Best,
Michael

We are a family that has been traveling the world on an open ended world tour since 2006 and we use quite a variety of ways to educate, but I’d say we are mostly eclectic unschoolers.

We find it an amazing way to learn!

Thanks for the reply. It seems that you all (mis)read my use of the word “structure” as “control”, I did not once imply that in any of my posts (quite the opposite in fact). In fact, I am beginning to wonder if any of you were able to read past the “lazy” comment. I do like your use of the word routine, though I did purposefully avoid using it. The word “routine” is far more like “control” and speaks to a restrictive and far more dictated type of process. I think we are speaking the same language with regards to routine, though from your interview the only routine you seemed to speak of is the staunch refusal to have one. I also was very clear that I support your right to teach your children as you see fit, regardless of how crazy it may be perceived. I remain steadfast in my belief that the “granola” is disruptive to wider adoption of a homeschooling (or unschooling) mindset and that you could be far more effective in communicating your views with a slightly modified approach that doesn’t make you sound like an angry rebel shaking your collective fists at a system that few consider broken.

As far as being in your shoes, unfortunately my children have never been subjected to traditional schooling so I am unable to understand some of the emotions and perspectives that likely have colored your experience. In my researching “unschooling” there seems a common denominator that most proponents have a background littered with “schooling” baggage. Held in that light I can understand some of the vitriol driving the discourse, perhaps that emotion is what I am misreading as anarchy (though I wasn’t speaking directly of you when I said that, more of the unschooling movement as a whole). Most “unschoolers” I have read seem like they have never really moved past the bad schooling experiences and are determined to hold on to that negative experience and wear it like some weird badge of … well I don’t know what, but it doesn’t strike me as emotionally healthy. “My child is a first grade drop-out”. Who says that with any measure of pride? None of my kids were ever in the first grade because we have never cared enough about what first grade meant to try and box any of them into that mold. That, in my mind, is the big difference between homeschooling and unschooling and why I find the association between to the two somewhat offensive.

I doubt you would find a family more “anti-establishment” than ours, but there is something to be said for keeping the crazy at home and presenting a moderated front when trying to position radical ideas. Any “venom” you may have misperceived in my comments was directed squarely at the casual, flippant and irresponsible presentation of “unschooling” in what was titled a “homeschooling” article, not the way you have chosen to educate your child. You and your family sound well on your way to a level of personal fulfillment that few other families will enjoy, or can even comprehend. As I stated previously, I wish you success in achieving your goals and hope that perhaps my words will come to mind the next time you are telling someone about your “average Saturday” experience.