On Unschooling

I’ve heard unschooling described recently as “parental neglect.” Is it parental neglect to bond with your child so that you may better understand him as an individual? Is it parental neglect to figure out your child’s interests through constant interaction? Is it parental neglect to facilitate your child’s interests? Is it parental neglect to respect your child’s choices, and be there to help him if the consequences of that choice weren’t quite what he expected? Is it parental neglect to teach your child principles instead of rules? Is it parental neglect to plan activities and play-dates with your child and others, all month long? Is it parental neglect to focus on your child’s needs when they’re having a hard time and experiencing strong emotions? Is it parental neglect to work your ass off being your child’s partner in every meaningful way, from birth until the day you die? Give me a fucking break. And that’s today’s two cents.

Skyler.

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Founder and editor of Everything-Voluntary.com and UnschoolingDads.com, Skyler is a husband and unschooling father of three beautiful children. His writings include the column series “One Voluntaryist’s Perspective” and “One Improved Unit,” and blog series “Two Cents“. Skyler also wrote the books No Hitting! and Toward a Free Society, and edited the books Everything Voluntary and Unschooling Dads. You can hear Skyler chatting away on his podcasts, Everything Voluntary and Thinking & Doing.