The following are the principles I came up with that guided my responses to the questions that make up the bulk of my “manifesto”.
- I believe that my daughter is a capable and intelligent person. I respect her as independent and strong. She has her own preferences, desires, thoughts, priorities, and opinions.
- It is incumbent upon me to support her independence and abilities. I will include her as a full member of our household, as she demonstrates that she is ready and willing. I will teach her how to care for herself, for her environments, and for her education.
- My daughter needs only to learn to love learning. She needs only the ability to engage with the world as a curious and responsible citizen.
- I believe I am her first and best teacher. While I will act explicitly as her instructor, I will also lead by example.
- I will encourage her to be human and accepting of her faults and strengths as well as those of others. I will encourage her to be kind, generous, giving, thoughtful, logical, reasonable, gentle, and interested in the world. I will expose her to the world and encourage her to explore and experience it.
- I will love her unconditionally and give her a safe place to discover and express who she is and what she believes. I will encourage her to lead a full life with all the pain, joy, suffering, excitement, embarrassment, and beauty that a full life can hold.
- I will continue in my own quest for knowledge of the best ways to help my daughter. I will explore pedagogy, parenting, and education. I will also continue to indulge my own interests and academic pursuits in an effort to set an example for her.
- I will consciously and conscientiously raise her to her full potential.