The Icing on the Cake
I think so often when we think of homeschooling we see the benefits to our children, and there are many for sure, but have you ever considered what this journey might mean for you?
I think that the average Mother would perceive that to homeschool is to sacrifice for the sake of the children. To give up time, personal pursuits, etc. And yet looking at my own personal journey over the last year, I have to say that homeschooling - particularly CM homeschooling - has been the spark that lit the fire in my own personal life.
Somehow through reading about this Charlotte Mason philosophy of education and implementing it in my home with my children, I have reaped the additional benefit of coming alive to my senses and to the wonder and glory that surrounds me. What was once dull and seemingly finite has become infinitely magnificent and incomprehensible. I can't even begin to grasp how much there is I want to read, listen to, behold, perceive and comprehend. I can honestly say that the bush in our front yard holds more wonder in it than the entire 700+ channels offered on TV.
And how absolutely remarkable is it that we are able to discover and process these things together with our kids? It's just the icing on the cake.
Here's an article in Childlight USA's Weblog called "A Dangerous Adventure by Art in Kenosha" describing this very thing as someone else experienced it. "New eyes to see" "New ears to hear" - I hope you experience it too :)
"Life should be full of living" ~Charlotte Mason
I think that the average Mother would perceive that to homeschool is to sacrifice for the sake of the children. To give up time, personal pursuits, etc. And yet looking at my own personal journey over the last year, I have to say that homeschooling - particularly CM homeschooling - has been the spark that lit the fire in my own personal life.
Somehow through reading about this Charlotte Mason philosophy of education and implementing it in my home with my children, I have reaped the additional benefit of coming alive to my senses and to the wonder and glory that surrounds me. What was once dull and seemingly finite has become infinitely magnificent and incomprehensible. I can't even begin to grasp how much there is I want to read, listen to, behold, perceive and comprehend. I can honestly say that the bush in our front yard holds more wonder in it than the entire 700+ channels offered on TV.
And how absolutely remarkable is it that we are able to discover and process these things together with our kids? It's just the icing on the cake.
Here's an article in Childlight USA's Weblog called "A Dangerous Adventure by Art in Kenosha" describing this very thing as someone else experienced it. "New eyes to see" "New ears to hear" - I hope you experience it too :)
"Life should be full of living" ~Charlotte Mason
It sounds silly to me to ask, "Did you finish school today?" We are learning at home, living and loving life together. Learning should never cease. I am so passionate about Charlotte Mason's ideas. I want an atmosphere, a discipline, a life that she writes about. I love our journey together!
ReplyDeleteI agree! Thank you for submitting to the CM carnival.
ReplyDeleteI live this every day, especially since my boys are getting older and the topics more mature.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing your thoughts.
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
A wonderful thought...and so true. Us moms are receiving the blessings! I think that this might be refered to as a full life?
ReplyDeleteYes!! Homeschooling, at least following CM's philosophy, has awakened many curiosities and desires to find out, to explore more, to live a most interesting, or interested, life . . . and that's for me! My boys don't even realize the excellent life they live through the rich feast of ideas set before them.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post. So true! I feel the same way. I've homeschooled for 10 years but it wasn't until Charlotte Mason that I truly ENJOYED it..
ReplyDeleteThat article was the one that really sent me "over the edge" as far as Charlotte Mason is concerned. I had read about CM in the past but I just didn't get it until I read this piece. It so beautifully describes the way learning can light up a life--and not just the life of your children. I think of all the things I have learned since my children have been born. I can tell you anything you want to know about heavy machinery. In the past, I never gave a hoot about an excavator or a grader. Now I know the difference and I am fascinated by all the thing those machines can do.
ReplyDeleteThere is a whole world of learning our there and I am so excited I am going to be sharing it with my children.
What a great post Naomi, thank you for sharing such true words.
Fabulous, and so true!
ReplyDelete