Comments on: “Every Face I Look at Seems Beautiful”

By: Yvonne

Yvonne — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 19:34:53 +0000

I guess I’m reading this late. I discovered you only a few months ago and am wandering through your posts as I have the time and the need. With 6 children and an unexpected 7th on the way, I’ve been pondering much, panicing over all, and parenting horribly for the last few months. Your words here bring a peacefulness to me that I have lacked lately and that my dear unborn needs. Thank you.

By: alecat

alecat — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 22:35:55 +0000

Greetings from Australia!
I really enjoyed reading your accounts of patience. I hadn’t thought of the differences in quite the light you have put it, but you are absolutely correct.
I’ve linked your page through our homeschooling forum to share with others.
http://www.rockpoolhomeschool.org
Thank you for your wisdom.
alecat

By: Resolutions For A Peacful Year « In Need Of Chocolate

Resolutions For A Peacful Year « In Need Of Chocolate — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 18:08:28 +0000

[...] resolution is to create a more peaceful environment in our home. Back in March I was inspired by Melissa Wiley to begin pondering a more patient and respectful form of parenting. I’ve read and pondered [...]

By: 2008 in Posts — Here in the Bonny Glen

2008 in Posts — Here in the Bonny Glen — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 16:26:36 +0000

[...] John Stilgoe knocked my socks off and got me contemplating how Way Leads on to Way and how Every Face I Look at Seems Beautiful. [...]

By: Maria P

Maria P — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 23:46:40 +0000

I totally love this post.

Funny that I read it today and I’m in the process of writing about how important relationships are to learning….

By: SabrinaT

SabrinaT — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 13:00:25 +0000

What a great post. I was just talking to my husband tonight about how much I wish I had his patience. He spent the better part of 8 years deployed. He has been home now for 2 years and he takes time for EVERYTHING. He told me earlier today he is trying to enjoy every single minute he gets with our boys, because he understand all to soon he will be deployed again. I am learning more and more each day it really isn’t about the destination, it’s about the trip.

By: Ren

Ren — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:50:41 +0000

Wow…what a great discussion, even though I came in a bit late apparently.:)

First of all, loved your post. It’s got a lot of sparks firing that I need to write about now. Thank you.

I just want to respond to the comments about “relativity” and how unschoolers value all interests;
That’s the crux of the entire issue for me…VALUE. How can one human choose for another human what is valuable? My parents certainly didn’t think interests I had were valuable, yet I’ve created my entire life around those interests today…including the way I make my income.

It was valuable to ME,that’s all that mattered. If a comic book or spongebob or World of Warcraft or (fill in the blank here) sparks a child’s interest,then it’s valuable to THEM and at that point, we have the choice to honor their interest or invalidate it. Doesn’t change how they feel about the thing (though they might fake it in front of you in order to gain approval) but it does change how they feel about themselves.

Having your interests put down or judged as “less than” is hurtful as a child. So yes, every interest my child has is valuable, even when *I* don’t always share the passion.:)

Now I need to go let my thoughts settle and simmer because I have SO many things to say about my own journey with the topic of “patience”. Good stuff Melissa.