Play and (Don’t) Walk Away

Written by Nicole Olson for Unschoolers.org.

Back in my mainstream days, I was an avid fan of the nanny shows. There were several on at the time, and they all boasted the same thing – that by using their techniques even the most wild of children could be tamed, that houses filled with chaos and bad behavior could be transformed into “Leave it to Beaver” abodes filled with calm, smiling parents, respectful, obedient children, and nothing but smooth sailing ahead.

Three years into unschooling, I find so much wrong with those nanny shows that I think it’s best for both of us if I don’t even get started.

But there is one technique I learned from the nannies that is disturbingly echoed in another television show – and this show is targeted at our children. The show is called Max and Ruby, and the technique is known as “play and walk away.”
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