Participating in a support group for parents of children who refuse to go to school. Homeschooling is just like being a 'freelancer,' and having too much time is a series of philosophical inquiries.
Today, I participated in a support group for parents of children who refuse to go to school.
My purpose this time was to hear from a School Social Worker (SSW) who gave me a profound realization when we spoke briefly on the phone before.
I went with the hope of picking up even just one hint.
(*As a rule of the parent support group, disclosing the content of others' statements is prohibited, so the following is merely a record of what I felt.)
I'm so glad I went! Personally, I no longer have worries or troubles regarding my child not going to school, and I have fully accepted and understood learning at home, so my interest was purely in what the SSW had to say.
The very first words that person spoke struck a chord, and in an instant, I felt, 'As expected, this person is amazing.'
The way children who refuse to go to school learn is similar to being a 'freelancer'.
I previously heard Kazuki Obata say, 'The way children who refuse to go to school learn is similar to being a freelancer,' and I felt that was exactly right.
Parents might think, 'My child is just lazing around watching YouTube and playing games at home all day,' but in reality, that's not the case. In their own way, children
have to think about and decide for themselves how to spend that long day from the moment they wake up.
Of course, that includes YouTube and games.
Isn't this exactly the image of a freelancer (entrepreneur) who disciplines themselves and takes action? 😊
My children (especially the older one) are basically the type who spend time at home, and they seem to be moving forward every day by setting their own goals.
'Today I managed to draw the rough sketch for this.'
'Today I want to finish this up to this point.'
'There's a stream for such-and-such today, so I'm looking forward to it.'
'Today's stream is long, so I can't eat dinner yet.'
And so on.
Setting goals for themselves, taking action, reflecting on what they could and couldn't do, and applying it to the next day. I suddenly realized that this is a state ofconstantly running the PDCA cycle by themselves.
Time spent at home is a 'series of philosophical inquiries'.
Yayoko Kondo (the translator of 'Audrey Tang's Mother Talks About Encouraging Self-Directed Learning') said,
'Homeschooled children are doing philosophy at home every day.'I truly think that is correct.
Thinking for themselves,
Acting for themselves,
Reflecting for themselves,
And taking on the next challenge.
Watching my own children, I truly realize that it is precisely because they lack the framework of school that they naturally acquire this deep process of thinking.
That is precisely why, when I see mothers who are struggling and suffering because they are fixated on 'clinging to school,' I want to tell them, 'It's okay, you don't have to worry so much.'
I want to share examples that show 'it's okay not to worry.'
At this parent support group meeting, there were many people who were struggling just as I used to. Although I have had fewer opportunities to attend these meetings lately, I decided that I want to participate in this monthly meeting as much as possible from now on.
Not as someone seeking advice for my worries, but as someone there to listen.
'A personal account of our family learning at home and homeschooling'
'Even without going to school, children can think for themselves and grow up wonderfully'
I hope to share these as real-life examples, as a reference, and as a piece of information.
I hope to be able to convey this.
If I can get parents who are struggling to know that our family's 'homeschooling' is one possible option, even just in the corner of their minds,
I think it might be able to reduce their anxiety, even if just a little.
I believe that.
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I thought it was my turn to listen to the stories of moms who are struggling, so I created this space. Sometimes, just talking to someone about the frustration after your child refuses to go to school, or the regret and self-reflection after you've said something you shouldn't have, can make you feel better. Anything is fine, would you like to chat? ☕
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