“A parent who does not follow reasonably a method of
education, fully thought out, fails—now, more than ever
before—to fulfil the claims his children have upon him”
(Vol. 1, p. 8). ~Charlotte Mason
There are many things to consider when planning a new school year and much planning has occured over iced tea in the back yard, papers strewn about the iron table and frequent splashes of pool water hitting said papers. Some planning started even before the previous school year was wrapped up and considered well done.
As a home schooling mum, my goals for the year are prayed over by my husband and myself. I wake earlier the last few days to start getting back into the swing of things, to coin a phrase. Notebook in hand I pass a critical eye over my to do list and start assigning chores to the family. We all must pull together to get things in shape. I admit to savoring a clean house, all belongings in their assigned places. Though I admit as time goes on and the school days are busy, things do happen to fall out of place. Perfection is not the goal, tidiness is.
With list in hand ~ Cottage spiffed up. Check. Laundry done and put away. Check. Meal plan for the week in place. Check. School books and plans at the ready. Check. Attitudes adjusted. Check. Calendars all filled out and schedules posted. Check.
Reminder for Mum. Check.
"If mothers could learn to do for themselves what they do for their children when these are overdone, we should have happier households. Let the mother go out to play! If she would have the courage to let everything go when life becomes too tense, and just take a day, or half a day, out in the fields, or with a favourite book, or in a picture gallery looking long and well at just two or three pictures, or in bed, without the children, life would go on far more happily for both children and parents. The mother would then be able to hold herself in "wise passiveness’ and would not fret her children by continual interference even of hand or eye - she would let them be." Charlotte Mason
A wonderful and FREE resource I would love to share with you is Sonya Schafer's e-book, A Thinking Love. Filled with Charlotte Mason quotes and wisdom ,it is sure to help you navigate the parenting and home education trails. This is an encouraging read and I suggest printing out a few pages at a time, savoring the quotes and advice found among the pages. Sonya's sage advice is sprinkled throughout , lending the feel of that older, wiser, Titus 2 woman who has walked this path before and now seeks to encourage those also on this journey.
So many years I was where you are! And now, my two precious girls begin a new year in their tiny christian school, and I set out to reclaim the harvest ... Blessings on your school year, and ours, and many, many others.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the link Suzanne, I will follow it now. The quotes you have used here are so relevant, I think I shall note them for future use. My eldest is at our little village school, he so loves being with people, although I long to home educate him I will follow his yearnings :) I pray that your new school year brings fulfillment and blessings for you all xx
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your son is where he needs to be! I am picturing a little school out of the pages of a Miss Read story:-) Charlotte's teachings are relevant for non-home educating families, keep in mind she ran a school!
DeleteYou never fail to encourage me. We're just now getting back into the swing of things. ~smile~
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