Wednesday, August 13, 2008

big minds

i'm reading a book called little big minds, sharing philosophy with kids. i'm adapting it (visually and organizationally) into a curriculum i'll be teaching at our co-op this fall. i've had a pounding headache the last couple of days, so i'm just going to post this quote that really got me when i was working on the chapter on friendship...

In their analysis of friendship, philosophers have been confounded by the ways in which we complicate communication and connection unnecessarily, in spite of our deep desire for both. Why do we get in our own way? We know when we are shutting down and pushing someone away from us. We are aware when we are not making an effort, yet we continue to let friendships fade. For many of us, it is a challenge to allow our friendships to find their own rhythm, and instead we manipulate them to suit our needs.

i often try to teach my kids stuff because it's something i need to know. and i feel kind of guilty when i look back and realize that...it doesn't seem fair to make my kids listen (repeatedly sometimes) to things i can't seem to grasp and keep a hold of. oh well...at least i let them play their video games after they listen, huh?...and i'm not too bad of a cook?...chuckle, chuckle...

off to work my day...
peace

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Ah, but I'll bet that those things you try to teach your kids are things that many people struggle with.

Anyway, you are just trying to smooth the way a little for your offspring, which is something that many parents try to do in one fashion or another.

Ken said...

Try "Sophie's World", a novel written by a High School teacher from Norway named Jostein Gaarder.
I believe it will get the ball rolling. Ideal for a daughter.

K