Peace and self acceptance.

This article by Geneen Roth deals with peace and self acceptance and weight loss.

I think, however, that her words have a direct correlation with unschooling.

"I often hear a variation on this statement: "If I'm not intolerant of my shortcomings, how can I ever expect to change them?" The truth is, real change only happens when you're kind to yourself. "


And ~ "The only way to learn the difference between self-indulgence and self-kindness is to experience what self-kindness feels like. Declare it "Be Kind to Me" day, and get out there and start treating yourself as if you deserve every good thing. Because, in fact, you do. "

It is my belief that a child who grows up with kindness becomes a child and an adult who is kind.

Spare the rod and spoil the child does not seem to work here.

Love and laughter and prayer and sacraments and explanations/discussion, while being authentic, does work in our house. So far.

"Not with blows, but with charity and gentleness must you draw these friends to the path of virtue." St John Bosco

As an aside ~ Last night, my children remembered the times that mum "lost it". What is worse is that they remembered these times in front of a priest!

Now, I *don't* hit my kids but I *have* lost my cool in my mothering years.

So, to be brutally, honest - I don't always live by these words. But they are my goal.

Peace and self acceptance.