Letter of Intent is in the mail!

Today marks the end of one educational adventure and the "beginning" of one that is not exactly new to us. My oldest daughter has been attending an alternative school part-time all year. Today is her last day. While there are some things we will certainly miss (the people) there are several reasons we are very excited to be unschooling again. The most important reason, in my eyes, is that we will, once again, have the freedom to do exactly as we wish on a daily basis. We can be more spontaneous with our days or hang out at home and hunker down on a cold winter morning instead of having to brave single-digit temps to make it across town to school.

So I'm spending my evenings reading lots of past issues of Life Learning and Growing Without Schooling and reading about other ways to live more simply and more mindfully (more about that later!). I'm learning to navigate my new community and have stayed in touch with my past community of homeschool families. I'm excited for what lies ahead and the girls (and Dave!) seem to be too! One thing is certain... we can only move forward.

Comments

[so NOT cool]

I have been unschooling for ten years now. I don't regret one moment of it. There are times when I'll have a momentary fear ("Did I do the right thing?"), but that is quickly shushed by the fact that I KNOW I did the right thing. If my daughter had attended public school, or even been routinely homeschooled, she would not be the individual that she is now.

Good for you, all of you!!

[mo]

Congratulations!
it does deserve one right
i think your kids have received the best learning sources they could have. I know you guys and you are just amazing.

:D
i cant be more excited or happier for your children.

x

[robertogreco]

Yes, good for you all. It's nice to have options. And here's some votes for unschooling, freedom, spontaneity, and simplicity – not to mention the here, the now, slowness, singletasking, idleness, and going with the flow (natural, not societal).

[jean]

well, i consider their experiences at school this year to be part of their unschooling. and they're still following their paths, even if that means walking out the school door. ah, that feels better, yes?

[amy j]

we just made the decision to begin homeschooling 2 of our children, and I've really started reading up on unschooling. It's so liberating, and EXCITING to think of all the ways my children can learn buy actually doing and seeing.

[bizzymommy]

it sounds like you made the best choice for you and your family! cheers to you! and well wishes! we will also be starting to home school / unschool this fall with kindergarten ... i'm nervous and excited at the same time. as our extended family thinks we are making the wrong choice!"C'est la vie" right?

[sarah]

it's all about the journey...who knows what tomorrow may bring.

i like that you added that their experience in the school this last year is part of their unschooling journey and choosing of their own path.

the freedom is so incredible.

[i haven't been to many blogs lately, so perhaps you've had 'the penderwicks' on your book list for some time....but have you finished it? we started it this summer and have unfortunatly misplaced it. we were loving it!obviously i need to go on a book hunt around here. in the mean time we started 'the secret order of the gumm street girls'...so far so good :) reminds me a bit of the l.s. series of unfortunate events...but we aren't too far into it yet]

[ladynoble]

your photography is beautiful...

[Tara]

Congrats on your choice to unschool. It is certainly liberating. Continue having fun!!

[Lori]

there is nothing like that freedom from schedule .. winter mornings at home with no need to go out! bliss!

[gardenmama]

Sounds pretty fantastic to me!
Congratulations : )