Fri 1 Sep 2006
Every time I write a Morning Time post I get lots of email and many questions. I don’t mind that at all but behind those emails is usually the assumption that I am someone who is doing it ALL. This post isn’t so much a disclaimer about myself as it is a disclaimer that anyone is doing it ALL.
I have met enough homeschool super-moms to know that no one is doing it all. So many times when we are reading about other families, our imaginations make up all sorts of details that don’t belong in the real picture. I have said this before but we imagine someone having all their own priorities which we read about and all of our own priorities. It takes a little bit of discipline when reading through blogs not to panic. Calm down everyone. I promise no one is doing it all and if she is she is not a fun person to be around. And I have seen those types too. They get more done than the rest of us but they leave a trail of destruction.
The very first year I started homeschooling I implemented Morning Time accidentally. It was just an organic development from my reading of Charlotte Mason. That is why it has such a goofy name. It just developed into that. Later as I continued to read homeschooling books and more and more choices loomed at the curriculum fair, I tried to DO what other people were doing but I could never find time to do what other people were suggesting and what I was already doing. Hence over and over again I had to make a decision: Drop MT or drop the other thing? I consistently chose to drop the other things. Over the years I have added things to our MT that fit naturally into the picture and that has made our time more productive. I learned to make things easier and run smoother. In the end I erred on the side of what worked for us and now I have my grown boys telling me that MT is what was best about their education. They always encourage me to faithfully continue with the little ones.
All this is one reason I enjoyed the Circe conference so much. It was an affirmation that I had made the right choice and it didn’t require me to add to what I was already doing.
If you are a driven mom who is pushing her children so that they are ragged and worn out please don’t add what I am doing to your already full day. If you see something in what I am doing that strikes a chord in your heart and will bring peace and lasting fruit to your homelife then by all means take my ideas.
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You sound like a very wise woman!
Comment by Dana (September 1, 2006 @ 10:57 am )
BTW, do you receive Touchstone magazine?
Comment by Dana (September 1, 2006 @ 1:18 pm )
I just ordered it after reading a few free issues I got at the Circe conference. What a great resource.
Comment by Cindy (September 1, 2006 @ 1:30 pm )
Well, if you happen to have the July 2006 issue, I would like to read the article about *cousins* by a Professor Esolen.
Email or comment on my blog, if possible.
Thanks.
Comment by Dana (September 1, 2006 @ 2:32 pm )
Sorry, Dana, I don’t have that particular issue.
Comment by Cindy (September 1, 2006 @ 3:56 pm )
This is a good reminder, Cindy. It’s so easy to get overwhelmed by what we see others doing. I have also chosen to let many (good and worthy) things go in order to have a large chunk of time to read to my kids and do memory work and sing hymns and read poetry in the morning and early afternoon. And, I stay home…don’t do co-op, outside classes, or really any activities besides a few music lessons and one gymnastics class. I neer run errands during the day. We don’t do organized sports…but it is so important to realize that each family is called to do things a bit differently. And…I have never been sorry that we have skipped those outside activities.
Comment by Kathy in VA (September 2, 2006 @ 5:42 pm )
Cindy…I err on the other side. Letting other bits of life get in the way and not being consistent with any school time. Though I am starting to get better, with God’s and hubby’s help.
When I see your morning time, I see another chance to fail after a while…I have such a terrible time being consistent with anything!
BUT, I realized, I think, with your last morning time post that I do my own version of it. I don’t incorporate as much, but there are a few things that we as a family have decided MUST get done with some regularity. Bible time, reading together, reviewing those phonograms for my one special ed learner. I am hoping to add poetry reading to that mix.
I appreciate your posts on morning time, I always recommend them to my sister! ;^)
Comment by Margaret in VA (September 5, 2006 @ 8:57 am )
Cindy,
Your morning time posts are always most refreshing–as is your honesty and humility.
My gratitude,
Ann V.
Comment by Ann V (September 5, 2006 @ 9:55 pm )