The Best I can do...

The best I can do is give my teens as much information and resources I can on any topic and then be unconditionally available without judgment. I try to choose positive intent with my kids first. There are so many fears in this world regarding sex, alcohol, drugs, etc. At some point, I have to let it be their experience knowing I did my very best to prepare them. Control, forcing, or forbidding is not part of respectful parenting...period.

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IT TAKES A VILLAGE…to do chores :)

♥ Marcus loves cleaning out the fridge lol ♥

IT TAKES A VILLAGE…to do chores :)

Have you ever had one of those ah ha days? You know the ones were you have attracted that magical person that made your world make sense? I had that day today and it brought tears to my eyes as I acknowledged that I am a good mom…and my kids do chores ♥ I have always felt I didn’t quite measure up when it came to the Radical Unschooling (RU) communities or groups. Many unschooling families do not believe in “forcing” their children to do chores, because, yes, unschooling is about freedom in learning. So we have been kind of closet chore doers haha.

I have a habit of comparing myself to other unschoolers, I guess to see if I am “doing it right.” I often forget that the journey is very different for every family on the path of unschooling. I tend to pick my favorite gurus on the subject and try to do it their way; even if that means they have less kids and a WAHDaddy.

Today I heard from a RU mom of 5 with a dad that works outside the home. She wrote me and just made my day by giving me little tid bits on how her kiddos do chores. It is funny to me how many families on this path feel it must be an all or nothing journey to Radical Unschooling. Yes there is the whole philosophy behind the right or wrong way to RU but seriously isn’t putting *rules* on RU a little hypocritical?

           

Yes, we do chores. I like the way my friend described her perspective, “I feel that we are a village and in a village we all have our rolls to make our lives be in a comfortable happy spot for everyone involved.” I think it takes a lot of communication and trying to meet everyone’s needs. Some are better or enjoy some chores better than others. Brian (14) does really well with the baby and Brianna does well with laundry. There are days I pray no one shows up and other days I wish someone would stop by and see my house can be clean ;) It is a total roller coaster we have our good weeks and weeks…well...you know. We continue to adjust how we keep up on the house while still meeting everyone's needs and keeping clear of forcing and coercion. 

I would love to hear your input…not that I would agree ;) but it is nice to hear where other families are on the unschooling paths…especially ones with larger families that daddies that are working outside of the home…I am always looking for more gentle ways to deal with the everyday stuff.

Much Peace & Love,

            Jen ♥


*Unschooling Notes:Chores *Occupational education

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♥ Finding Treasures ♥

I found this little treasure that Brianna and I did a while back. I love doing these kind of projects with my kids. These kind of opportunities always end in remarkable conversations that we are able to build on. I remember while doing this we had a very serious conversation about the law of attraction and Christianity. The conversation honestly changed my life and I found myself on a spiritual path with my daughter in search of answers. Brianna's childlike perspective on God reconnected me with my faith something I always think I knew...God IS love - period . I think in my upbringing I learned to fear God and that is not something I wanted for my children. Brianna shed light on a concept of truth. The things I have learned from the innocents of my children have been priceless.

Respectful/Attraction Parenting ~ Still Growing

As I apply more and more principles or tools of LoA to my life I have attracted some of the most affective tools for my relationships…especially with my children and husband. I have found that most tools I have discovered to help me be a better mamma have served me in being a better wife as well. Some awesome LoA or Attraction Parenting sites I have found that have been awesome are Law of Attraction Parenting (http://www.law-of-attraction-parenting.com/ ) Kids Awakening(http://www.kidsawakening.com/blog/)                                                                                            Attraction for Kids (http://www.squidoo.com/lawofattractionforkids ). But I have to say my favorite is my latest one introduced to me by my friend called Enjoyparenting.com (http://www.enjoyparenting.com/attraction-parenting ) this is attraction parenting with Scott Noelle. Scott Noelle’s articles and daily expressions have been the most helpful and inspiring and I encourage anyone wanting a better relationship with their kiddos to check him out. He is actually an Attraction Parenting Coach and I think he is awesome.


I am also reading a book right now called Respectful Parents, Respectful Kids that is based on the teaching of Nonviolent Communication and has been awesome thus far with exercises, games, and feeling charts… the works.

Parenting is a forever Journey...I love every step of it.

Peace & Love,
Jen