Comments for Unschool Radical http://www.unschoolradical.org Unschooling in Surburbia Sat, 19 May 2012 12:24:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 Comment on Hanging Out With Mainstream Moms… Honouring Other People’s Dumb Ideas and Religion?? by x http://www.unschoolradical.org/2008/01/08/hanging-out-with-mainstream-moms-honouring-other-peoples-dumb-ideas-and-religion/#comment-90661 x Sun, 04 Dec 2011 19:43:31 +0000 http://www.unschoolradical.org/2008/01/08/hanging-out-with-mainstream-moms-honouring-other-peoples-dumb-ideas-and-religion/#comment-90661 Well, I sure know whose house I won't be sending my kids to. Who do you think you are to decide that the "stupid" rules other parents make for their kids are just not worth being followed? Incredibly disrespectful. And yes, I realize that this post is 3 years old. I was just so revolted by it that I feel compelled to comment. I hope you've woken up since then. Well, I sure know whose house I won’t be sending my kids to. Who do you think you are to decide that the “stupid” rules other parents make for their kids are just not worth being followed? Incredibly disrespectful.

And yes, I realize that this post is 3 years old. I was just so revolted by it that I feel compelled to comment.

I hope you’ve woken up since then.

]]> Comment on Hanging Out With Mainstream Moms… Honouring Other People’s Dumb Ideas and Religion?? by mws http://www.unschoolradical.org/2008/01/08/hanging-out-with-mainstream-moms-honouring-other-peoples-dumb-ideas-and-religion/#comment-65804 mws Tue, 15 Feb 2011 01:50:21 +0000 http://www.unschoolradical.org/2008/01/08/hanging-out-with-mainstream-moms-honouring-other-peoples-dumb-ideas-and-religion/#comment-65804 reading this was awesome. i am working to become a teacher and you would not believe how controlling some of the parents and teachers are. it is repulsive and ignorant. so, would you let your kid drink root beer all day? i draw the line at like one soda a day. and some parents think that is crazy. that i have soda in the house. lordy. i love the idea of unschooling, though some of the onschooling parents i have seen seem REALY limited and like wannabes, like they're following a treand. it has creeped me out, but i have seen some pretty sool exmples, too. anyway, i like your blog. imiss hschooling; i needed to go to work and the ex husb. was NOT behind me and that made for a stressful house. i did not like a lot of hschoolers and fit into the real school crowd better, but love that germ of thought that remembers when and knows how education can be so different. reading this was awesome. i am working to become a teacher and you would not believe how controlling some of the parents and teachers are. it is repulsive and ignorant. so, would you let your kid drink root beer all day? i draw the line at like one soda a day. and some parents think that is crazy. that i have soda in the house. lordy. i love the idea of unschooling, though some of the onschooling parents i have seen seem REALY limited and like wannabes, like they’re following a treand. it has creeped me out, but i have seen some pretty sool exmples, too. anyway, i like your blog. imiss hschooling; i needed to go to work and the ex husb. was NOT behind me and that made for a stressful house. i did not like a lot of hschoolers and fit into the real school crowd better, but love that germ of thought that remembers when and knows how education can be so different.

]]> Comment on Are Homeschoolers Elitist? by trish http://www.unschoolradical.org/2008/06/29/sort-of-shallow/#comment-65798 trish Mon, 14 Feb 2011 23:47:02 +0000 http://www.unschoolradical.org/?p=47#comment-65798 The children I have met who are homeschooled, or unschooled, I find to be very elitist and judgmental other children, my children about attending public school. They have told him his friends are not real friends. This attitude must come from the parents and it seems to go against everything I thought homeschooling was about. They feel superior and let other children know they feel that way. Are you experiencing this and what do you suggest I do about it, it's very hurtful to my son. The children I have met who are homeschooled, or unschooled, I find to be very elitist and judgmental other children, my children about attending public school. They have told him his friends are not real friends. This attitude must come from the parents and it seems to go against everything I thought homeschooling was about. They feel superior and let other children know they feel that way. Are you experiencing this and what do you suggest I do about it, it’s very hurtful to my son.

