We are mythical beings!

SORRY THERE MIGHT BE SOME TYPOS…I AM JUST NOT AWARE HOW TO SCROLL DOWN THE TEXT ON MY IPAD….I TRIED IN VAIN….BUT THE STORY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE SPELLINGS!!

Can you live life as if you were a god or goddess sent to this realm to enact a play that was destined and scripted in another dimension?

I was reading Ramayana the other day. When I was a child stories of Ram often bored me to death as he stood out like this flawless guy who could never go wrong. Sita seemed like this pitiable woman who was treated like a door mat. Those were the days when I was a rebel without a cause…Today I see myself a little differently.

This time when I read Ram’s story, I understood something very deep and it has touched me so deeply that I needed to express by writing. I am not a Ram devotee or a Hindu fanatic. I am on a path to realize why things happen the way they do with me or others around me.

Ram is an incarnation of Vishnu as we most know. But to realize how he was born and chose the family of the Raghus so that he could finally reach Ravan, the king who had gone astray with pride and power, because of a boon granted to him by Brahma, was a deep revelation to me. The boon, as most boons granted without thought, had gone all wrong…

In that sense I felt for the first time a deep connection with Ram. He really had no choice. He was meant to go through all that he did as he and to play out his role in the divine plot that was written so that Brahma’s boon could be reversed and Ravan slayed.

I suddenly started to look deeply at my own troubles more lovingly and compassionately. Imagine a little boy born in the lap of luxury and loving parents thrown out into the harsh unprotected world of wilderness as a young man with a new bride and only his devoted brother by his side.

I am looking closely at the suffering, pain, fear, perils, hardships and separation and uncertainty that Ram, Sita and Lakshman went through to attain the glory that is worshipped by all of us.

It is easy to say..well he was god himself..but the question is knowing that he is god…he did not shy away from the extreme life that he was being asked to live.

I cannot sometimes stand a power cut. I am wondering how did a prince and a princess who lived in royalty faced such danger and difficulties for 14 long years.

When Sita first met Ram..it is said that she felt a longing that she recognized from even before she was born. She did not know the man she saw with her eyes..but her heart recognized him. Ram told Lakshamn how his entire being was overcome with great emotions when he set his eyes on her and how the right side of his body started throbbing. In that magical recognition of the cosmic coupling they each made up their minds to be man and wife. It is written that Sita is the incarnation of Vishnu’s heavenly consort. The longing felt is of that memory in each of them.

Sita had no choice but to be the cause for Ram to reach Ravan..As that is how it was divinely planned. King Janak, Sita’s father is said to have been enlightened once while striding his horse. Sita chose her father so.

Sita was delicately brought up by her parents. But she chose to walk with Ram into the exile. She was the wife of a prince and king but had to raise her two boys in an ashram and she raised them well. After sons and father were reunited..her task was over on this realm and she went back to her source, the mother earth.

I am beginning to dwell more in the realization of their hardships to help me look at life newly and not so much at the final glory. For only by aligning with the purpose of my life which unfolds on its own, can glory come to me. But Glory is not the goal…the path is the
focus as we let go and walk.

I am learning to take solace in my own divinity, to see Ram and Sita in me. My hardships are nothing compared to what they went through to give me a lesson that life is as it is. Just walk and the path will unfold on it’s own. They teach me that joy and sorrow go hand in hand. That unions and separations are part of life. Death and birth happen all at the same time.

That we are all gods and goddesses incarnated as mortals to take part in an intricate divine play.

LOVE

Addicted to Thumbs Up and not booze!

Hi folks, I am back to writing after a long time. My lap top has retired after years of hectic tapping! The new recruit is awaiting appointment after payment to my dear friend, who is procuring a good deal for me. In the meantime I am using my sister’s lap top as she has come over to stay with me for a few days.

I have been on a long hiatus from my blog, thinking I would take time off the internet. But that seemed like an impossible resolve to keep. I was never good at new year’s resolutions anyways..so what made me think I would be at this new resolve?

I have excuses for not being able to stick to my guns.  I have internet access on the iPad my kids use and the new phone that I use. It seemed there was no escape. Staying connected with my social network is like an addiction! Someone on my Facebook page wrote the other day that internet is an addiction one needs to rehabilitate oneself from. This same person makes at least 30 posts each day on Facebook and then keeps track of all the comments and Like buttons and then takes the effort and time to respond to comments and uses the Facebook to post enlightened insights. I also use the Facebook to display my wisdom!

