perhaps because of, the specific conditions of today. We believe that when we live in harmony with ourselves we can find an infinite number of ways to live in harmony with all those we hold dear, and that our lives can forever hold peace, joy, freedom, and wonder.
The RU parents I know don't just love their kids, they love to be with their kids, and their kids love to be with them. These parents have held connection and relationship with their kids, and each other, above all else. Regardless of their kids' passions and unique personalities, these parents have opened themselves to the myriad ways there always are to connect with one another, they have followed those opportunities for connection no matter what, and they have built amazing life-long trusting relationships with their kids as a result. To us, "radical unschooling" or "whole life unschooling" has nothing to do with schooling at all, it is a way of life that centers on respect and trust and love, giving fully and trusting that small people raised in the embrace of people who give generously, serve with love, and give respect before expecting to receive it, will find the freedom and support to grow into adults who know their own needs and feelings, are able to meet them without hurting others, and who embody great generousity, expansive love, and respect for all souls.
- how long have you been unschooling or homeschooling?
- almost 9 yrs
- names and ages of children
- Effie (1999) & Fergus (2003)
- a little about me
- Gillian Mayer and family - We live on 10 acres of forest in that odd foreign country Canada. West coast, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, just outside Victoria in the sleepy rural enclave known as Metchosin.
I seem to be suffering somewhat from an abundance of names: I grew up answering to the family nickname Tiki (rhymes with chicky and sticky, which are said by my father to have some link to the name's original derivation?), so some of you lucky enough to have hung out with me for a long time or as part of my extended family, know me as that, or the even more flattering "Tik". Others have been introduced to me as "Jambalaya" Mayer!? This unlikely nomiker is originally the fault of Frank and Ronnie and their historic Mardi Gras bash, but has been perpetuated unmercifully by that rascally Gold family. And I post to the lists as either balloonatikmama or gminthecountry. Are you keeping up with all this...?
My life is forever intertwined with my hunky indie husband Craig "Pimp Daddy" Mayer (yes, Mardi Gras again, that was some great party!) and my babies Effie (9) and Fergus (5). Craig keeps our family blog up to date and also has an indie music blog that quite a few of you follow - http://furrowedbrowsmile.blogspot.com/
I read voraciously, have been accused of overthinking things, dance with abandon, and have amassed myself a truly incredible tribe of unschoolers, whom I turn to often, in moments of both delight and despair. I feel truly blessed to have fallen into this tribe!
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Blog Posts
lost my place, math to writing
Posted by Monica Manzano on November 29, 2009 at 12:52am
Just a quick thought on Radical Unschooling-Unschooling
Posted by Merhia Wiese on November 28, 2009 at 11:19am
Turkey Day.
Posted by Charissa Vaunderbroad on November 27, 2009 at 3:56am
The children's museum.
Posted by Charissa Vaunderbroad on November 24, 2009 at 2:14am
Went to the Gallery Yesterday.
Posted by Charissa Vaunderbroad on November 22, 2009 at 8:35am
I haven't changed my mind about some things.
Posted by Charissa Vaunderbroad on November 19, 2009 at 9:28pm — 4 Comments
Speech Writing: How To Write A Good One?
Posted by Barbara Wilkins on November 18, 2009 at 1:14am
The Dilbert Marathon
Posted by Slinky on November 11, 2009 at 8:09pm
I'm working on a new unschooling website, blog
Posted by Sara on November 10, 2009 at 3:40pm
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