In recent blog activity, a fellow Anarchist and I had gone back and forth about the difference between rules and principles and about whether or not it’s possible to be a non-coercive parent and not over step your natural bounds. We are on opposite ends of the matter.

I wanted to use this space to share a couple links on the matter. I think it’s important to envision the idea of living by principles rather than rules…I think it’s then that one can see how arbitrary and useless rules and control are. Since my ideas stem first from being a parent with a deep respect for my own intuition, second from our radical unschooling and third because I am an Anarchist…not all of the links are solely about parenting in general, but are about radical unschooling, which is more of a lifestyle choice and really goes beyond parenting and education methods. Find something that you enjoy.

Rules vs. Principles by Danielle Conger  (her entire site is fantastic for unschoolers)

Living by Principles Instead of by Rules (another radical unschooling goldmine website)

Ben Lovejoy on Living by Principles instead of by Rules

Control and its related problems

Where is the edge of unschooling? (more about control, regulating & rules)

Holly’s expressions of surprise and disbelief

Logic and Parenting

Freedom/Choices/Empowerment/Respect

I realize there is a lot here, but I could offer a lot more. Reflection is key and I know that before the ‘ah ha’ moment happened for me, I was a much more stressed out and plain old bitchy Mother. I am still learning and more importantly starting to rewrite all of the negative parenting & interacting with people that I inherited from my environment growing up.