I like Facebook  just as I like my red wine with a few close friends and good food. But is it an addiction? I have been exploring this subject within myself. I realized Facebook is an addiction not because of the contents that my friends share but because of the number of LIKE buttons that are pressed for what I write or ramble away!

Facebook helps to boost me up when I am feeling down in the dumps for reasons that are mundane and monotonous. Every Friday evening when I drive past the local wine and beer shop close to my house I see many men all tired, bored and disillusioned with their mundane and non-exciting lives, lining up for that boost with booze and some chicken legs fried in oil on the road side! They all look happy with the bottoms up!

I wondered are the thumbs ups on Facebook doing the same for me???

If the answer to that is yes then I am addicted to Facebook! And why not? Better a couple of  Thumbs Ups (an aerated drink that is popular in India) than booze!

Love.

On my soft bosom – a poem inspired by Maya Angelou!

 On my soft bosom!

You try to pin me down,

You are a fool,

 I am a cloud.

 

You try to break my spirit,

You are a fool,

I am not bottled.

 

You try to bind me by names,

You are a fool,

I have many names.

 

You try to ravage my body,

You are a fool,

I am the earth.

 

You try to stop my flow,

You are a fool,

I am the river.

 You try to cage my courage,

You are a fool,

I am a roar.

You try to shackle my freedom,

You have tried enough,

Baby, now rest on my soft bosom!

Dola Dasgupta

Peace and unschooling!

Working towards peace in our unschooling journey!

I try and look for peaceful solutions to daily conflicts in our lives. To accept that conflicts are the first steps towards peace has helped me to be calm and centered in the choices that I make with regard to my self and my children. I do not always succeed but I try. Sometimes peaceful solutions come with much conflict and one needs to accept that too. I have often had to be firm and strict about certain things to reach peace. Peace comes when we are true and authentic to our needs and compassionate to those of others. However it is important for me to always look at what is the need of the hour and whose need is greater in a particular situation.

Whenever there are conflicts of interest between my children, I automatically do not side with the younger child or older child. I actually listen to both of them and then allow a peaceful solution to emerge. Yes, sometimes for a while one does feel aggrieved, but remembering that it is not my task to please all but to work towards a peaceful solution and that it is a step towards the larger picture, works better.

Ishaan being the younger child often makes use of his being young to try and get his way. He is more vocal and pushy by nature. Gourika on the other hand is submissive and a person who likes to avoid conflicts if she can. I need to look at situations objectively and see to it that Gourika does not get hurt and is not forced to give up for her younger brother all the time, simply because ‘he is small.”

Then I also often find Gourika using her quiet, coy nature to get her way. Then also I need to be objective and see to it that she realises how always doing this will not get her what she needs. Constantly facilitating my children to be able to use their true nature to live life as they are meant to is working towards peace for me.

I see this happening many a times in families, where parents say, “You are a big sister/brother, he is small, allow him/her.” I do not understand this. I have seen how parents create sibling rivalry by just doing this. Sometimes the trend these days is also to ‘consciously’ support the girl child too much. She is allowed to get everything. That also I feel is going to the extreme. Often the boy child feels angry and left out. And the girl might start using this ‘ I am a poor little girl’ attitude to manipulate others for her needs.  The brother starts to resent the sister. Keeping balance by not looking at children as small or big, boy or girl, quiet or vocal, can help in peaceful and real solutions. It is a healthier way to live.

And one of the paths to take to nurture a balanced, self assured, confident adult life among both genders.

Love.

Stay in love…be honest!

I have for a long time struggled with being honest to my natural way of being, because I wanted things to work out always in my favour. I wanted a certain outcome that looked perfect. I wanted  all to like me and love me and validate me.

This looks so good on the outside. I was either the dotting daughter, the dutiful wife, the compliant girlfriend, the saintly feminine without any desires, the all sacrificing mom, the all knowing big sister, and much more. But hey you know after having been all that..all those roles just collapsed.

I grew to despise myself…as I was no longer able to supress the real me. Now those on the realm of spiritual high…like many I meet these days…might say..”And you are sure that the supressed being is the real you?”..”And have you examined the Self which is beyond..even this or that?”