]]> Comment on Hanging Out With Mainstream Moms… Honouring Other People’s Dumb Ideas and Religion?? by Michelle Potter http://www.unschoolradical.org/2008/01/08/hanging-out-with-mainstream-moms-honouring-other-peoples-dumb-ideas-and-religion/#comment-59617 Michelle Potter Thu, 16 Sep 2010 22:14:08 +0000 http://www.unschoolradical.org/2008/01/08/hanging-out-with-mainstream-moms-honouring-other-peoples-dumb-ideas-and-religion/#comment-59617 I think there's a lack of basic respect for other people's parenting choices here. You have the common courtesy to "choose your words carefully," but inwardly you are groaning about how "stupid" other people's ideas are. You speak of "honoring" other families' customs, but only so far as they agree with your philosophy of allowing kids to choose. Really, if people don't agree with you on that, you don't have any respect for them. On some level, I empathize, and even agree with you. You say that if you respected veganism, you'd be a vegan. I agree with that viewpoint; I follow the religion and philosophies that I do because I believe they are right. I can't believe that completely opposite or contradictory viewpoints are also right. But you have to be able to get along with other people, and from your description, you seem to have a hard time getting along with anyone who strays too far from your beliefs. Not just because you refuse to "enforce" other people's rules for their kids (see my opinion on that later), but because of your constant references to how difficult it is "going outside my comfort zone of like minded parents" and your questioning of whether you should ONLY hang out with other athiest radical unschoolers. Frankly, if you can't get along with *most* people, maybe you should consider that you are the one with the problem. As far as enforcing other parents rules, I suppose you do have every right to refuse, so long as you are upfront about it, which you say you are. Personally, believe it or not, if you were watching my kids it wouldn't be an issue. I have taught my kids to self-"police" using JOY: Jesus, Others, Yourself. So if my kids were choosing a TV show at your house, the first thing they would consider is whether Jesus would approve, ie, appropriateness. I have taught my kids that if everyone else wants to watch a show that they know is not appropriate, they are to politely excuse themselves and find something else to do -- that it's rude to ask someone else not to watch a show they like in their own home. Secondly, they should consider others, ie, does this show offend Mrs. Unschool Radical? Are there small children around who would be frightened by this show? Finally, they consider themselves, choosing a show that they like from among all of the choices that are both appropriate and acceptable to those around them. Because of this, you don't really need to worry about what my children are allowed to watch or want to watch -- they'll either happily watch what *you* like, or find something else to do. No problems, unless you can't stand to hang out with people who follow a "stupid" religious precept like putting others before oneself. I think there’s a lack of basic respect for other people’s parenting choices here. You have the common courtesy to “choose your words carefully,” but inwardly you are groaning about how “stupid” other people’s ideas are. You speak of “honoring” other families’ customs, but only so far as they agree with your philosophy of allowing kids to choose. Really, if people don’t agree with you on that, you don’t have any respect for them.

On some level, I empathize, and even agree with you. You say that if you respected veganism, you’d be a vegan. I agree with that viewpoint; I follow the religion and philosophies that I do because I believe they are right. I can’t believe that completely opposite or contradictory viewpoints are also right. But you have to be able to get along with other people, and from your description, you seem to have a hard time getting along with anyone who strays too far from your beliefs. Not just because you refuse to “enforce” other people’s rules for their kids (see my opinion on that later), but because of your constant references to how difficult it is “going outside my comfort zone of like minded parents” and your questioning of whether you should ONLY hang out with other athiest radical unschoolers. Frankly, if you can’t get along with *most* people, maybe you should consider that you are the one with the problem.

As far as enforcing other parents rules, I suppose you do have every right to refuse, so long as you are upfront about it, which you say you are. Personally, believe it or not, if you were watching my kids it wouldn’t be an issue. I have taught my kids to self-”police” using JOY: Jesus, Others, Yourself. So if my kids were choosing a TV show at your house, the first thing they would consider is whether Jesus would approve, ie, appropriateness. I have taught my kids that if everyone else wants to watch a show that they know is not appropriate, they are to politely excuse themselves and find something else to do — that it’s rude to ask someone else not to watch a show they like in their own home. Secondly, they should consider others, ie, does this show offend Mrs. Unschool Radical? Are there small children around who would be frightened by this show? Finally, they consider themselves, choosing a show that they like from among all of the choices that are both appropriate and acceptable to those around them. Because of this, you don’t really need to worry about what my children are allowed to watch or want to watch — they’ll either happily watch what *you* like, or find something else to do. No problems, unless you can’t stand to hang out with people who follow a “stupid” religious precept like putting others before oneself.

]]> Comment on Hanging Out With Mainstream Moms… Honouring Other People’s Dumb Ideas and Religion?? by vicka http://www.unschoolradical.org/2008/01/08/hanging-out-with-mainstream-moms-honouring-other-peoples-dumb-ideas-and-religion/#comment-55335 vicka Sun, 28 Mar 2010 18:58:24 +0000 http://www.unschoolradical.org/2008/01/08/hanging-out-with-mainstream-moms-honouring-other-peoples-dumb-ideas-and-religion/#comment-55335 oh and this is off topic, but you really should learn proper spelling and grammar. i think you have interesting ideas but i have trouble understanding you, and i'm sure so do many others. if you want people to understand and accept you, you may wish to work on your communication skills. best of luck. oh and this is off topic, but you really should learn proper spelling and grammar. i think you have interesting ideas but i have trouble understanding you, and i’m sure so do many others.
if you want people to understand and accept you, you may wish to work on your communication skills.
best of luck.

