I have been reading a lot about "deschooling" and "unschooling", basically concepts that say that our children don't need to go to school to learn.  I find myself agreeing with these books, and it's pretty scary.  Why should the government decide what our children should and shouldn't learn?  For that matter, why should I?  Can't our children decide for themselves what they want to learn?  If we simply love and nurture them, I think they will turn out just fine. 

There is a significant difference between deschooling and homeschooling.  With homeschooling, parents are still attempting to "teach" their children.  Deschooling is the idea that you don't need to "teach" children; they will learn what they need to simply by experiencing life.  It is obvious from observing babies and toddlers how much people can learn without "teaching".  Allison has her own curiosity to teach her.  At this stage she loves to discover the names of objects and people.  She constantly asks, "What's that?"  I simply nurture her curiosity by introducing her to new objects, experiences, and people. 

So the question is, can I continue this throughout her entire childhood?  Can I maintain confidence that she will continue to learn what she needs to learn? (Who decides what people need to learn anyway?)  Can I resist the urge to put her into the public school system, where I know she will attain particular knowledge and experience?  Obviously, many children do very well in school and find it to be an excellent environment to grow up in.  My gut tells me to wait and let her decide on her own what's right for her.  I always liked school, so maybe she will, too. 

I never imagined, though, that I would turn out to know so many people that did not finish high school.  Obviously, public school was not the answer for these people.  I do not believe that they missed out on any piece of knowledge that those who finished school attained.  Still, I question how these people can now send their children to school and expect them to succeed.  I understand that they do not realize there is an alternative.  I always assumed you had to send your children to school by law, and if you wanted to homeschool you had to have some credentials or somehow prove your child was learning through tests or something.  Michigan has no such laws.  If you wanted, you could keep your children at home and let them watch tv all day long.  Of course, I'm not recommending this.  In fact, I am ashamed of all the tv I let Allison watch, but that's an issue for another day. 

So maybe deschooling wouldn't be right for Allison.  Maybe she will like school as I did.  Or maybe she will try it then decide she'd rather stay home and learn whatever interests her.  She is not the only child I am concerned with.  Johnny has had a lot of trouble in school in the past.  He is not at the same level as other children in his class, but his mother won't hold him back because of his size.  I really think deschooling is a viable option, but it's not up to me. 

Which brings me to a most important point.  Public school is more than just a place to take your child to learn.  Many families do not have a parent at home during the day.  If you did not want your children to go to school, but you still needed to work, who would watch them?  It is a frustrating conundrum, but many parents really don't have a choice. 

I of course mean no offense to my teacher friends.  I still think teachers are most important, I just don't think they should have to work within the current educational system.  I will try to elaborate in the future.

Comments are highly encouraged.  I would love to get other input and opinions.  I think I will also compile a list of resources if anyone wants to do some reading on the topic.

P.S. Happy Birthday to me!