I respect what they say…but I realise that to go beyond I first need to be at least real. I refuse to take those I love and care about for a ride by being dishonest about my true intentions. I do not want to be liked for being someone my  loved ones want me to be or desire of me. I first want to be loved by me for being honest to myself and my reality. And I would like to offer that reality which is so pure and uncorrputed by external pulls and pushes.

I would also like to extend this offer to all my dear ones and all my loved ones…and to all those I do not know yet.

Make no mistake..that, this is about take it or leave it…No, it is about being authentic to my true being..which is unique to me and is as it is intented by the Universe to be.

Can two people who love each other hold up a real and true mirror of who each is? Thus giving the other a fair and square chance and an opportunity to make choices that agrees with each one’s spirit and well being.

When I love someone deeply I want to open myself completely to that person so that, that person has a choice. I have hurt myself manytimes over for having not done that. And I realise that I was hurting since I myself did not embrace many parts of myself and love them no matter what. I see how by judging my thoughts, feelings, emotions, needs, desires as bad, good, moral, immoral, as sin, not sin..I gave the power away to external sources.

To love deeply for me is to be able to rip open my heart and place it in front of my beloved….and during this process staying detached from any particular outcome. And walking away with dignity and deep love and affection for the one I love..even if sometimes the intentions do not match and even when it means to say that last GOODBYE!!

To love, for me, is to be true to oneself and not buy into someone else’s story or fanatsy of who I am or can be….and doing the same for that someone else.

The MIND is tricky and will make you believe anything that is not true…be alert, dispassionate, vigilant and do not fall for its many tricks. None of those tricks will lead you to love.

Stay in love…be loving, be honest. Try not to be dishonest for fear of loosing the one you love deeply..for if you do that you will loose the person anyway sooner or later.

Love.

Tick or dangle..the secret of sexuality!

The word unconventional is all warped…sorry..There has been much discussion on a Yahoo group that I am on…about unconventional relationships…

When people talk of unconventional relationships they are actually hiding and wanting to say “different than socially accepted sexual practices”…once at my dear  friend Hema’s place…she painted a picture of me…as I was reading…and sipping wine…it was quiet an erotic moment for me…I have a loving relationship with her..and no we are not having sex….but if I ever want a nude of mine I will ask her…it is safe…and also that moment when she painted me I felt like Rose from Titanic…..Unconventional relationship is not the same as unconventional sexual practices…and sex for sex sake is what people want…but they disguise it with the word relationship…..and it is the space and freedom I wish kids have when they start to explore sexuality…so that they can first have sex for sex sake only…and not feel obliged to commit to a relationship..because of conventions to have sex…that is when it all goes awry…..I feel strongly for young adults…who feel so unsafe and unsure to explore the joys of simple sex..whether with same sex or opposite or both…or even with themselves…and end up saying “I do” at the marriage alter. And then every night say “I don’t want to and don’t feel like it.”

And then we have 40 plus men and women wondering what hit them…and are still confused and angry with themselves and their spouses ex or current and parents and the society for not being able to still figure out what makes them tick or dangle!!! And that included me till very recently…I discovered at the ripe old age of 39 that I am straight and like to have sex with men. Better late than never. At least now I know. The practice is little tough now though! But then Buddha says ignorance causes suffering.. So at least now I can stop this suffering because I am no longer ignorant of my own sexual being.

Sexuality is a joyous expression of creativity….please don’t moralize it and turn it into perversion and oppression or an obsession.

Love.

 

Be ordinary!

This is an ‘ordinary’ evening I spent with my children…yesterday….

 I was listening to Tagore songs on iPad…soulfully strung to western orchestra…and sung by a woman with a belly voice…

Ishaan and Gourika were in the same room spread out on the carpet playing together with barbie dolls and other stuff…making up stories as they played along…I had some food cooking in the kitchen…

In between Ishaan kept identifying the instruments being played…now piano…now violin…now guitar…now Dhol…and Gourika kept asking me what the words mean?

Some candles and orange blossom essential oil…were also burning,  I got them from Auroville…

My heart was feeling a sweetness and a tenderness..as Srabani Sen the singer rendered….”Tumi Kemon kore gaan karo he guni…aami aubak hoye shuni…kebol shuni..”