]]> Comment on Hanging Out With Mainstream Moms… Honouring Other People’s Dumb Ideas and Religion?? by vicka http://www.unschoolradical.org/2008/01/08/hanging-out-with-mainstream-moms-honouring-other-peoples-dumb-ideas-and-religion/#comment-55334 vicka Sun, 28 Mar 2010 18:55:55 +0000 http://www.unschoolradical.org/2008/01/08/hanging-out-with-mainstream-moms-honouring-other-peoples-dumb-ideas-and-religion/#comment-55334 If someone put a gun to my head i'd tell them that your lifestyle in my humble opinion is incredibly stupid. i'd tell them you were brainwashing your kids too. but the truth is, unless someone has a gun to my head i'd never even think about this issue, and i certainly would never try to limit my children's exposure to only those who believe what i believe. what a stupid thing to do for someone who purports to letting her children make their own choices. If someone put a gun to my head i’d tell them that your lifestyle in my humble opinion is incredibly stupid. i’d tell them you were brainwashing your kids too. but the truth is, unless someone has a gun to my head i’d never even think about this issue, and i certainly would never try to limit my children’s exposure to only those who believe what i believe. what a stupid thing to do for someone who purports to letting her children make their own choices.

]]> Comment on Unschooling in Action Moment- Learning to Read and Write by lana wayz http://www.unschoolradical.org/2008/06/12/unschooling-in-action-moment-learning-to-read-and-write/#comment-54115 lana wayz Sun, 21 Feb 2010 04:37:03 +0000 http://www.unschoolradical.org/?p=38#comment-54115 Nice. My 17 month old can use the keyboard to start/stop, forward and rewind videos while he watches them. He also uses left / right arrows to flip through photos while looking at them. Nice. My 17 month old can use the keyboard to start/stop, forward and rewind videos while he watches them. He also uses left / right arrows to flip through photos while looking at them.

]]> Comment on Hanging Out With Mainstream Moms… Honouring Other People’s Dumb Ideas and Religion?? by Dawn http://www.unschoolradical.org/2008/01/08/hanging-out-with-mainstream-moms-honouring-other-peoples-dumb-ideas-and-religion/#comment-51736 Dawn Sat, 12 Dec 2009 23:33:02 +0000 http://www.unschoolradical.org/2008/01/08/hanging-out-with-mainstream-moms-honouring-other-peoples-dumb-ideas-and-religion/#comment-51736 Wow..some of these comments are truly scary. Vegan mom, guess what? You are guaranteed to have a very rebellious teen on your hands. Restricting every little thing your kids put in their bodies is NOT respectful of them as human beings. BTW,a little sugar is not going to kill them or send them on a pathof addiction. No wonder this country is going to hell. My god women, chill the f out. Wow..some of these comments are truly scary. Vegan mom, guess what? You are guaranteed to have a very rebellious teen on your hands. Restricting every little thing your kids put in their bodies is NOT respectful of them as human beings. BTW,a little sugar is not going to kill them or send them on a pathof addiction. No wonder this country is going to hell. My god women, chill the f out.

]]> Comment on Alternative To Sunscreen? by alana http://www.unschoolradical.org/2008/06/25/alternative-to-sunscreen/#comment-8647 alana Sat, 26 Jul 2008 18:10:10 +0000 http://www.unschoolradical.org/?p=46#comment-8647 St. John's wort actually does the exact opposite - it makes your skin MORE sensitive to the effects of sunlight. Those who use products containing St. John's wort are especially cautioned to stay out of the sun and/or use sunblock regularly. Zinc Oxide (and Titanium Dioxide) products are a great choice for you and your family. They work by reflecting away the sun's rays rather than just absorbing them like other sunblock ingredients, and are very effective at blocking both UVA and UVB rays. Keep using these and stay away from St. John's wort! St. John’s wort actually does the exact opposite - it makes your skin MORE sensitive to the effects of sunlight. Those who use products containing St. John’s wort are especially cautioned to stay out of the sun and/or use sunblock regularly.

Zinc Oxide (and Titanium Dioxide) products are a great choice for you and your family. They work by reflecting away the sun’s rays rather than just absorbing them like other sunblock ingredients, and are very effective at blocking both UVA and UVB rays. Keep using these and stay away from St. John’s wort!

]]> Comment on Are Homeschoolers Elitist? by kim http://www.unschoolradical.org/2008/06/29/sort-of-shallow/#comment-8369 kim Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:09:07 +0000 http://www.unschoolradical.org/?p=47#comment-8369 Nice post! I know exactly what you mean. I won't pretend I've never judged anyone before, but I do notice how much more laid back I get about others quirks the more comfortable I am with mine. Nice post! I know exactly what you mean. I won’t pretend I’ve never judged anyone before, but I do notice how much more laid back I get about others quirks the more comfortable I am with mine.

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