the network for radical unschooling families

November 2008 Blog Posts (30)

Better but a bit sad

I am sure those of you who read my last post and those who commented understand that I was frustrated and saddened this week by a not so fabulous visit from family. It has brought to mind how important it is that my DH and I keep doing what we are doing. I don't ever want to hear my children say we make them feel like they were 10 again or we are too busy trying to control their lives that we don't live ours. Or worse, that our home is not a safe place mentally or emotionally...

I am… Continue

Added by Amberlee on November 29, 2008 at 1:30am — 4 Comments

shopping independent !!!

If you're shopping today, make it online, and handmade.Visit Etsy. My shops are below, and if you can't find something you want there, search all the shops…

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Added by cris on November 28, 2008 at 2:00pm — No Comments

The Gettysburg Address

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

November 19, 1863

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting… Continue

Added by Vicki Gray on November 27, 2008 at 11:05am — 1 Comment

The Turkey Considered for Our National Bird by Bruce Larson

While it's true that Ben Franklin wasn't happy with Congress's choice of the Bald Eagle for our national bird, it's unlikely that he actually "lobbied" on behalf of the turkey. I know that most turkey lovers spin

the story differently but my sources, who will remain unnamed, paint a different picture of how this all went down. After Congress had made its decision, Franklin merely… Continue

Added by Vicki Gray on November 27, 2008 at 11:00am — 1 Comment

Terrible Mother?

Picture the scene.....a day at the museum with the grandparents....getting up a bit late and rushing to meet up. Everyone was excited and ready to go. First comments? Grandma: "N, you didn't brush your teeth?" "No, I forgot, I was excited." Grandma...."umhum....." put that "look" here....

After a fabulous day at the museum, lots to see and learn we all returned to their hotel to get our vehicles for going to dinner....but first I see Grandma go to the desk and hear her whisper, "Can… Continue

Added by Amberlee on November 26, 2008 at 11:01pm — 1 Comment

discrimination due to bare feet

I think this is relevant to unschooling, it's important to me that my children be able to go barefoot when/where they want to...what do you think?

Whole Foods - Fremont

3535 NE 15th Ave.

Portland, OR 97212

Attn: Michael Frasier, General Manager

Dear Mr. Frasier:

We are very upset about your new policy that customers must wear shoes at all times when shopping in your store.

We have been shopping at our… Continue

Added by Emily on November 26, 2008 at 6:30pm — 1 Comment

Zombie Invasion!

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Added by Vicki Gray on November 26, 2008 at 1:47pm — 1 Comment

Mainstream Homeschooling Article

Education Next by the Hoover Institution has an interesting article in their Winter 2009 publication. The article discusses Homeschooling going mainstream. Considering the current climate around what broadcasting (The View) allows to be said about homeschooling, I felt it was important to point out a sound article that explores the whys and wherefores of homeschooling.

In this article they discuss the many and varied reasons people choose to home school. Will Smith and his wife, Jada… Continue

Added by Vicki Gray on November 26, 2008 at 1:45pm — 2 Comments

Standing In Line is not a Life Skill

I am slowly growing accustomed to my immediate family's rantings on the dangers of(cue the "doom and gloom" music) unschooling. I was honestly shocked by the criticism thrust upon me as this fall began and my family realized that I really meant what I have been talking about for the past five years. My husband and I have always planned on homeschooling, and more specifically - unschooling (although we didn't realize there was an actual term for it at the time.) Something we have done naturally… Continue

Added by Kristen Wheatley on November 25, 2008 at 2:30pm — No Comments

A weaving doll and some troll paper

Christmas is coming and I'm trying to gather up some money to buy something for Keith that he won't have to pay for himself.

I have these things to sell, and they're on eBay.

The wrapping paper could be used to cover a box or a book or something... not necessarily to… Continue

Added by Sandra Dodd on November 22, 2008 at 11:11pm — 1 Comment

Making a Living With my Gifts

It is amazing to me how fast this year has gone by. So much has happened and I am overjoyed at our successful new businesses. As of this month, I am supporting my family through my life coaching- Coaching With Rain, Yahoo!!!

