This year has been such a great year for personal growth and it’s really shown with my little blog! I made the venture into writing about parenting alongside my usual posts about unschooling and learning experiences. I’ve loved the response from you all as readers and I hope to continue to expand and grow!
I’m also pregnant (due July 2016) for anyone who doesn’t follow my instagram, which has meant less posts while I’ve dealt with nausea! I’m excited for 2016 and publishing some inspiring posts I have in my drafts!
So here’s some highlights from 2015!
#10 – Standardising Childhood
Childhood isn’t a competition. There is no race, and if you want one – count me out.
#9 – A Homeschooling Mum’s Letter to Teachers
Almost every time I write or share something anti-school, I get comments and messages in defense of teachers. This post shares what I want them to know.
#8 – I don’t want to be viewed as a ‘good parent’ by a society that thinks so little of children.
I believe that: If you want children to respect others – you must respect them! If you want children to listen – you must listen to them! If you want children to make good choices – you must let them make choices! If you want children to feel valued – you must show them you value them!
#7 – Why I Don’t Force Manners
Why we don’t force manners in our children as respectful parents and what we do instead.
#6 – Bodily Autonomy
Imagine if you didn’t have a say over when, what or how your body was used. Imagine if it was up to someone else when your hair was cut. Imagine if someone forced you to hug or kiss someone for their own reasons. Imagine if you weren’t allowed to choose your clothing. Imagine if someone forced you to eat when, what and how much they thought was enough.
#5 – What I learned being hit as a child
The common reasoning behind parents using this method is to ‘teach children’. So, as an adult who was hit as a child, I want to let you know what being smacked taught me.
#4 – Why School?
Why 5 years of age? Why 5 days a week? Why 6 hours a day? Why by age? Why all the same subjects for every young child? Why worksheets? Why ‘homework’?
This one was really controversial but it’s very much my view. What is the real point of a predetermined result and expectations with respect to art and creativity? How does this help the creative process and children’s unique abilities and inspiration?
#2 – Turning the tables: questions for school parents
I love some snark. This one was shared a lot and I loved the dialogue it inspired!
#1 – What DO We Do Then?
By far the most popular post of mine in 2015, this was a really personal one I quickly wrote out after someone literally asked me “what DO you do then?!” argumentatively when I said we don’t punish (no smacking, no time outs, no yelling, no removing possessions, etc)
BONUS: Several of my more popular posts scattered through these were from the series I wrote with Sara from Happiness is here about Connected Parenting.
I hope you enjoyed this year reading along with my journey and I look forward to 2016! Have a lovely new year!
Thank you for reading!
You can find us on Facebook and Instagram for more unschooling and parenting inspiration.
As a student, I have also wondered about all of your questions although I have not experienced it yet. Me being a student is tough, especially when you have to get up early in the morning, prepare and go to school for 6-8 hours a day. I have also learned about competition is Everything is not a competition. In every research paper, it was. But I have learned that as long as you did your best, that’s enough and if you feel that you are enough.