Absolutely! I've never been prouder of a choice I've made then the one to keep my children out of the indoctrination station of the public fool system. Well mostly. My daughter was there until her first couple months of third grade, my son for two months of kindergarten. At which point they sent me a letter telling me they wanted to classify my son as adhd, and when I met with his teacher she insinuated medication was in order. It truly makes me ill that they do this to children, put them on controlled substances, amphetamines. And even if I were to believe in something like adhd, it would have been a horrible misdiagnosis for my son. In reality they only had ten minutes of recess per day and a thirty minute lunch period, with gym two to three days a week, it was a full day of school, and he was five. I'm more concerned about the kids that didn't have a problem with sitting at a desk for hours on end without much in the way of stretching their legs. Plus you would think the fact that I had gotten an exemption for vaccinations would have clued them in to me not being receptive to medication.
As a result I have two teenagers who are way ahead of the curve in everything, and the most physically healthy individuals I've ever known.
A very nice moment occurred the other night. I took my seventeen year old daughter to a bistro to watch my brother's show (he's a musician) and one of our friends started telling Zoe that she might not realize it now, but she's really lucky to have us as parents and that she should listen to our wisdom. Zoe replied, "Of course I know how lucky I am, and there isn't anyone I would trust more then them in regards to any subject. Ethan feels the same."
The friend who made the statement looked at me like I was supernatural, haha, and another friend chimed in "Wow, when I have children I know who to come to for advice."
It's simple. I was honored to be the vessel to bring these fantastic spirits into this realm, to be tasked with their care and guidance. But I don't own them, they belong to themselves. For instance when we stopped eating meat, my son chose to follow that path, my daughter did not. And that's entirely up to her. I personally find college an expensive form of further indoctrination, but should she decide to go, also up to her. I think corporations like Walmart are bad, but she will not find judgment from me if she should work there. I imagine you get the picture :)
Oh yes @dreemit, I knew we were kindred spirits from the beginning!!! There is nothing more important than holding space for a new generation of empowered, inspired, insightful, competent, capable, responsible, genius, honorable, free beings. Your story is just like mine and I'm so glad to have found you. Knowing there are others out there who honor the divinity in children helps me believe there is hope!!
I once told my unschooled daughter (who chose to go to and immerse herself fully in school and church from 7th-9th grades, and then unimmersed herself even more quickly) that unschoolers were going to change the world. She replied "Mom, it is you who is changing the world. You took your most precious beings, your children, and followed your heart. Even against the grain of society and everything you have believed to be true, you went out on a limb and gave us a chance." My kids are also exceptional human beings. To know the truth about their existence is truly a blessing.
It seems we have much to share. I'm indeed honored to know you. <3 <3 <3
Oh wow, that's just awesome! Your daughter's statement really hits home for me. I was brought up in a strict Christian house, my parents were both RN's and my dad was an administrator for the state, basically my life consisted of every form of indoctrination. Church doctrine was the most difficult one to get out from under, having been taught Jesus is the only ticket to heaven and all other roads lead to hell" from the time I could think. It might have been easier to break if my parents had been awful people, but they weren't. They just didn't know better or consider an alternative. I love them very much, and one major thing I will say for them is that they have learned to accept and support me despite our differences, because their love is genuine.
I thought that my kids might try the church route, since they are very close to their grandparents and I wouldn't have stopped them. They did go to a church youth group type thing for awhile with my parents friends grandchildren, but they would both come home shaking their heads at how narrow the viewpoint of 'these people' are, lol.
It gives me the same hope to hear your story! I couldn't have said it better, 'honoring their divinity and knowing the truth about their existence'. The fact that our results are so similar, with our children recognizing these things, is such a great added confirmation.
Also my kids' friends love being here. Every one of them is amazed in the beginning at the level of trust we extend Zoe and Ethan, how much freedom they have to make their own decisions, and especially how open and easy the communication is. "Question everything" is the motto of our household, and because of this and frequent discussions, every decision they make is never forced but always informed. I am also honored to know you, and would love to hear more :) xxxooo
Actually, if you don't know Linda ( @canadian-coconut) she is also on the same path with her kids. Steemit in general has introduced me to so many like-minded people, no matter the issues the platform may have I will always be grateful that I came here.
My son steered clear of the school and church route, and even the college route for many years. Now he has taken college to help ignite his new piloting passion, and has used it to his benefit, without going in debt or compromising his ideals.
My daughter got sooooo involved with church I just wanted to throw up everyday. At least 5 days a week she was doing something with the youthgroup, going on mission trips, Jesus camps, bible studies and lots of play dates. She got so immersed and came out of her own accord more empowered, aware and competent than anything I could have ever taught her. She has an incredible life of her choosing and is grateful everyday for her choice to be free.
I do know of @canadian-coconut. I don't seem to get around Steemit as much as I'd like. Keeping up with the Collaborative Art Journey, the @gardenofeden and my close peeps here, and joining in the community building initiatives has been rewarding enough. I'd like to spend more time with you both, however, so will make more of a point to reach out your way. I think I'll send you a message on SteemitChat to throw around a bit of possibility with you. So grateful for our connection! <3
That's actually great to hear about your son. I've been playing with the idea that since they have made it so difficult not to be a part of the system, as long as you're aware of what it is, you may as well as use certain aspects of it. Staying out of debt slavery is important, beyond that? I went as far as I could, threw out my driver's license (all of my documents) at one point even, but found that while I could get along perfectly fine without these things, it would be incredibly limiting for my kids. So I play the game when I absolutely have to, knowing that's what it is. And hoping one day enough people will recognize it, they'll stop being a part of a script someone else wrote and start writing their own :)
That church thing, it's very cult like isn't it? It's so strange to look back on it now and realize that's what I was a part of, particularly since they are the first to call anything outside of whatever doctrines they're subscribing to a cult. And I feel a kinship with your daughter, because once I broke free of it, empowered might not even be a strong enough word. Though this was something that had tentacles in every aspect of my life from infancy until my twenties. To be honest, when I initially forced myself to say, out loud, that I no longer believed, my world tilted on its axis. It was so critical to my foundation that I had to build a new one, fortunately I had something salvageable to start with, love, and then I realized that's all I needed it to be. Just not the love of some grey beard in the sky and his sinless son, but the love that comes from within.
I understand, keeping up with the connections I've already made here does make it difficult to branch out even more. I would love to hear your possibility! Big, big hugs to you my beautiful friend!
My son didn't go to college when all of his friends did. He waited until his mid-twenties to go when he actually decided for himself that it was a path that would benefit him. It's difficult to be a pilot without certification, though even that used to be the norm years and years back. Taking advantage of those parts we agree with could hold some great value, it is mostly a matter of opting out of those things we do not so we can create something new and more life-giving to all. I too hope that people will be brave enough one day to stand up and be heard--even listening to themselves would start the ball rolling!
My daughter had a big up on you as she was not indoctrinated from birth and her whole life only wrapped around it when she herself chose it to be. She wasn't immersed at home in that culture and we lived another perspective which always gave her a way out. I can't even imagine living the religious life--gratefully we all get to make our own choices at some point in life. Good for you for finding your way out, upgrading your perspective and opening to infinite possibilities.
Receiving those big, big hugs with great joy and sending them back to you a bazillion fold. So blessed are we! <3