Healing the child within

IThrough just a few unschooling experiences I am seeing how the way my husband and I were raised affects our choices and reactions today. We all know this but I feel more aware now as we make conscious efforts to drastically change the way we interact with our children. Doing better helps heal those pains we live with. The ones we have pushed so far down that we didn't remember they were even there. I struggle with my codependency and general people pleasing that comes from my less than ideal childhood. At 28 years old I am still fighting that idea that we must completely "obey" our parents no matter what. As I said, I like to please and I see how my children like to please. It's natural to want to please the people we love. Unfortunately sometimes even parents make mistakes and make choices that aren't in a child's best interest. Why don't I feel confident enough to speak up when something isn't in my best interest?? This helps me realize yet again why I have taken this journey. I know my children know what they need even better than I do sometimes and I want them to feel confident as children, and someday as adults, to express those needs and desires. 

May we all strive to listen more and stop thinking that our role as parents is to be know-it-all dictators. 

Derek, napping in a raft floating in our pool

Letting go of control

Normally when the girls want to paint nails I cringe. I most definitely never want them to paint my nails (my skin) because of the mess. Last night I let go of my controlling ways and let the girls have at it! They had so much fun and even massaged my legs with coconut oil & hot towels. Today I'm opening a new bank account and rockin' my less than perfect nails, which makes them perfect. :) anyone else learning to just let it go?

Adventures in unschooling

Maya & Chloe voluntarily playing together....without fighting.....amazing!

As I searched for a new school for my children, I couldn't deny the sinking feeling I had. A classical education of traditional school two days a week and homeschooling 3 days just wasn't right. I certainly won't ever send my kids to school 5 days a week again. I may post more about my reasons behind that at another time. 

As I investigated homeschooling online I came across a term I was unfamiliar with: unschooling. This was it! The answer to my prayers and the reason for my bad feeling about school. I knew that the idea did seem radical compared to what I was "taught" about how school should look. I prayed and trusted that if it was right, my husband would be on board-and he was! 

So I bought Sandra Dodd's book and began reading and experimenting. We are just a few days in and I've seen amazing results along with some challenges (mostly on myself & my husband's part). I hope I can share my experience to help others and hopefully get some helpful feedback as well!

Here goes!!!

Check out this book on the iBookstore: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/big-book-of-unschooling/id441277658?mt=11

Calofornia girl in Florida!

After 2 years in Kentucky and one new born baby boy, we have moved to Florida! So long snow! Hello beach! Kentucky taught me that I can live someplace other than my home state. We are happily in Florida now; who knows where we will be in another two years!!