I get doubtful sometimes. We fall into our routine (or out of it) and I wonder if we’re on the right track. I remind myself I’d have these same doubts if Zeb were in school, excelling or not. But still they creep in on occasion, usually during a lull.
I’ve come to see our lives and his learning coming in waves. Sometimes things are calm and steady and even a little boring. Still a little movement, but even and smooth. These are the times we start to get bored and I attempt to come up with a new something to try. But if I can stay patient, a new wave always surfaces on its own. Some new interest, opportunity or experiment.
Lately, he’d been asking a lot about planes. We’ve discussed the Wright Brothers and their trial and errors (which proved to be a great inspiration for him to draw on the next time he was faced with a difficult task and felt like quitting). We talked about the historical timeline of flight and how we’ve only really been airborne for just over a century. We’ve looked through books and photos and diagrams.
Then Lisa sent me a tweet about Young Eagles. It’s a nationwide program to introduce kids to aviation with FREE rides. It took some encouragement about embracing opportunities but Zeb signed on with enthusiasm. Early this morning we drove out to Pahrump, and Zeb took his very first flight!
Zeb’s reaction? “That was AWESOME! Let’s do it again next month!” He easily had the biggest smile there. 
That’s not all we did today, either: we went for a picnic and a hike at Red Springs near Red Rock, watched giant dinosaursget auctioned at the Venetian and now Zeb and his friend are heading to the play, Witches, with his Gramma and Justin and I are going on a real life date.
I think by tomorrow we’ll all be wanting a bit of “boring”, don’t ya think?
My name is Tara. I am a mama and a lover, a full-time nomad, a passionate devourer of Life and an Organic Life Coach.
That an awesome program – Young Eagles. That is great that he got that opportunity. And what great folks to search out such a transforming opportunity. I think I am starting to understand the unschooling idea. Inspired not required. Too cool!
That is pretty much the best thing ever! I love how truly delighted he looks!
Also, his hair is getting LONG! I’m impressed. Silas is trying to grow his out and his patience is starting to get tested. Like mother, like son, I guess.
That IS awesome!! Yay For Zeb!
Drew, one thing I assumed when we started unschooling was the crazy amount of “searching out” I’d be doing. And I still do. But mostly – and it’s rather amazing how it happens – things tend to serendipitously pop into our lives at just the right time.
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Jasie, Zeb’s patience is tried every day, especially when he tries to (finger) comb it. But so far, so good!
Oh that is so exciting, what a fun day, for everyone:)
How cool!! That sounds amazing!
They just don’t do that kind of stuff in school…what a great day! Kim
Wow, that looks awesome! Yay for unschooling!
So fun! I have my pilot’s license (my first in a long line up of majors in college) and there is nothing better than soaring above the clouds in a little single engine airplane. He looks so happy
What a super fantastic opportunity. Wow. I’m glad that he did it. He sure looks like he’s glad that he did.
I took my Little Sister (through Big Brothers Big Sisters) to Young Eagles several years ago and couldn’t recommend it more! The kids love it!
That is so cool!
I’m thinking that feeling your describing is more of a regular life feeling than an unschooly feeling.
Sara, that’s so cool! I’ll be interested to see if Zeb wants to take it as far as getting his own license.
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Hillary, very true. No one is immune to the occasional doubt or worry when it comes to our kids!
Man, that makes up for lulls I think! The fact of the ebbing waves is an important reminder for natural learning home educators.
Fabulous! I’m going to see if Young Eagles is active in my area!
That bit about unschooling coming in waves is something I’m going to have to learn to embrace. I feel a bit inept when I see what some other homeschoolers are doing, think I should be doing more, then try to make something happen… Usually I do that right before they get the urge to try kill me with a rousing marathon-length autodidactic tango! *laugh*
Wow, what an awesome program! I’m excited because I looked up Oregon and we have one in Portland! Phillip has a love of airplanes, no doubt he will get Michael excited about it one day. And seriously, unschooling sounds like the funnest way to learn, ever!
He looks so excited! What a great program!
That’s awesome, what a great experience! Who knows, it might spark his interest in aviation to design a more fuel efficient plane one day. Great job!
oh my goodness! this is FANTASTIC!!!!
We’re in a big planes phase right now, too.. I can’t wait to check out this program! I know the doubts well, and I appreciate you writing of them. Thanks for the post!
Wow! Seriously this is the coolest. Oh, I hope they do it around here somewhere! Going now to check out that site. Thanks!
lisa