The healing journey of a widowed, unschooling badass in Delaware.
Trying to write on this subject tonight as I try to get my boys to sleep so we can have an amazing adventure tomorrow.
Failing at all the things.
They’re awake and talking. I have lost my temper to yelling and threatening. I want to throw away all the planning and money and skip the adventure.
My mind is split and I can’t finish the post I wanted to write.
I don’t know what to do.
James Greatorex is one fine creator. I met him on the soccer field and he quickly became my sons’ favorite player to trade comic book banter with…check that, he is their favorite HUMAN with which to commiserate on all illustrated narrative matters.
I’ve loosely followed the creation of his own title and I was totally excited to see that it hit the streets today!
Purchasing details have yet to be revealed, but I promise to share links and info here (heck, I’ll deliver you a copy if that’s what it takes) soon.
This mom is standing up for her children:
Posted by ChaddsFordLive on September 17th, 2021
After the August school board meeting, the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District board members decided to retreat to a virtual format in order to avoid having to face parents who could not be trusted to act with “civility” and, in the words of Board President Jeff Hellrung, because there was a controversial topic “likely to spark even more parent anger than masks” on the September agenda.
There were other reasons given, such as fear of Covid spread and “fears for their safety” due to the behavior of parents in other districts (the worst thing they could say about our parents were that one parent “refused” to stick to his three-minute time limit, and they were interrupted in their business by some heckling which they shouldn’t have to tolerate).
Clearly, at this point, there is no legitimacy to their “fears of safety,” and it was clear that the primary reason they retreated to a virtual format was to avoid having to deal with or be interrupted by angry parents as they conducted their business.
I’ve engaged in a lengthy email exchange with Mr. Hellrung, at first inquiring why the board changed the September format to virtual, then informing him of his legal and moral obligations under the state Sunshine Act to the parents of UCFSD to allow them to attend and face the board in person. But I have been stonewalled.
Although at the current moment, the October board meeting is still scheduled to be held in the auditorium, Mr. Hellrung has made it clear they reserve the right to move any meetings to a virtual format, so clearly, we cannot trust that the October meeting and others on the future docket will not be moved to virtual as well.
The following was my response:
Rules for thee, not for me.
The Board is clearly willing to break the law in order to protect itself. Is there no law enforcement official willing to stand up to protect the rights of children and parents?
The lack of transparency and backbone in these politicians may be criminal.
Sharing this video solely because it is harmless, factual, and being censored by those who do not trust your ability to think.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CT7oPP_lrl8/?utm_medium=share_sheet
This new culture of asking people their vaccination status is repulsive. Not long ago it was assumed that we don’t discuss these things publicly.
I don’t know what to add to this thought. I think is enough for today.
Delaware Department of Health and Social Services posted this blank vaccination card today.
Tomorrow I’ll find out what kinds of projects my sons will come up with.
Teens have commited suicide in this atmosphere of emotional and spiritual manipulation. Homeless families have been neglected because churches shut down. Widows and orphans have been forgotten because the TV told church leaders that a virus was more important than taking care of God’s children. Did Jesus teach us to stay away from the sick? Did he tell us to shame them? No. He would be tossing out the hand sanitizers that destroy our precious skin and flipping the tables of masks that allow the wolves into the flock.
There has been a permanent shift in home education.
Last year, schools did not know how to accommodate parents and many families were forced into “crisis,” “virtual,” or “pandemic” schooling. Some families chose to try homeschooling or found this moment to dive into a lifestyle they were already considering.
In raw numbers, it was the biggest boost in homeschooling in US history. We all knew that the numbers would not hold at the peak, but I took heart in knowing that the home education community would be larger and some families would discover that homeschooling was the right path for them going forward.
We have grown in permanent ways and the energy of these new families is exhilarating.
Now again, parents are faced with schools changing the rules just before students are to return. Moms and dads are understandably upset that our elected officials appear to be manipulating families by not giving them clear guidance in a timely manner.
Given the timeline, families are placed in a position of chaos as they expected one educational picture and are getting another.
When we founded Allschoolers Park Days, it was in that first wave of confusion and we wanted to welcome all types of families to come and play and get a break from the madness.
After one year of weekly meetups, and innumerable side adventures, I’m learning that we are much more than a weekly playdate.
This week we had many new families join and I had strangers thanking me. I didn’t really understand why. We post dates, places, and times for the meets and that’s about it. Many of us bring snacks to share, but no one notices if someone doesn’t. We don’t plan activities for the children or guide them much at all. Several of us wave our children away if they utter the dreaded, “I’m bored.” It rarely happens, but the responsibility for their entertainment falls squarely on them.
It’s all very hands off.
The parents sit around and share our frustrations, confusions, resources, quagmires, victories, funny stories, and encouragements. We listen to each other.
Sure, I may break off for a wrestling match with a half dozen kids, or a mom might turn a water gun fight into a woman-made monsoon, but generally we help each other go home with a greater peace than we arrived with.
The “thank you”s make more sense now. This group couldn’t be simpler, but the world craves complication. It demands rules, guidelines, orders, and a watchful eye on those who hand down dictates. We choose to exist with trust in ourselves and each other. No rules or judgment, just compassion and kindness.
To think of compassion as rare is heartbreaking. To hold one of these precious places for people to gather is healing.
This post was quickly removed by Delaware Division of Public Health.
Living a healthier lifestyle will reduce your chances of infection and the worst outcomes to a greater percentage than any vaccine could. They hinted at that for a moment and had to disappear it.
Being a public health organization, they don’t even know how to lose weight. Nor do they know how you can make yourself healthier. They don’t know your body nor what it needs.
Take control of your own health through education, nutrition, exercise, and mindfulness. You have all the power you need. You do not need a public health official.