diary of a wilderness dweller

excerpt from diary of a wilderness dweller by chris czajkowski

Many people condemn those who wish to rear their children away from towns and schools. They cite "lack of leaning experiences" and " an inability to relate to others." They actually feel sorry for them when they are brought up differently from themselves.

I have know many children whose only education had been by mail, radiophone, or even parents alone: providing the parents care and i have yet to see a child who has suffered from it. There have been cases where bush-reared children have been neglected, just like in cities, but that is the law of averages, not circumstance.

Like a great many wilderness dwellers, Bob and Francie read well and copiously. Patrick (their son) already has a passion for books far beyond that of most kids his age. And one could hardly call the boy shy or inarticulate - given half a chance he chatters like a whiskeyjack. At eight years old he can handle a horse and an axe better than most grown men. His discipline is that of the country and the country does not readily let him make mistakes. Is Patrick really suffering by not learning how to punch his buddy in a hockey game, or gang up on street corners and foll around with dope? Whatever he may eventually do with his life, it will be for reasons of his own and not because of peer pressure. He has learned what many people never do -
to think for himself.