I was thinking about the surreal moment I felt the spark to become a life coach. I wasn't sure if I could do it, so I didn't admit it to my own life coach for over two… Continue

Added by Rain Fordyce on November 22, 2008 at 5:34am — No Comments

December Blog Carnival: Working parents

We are a dual income family here, though I have cut my hours to part-time work since Talon was born. Terry is a project manager for a construction subcontractor, and his income is the bread and butter for our family. I work at home as a medical transcriptionist for about four hours/day. Terry works days; I work evenings.

For the most part, this works out exceptionally well for us since I have my days free to spend with Talon, and Terry is usually home in the evenings while I work… Continue

Added by Tanya on November 18, 2008 at 2:30am — 1 Comment

Thank You for Sharing, so I am Sharing, Too!

I love coaching, I really do. It is an honor and a blessing to be a part of my clients' lives. I learn as much as they do as we find the answers together. Recently, I was written in two different blogs and I would love to share these amazing women with you!

Barb Techel is an author of a unique picture book about her precious Dachshund, Frankie who lost the use of her back legs and is now a Walk and Roll Dog. See her blog here:…

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Added by Rain Fordyce on November 17, 2008 at 5:44pm — No Comments

Swimming - to "lesson" the experience?

This is another article I originally wrote for Connections. It's not very timely I guess, but it may be useful.

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Now that summer is in full glow it seems likely that many parents are considering swimming lessons for their children. If they are like us with a pool available in their building, they may be reasonably concerned about safety. Perhaps they… Continue

Added by Robyn L. Coburn on November 15, 2008 at 11:30pm — 2 Comments

Wind Dance

Here is something I wrote for my

Inspired Almost-Daily Newsletter.

You can sign up for free by clicking here.

Wind… Continue

Added by Rain Fordyce on November 13, 2008 at 10:30pm — No Comments

Losing days....how do you grade that?

Ok, maybe not really losing days....but in a way. We get so involved with life and creating projects or reading and playing games I forget what day it is. I usually can figure it out by what activities we have during the week. When it comes to keeping up on a blog or other things I seem to be lost.

I can't believe it is November already and I now have a 13 year old child. Looking at his baby photos I can't believe it is the same child. He is still just as curious, but a bit more… Continue

Added by Amberlee on November 13, 2008 at 7:15pm — 2 Comments

Mom - Job Description

POSITION: Mother, Mom, Mama, Mommy, Ma

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an, often chaotic environment.

Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.

Some overnight travel required, including trips to… Continue

Added by Vicky on November 12, 2008 at 11:36am — No Comments

Prayer for the caffeine addict

Caffeine is my shepherd; I shall not doze.

It maketh me to wake in green pastures:

It leadeth me beyond the sleeping masses.

It restoreth my buzz:

It leadeth me in the paths of consciousness for its name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of addiction,

I will fear no Equal™:

For thou art with me; thy cream and thy sugar they comfort… Continue

Added by Vicky on November 12, 2008 at 10:32am — No Comments

A Farmer’s Advice

A Farmer’s Advice:

Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight and bull strong.

Keep skunks and bankers at a distance.

Life is simpler when you plow around the stump.

A bumblebee is considerably faster than a John Deer tractor.

Words that soak into your ears are whispered…not yelled.

Meanness don’t jes’ happen… Continue

Added by Vicky on November 12, 2008 at 10:16am — No Comments

Trust The Gamers

Its a good thing my children are on my watch, not the governments and not the "village's". Because I believe in Radical Unschooling, they are down in the basement, playing video games much of the day. I'm sure this would freak out most in the mainstream, but not me.

I admit, before I fully trusted Radical Unschooling, I read James Paul Gee's book, What Video Games Have To Teach Us About Learning And Literacy. It is written in college… Continue

Added by Dawning on November 12, 2008 at 9:00am — 4 Comments