Our Waldorf Homeschool Journey

Totally weird! Tree huggers! Paranoid! These are the comments that we’ve heard mentioned about us as a family. There are also many positive things from people who think the same as us, …

So I felt it might be best to let everyone know what we’re about.As a sort of background to us. As a means of understanding where we’re coming from. My worry is if these people think we’re daft, maybe there are more out there who think the same, so it may be best to open up a little and give people the opportunity too see things from our perspective. So here goes:

We believe that global warming and the humans’ frantic need to own and consume goods is shortly going to bring the human race to it’s knees. We’re running out of time here. (Seen as paranoia by many)

We believe that to ensure our children’s future ability to breath, eat and stay alive depends on our lifestyle now. Not only what we buy, but what we don’t buy. Examples for us, would be our attempt to provide electricity for ourselves, growing our own food etc. When purchasing clothing etc we avoid ANY brand that is not locally made. As far as possible we try to reuse before we recycle, and you’d be amazed at the ideas kids come up with to reuse items. We try to buy secondhand furniture, appliances etc instead of dumping the old and buying new.

We believe that homeschooling in preparation for our childrens future, which will be completely different to our life, is essential to their survival. Yes I teach our kids the state curriculum as required by law. BUT we do not support a lot of what is taught specifically farming techniques etc. I then teach them the alternative as well. An example would be permaculture as oppose to traditional farming methods. They have been taught and continue to be taught all basic skills, for example how to cook, bake, sew,knit,farm, all skills that we feel will become imperative for them to survive.

We believe that to homeschool means to give your children the freedom to think for themselves. They are shown and live by our belief system and our point of view as we are their role models and parents. BUT I teach them the way things are done by others, whether I believe in them or not. They are then left to decide. They are left to think and develop their own opinion, without being brainwashed.

We believe that freedom of thought is imperative to the survival of the human race. Therefore our children are expected to think for themselves.

We believe that organised religion is a matter of choice. My husband does not believe in God. I do. I believe in a Universal God, and try to live without harming anyone as much as possible.Yet this causes no friction between us or confusion with our children. They have learnt that every human has the right to choose. A large part of the peacefulness and joy in our home, comes from our ability to respect each other and our opposing ideas. This doesn’t mean that we always get on, because we don’t. We do disagree and make mistakes and hurt each other. But we have strict rules, one of which is that we never ever belittle each other or our ideas. Never. It is seen as a form of bullying and will not be tolerated. We’ve been blessed with mouths and brains to talk things out. We do not need to use violence and aggression to resolve matters. Isn’t this what separates us from the animals? We have a reverence for life and a deep respect for each other. Whether you are a small child or a wise sage, neither is more deserving of respect. Each and everything is worthy of respect.

So yes, we may appear paranoid.

So yes, we may be “tree huggers” – we respect our planet and everything that is on and around it. It is not for us to use and abuse. We are merely looking after it for the next generation.

So yes, we may appear totally weird – but everyone has the right to choose their lifestyle, and if growing food, preparing for the arrival of chickens and cooking on a wood burning stove seem weird, then so be it. If watching every unit of electricity we use is weird then so be it.We’re doing the best we can with what we have, and with any luck we’ll be able to make a small difference.

So yes, if we herd a pair of donkeys onto our property, as they’ve escaped from their owner, and look after them until he arrives, then yes, we are weird, crazy.

But it all comes down to a different point of view. My normal may be your crazy. But I see the misuse of resources, the buying of branded clothes, the need to buy electricity made in a nuclear power plant, the consuming of chemical filled food, the brainwashing and bullying of kids in schools , the need to have the latest items on the shop shelf, the judgemental attitude of so many people – religious or not……

I see all of this as crazy, I see it as a human race out of control, I find it sad and disturbing. And it fills me with a twinge of fear….Where will our children be in 15 years time? We plan ahead for them, to prepare them for universities, colleges, but shouldn’t we be teaching them survival skills, that our grandparents were taught as well? Basic, basic things, a silly example would be…if we can’t buy soap – how do we make it? Do we have skills that can be bartered for goods we cannot make. Can we swop eggs for soap, can we swop wool for paper? All odd examples, but you get the picture right?

So yes, people see us as crazy, weird, treehuggers, so be it. Maybe one day they’ll stop running long enough to see things from our perspective. Maybe, just maybe……they’ll see that they have choices, there is no need to wreak havoc in your need to have and to own. You can still have all the latest material things and so much more, but by doing it with respect, with love, you can have it by being responsible, being ethical, and what I have found personally….by having patience.

One last odd little fact…the older I get and the more knowledge I acquire, the humbler I feel. The more I realise I still have so much still to learn.

May you all be blessed today, and may your choices be for the good of all, and as you do this may you be blessed with abundance.

Susan.xx

Filed under: HOMESTEADING, Waldorf Homeschooling on March 18th, 2008