Early in 2008, Dumbing Us Down convinced me that unschooling was the way to go. But you still have to look inside yourself for compelling reasons to support unschooling. At least I felt that way, that the external and internal reasons needed to be combined to complete the big picture.
I also was concerned about saddling my kids with my baggage. Am I making a decision more for them? Or more for me? The whole process of going against the societal norms is daunting, with lots of Am I doing the …

I’m not the only unschooling, radical, child of immigrant Indian parents in the world.  Arun, one of the masterminds behind The Parenting Pit, is the other.  I (along with Trish) had the joy of meeting my BFAM a couple of weeks ago.  We met in the city and dined and chatted for awhile.  It was cool to meet someone else who, besides sharing a similar outlook on many topics, also shared some of the same experiences.  Like growing up with the common adult Indian guidance that becoming a doctor, lawyer …

Last night, M was drawing, using Dot Art markers.  They make lines about 3/4-1″ thick.  I see him draw an upside down ‘V’ and contemplate.  After 20 seconds, he covers the apex with his hand, then speaks to me.
M: Arpy?
A: Yeah?
M: Doesn’t this look like our walkway?
A: Huh?
M: Doesn’t this look like our walkway?
(he turns the paper so I get a better look; pause while I scratch my head)
A: I don’t really understand what you’re saying.
M (losing patience): Doesn’t this look like our WALKWAY? When I look down …

Wow. I just reading this article (thanks to COD for the link), and I am floored by how true it is, whether it was meant to be or not. Funny? Not to me. In my opinion, send a child off to school is like sentencing him to 13 year jail sentence, complete with brainwashing.
I was just talking to my mother last night about reading, and why many school children seem to loath it. I related to my mother exactly how many of the books that …

Of the many reasons for unschooling, two are prominent in my mind: 1) to cultivate a love for learning and 2) stay out of the way so my kids can find and follow their interests.  The question is really how – if I’m respecting the kids enough to make their own decisions, how do I, as a parent, matter?  I’m firmly on the side of unschooling – but not unparenting.  Regardless of how much freedom my children have, it’s still up to me & Trish to guide them, directly or …