Meaning…”How you sing the song of creation…is a wonder..as I am spellbound and in awe…my lord…”

You know there is a saying in Bangla…”Gorur laij dhore kand…” It means when there is nothing to cry about..find a cow catch its tail and cry…!!!..That my dear ones is the human mind….and so be it…some of us love to cry….some of us love words…some of us love silence…some us love to love…some of us love all the colours…Like the eternal Krishna playing his flute…and so many hues and facets came out of that flute…avoid nothing…deny nothing…it is all part of the whole…

Sorry for more words…but I love words…and feel gifted to be able to weave them into stories, understanding all the time, as I write or use them…they are meant for me only!

Ask for nothing more than inspiration….and be inspired.

Dola

Sunday un-School!! Amen.

“Can you look at your child so that their essence strikes you, intensely and immediately? Can you transmit love in your glance and feel love in return? We all have this ability. Just as you stand at the center of space and time, so do we stand at the center of love. There is nothing you need to do.. New vision comes from the awareness of who you are. When you renew your commitment to having new eyes, they will open…” —- Deepak Chopra.

Sunday morning. I woke up as always early to go for my walk with Goldy, our dog. This is a morning ritual I simply love and never ever get tired of. We meet our regular dog walkers. Dogs greet dogs and we humans greet each other.. There is always this loving affinity among dog lovers all over the world. The love just gets transmitted through a smile and a glance. We are all lovers every morning!

After which I come home and make my cup of tea and sit down to read my daily inspirational books or reply to the e-mails. Then I meditate. It comes quite naturally now…Needing no effort at all. After three years of rigorous practice! I have a wild and turbulent mind…it has not only monkeys..but also ferocious jungle animals like lions and tigers and also the gentle giant, elephants. But then they also go on rampage at times…Learning to sit with all my wild animals and also tamed ones!

The children wake up late and always call me loudly…”mama..mama..mama..” till I get into the room and hug them and play a bit of cuddly buddly…During which the morning rhythm of them is also being unplanned!

Today is a glorious sunny spring Sunday of February in New Delhi. The children quickly wash, and fill bottles of milk to feed some new born puppies in the neighborhood. The door bell rings and a bunch of kids, my children’s playmates, want to join Ishaan and Gourika in feeding the dogs.

So they all rush down. No breakfast. Not a worry in the whole world but the next best thing. I go to the terrace with Goldy and play bowling with an empty green coconut shell. The whole terrace becomes a bowling alley. I roll the shell and Goldy runs to catch it! During which I also have my breakfast of grapes.

Ishaan is all dressed up for a party that he is going to with his Dad…but he does not mind playing till his dad get here. So his clothes will be all soiled before the party. And his hair is like a rock star now..He refuses to go to the barber.

Gourika is now the “spread love among animals” crusader in the neighbourhood. Two years back she was afraid of dogs. And she does not want to go to any party but is content to go to a small and quiet lunch meet to a dear friend’s home with me. Her cardigan has most buttons missing. But hey that is last on the list!

Our earlier plan was to visit the doll museum in Delhi…but when she heard that even her little cousin sister is going to be at the luncheon meet..She dropped the dolls!

We do not live on a farm or some rural village or in a joint family. But my children carry all that in their heart!

I just read a mail by some dear ones who want to know what a typical day of an unschooler looks like. So I thought of writing this.

Dear ones this is how it looks today. But then tomorrow is another day!

Love

 

 

 

 

Trusting the path of unschooling!

Another piece on unschooling…also dated..all from a book I was asked to write..never saw the light of day…so thought might as well use it for all of you lovely moms and dads who have chosen this creative path for their children…and themselves

Trusting my children and myself:

 As children most of us who are now parents, were told to never trust our own wisdom as children. I can speak for myself and say that phrases such as

“You don’t know what you are saying or doing.”

“Don’t do as I say and you will be in trouble.”

“The world is unsafe and out to cheat and harm you.”

“Be weary of strangers.”

“Don’t go out in the dark.”

“You better do as I say or else..”

“I am older so know better than you.”

“I have been around more..”

“When you are older then you can do this…not now.”

And my mom’s favourite was to do with loving a boy or having a boyfriend, she would always say, “Love can wait, first complete your studies.”

The result of all this was that I sneaked around doing all the things I was prevented from or cautioned from doing. And as a result got more into trouble!

I have over the years stopped myself by simply observing my own speech and urge to blurt out exactly the same phrases. Once I did this consciously for weeks and months, I realised how much like my mother or father I had become. Where was my own voice? The same things that killed and suppressed my self expression and inner voice, was being repeated by me and I was going to turn my children into ME.

