Recently, this Examiner had the pleasure of interviewing Michele James-Parham, a self-proclaimed
"radical unschooler" in the state of Pennsylvania. I found Michele's replies to my questions to be
both interesting and thought-provoking and I hope that you will enjoy getting to know her as much as I did. If you are seeking further information on the topic of "radical unschooling" or want to read more from Michele and others who network within this lifestyle, please visit Keystone State Radicals website after you've read the following interview:
Examiner: Please tell our readers a bit about yourself. (i.e. married? children? general area of residence? faith background? etc...)
Michele: I live on the Northside in Pittsburgh, PA with my husband William, who is a media producer, our son Elijah, who loves designing and programming games and who will be seven years old on September 18th and our two cats, Lain and Grey. Besides, trying to keep up with a blog, Facebook friends, gardening and cooking for large groups of our friends, I sometimes play the role of a traditional homebirth midwife for friends and family. I like to read non-fiction books on a variety of subjects (whatever my interests are at the moment) -- lately it's been all about Rroma people and uncovering some of the truths of my Gypsy heritage. I've started dabbling in altered books and when I grow up, I want to learn how to play the accordion and concertina.
Examiner: How would you define "radical unschooling"?
Michele: Whole-Life Unschooling. It's a life-style or way of living more than an educational "method". We don't think about school -- we live life as though school doesn't exist. The focus is on relationships and meaningful connections and when those are your goals, it's hard to not become an interesting and educated human being.
Examiner: How long have you been choosing this as your family lifestyle and form of education in the home?
Michele: Approximately, seven years. I found about unschooling before I was pregnant with our son. I already had it as one kind of homeschooling in my mind's eye. I thought that you either homeschooled very rigid and school-like or your days were free-flowing and child led, like unschooling -- I had no idea there was a myriad of other "methods". It never occurred to me to try anything other than just living and loving life. We've been unschoolers since Elijah's birth! The radical/whole-life parts or what some homeschoolers might call the non-academic aspects of our life boils down to Attachment Parenting, Nonviolent Communication and Consensual Living -- to us, those are the real 'academic' aspects of Life and they've also been a part of our lives since our son's birth.
Examiner: What are your main reasons for choosing "radical unschooling" as your educational and family-living style?
Michele: Radical Unschooling is how we live and how my husband and I lived before we had a name for it. Making this choice was not difficult as it was the only choice that would ensure that our child would have an equal voice in our family and be able to fully own his life. It made no sense to either William or myself to ship our child off to be with strangers for seven hours a day and to be coerced into adding when he wanted to read or doing a science experiment when just wanted to watch how a little mouse seeks shelter under garden rocks. This decision also made sure Elijah would have control over his bodily needs, like sleeping when he was tired and eating when he was hungry or finding solitude when he was needing a break from social gatherings.
Examiner: What do you consider to be the main benefits and blessings of "radical unschooling"?
Michele: We get to live in the here and now as a family. Everything we do is a choice and isn't something dictated to us by a school curriculum/schedule or "method" of homeschooling. We are free to do what we need and to be who we are -- a life of authenticity and autonomy.
Examiner: Do you have any resources, links, or websites that you would like to recommend to others who share this lifestyle or might be looking into it?
Michele: Oh wow! By just doing a simple online search for "radical unschooling" or "unschooling" you will find an entire world of information out there. However, there are a couple of websites that are nice and easy to get started with: http://sandradodd.com/unschooling and http://joyfullyrejoycing.com/
Examiner: What is the typical school day like in your home?
Michele: Everyday and no day is a "school day" in our home! I honestly can't say that we have a typical day. I do have a blog post that might help explain why it's so hard to explain what a typical day is like: http://www.naturalattachment.com/wordpress/2009/02/15/a-typical-day-for-an-unschooler/
Examiner: What advice would you give to a parent who is new to "radical unschooling"?
Michele: There are really only two ways to live this life, either you jump all in and head first and are willing to stand back and bite your tongue through the messy adjustment period or you continue living life as you do now, but you question everything that you have control over or seek to control and then let go of that control, live life, find a hobby and share it with your loved ones and remember to TRUST yourself and your children -- you *have to* say "yes" more often either way you go, so letting go of "no" is a good place to start.
Examiner: What advice would you give to a parent who is seasoned in "radical unschooling" but in need of some encouragement?
Michele: Don't forget WHY you want to live this life. Don't forget the opportunities and Freedom that this life grants your family. Remember that Trust is most important. Remember to Breathe.
Examiner: Please offer any other thoughts you'd like to share on "radical unschooling":
Michele: It's not a fad or something you can try-on for size over the Summer break from school. Radical Unschooling is a commitment and some of the hardest, yet most joyful work you will ever take on in your life.
So, now that you've met Michele, what do you think of "radical unschooling"? Would you consider it as a lifestyle for your own family? Why or why not? Leave a comment today and share your thoughts!
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