First my Tiger Mom moment: The day after pulling my son from the lacrosse league, I acquired a piano and then remembered that I have a violin under my bed. I've become a Tiger Mom with a "No sports, and piano and violin lessons only." It's all a total coincidence!
The piano was a complete fluke. A friend posted on Facebook that her piano was up for grabs and I got it. I've thought about having one but didn't think it would materialize. It needs a tune up and I can't possibly afford lessons, but at least it will be visible and spark some interest. I'll find a "how to play" book at the library in the interim.
And then there's my dream of all of us playing the violin. I played the viola when I was a kid. I sold it after college. My brother-in-law gave me his violin a few years ago. I practiced a little but now with two children it's not a priority. I know how hard it is to practice everyday and I didn't even take lessons until 6th grade, so I'm not putting any pressure on the boys to start yet. We'll get there.
What’s all this about Unschooling? I’m becoming obsessed with it ever since Dayna Martin, the Unschooler, was filmed for an Oprah show at the Children’s Museum. The Unschooler doesn’t have to put up with structure and schedules and feeding and studying and practice. The whole no-school thing aside, imagine not having to get the kids ready in the morning and out the door at a certain time, dressed, fed, and prepared for the day. What a treat! We can all stay in our pajamas all day. If they want to read, they’ll pick up a book. If they’re hungry, they’ll eat. Well, the truth is, mine do sometimes stay in their pajamas all day and I do let them eat whatever they want. But that’s because I only have food that’s good to eat. The less I monitor their diet, the more self sufficient they’re becoming, I hope. I’m pretty sure that’s an Unschooler belief as well. But I don’t let them do their own grocery shopping, as the famous Unschooling mom does.
But what really hit close to home with the Unschooler was her latest blog about Freedom of Speech. There’s a picture of her kids giving the photographer the finger. Here at my house we’ve had a onslaught of the f-bomb. I’m not sure what’s going on in Primo’s life but he seems to be needing attention. And Secondo will copy anything he does. So on any given day I’ve had both of them swearing at me. My first thought is to instill the fear of god in them with my loudest yell/threat/evil eye ever, Tiger Mom style, but my rational mind says to ignore it and let it pass which is close to the Unschooler “school of thought.” I know he knows it’s wrong to use those words so I’m hoping he’ll figure it out on his own, lest he find a button and continue to drive me insane. Plus, I swear on occasion. For which I usually apologize and acknowledge that it’s socially unacceptable, hoping they’ll catch on.
So yeah, I suppose there’s a little Unschooler in me too. From the hours of 4 - 6pm only and sometimes on weekends. And snow days. And I’m looking forward to Unschooling during our summer vacation. As for the Tiger Mom approach of reacting however one feels, I reserve the right to yell in the 15 minute time slot from 8:45am-9:00am if we haven’t made it out of the house to get to school on time, and again from 3:30-3:45pm if they come home from school and all hell breaks loose. Other than that, no more than once a month during a brief period of irritability, for which I do my best to warn everyone.