I have since rephrased the above phrases. If Gourika wants to come home late from her friend’s place after dark, I tell her, “Sure it is alright, just call me and I will fetch you.” Or ‘could you perhaps ask your friend’s mom to bring you half way.”

If Ishaan wants to skip his lunch and says ‘Mom I am not hungry.” I say,” That is fine Ishaan, let me or Naani know when you are.”

When Gourika wants to wear make up, I give her some of mine and help her wear it. And not say “This is harmful stuff and you can wear it when you are older.” When she asks me about love, marriage, sex and relationships, I talk to her openly and as simply and matter-of-fact as possible. I trust that she is asking because there is a need within her to understand something and I am privileged that my daughter seeks the answer from me rather than from some other ‘unreliable’ source.

Gourika often refuses to go out with me and Ishaan to the city. She likes being in the neighbourhood to play with her mates. I never force her unless there is no one to take care of her at home. I trust that this is more important for her than going to the library. Ishaan on the other hand enjoys a weekly trip to the city and library. However he refuses to go out and play with mates and rather likes it when some of his close pals come home. I respect that and don’t push him to go outdoors.

When my son falls down while playing jumping jack on the bed, I hold him and say “that hurts isn’t it?” And he is back jumping again. When a new friend Gourika makes suddenly dumps her and she is hurt I hold her hand and listen to her. I try not to judge or dissect her choice of friends. She often gets lured by new girls in the block, but falls back on her old friends. I allow her to go through this process gently and kindly, knowing all the time that she is exploring her options and in doing so she is discovering herself.

At home my children jump, run, scream, shout and make a mess. One day I took Ishaan to a puppetry workshop and there were many children his age and some older ones too. They were all school going children. Ishaan sat through the whole show, silently, laughing and nodding at the funny place. I saw some of the children were jumping, shouting, going close to the curtains and pulling at stuff. Their moms could not make them sit still. When the puppeteers started to help the kids make puppets, each child was grabbing, not wanting to wait for their turn, shouting, pushing and shoving other children. Ishaan and I did all that we went there for without much fuss and pushing around. Ishaan was ready to wait it out patiently.

And I was wondering how these children must be made to ‘behave’ at home, school and other spaces. The cry for freedom was almost unbearable to watch! It had already become aggressive and violent.

Whatever makes my children shine in their eyes and face is surely the best thing for them and they themselves have knowledge of this. I trust that my children know what they need and I support that need. I trust that the Universe is always taking care of me and my children and it is safe.

I often observe families, when I visit parks or parties or other public places, and simply try and witness how parents speak or interact with their children. There is a critical tone to instructions, a lot of judgement and a compulsive desire to ‘correct’ every move and speech of the children. I am not blaming the parents but simply observing how much damage ‘mainstream parents’ inflict on their children by simply mindlessly repeating the ways they were raised by their parents.

I feel a lot love for these parents, because I too was raised like this. I feel pain to watch parents and children stuck in battles of wit and control. I see how the child is withdrawing from the parent and will remain so for many years to come. One of my goals and aspirations is to help parents see that there is another way to parenting. A more loving, kinder and creative way to seal bonds of trust and confidence among parents and children exists.

I still often find catching myself behaving in unkind and manipulative ways with my children. But I stop myself now or correct myself. I often apologize to my children for being unkind in my words or actions and when I am aware that I acted out old habits.

There is often so much talk about ‘rebellion’ among parents when they speak of their teenage children, I wonder the word rebellion is just another label being put or judgement being passed my parents to stop themselves from seeing the real needs of their children. When my son is not willing to do something I know it is not rebellion, but his way of expressing his real needs. When my daughter wants to watch a Hindi romantic film like ‘Aisha’ every single day, I appreciate her choice. Because I see her shining and probably there is some need for hers which is getting fulfilled. I do slip at times and tell her ‘Oh Gourika not again.” But she now assertive enough to say…”But I love it mom.” So I actually watched it with her to realise that the movie is a Hindi version of the Jane Austen book ‘Emma”. And Jane Austen is my favourite woman writer too. The other day someone gifted her and old simple version of Pride and Prejudice! And she asked me what the story was all about and I told her it is by the same author who has inspired ‘Aisha’ and is again about women and very romantic.

She is already interested!

Being open and flexible to my needs and that of my children’s and respecting and honouring has been helping us to forge a relationship where there is mutual nourishment and affection. It is surely an easier way to live.

