the long run

In this land of plenty we have 17 types of salsa on the supermarket shelf. And our family has seven schooling/unschooling/freeschooling options to pick from. Literally. On certain days I feel caught between a rock and a hard place in this schooling culture (virtually all the other kids trucked to confinement zones at the edge of Indianola or beyond) and wonder if it's just a question of time before I throw in the towel and start packing them a bag lunch in the mornings and take a day job.

Here's a different sort of story. On Friday morning we were down on the shore and Satya suggested we go canoeing, right along the shore. Kids walked home for paddles, lifejackets, net. I put canoe in water. While loading up I find out he said 'right along the shore' because they think to go without Papa, and staying close to shore is their version of danger mitigation. No way, I say, no way is Tara going if i'm not. So we all get in, with Satya and Violet paddling in the stern and bow, with me and Tara as passengers in the middle. Until this time, I've paddled in the stern with Satya in the bow. After a rough start and few minutes of difficulty handling the boat, and significant frustration (cranky whining?) on Satya's part, i've done all i can (and failed) to encourage the two paddlers to cooperate. Tara and I opt out. I grouchily paddle us to shore and, with Tara, I climb out: "If you go too far out and drift to Tacoma, there's nothing i can do to help you." Five minutes later Satya and Violet have figured out how to manage the boat, and are paddling between the dock piers catching crabs in the net. Nice lunch, and, for me, a nice lesson in getting out of the way. Chalk one up for unschooling.

Seven options. What should their upbringing look like? Gourmet or fair-trade? Mild or spicy? Imported? Organic? Homemade?

posted by Ajay

By the way, do you agree or disagree?: The #1 reason most kids are in school is to allow adults (other than those working in schools) to get on with their work. In other words segregation/containment, not education.