Secular Charlotte Mason

Anyone, besides me, feeling slightly overwhelmed by this chapter?! I've tried to do much of this throughout my kids' lives but it has not worked! (hear the scream of frustration)

LOL, I'm still working on Chapter 2.  When I try to read it my eyes start swimming.  Not sure which chapter but when I see Neatness, I think I should abandon everything we are currently doing and work on this one around the house.  My husband just went back to work after being home for 5 months, so I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with our home routine.  The habit training just seems like too much.  I'll try to get it together and partcipate in this discussion more.  I do feel that I should be working on habits more than academics at this time. (Thinking too much about reading instruction)  I am doing pretty well with getting meals on the table at set times (most days) without varying the time too much.   I read this book and see the habits that I'm naturally good at doing and the habits that I need a complete overhaul to accomplish.  I'll try to be more specific later.  Gotta get ready to drive to PDX. 

Cori

Wow, I sailed through both chapters this morning and have some thoughts. 

Cleanliness:  We do pretty well with this one.  My kids wash their hands and take off their shoes when they come into the house.  My older one will automatically take off muddy clothing and put it on the washer (which is near the back porch entry).  My kids don't bathe daily and I have considered what CM says about sweat clogging the pores.  Maybe this would be a good thing to do.  Airing my children's bedrooms in winter could be done more.  We live in an old drafty house but even still it gets stuffy this time of year.  My kids are pretty clean overall.  I had to encourage them to get dirty because as toddlers I cleaned them up quite often.

Courtesy and Manners:  I automatically work on courtesy and good manners with my children.  I feel this is something my Mom failed to teach me and later I found myself embarassed in social situations or when other Moms would ask me to do something.  So I am trying to do better for my children.

Kindness and Gentleness:  This is something that was a necessity borne out of Ham's toddler years.  He was an active boy who lacked self-control.  In a way, it has been really good for him to go through that stage and force me to concentrate on these two areas because now he's very kind and gentle with others.  I'm amazed at the results of these efforts.  He's also showing forebearance with his pesky 3 yo brother. Ham's reaction to his brother reminds me that I too could do better.  How's that for humbling?  To see your 6 yo have more patience than myself.

Modesty and Purity:  Not sure if I agree 100% with CM on this one. I think an open dialogue with children is important.   Children need to feel comfortable talking to their parents about their bodies.

Neatness and Order:  Oh boy do we need work on this one.  The toys and craft supplies are unorganized. I can't find the hole punch, for example, when I need it.  This is an area that needs work. I've held onto far too many things for sentimental reason.  My husband is a bit of a pack rat but he's neat about it.  We aren't a candiate for those TV shows where the muck out your house, but I do want a more organized house.  So I think I will get more rolling storage towers and also have the boys put their toys in their rooms.  Our house was built in 1900 so the rooms and closets are tiny compared to modern standards.  Their toys are currently on the landing and in the living room.  They *rarely* play with plastic toys prefering to play games or play with bits of things they find around the house, do crafts or go outside.  I know this is a good thing.  I've given away so many toys already.  Spring cleaning will be a big event in this house and it will likely start very soon.

Regularity:  Yep, need work on this one too.  My kids need to know what to expect.  It won't be a strict schedule because I would go crazy with that, but we need to have a good routine.  My dh went back to work after recovering from shoulder surgery for 5 months so our routine needs help too.  Mealtimes and bedtimes are pretty consistent though.  And the new wii is played after dark since it gets dark so early this time of year.  I need to be more consistent about morning activities and getting outside in the afternoon (if it's not pouring down rain).

Oops, it timed out while I was trying fix a couple of things (bad grammar).  Oh well. I'm in a hurry anyway.  I'm sure ya'll will get the gist of it.

"Courtesy and Manners: I automatically work on courtesy and good manners with my children. I feel this is something my Mom failed to teach me and later I found myself embarassed in social situations or when other Moms would ask me to do something. So I am trying to do better for my children."

This is a huge issue for me and I'm glad you have chosen to work on it. As I've explained to my kids the fact that I am courteous and respectful is the number one reason I have been able to keep various jobs when everyone else I worked with got laid-off. This is the one area that my mom, and the rest of my family, really did a great job with and I thank them for it!

Respect and common courtesy were paramount in my family but were not taught in my husband's family. This makes it really hard for me since he doesn't back me up in this area at all. I feel like it is a constant uphill struggle with the kids--but one I refuse to give up on. I am finding that most of the teens I run into these days are just too disrespectful and have no concept of common courtesy and this does have a trickle down effect when my older kids are with their friends.

I just love reading about how much Ham is changing. Seems like he is a much more together kid than when you first started posting. Good job!

"Modesty and Purity: Not sure if I agree 100% with CM on this one. I think an open dialogue with children is important. Children need to feel comfortable talking to their parents about their bodies."

I'm with you on this one. Modern research shows that it is healthiest to be open and honest with our kids about the human body. Ms. Mason's concept of this is quite reflective of the era in which she lived. I could be wrong, but I have a feeling that she would not have covered the private parts of nude paintings the way so many Americans do today though.