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Mary G
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| Posted: April 03 2008 at 9:11am | IP Logged
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... ok, confession time --
There are some mornings when I'm all set to start school and the three littles are playing something together -- y'know the kind of play where they're using creativity, building things, role-playing, and just playing nice -- and I just don't have the heart to stop them. This is one of those mornings (which is why I'm able to post so much this a.m.   ) and it just makes me feel good ...
Does anyone else do this -- throw out the morning (maybe the whole day's plans) to just let them "play"?
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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Ruth
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| Posted: April 03 2008 at 9:15am | IP Logged
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I just posted the same thing a minute ago. They're still painting! I can't wait to post the pictures.
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Ruth
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Maryan
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| Posted: April 03 2008 at 9:20am | IP Logged
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Yep. And it's very easy for me to do this guilt-free... my oldest boy is only 6.
I'm of the opinion that as long as I don't turn on the TV -- sheer boredom will cause my children to learn/create something.
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Maryan
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: April 03 2008 at 9:43am | IP Logged
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ALL THE TIME! But, again mine are 7 and under, like Maryan's.
It's wonderful! But, I admit, there are times when I feel like we "should be doing something."
But, MOST of the time, I feel like it's right. If we're going to be spending 24/7 together for basically the next 20 years.....I better let them LOVE to BE and PLAY with each other from the get-go.
This is where some of the unschooling things I've read and people I've talked to have come in handy
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Suzanne in ID
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PDyer
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| Posted: April 03 2008 at 10:40am | IP Logged
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My daughter played in her sand box and rode her two-wheeler this morning while I exercised to a video. Win/win!
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Leslie
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| Posted: April 03 2008 at 11:16am | IP Logged
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Yes! It is so nice to be reassured I am not alone :)
My children are still very young (6, 4 and 2). I keep finding when I get myself (and my fear) out of the way, they come up with amazing fun and discoveries on their own (stories acted out in play, homemade books, aerobic dancing to Wee Sing CD's). Although, right at this VERY moment it has evolved into a game of tag through the whole house. Time for a little redirection :)
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Leslie
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CandaceC
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| Posted: April 03 2008 at 11:17am | IP Logged
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Oh yes! When my children are playing nicely, getting along and doing something fun together...I have a VERY hard time making them stop for school. Usually I don't in that case.
However, I will say that them playing nicely and getting along is not that often. 
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Candace - wife to David since 2000...mommy to Hannah (Feb. 2002), Emily (April 2003) and Caleb (March 2005)
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Matilda
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| Posted: April 03 2008 at 11:39am | IP Logged
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Mary G wrote:
Does anyone else do this -- throw out the morning (maybe the whole day's plans) to just let them "play"? |
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Oh yeah!! Way too often, that's why we are going to be year rounders this year! Why is it they are all so friendly and playful first thing in the morning? What is it about the afternoon hours that make them the "howling hours"?
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Charlotte (Matilda)
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joann10
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| Posted: April 03 2008 at 11:53am | IP Logged
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Matilda wrote:
| that's why we are going to be year rounders this year! |
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This is the reason that we school all year. I never feel bad when I let them play--I know that there is time to catch up later on.
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: April 03 2008 at 12:21pm | IP Logged
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Pretty standard here! 
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Michaela
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| Posted: April 03 2008 at 12:37pm | IP Logged
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Matilda wrote:
| Oh yeah!! Way too often, that's why we are going to be year rounders this year! |
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We have made the switch to year around because there are many times I don't interrupt their play.
Matilda wrote:
| Why is it they are all so friendly and playful first thing in the morning? What is it about the afternoon hours that make them the "howling hours"? |
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This is exactly our experience as well!
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Michaela
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Paula in MN
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Praise be to God that I am not the only one!!!
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Paula
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CathinCoffeland
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| Posted: April 03 2008 at 1:25pm | IP Logged
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Dh and I were talking about this yesterday.
Weve decided they are learning more when they are playing together nicely than I could teach them if I broke them up.
plus it is inevitble if I do break up the play the good mood disapates and Im left with grumpy kids who want to bug each other rather than enjoy the activity mom had planned
We do alot of more formal learning activities in the high summer when it is too hot to go outside or in deep winter when it is pouring rain.
But it is spring and time to play- if we could just stay healthy 
Maggie
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amyable
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LOL, I was just writing this down in my "day in the life" journal - that I feel guilty because they are happy and I'm not interrupting them! Perfect timing, Mary.
We too are year rounders for that reason (and the whole sick/exhausted for a year when pregnant thing )
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KC in TX
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| Posted: April 03 2008 at 1:34pm | IP Logged
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Same here! Thanks for the lessening of the guilt.
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KC,
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Mary G
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| Posted: April 03 2008 at 1:50pm | IP Logged
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I'm so glad it's not just me ... I think this is why I lean toward an unschooling stance in that I think they learn so much on their own even when "playing"!
This goes a little bit with the Fr. Rutler quote I posted yesterday about what real education/learning really should look like.
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MaryG
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Tina P.
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I'm glad to see that moms with older kids have done the same as me. I feel only a slight twinge of guilt when I look out the window and my 13 yob is swinging (we're getting ready to buy a teeter-totter strong enough for all the kids, too). Or for that matter, when they're sledding, playing with Playmobil or Legos, ... baking, cooking, table-setting (my kids LOVE this chore and make the most of it) do you see how, sometimes, what they do cooperatively eventually turns to responsible occupations? And if they want to go on an outing (they call this "exploring"), they cooperatively tidy a room in a whirlwind. 
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Kristie 4
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| Posted: April 03 2008 at 2:29pm | IP Logged
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I do the same thing....ah, my guilt is assauged when I see people with 'olders' posting!!
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Kristie in Canada
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JenniferS
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I was just thinking about this topic this morning. Glad I'm not the only one.
Jen
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Courtney
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| Posted: April 03 2008 at 2:37pm | IP Logged
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I have guilt over this sometimes but when I look at how they play, I know they are learning. My dd is 10 and my ds is almost 8. They have a "town" upstairs that consists of dd's dollhouse and ds's playmobil castle. THey've made a church and various houses and stores out of boxes. They make trades and deals with each other that can lead to arguments or great lessons. Last week I encouraged them to write up some town "laws" regarding sales. Poor ds had taken his time counting out his play money to buy one of dd's houses. When he finally got it ready to give her, she decided she was "taking it off the market". A huge meltdown ensued which led to writing up the laws. They also since made new money that is consistent btwn the two of them. They've made a town directory, and my dd periodically makes a town newspaper complete with photos. I'm always surprised how elaborate their play is. I'm also so grateful that my 10 yr old dd still wants to play pretend with her brother!
One thing I've done in the past and picked up again this week is having a "project day". I've read aloud, ds had chess class and their "project" is a Hawaii trip for their town. I've been as available as they want me to be. I think having this day (thursdays) designated as such eases my guilt and encourages them to work at their lessons a little harder.
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Courtney in Texas
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Just let 'em play ....
