If you have crossed the river, you should stop carrying the boat. « SCM Discussion Forum: Charlotte Mason Method Homeschooling

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If you have crossed the river, you should stop carrying the boat.

(22 posts) (20 voices)

Started 2 years ago by Gem
Latest reply from Claire

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Gem
Member

"If you have crossed the river, you should stop carrying the boat." I read this today on a site called 43 folders - about productivity.

I felt like someone had given me a little jolt of electricity, because something has been hovering in my mind: why do I keep reading all these emails and looking at sites about homeschooling stuff, when already have and am satisfied with a perfectly good stack of books and curriculum? I am wasting so much time! (Not talking about SCM of course, it is a good use of my time) Looking forward to tomorrow's email, when I am unsubscribing from a bunch of emails.

Putting down the boat!

Posted 2 years ago # Report Post
missceegee
Member

Hi Gem,

I couldn't agree more! Once I settled on a CM philosophy, I began to ignore all hs "stuff" that didn't support that philosophy. Later when I settled on SCM as our framework, I further weeded our hs garden. Now, SCM's is the only forum I participate in & Homeschooling Today is the only magazine I take. Both offer support & encouragement for the framework I've chosen without overwhelming me or making me second guess myself. It's a sort of de-cluttering of the mind & it's wonderfully freeing!

Blessings,

Christie

PS - I like the word picture!

Posted 2 years ago # Report Post
amandajhilburn
Member

That is great advice! Advice that I need to practice :) Thanks for sharing it!

Posted 2 years ago # Report Post
MamaSnow
Member

Yes, thanks for sharing. I had just been thinking the same thing! This past weekend I weeded out tons of links to websites I had saved, tons of articles and downloads I had cluttering up my computer, and starting to weed out some of the resources that I had "inherited" that I know we will probably never use now that I have settled on a CM style education for our homeschool. It just felt good to get all of that clutter cleaned out so that I can focus and simplify. I think that's been one of the big benefits for me about discovering CM - it is really helping me simplify and keep things doable, so I don't give up before we even really get started. (Since my oldest is just in K, yes we really are just barely getting started!) I do tend to complicate things more than necessary at times....

Appreciate the wisdom!

Posted 2 years ago # Report Post
Michaela
Member

Thanks for this great bit of wisdom! Just what I have been thinking about also. I found something we like, so why do I keep comparing and looking and trying to fit in all the other good stuff?

It's funny.. I just subscribed to Homeschooling Today today! And as I was completing the order I thought that, combined with SCM, it would round everything out nicely.

I love the encouragement I always find here. :)

Posted 2 years ago # Report Post
Michelle Kelly
Member

Ohh, thank you for sharing! A "boot in the pants" that I needed as well

Posted 2 years ago # Report Post
MrsC
Member

I've done some unsubscribing this morning - thanks for the inspiration. We have delved deeper into CM methods this year, and so far so GREAT!! Wishing you all a terrific Tuesday!

Posted 2 years ago # Report Post
missingtheshire
Member

I too am purging, though I am leaving it a bit late! Only have two years left of school - but better late than never - I have donated many books to various places and old curriculum and stll have more to do. The computer is another story, I must have thousands of documents and freebies that I have collected over the years - shall I just delete everything unless it is CM, in these last two years it seems like the smart thing to do.

By the way Mrs C, I love the dog on your posting picture, is it the family pet - a very sweet looking dog. Linda

Posted 2 years ago # Report Post
MrsC
Member

Yes, that is our Tillie. She is a lab-greyhound mix. Large, but very sweet indeed!! Happy to see you're still reading and posting.

Posted 2 years ago # Report Post
missingtheshire
Member

Me too - that is a combination I have not seen before, from the photo Tillie looks a lot like a lab - she really is cute looking. Thanks for telling me.

Posted 2 years ago # Report Post
Momof2blessings
Member

Thanks for the inspiring words...... I am new here but have already disgarded many websites that do not pertain to CM, I do however keep the ones I have found here at SCM.

Posted 2 years ago # Report Post
Sue in MN
Member

I'm going to make this my FB status for today.

Posted 2 years ago # Report Post
Scherger5
Member

I burned the boat (literally, I burned all catalogs).

Heather

Posted 2 years ago # Report Post
anabetica
Member

It's almost like information greediness for me or maybe insecurity? Even within the CM world there is alot of variation. Each year has a different dynamic to it and this coming year I'll have 3 teens. Hopefully my 7yod will be reading by then! By I keep thinking that maybe there's something else out there that would be the perfect fit, or maybe there's a way to schedule our day that I haven't thought of. About this time of year, my mind is already on next year. I keep looking for something that will allow us to read books together again, and instead of looking for something I could be reading to them!

I did have to deactivate my facebook account. I started checking my friends' statuses way too often just out of habit. But it was becoming too absorbing and distracting.

I think it's almost easier to plan next year than to finish out this one? I'm also into the third week of a sinus infection/bronchitis so I'm much more prone to mindless activities right now ! I need to burn the boat! Betty

Posted 2 years ago # Report Post
Ladyofthehouse
Member

Great reminder.

Along this same train of thought I pulled out Sonya's All Day Seminar DVD yesterday to watch over BEFORE going to my local conference/book fair. I wanted to remind myself of the style and approach I've chosen for us before I go and see all the shiny booths full of tempting products. There are lots of great products and resources but I need to look at and evaluate them through the lens of my CM philosophy and style.

Posted 2 years ago # Report Post

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