Day#2: Learning How to Trust Even More

     Sleeping was a challenge, with our tent's broken zipper, mosquitoes bugged us even after generously applying citronella repellent on our skin. It was also uncomfortable sleeping on a mat (banig) with a bumpy surface underneath. So our first missions on our list today were having our tent repaired and raking the sand under our tents. Daddy took care of both errands as I cook and look after the kids swimming with their new friends. After a while, I noticed that James and Adam were left alone and later found out that the other boys went to the rock formation at the end of the shore. I am amazed that my kids were able to decide for themselves and say no when they are not interested and they know how to listen to their intuition when something might be dangerous for them.

     In the afternoon, James had his first diving lesson. He loves swimming and has tried snorkeling before, but this was his first formal diving class with a licensed instructor, Kuya Bok. I can't help but notice the slogan on Kuya Bok's shirt that says "lifelong learning". He's also an Alternative Learning System instructor and is very good and patient with children, so there was a quick connection and good chemistry between him and our family.

     James had his full focus on what Kuya Bok was teaching him. We saw the intensity of concentration on his face, listening silently and answering only with nods. It was like watching a different person. He was able to learn fast, mainly because the decision to take the lesson was his own. After some basic lectures and practice, they were off to explore, to explore the places I've never been, to experience something I haven't had. They went snorkeling for more than two hours straight while I try to remind myself every now and then that I just have to trust, trust that everything's going to be fine, trust someone we only met only a day ago, and trust my own child and his newly acquired skills.

     Unschooling taught me how to trust and how to trust even more. It is lifelong learning and life presents us with risks, but still we learn how to trust situations, decisions, strangers, our children, and ourselves, as parents. Trust has allowed our family the freedom that adds strength to our meaningful lives. Trust and freedom were two of the many reasons why we made the decision to unschool and parent peacefully. They are gifts we can give to our children, they are gifts we treasure as parents.

     While James was pushing his limits, Adam was enjoying his comfort zone. We offer the same activity but he wasn't forced to take the same class and he was happy doing his own thing. He had a fun time building a raft with some bamboo poles he gathered and swimming with his goggles. We follow our children's cues and trust that they know themselves better than anyone else. In return, our children trust us because we try our best to respect who they are, what they want and don't want to do, in their own time and place.