I too was so looking forward to some great discussion as we read this volume together.However, this week I have been caught up in getting my children’s portfolios finished for their annual assessments. So I am joining in late.
I have read the first chapter as well. Although I was reminded of my shortcomings in the area of habit training, I enjoyed the chapter. MJ, I like your definition of “estrangement”
I am assuming that we are to be reading chapter 2 this week and plan to finish by Sunday. Does anyone know if that is the plan?
Ladies, these are wonderful thoughts. We do practice a similar – go sit on your bed – time away for them and me! I don’t practice it as much as I should. Thanks also mj for the reminder of Kevin Lehman’s book. It is available on paperback swap, but I just used my last 2 credits this morning! 🙁 I’ll keep it in mind. That is a definitely area I struggle in – tearing them down.
This section really hit home with me. It just made sense to replace a bad habit with a good one, and now I’d love to hear suggestions on implementing that. Do I make a list of all the “bad” habits then pick one to work on with them? And what ages would you say this would work for? All my children (except the 1 yo) have bad habits. Not all of them throw tantrums – just one. But I have one that fights with the air constantly! He’s 13! I have one that whines about everything (3) and one that is lazy (10). Some days I really feel like Gavin’s mother (I read the modern english version)!! Frustrated, weary, overwhelmed, and like a hopeless mother!
How about we read Inconstant Kitty and Under a Cloud sections next – trying to finish by Sunday? Is that too much? I say if you can get it read, please do and contribute. I’d like to continue our discussions on this section because as you can see, I have several questions!
mj, thanks so much for taking the time and care to respond as you did! You reminded me of one very important thing – the importance of HOW we communicate in the midst of sins and mistakes. I remember to try to stay calm, but what a blessing I think it would be to a child to have a parent who, while maintaining their authority, empathized with the child’s humanity, expressing understanding of our mutual human weaknesses and going with the child to the only ONE who can truly transform us! Thanks!
Christine, Since Colossians speaks about putting off bad actions and putting on good ones, it seems to me that it’s never too early or too late to try to help our kids do this. In other words, no matter what age. It seems like you’re thinking about trying to do what they did in the chapter – identify one behavior to help your child change – only you’re talking about doing it X at least 3 kids!! Now, as I learn more about CM, I only have one at home – maybe someone with much more wisdom and experience in how to focus on the habits of multiple kiddos’ habits at the same time can give you some practical counsel!!
I have compiled a reading schedule for the remainder of this book – Formation of Character. Feel free to offer and suggestions or ideas for changes that you see could handle being changed up a bit. I tried to keep the reading to about 20 pages, where a break was evident. Sometimes it was less, sometimes it was a few pages more. The reason I picked 20 was because they are fairly short pages and that is what we read this time.
I’m not sure if the web people have a way to post that, of if they want to. Should a new thread be started that is specific to this book and discussion?
I’m not going to be able to join in this wonderful reading and discussion right now. 🙁 I was very excited about it, but as of this week we found out we will be moving in July and I have got my work cut out for me! I’ve started patching and painting walls, cleaning out cupboards, trimming hedges, etc (plus, we’re getting 130 chickens who are currently residing in our garage, ready to be put out to pasture on Sunday!). Needless to say, I can’t do it all so I’m not going to try. I’ll hop back on schedule when I can though. By the way Christine, are you familiar with Sonya’s “Laying Down the Rails” resources for habit training? It has been very helpful for me in this area. 🙂
I am so sorry to leave you hanging here on this. Not, that you are waiting on me. I don’t have that much to offer. We have gotten caught off guard with moving into the house next door to us and the amount of work that needs to be done. My poor husband is having to take a week off of work to get everything finished as the contractors have been taking advantage of our landlord. So it will be at least a week or so before I can get in here and discuss all the wonderful things that I am sure I will learn from Miss Mason and from each of you.
I was reading volume 5, as we decided a few weeks ago–I’ve read through page 40. I guess summer activities are keeping people busy! I thought if no one wants to continue with this right now, I may focus on finishing volume 1 (I have read through p. 230).
I’d love to know how others are doing with their readings.
Hi! I thought maybe everyone had given up in all the fun of summer! I’ve plugged along some, am at P109. Don’t know if I have anything worthy of saying about what I’ve read, but am up for continuing the process.
Hello! I recently discovered the volumes by mistake and I haven’t been able to stop reading them. I am almost finishedwith volume 1 and would really like joining the discussion but I do realize you are all discussing Volume 5. Does anyone think isnot a good idea to skip over? Will it not make sense if I don’t cover the other material first??? Is anyone still interested in continuing the discussion?
I’ve been reading volumes 1 and 5. I haven’t found it to be a problem by not reading them in order. I think each one can stand alone even though they are all interrelated. Does that make sense? Anyway. For example, we are having our oldest read Volume 4 this year as recommended in the curriculum guide here at SCM and she hasn’t read volumes 1-3 yet.
I’m up for discussing either volume. I just find it hard to be consistent in my endeavor. I’ll read diligently for a couple of weeks and then something throws off my groove and I don’t pick it up again for many days.
I would love to discuss them. Ambleside Online has an online copy free, but they have “translated” it into modern day English. I like to hear it in the author’s own words and I love the language back then, but it’s a great place to start if you don’t want to order them. The volumes are paperback and not very expensive.
I just finished the sections on Transcription and Spelling/Dictation (Vol. 1 pp.238-243) yesterday. I’m guessing that transcription is what we call copywork? Also, she states that children 8 or 9 can be dictated a paragraph while older children can prepare a page, or two, or three. Either I’m underestimating what our 9 year old can do or we have some catching up to do?! Our 11 year old is just now working through Spelling Wisdom Book 1 (paragraph length) and would melt down if I told him he had a 2 page dictation to do.
Any thoughts?
Also, wondering where you all are in your reading…and how we want to organize this discussion group. I’m hoping this will help me be more consistent in reading through the volumes…I know I need to be self disciplined, but it’s more fun as a group.