Replies to '11/24 Great School Debate'

It would depend on the kid and the reason.

Sure, if TV was the most exciting thing happening around our house for weeks on end, then yes, that would be an issue.  But sometimes life throws serious curveballs -- death of a grandparent, life threatening illness in a sibling are two biggies we've had in previous years.  Someone mentioned a broken crush.  Sometimes it's just the weeks before a huge developmental leap.  But if all is well with the child, we're offering plenty of alternatives, well yes, I do trust that for whatever reason my kid needs to veg in front of the TV for whatever time period he or she needs, it's a valid reason.

I don't watch much TV, either, but sometimes in the winter months I get Seasonal  Affective Disorder and am more likely to want to curl up under a blanket and veg.  Nothing wrong with it.

Bottom line for unschooling is:  Trusting the kids, and the Freedom to choose.

Example:  One kid was in and out of the hospital at a young age.  All he wanted to do was watch Toy Story followed by Toy Story 2, over and over, day after day, for weeks on end.  Thank Goodness I liked the movies!  I'd have been tearing my hair out if he preferred Barney's Sing-Along!  But the point is, that he found the movies comforting and familiar, and yes, I allowed him to watch them.  And if the tapes wore out I would have bought him new ones.  I trusted him to know what he needed (familiarity) and freely allowed him to watch.