It is Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival (previous edition) time again and the theme for this edition will be:
Education is a discipline.
Reflecting on our homeschooling experiences, I think there are some habits of discipline that have paved the way to making our days go along smoothly and enjoyably together.
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| February Sunrise |
1. Keeping my habit of getting up on time. Although early rising can be a hard habit to establish, it has allowed me more freedom to pay attention to my own spiritual needs first thing in the morning and then minister to the needs of my family as they begin their day. I am alert when the troops rise up in the morning, greeting them with a smile and enthusiasm for the day that would not be there if I were just dragging myself out of bed at school time. There is also time to help them with developing good habits in grooming and housekeeping of their own.
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| When I am rested I find I have more energy for making little touches of beauty around the home. Daffodils make me smile. |
2. Encouraging the habit of completing chores on time and with cheerfulness. My role has been to train them carefully to do a job well and then to set up a system to put the habit in place, making sure to keep it going. We have had several chore reminder systems over the years but the way that works the best is just to slowly introduce each chore, nurture the habit alongside them, rely on natural consequences that result when the chore is not done properly, and then praise the results when you observe the habit is in place. I also have expected that the chores be done cheerfully and if I ask them to do something I like them to respond with a *I would love to do it* sort of attitude. It can be done. I rarely have to say anything now because the boys go through their own mental checklist: bedroom chore, bathroom chore, kitchen chore, pet chore.
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| Our Scripture Memory Box - Can you tell the boys decorated it years ago? |
3. Growing the habit of starting each school day with a scriptural thought. We choose to start school early so we can include fifteen minutes for reading the Bible aloud and sharing thoughts. We also include our scripture memory work at this time. (Thanks Simply Charlotte Mason for the free Scripture Memory System.) We have continued this even through their high school years and it has allowed me to see into their hearts during a time of growing and maturing. Once my boys leave home they will need that moral compass to guide and discipline them...this is a time for adjusting the compass and making sure they are actually looking at it daily.
4. Still perfecting the habit of planning ahead. When the children were younger, I was not always the most organized of homeschoooling moms. It was only out of sheer self-defense that I pulled myself together to have a plan for our homeschool. It was better to be equipped at the beginning of the day (or week), prepared with supplies and books needed. If we started a science project and we were missing a vital component, I soon lost everyone's attention and chaos would break loose. If on the other hand I prepared ahead of time, looked at the week's work and schedule, jotted some notes and lists of things to gather and prepare, and then arrived each morning with all the resources ready.....we had a great time learning together.
For our family, Homeschool Tracker has been a great asset. I started building the habit of planning ahead and then instilling the habit of attention in my children to actually look at their daily checklist and complete it. Now in high school they can function almost entirely from the list without much guidance from me. We have Monday planning meetings just to make sure we all are on the same page but for the most part their routine is firmly set in place and it goes off without a hitch.
So there you have my short list of habits that are partly habits nurtured in myself and partly habits developed in my children. I can see where these four habits have allowed us the freedom to arrive at each school day ready to enjoy our time together.
"Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life."
You can read more about our Charlotte Mason High School on my Squidoo page.
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17 comments:
Once my boys leave home they will need that moral compass to guide and discipline them...this is a time for adjusting the compass and making sure they are actually looking at it daily.
I think this is perhaps one of the most important things a parent does. It doesn't matter if parents are religious or not, homeschooling or not, every set of parents have morals and values and teaching their children that is so very important. Not only in words, but also in actions. You cannot forever shield a child from the world, from people who don't share the same values, from having to make a choice between the values of the parents and the values of others. But if you've taught your children in words and actions every day, they will follow the morals and values of the parents, because they have become the morals and values of the children. I speak from experience, for my parents taught me well.
Thanks so much for this encouraging and insightful post, Barb. Have I ever told you that I consider you mentor? God bless you for all you do for the homeschooling community!
We love the CM Scripture memory system. I see true knowledge of scripture developing and it excites me!!
I am poking around your blog and would love to join The Outdoor Hour challenges...I have A Pocketful of Pinecones on my Kindle and need to read that, too.
Thank you for so many resources!
Barb,
I learn so much when I visit your site! I see the results of discipline in your schedule and it inspires me to be consistent in my schedule at home.
Getting ready to start the Spring challenges!
Dorla
I didn't comment on this the day you posted it, but I have it saved in my google reader. Because I think I need to read it every day for the next year or so.
I second what Amy said above: you are a mentor to many. In the strange knowing-people-but-not-really world that blogging can be, I consider you a friend and a mentor. If I ever make it all the way out to the opposite end of the country (where you are!), I hope to have an opportunity to hug your neck -- and I mean that in the least stalking way possible. It's just that I'm a Georgia girl, and hugging is what we do. That, and say, "Bless your heart" a lot. ;)
Jamie,
Thanks for the virtual hug....you made me smile today. This post was written and rewritten about three times before I finally hit the post button. I waver so many times between *Am I telling too much?* and *give others some breadcrumbs to follow*. I do so wish that I share so much more about our homeschool but many times I just feel like I need to give my boys some privacy....perhaps when we aren't so close to the experiences.
Thanks for your kind comments.
Thank you for listing just four. I look at those and say, "I can do that!" When I look at a list of endless habits, I'm overwhelmed. I want to practice the first one especially.
"Like" :)
Even with only one daughter, I am a HUGE proponent of the wake up before everyone habit. It changes my whole outlook on the day.
Thanks for all you share with us. :)
Barb, I really appreciate this post. I *know* that getting up early would make things better for me (and consequently my son and my husband). I woke up at 5:30 yesterday and couldn't go back to sleep. (I usually get up around 7:30.) WOW! What a productive morning I had! I felt great and was in a wonderful mood by the time my son woke. I must work on making this a habit. Thanks for the encouragement!
Barb, as someone who benefits from the words of a seasoned CM'er who has worn the path before me, I really appreciate your honesty and practicality.
Oftentimes, I run a post through my husband first to make sure I'm not exposing anyone. You can be sure he was the first to read my Habits post.
Thank you for a thought-provoking and encouraging post.
Richele
A hearty "Amen" to that! Thanks for sharing about what you have learned over the years.
You are appreciated,
Nancy
Great post, Barb! Thanks for the reminder. I really need to work on the habit of chores in our house. I KNOW it would make things run smoother and make for a happier mamma!
I stumbled across your post and just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to share.
Barb,you offer so much to us home scool momsthat just need that extra. I don't usualy post comments on your blogs, but I visit them often for the wealth and knowledge they offer. Thanks for all that you do. God bless you. Hugs across the net. My family uses your ideas a lot.
Thank you for your encouragement. #1 and #4 are two I need to be consistent in! I started the school year out strong, but now we are near the end, and I have gotten way too relaxed (lazy).
What tips would you give to consistently get the "love to do it" attitude? We're struggling with that lately...
Tillie,
Consistent praise for a job well done...even if at first it is just a little chore. Just keep training, building, and praising. It takes time to get this habit in place.
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