How to screw up Unschooling

1.) Live too much in your own "little world"

2.) Have no interest in learning new things

3.) Say NO all the time

4.) Have a bunch of arbitrary rules

5.) Get in your child's way

6.) Compare your child's learning to school peers and the public education model

7.) Say not now, I am busy too often

8.) Don't take advantage of opportunities as they present themselves

9.) Let fear dictate your decisions

10.) Criticize the child

11.) Devalue the learning in activities the child chooses to do

12.) Try to fit the child into the mold you have in your image for them

13.) Do not interact, play with or have conversations with your child

14.) Ignore the child much of the time

15.) Do not bring new and interesting things into the house

16.) Do not seek out new experiences

17.) Focus on the future of where your child may go rather than focus on the moment

18.) Do not celebrate the child for who they are in their authentic form

19.) Panic and throw textbooks and worksheets in front of them

20.) Do not facilitate a learning environment or fun activities

Thursday Unschooling Tips: Tip #2

How To Be Really Alive!

Live juicy. Stamp out conformity.
Stay in bed all day. Dream of gypsy
Wagons. Find snails making love.
... Develop an astounding appetite for books.
Drink sunsets. Draw out your feelings.
Amaze yourself. Be ridiculous. Stop
worrying. Now. If not now, then when?
Make yes your favourite word. Marry
yourself. Dry your clothes in the sun.
Eat mangoes naked. Keep toys in the
bathtub. Spin yourself dizzy. Hang
upside down. Follow a child. Celebrate
an old person. Send a love letter to your-
self. Be advanced. Try endearing. Invent
a new way to love. Transform negatives.
Delight someone. Wear pajamas to a
drive-in movie. Allow yourself to feel
rich without money. Be who you truly
are and the money will follow. Believe
in everything. You are always on
your way to a miracle.

The miracle is you.

 

I saw this post surfing the web the other day given to the poster from a friend of theirs, it did not state the author so I am afraid I can not give credit to them, if you know who wrote this please leave a comment letting me know so I can give proper credit! However I found it very fitting for an Unschooling Tips thread so wanted to share it with you as Tip #2!

 

I would like to add to this by saying:

 

How to Really be Alive continued........

 

Climb a Tree, hunt for fairies in a magic meadow,

go grocery shopping in your pajamas,

make a stranger smile, do an act of kindness,

do many acts of kindess,

open doors, don't close them, sing loudly,

dance under a full moon, cloud watch,

try a food you have never tried before,

throw a party just because,

play in the mud barefoot, talk to plants,

giggle, no reason just start giggling!

Dance in the grocery aisle,

learn a new skill, research and come to your

own conclusions, remove the limits you have

imposed upon yourself.

Be spontaneous.

Play in the rain, hug yourself, send flowers to yourself,

live like there is only today!

Thursday Unschooling Tips: Tip #1

Hello Fellow Friends, Readers and Bloggers!  I thought I would start a regular posting on Thursdays for Thursday Unschooling Tips! I will make these posts every Thursday offering tips on living a joyful unschooling lifestyle! Remember that the goal of unschooling is not education but rather a lifestyle of passion, joyful living, happiness and following one's one unique spirit of being the best they can be. The education and learning are simply by-products and side effects of living a full enriching life that builds deep connections within the family unit!


So here is Tip number 1.................(Drum roll please!)


Tip #1:
Take Great Delight in Discovering The Wonder of Each Moment!

Children are often experts in this area that adults tend to forget as they get older and LIFE takes over. However if we can consciously shift back to living in the present and pay attention to what we are doing in the here and now and look upon it with wonder, we can begin to see the beauty of the moment. Living in the present allows us to fully enjoy the moment.

Many of us get so busy we are always thinking of yesterday or what our many tomorrows may hold, stressing about all the what if scenarios rushing through our brain. But if we train ourselves to focus ONLY on our NOWS, a flower of the most amazing beauty unfolds before our eyes elevating our vibrations of joy and wonder.

Whether it is a Delicious meal we are preparing to nourish our loved ones, pulling weeds in the garden, cleaning our home in order to create space for our children's imaginations to have a clean canvas to create in, reading a book, playing a game with our children, or even running to our local store for groceries, LIVE IN THAT moment and do whatever you can do to make it fun, enjoyable, exciting and full of wonder! It is only boring if your thoughts tell yourself it is boring, but it really does not have to be if you fully live in the moments as they happen.

Life will open up to flow simply and joyously when we consciously live in the present and live it as in the wonder of a child's eyes. Moods and thoughts are contagious as well so if you are modeling PRESENT LIVING most likely other family members will follow suit as well. Joy is an emotion, one we can choose to live in paying attention to the moment, moments that can take our breath away when we get out of the past or the future.

Learn to train yourself to live in the moment full of wonder and see how many moments you can make breathless that allows your spirit to soar and raise your vibrations to a new level of joy!