Tag: Parenting

Parenting, Personal

 Unschooling Diaries #9: Why the Schools System is the Way it is

Pihu

If we ask ourselves why the school system is the way it is instead of how you will never send your kids to school again. Because by asking ‘why’ we get to know the real intention, motive, and purpose of the entire school system. What do they want to make of children? 

So, tell me why is the school system the way it is? Why do they murder creativity? Why don’t they teach anything related to practical life? Why do they refuse to evolve with the times? Why don’t they give proper financial education? Because they don’t want us to think, grow, evolve,  learn, and dream. The child’s mind is so conditioned in these institutions to kill all ideas, creativity, and curiosity. What does one do when one has no imagination and thinking, A job! Or should I say modern-day slavery?  Yes, that is the purpose of the school to get people ready for jobs. They don’t want to create musicians, sports players, artists, travelers,  entrepreneurs,  or writers. No, they just want to create servants for the system. Is that all you want your kids to be slaves to the elite? Or do you want to make a happy and smart human being who lives life to the fullest and on his own terms? 

Why in schools is creativity murdered, financial literacy ignored, and talent suppressed, is a very important question to ask.What do schools want to make of children, if it is artists, sports players, or entrepreneurs?

Are schools just institutions designed to make a person ready for a corporate job? These days in the world of internet and technology, there are many ways for a person to earn money, instead of a 50-60 hour per week desk job. There are many skills which have less work hours and high pay like Content writing, content creation, Private tutoring, etc. Shouldn’t there be a healthy balance between studies and all this? 

Tell me what you think? Shouldn’t skill development be a necessary part of the curriculum in today’s world? 

Parenting, Personal, Well being

Unschooling Diaries #8: Busting the Biggest Homeschooling Myth

Pihu

The most prominent question that I have been asked when it comes to homeschooling is:- Won’t it impact your social life? And the concern here is understandable since the kid spends a considerable amount of time indoors and has no structured institution to go to. But may I first ask how exactly is this so-called ‘institution’ helping in developing the child’s social skills? Do you meet new people? Is there any real exposure to the outside world? No, they don’t and no there isn’t. 

Homeschooling or Unschooling on the other hand has real outside exposure. The lack of structure or timetable calls for unexpected situations and meeting new people. We learn who to trust and who not to trust. Some social skills that I have learned are:-

  1. I have improved my English
  2. I am not as shy anymore
  3. I can talk to people more openly now
  4. I now know how to dress properly and carry myself
  5. I am more confident

Some things I hope to learn

  1. To be more creative and resourceful
  2. To get over my shyness completely
  3. Be more direct

Meeting the same people every day for years won’t help you learn anything or gain life experiences. But getting out of your comfort zone -which you have to in homeschooling- most certainly will. So what do you think? Don’t you agree that social skills are important and they are in fact completely ignored in school? Please write your thoughts in the comment section below. 

 

Money, Parenting, Personal

Unschooling Diaries #6: Life Lessons from Monopoly

Pihu

I have already stressed the importance of good economic education for children in my previous post. But since schools remain uninterested, here is a fun way to teach your kids (and yourself) about money. Getting teens or even ourselves to read books can be a challenge. More often than not we will be caught dozing off, so here is a fun, interactive, and simple way to grab a few financial guidelines.

MONOPOLY! Yesterday I was playing this amazing board game with my friends and I was surprised to notice how many ideas from the book Rich-dad Poor-dad it reflected. Property building, debt, financial planning, etc being a few. We all learn better from practical and experimental methods. In fact a recent study has concluded, board games are the best way to retain information. 

Have you played Monopoly, if yes, what are some lessons you took away from it? Or, do you know any board games which can be good teaching tools? Please tell me in the comment section.  

Parenting

We Don’t Need Your Money

Pihu

A big-time mistake modern-day parents are making.

These days so many parents are obsessed with leaving huge figures of money behind as inheritance for their kids. For this they have to work many-a-times day and night, sometimes both the parents. But they forgot that their children do not want or require their money because they need something else. But what, let us find out – 

  1. Time, effort, and love

The first thing a child wants from his parents is their time. A good way of showing that you love and care is not showering anyone with gifts, but taking out your time for them. One needs to put his energy and effort to make them kind, responsible, and mature.

  1. Give knowledge and life skills

These days attitude and life skills are a necessity for someone who wants to live an independent and free life. Parents should teach their children these skills and cultivate a positive attitude towards life. Instead of endowing your child with money, endow them with the capability of making money anywhere and anytime. 

  1. Gratefulness for money

Children should understand the hard work that goes into bringing food to the table. Then only they will understand the value of money. Take them to work with you, to an orphanage, or if they are old enough ask them to set up a stall; this will teach them gratefulness. 

  1. Money can’t buy everything 

There are some things that are priceless like happiness, kindness, family, etc. which cannot be purchased but have to be earned and understood. Parents need to teach their children to be happy, kind, and fun; that one can enjoy without paying. These values and teachings are the lifelong riches you can and should give to your child. 

  1. Show them problems 

Creating a perfect childhood without any difficulties will destroy your child’s life because problems teach more than the best teacher. Facing problems gives one confidence, maturity, and a sense of responsibility. Difficulties are a part of life, one cannot run away from them. Showing them problems in their childhood will prepare them for the bigger problems in life and also instill a problem-solving attitude. 

Conclusion

These small but crucial steps go a huge way in shaping your child’s future. Not only children but parents too can learn a lot by following this advice. Let us end with a quote- 

“ If you want your children to turn out well, spend twice as much time with them and half as much money.”                                                   

                                                                                                                             – Abigail Van Buren