We have to be careful with the word “freedom” and how it is interpreted. I use it in context often, when I say things like;

“We choose to home educate our children because it offers our family more freedom.”

What I’m referring to are choices. Values. Options and flexibility. I am not saying that there are no rules for my family. We aren’t exempt from doing some things.

The way I raise my family in my own home is ultimately up to me. If I changed my ideals, life would change inside our four walls.

Here, the small children might play with make up, the older children stay up late or watch certain shows and movies. My kids often sit on or climb across the table. I might allow them to use knives for carving or to camp out on the trampoline and light campfires. To dig up the flower beds or the lawn with good reason (play=children’s work).
They help themselves to the fridge and cook some of their own meals. They choose when to eat their sweets and most music and books are allowed.

I would never expect that they then go out or to a friends house and do the same things there!
They have no right to behave as they please in other peoples homes and I would tell them so.

In its simplest form, they cannot treat people/animals/the Earth carelessly and expect no repercussion. To the extreme they cannot help themselves to the jewellery counter because they like what they see.

Being free in unschooling circles is often misunderstood. My children are free from schooling institutions and the limited belief that a person can only learn or become successful if they go to school. They are free from standardised testing and set curriculums.

They are free to spend their days playing in the sunshine or the rain. They are free to choose what they want to wear and whether or not to put on shoes, wear a coat or brush their hair.

They are free to choose their religion. They can chose their friends.

Having certain amounts of freedom has given our family opportunities but we are never to be free from everything.

We have choices. Values. Options and flexibility.

© 2024 Juliette Proffitt ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

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