I see my children as co-travellers and not some task that I have to perform or feel burdened with. It is not my task to raise my children but to honour them and facilitate their journey which is closely and intimately linked to mine….So in honouring them I honour myself.

Love

Honouring the needs in unschooling!

This is a bit dated..as I had written this many months ago..many things have changed along the way..but still thought of sharing, if anyone keen on knowing more about unschooling!

Honouring the needs of my children.

In being with my children I see myself as the facilitator of their learning journey and NOT a teacher. My task is to honour their learning needs and not force anything that I think is important for me only…That does not mean I don’t gently suggest..but if I sense too much disinterest I back off…

This whole process of facilitation happens for us silently and quietly. There is no pattern or structure. Some things are not visible also.  When people come home they see us all doing or not doing, they wonder. I am somewhere, Ishaan is upto something or just lounging on the couch looking up at the ceiling, Gourika is scribbling something in one of her innumerable diaries! Apparently it is all noisy or silent…no visible learning seems to be happening. Or just watching TV the whole day!!!

 

But I know how much we are learning. Only I know that and my children and those who genuinely are interested in us. I see learning opportunities in each and every whim or fancy of my children.

Gourika was once very much interested in Hannah Montana. It is an American TV show about a teenage girl. She has a brother and they have been raised by their single Dad. She is a pop icon. I used to make it a point to watch it with her. Just to see what fascinates her in the show.

I found the show very absorbing. The relationship among the two kids and their single dad, the siblings relating to each other, Hannah/Mylie juggling two lives that of a regular school kid and a pop star, her daily trials in wanting what regular kids want and yet always having to be aware of her larger task as a role model for other teenagers…Her heart breaks, her struggle to be real with her best friend despite her larger than picture lifestyle…

I was amazed how much one could learn. But this could not happen till I saw only ‘American fashion and way of life and that is harmful to my Indian way of life’…At every step in my learning journey with my children, I have been forced to rethink my prejudices and conditioning…

Through the eyes of Gourika I was able to see beneath, and through the fear that Indians have about the ‘American propaganda’. I saw human beings trying to make a living, trying to love and accept, a single dad trying to be both a mom and dad to his two kids…I think it is awesome. Today when Gourika meets other single parents and their children she is mature and understands that, this too is a way of life for many…By following my daughter’s needs and interest I was able to throw away many of my prejudices about foreign culture and way of life.

Her interest in fashion and style also stems from Hannah Montana. She is long over with this show, but her keen eye for fashion and style has stayed with her. Even today she watches movies and shows primarily for the style and fashion that the characters or stars of that movie or show wear.

She also picked up interest in dance and music from this show. I have always supported her all the way. I kept track of the show timings, got her CDs or DVDs of music and films on Hannah. I bought her books and comics…and other merchandise too. It is also worth mentioning here that there have been long stretches in our journey where I was short on finances and could not afford many things for them…But surprisingly and pleasantly I held the intent close to my heart and they came in the form of gifts from friends and relatives!

Initially I helped Gourika to view music and dance shows on You Tube. She would browse for hours, sometimes dancing and singing along. She also learnt to copy the lyrics and write them in her diary.

Ishaan has always been interested in Trains of all kinds. I have spent hours and hours drawing and colouring trains for him. He picked up so much knowledge about trains just by looking at pictures and me drawing them out for him. He asked questions and I answered to the best of my ability. When I did not know, I looked it up with him on the Net or in books. We went to libraries and got books, movies, documentaries that had trains in them. At one point in time when Ishaan was about three years old, the Hindi film Sholay would be playing the whole time at our home. Because of the steam train shots and also the horse chase. He loved both trains and horses at that time.

I allowed him to watch Sholay over and over again. One day he got tired of it and wanted to know more about trains through other means…So we started exploring other means. We took train trips of all kinds. He asked me about the fuel types, track types, and much more. We often make trips to the Rail Museum in Delhi, that has an amazing collection of old Steam engines and locomotives from the British era also independent India.

From steam engines to steam boats to ships, and sail boats and explorations of the world….It is a fascinating journey of connecting the dots…If as a parent one is simply watchful and observant…your child will show you the way you need to take in helping her or him in their learning…

When parents ask me, how involved does a parent need to be to unschool. I always say only that much that your child asks you to be. One does not need to be superbly educated with degrees to show off for being an unschooling parent. But one does need to be genuinely interested in one’s children and their needs….The rest will manifest in magical ways.

Love

Dola