Critical Comments: Unschool Bits and Pieces

Dealing With Unschooling Critics

I know your heart is in the right place. You’re full of love. I can see that. But is that enough? Frankly, my dear, I’m worried. I’m not saying this lightly. I’m not the kind of person who likes to interfere. Everyone knows that. However…. don’t you think you’re putting your kids at risk? They need discipline. Rules. Limits.

The other day, I discovered these words in my notebook and for a moment, I wondered who’d said them. And then I remembered. A few weeks ago, my pretend friend Amina came over for coffee. “Sue, you won’t believe what my neighbour just said to me!” and then she repeated the above words. Later, I wrote them down.

Amina wanted some suggestions on how to respond to critical comments. “Some of my friends and family just don’t understand what we’re doing. They think unschooling is irresponsible. They’re worried that my kids are going to become wild and out of control. They think they’re not going to learn much. How do I respond? I’d like to keep everyone onside, maybe open up a positive discussion. Or is it a waste of time trying to do that? Should I just smile politely and refuse to engage?”

So what did I say to Amina? I shared some ideas that can be found in episode 65 of my podcast, Dealing With Our Fears and the Critical Comments of Other People.

I also gave her the link to an article by unschooler Sue Patterson: Dealing With Naysayers.

And I said I’d ask you for your suggestions. So how do you deal with the critical comments of other people? I’d love to hear!

Focusing on the Right Things

Sometimes we get so concerned about what our kids don’t know that we fail to see what they do know. For example, we immediately notice all our kids’ spelling mistakes, but we fail to appreciate the stories they are writing. When we focus on the wrong things, our kids get discouraged and want to give up.

There are times when I focus on the wrong things in my own life. Seven years ago, when I was trying to become a 5 K runner, I got discouraged in the early weeks when I couldn’t keep up with the training program I was following. I felt like giving up until my husband Andy said, ” “Sue, two and a half weeks ago, you weren’t running any distance. You weren’t even sure you could run. Now you’re running almost all the way around the playing fields in one go. Don’t focus on what you can’t do at the moment. Think about what you can do!”

Andy was right. I didn’t give up. I eventually ran 5 K non-stop and even further. And I’m still running!

The other day, I was feeling very discouraged about my unschooling book. I’d hoped to finish it months ago, but it’s taking me a long time to turn some of my podcast stories into written ones in my odd moments of free time. Sometimes I feel like giving up. Delete the file and be free of it. But I don’t really want to do that. So instead of focusing on what I still have left to write, I’m looking at what I have already written. I’m feeling excited about those stories. I can imagine them in my book. They encourage me to keep writing.

Passionate About High School Maths

The other evening, I watched an episode of Australian Story called Channelling Mr Woo. It was about Eddie Woo, an Australian high school maths teacher:

From a humble migrant background to internet stardom, maths teacher Eddie Woo is changing lives by providing free maths lessons worldwide on his Wootube site.

Eddie Woo could have been a doctor or a lawyer. He could have chosen a well-paying high-status career but instead, he chose to be a teacher.

I love this story because Eddie Woo followed his passion and didn’t take the safe and secure and expected path. He is a caring and compassionate teacher who is interested in his students. He recognises that a lot of kids don’t like maths because they fail to understand it. His mission is to teach maths in such a way that kids do understand it. His engaging teaching style has changed lives.

A few years ago, Eddie Woo started recording videos of his lessons for a student who was absent from class because of a serious illness. Those videos were shared and appreciated and now Eddie Woo has his own very popular maths Youtube channel: Eddie Woo. You could watch this very short video to see what it’s all about:

If you or your kids would like to understand high school maths better and appreciate its beauty and relevance, perhaps you’d like to watch some of Eddie Woo’s videos or visit his website Wootube

Of course, not all unschoolers want to study maths in a formal way. But if you like maths, or if you have to do a course before applying to university, maybe Eddie Woo will help you. It’s always good to learn from someone who is passionate about his subject!

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An Unschooler’s Picture Book Publishing Company

Recently, I received this comment from Sam Cabbage:

I have been unschooling our house full of kids for almost 2 decades. I now have realized that those years spent reading books and playing outside, have actually given me the talents that I can now use to give the world the things I love most. books! I am launching a publishing company for picture books… 

Rumtum the Sailor is about a father who is determined against all odds, to keep his promise and be home in time for supper.

 Charlie and the Hot Air Balloon is about an orphan who is trying to build a hot air balloon in order to go visit his mother “in the stars”.

Why not check out Sam’s website, A Belletristic Wander?

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