How Unschooling is like Breastfeeding

[NorahsMom]

I really like your comparison a lot. But I still think there is room for curriculum in an analogy like this. After all, our bodies don't produce breast milk from nothing. We have to carefully select the foods we put into our bodies to produce the healthiest milk for our babies. In much the same way, we use our intimate knowledge of our children to carefully select learning materials that will produce the best educational (and other) results for our children.

But seriously, a great comparison and a great article!

[MDever]

Originally Posted by HippieMomof5 Awesome comparison! I agree wholeheartedly! *Sent from my Droid using DS Forum*

[syfitz]

I liked it Though I do see why they rejected it. The metaphor was a bit harsh. Referring to formula as something that doesn't nourish but just keeps a baby from dying, and talking about curriculum as something that at least "won't kill them" is going to be offensive to some readers. I think it takes away from your overall message. It may have been better to not be so terribly negative about formula/curriculum and just more focused on the positives of unschooling/breastfeeding. The last couple of paragraphs are really beautiful.

[mommyshanti]

like your blog

[lj2blessed]

Loved it! And I shared with friends!

[Vivhop98]

Originally Posted by syfitz I liked it Though I do see why they rejected it. The metaphor was a bit harsh. Referring to formula as something that doesn't nourish but just keeps a baby from dying, and talking about curriculum as something that at least "won't kill them" is going to be offensive to some readers. I think it takes away from your overall message. It may have been better to not be so terribly negative about formula/curriculum and just more focused on the positives of unschooling/breastfeeding. The last couple of paragraphs are really beautiful.

I completely agree with this. Although I think the article is beautifully written and I do see the metaphor, as someone who has breastfed two babies and formula fed one baby we adopted, I think it seems harsh for those of us who did the best we could with what we have. I think my dd was nourished beyond just short from dying.

[mamaspice]

Well said, Mama. I absolutely support the use of texts and premade materials as tools and timesavers. But you have to keep your brain in gear and be responsive to the child and their needs. Glad you posted this.

Eta: Yes, I can see how this might be off-putting to a ffing mom. My kudos is more towards your point in general about education, which I think is spot on. I would consider rewriting another article for this site without the bf/ff metaphor, but exploring the use of premade curricula and materials in homeschooling because it is a message that needs to be heard.

[jen_batten]

I am not an unschooler, but I loved this article. I have toyed with the idea of unschooling, but so far have not been able to release myself from the "what ifs" and "kids are supposed to learn x at z age" frame of thinking. I did really, really enjoy your article though, and it will definetly make me dig deeper as far as goals for my children--our homeschooling goals, and our relationship goals.

[ACSNMama]

Originally Posted by NorahsMom I really like your comparison a lot. But I still think there is room for curriculum in an analogy like this. After all, our bodies don't produce breast milk from nothing. We have to carefully select the foods we put into our bodies to produce the healthiest milk for our babies. In much the same way, we use our intimate knowledge of our children to carefully select learning materials that will produce the best educational (and other) results for our children. But seriously, a great comparison and a great article!

I agree with this!

[mommagruber]

Really enjoyed this read! Even 4 years into homeschooling my 5 kiddos I still doubt myself often. Needed to hear this article today! Thanks!