The Organized Unschooler

or,  “The Closet Unschooler” 

I had a friend good-naturedly tease me that “organized unschooler” was an oxymoron.  And, I agree, at first blush, it may seem so.  In fact, it seemed like enough of a contradiction to me, in the past, that I was afraid/cautious about mentioning any of my organizational tendencies when in groups of unschoolers.  “If they knew I made spreadsheets and organize projects for my kids, they won’t think I’m a ‘real’ unschooler.”

Now, I’m not normally the kind of person who gives two shakes of a monkey tail about what someone else thinks about me, but, I REALLY liked this unschooling community that I had found and I did not want to alienate any of them — so, I proceeded with caution.  Ironically, the deeper my family got into the world of unschooling (i.e., whole life unschooling/respectful parenting/etc.), the more comfortable I became at being true to myself — the self that didn’t worry about what I thought other people were thinking about me.

I KNEW that we were unschoolers.  I never forced any of my ideas on my children.  I would tell them about my ideas, ask if they were interested, if yes – great, we did the activity, if no – great, we did something else.  I am respectful of my children’s choices.  I follow their lead with regard to learning (& most things in life).  I am an “unschooler.”

This was part of my motivation for creating this blog — to help other “I-Just-Have-To-Organize” unschooling parents realize that they are not alone and to help them be proud of working toward meeting their own needs as well as their children’s needs.  One awesome unschooling mom told me (after seeing this blog) that this was like unschooling’s “dirty little secrect.”  LOL!  I loved that.  Hopefully, working together, we can change that.  There isn’t anything wrong or dirty about giving yourself the organization you need.  One mom told me that she knew others wouldn’t think she was an unschooler because her daughter takes classes.  “Are you forcing her to go to the classes?”  I asked.  “Oh, no!” the mom replied. “She loves the classes.  It’s her choice.”   VOILA!!!   The core of unschooling!! 

I have “learning” stuff all over the walls of my house (in addition to the 5 million pictures that my children create & randomly tape up all over the place).  Does this make me “not” an unschooler?  Well, I don’t ever force my children to sit down & look at the posters/pictures/etc.  We don’t have “lessons” or lectures about them.  They are there for my children to look at whenever (& if ever) they want to — which turns out to be quite often (like me, they are very visual).  One unschooling mom visiting my house once told me that my home looked very “schooly” because of all the posters and books everywhere.  Here I just thought it looked messy.

Are there people out there in the unschooling community who would say that I’m not a “real” unschooler?  Sure.  Just as there are, I’m sure, folks out there who would say that I’m not a “real” girl because I don’t like shoes and I absolutely detest shopping.

My point is:  Don’t talk yourself or shame yourself out of the unschooler title because of what you think others might think.  You KNOW that you don’t force your ideas on your children.  You KNOW you are respecting their choices.  You are being courageous and honest enough to give both you and your children what you need.  Hold your head high and be proud.  Organized Unschoolers are REAL!!