Help! Overwhelmed!

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  • February 17, 2017 at 10:50 pm
    MunchkinMom
    Participant

    So, I just learned of the CM method not too long ago. I was told the best way to understand it was to read her writings especially about homeschooling. I have downloaded the free PDF from another site where her writings were translated into “modern English”  I haven’t gotten very far but I already, wholeheartedly LOVE this woman. But I am so overwhelmed because I really want to start but I haven’t gotten very far in the readings and there are so many things she has written. Also, I got every free downloadable book from SCM just now. I read about easing into it and that is probably what I will do. I have a soon to be 7 year old boy and a soon to be 3 year old girl. This style of learning and teaching will not be natural to any of us and probably not super supported from hubs. He doesn’t really get involved much. We also, currently go to an enrichment center 2 days a week. I don’t know if it’s possible to ease into this while still going there and then eventually drop the enrichment (if hubs will agree. Kids gotta socialize.  Lol)? Sometimes I feel we don’t have as much freedom with our schedule with the EC but I’m not confident I can wing it all on my own. We would only be able to do school 4 days a week due to schedules.  I am also not a good planner (I get easily overwhelmed) so I believe I would use the lesson plans that are already made by SCM. Any thoughts?  Sorry for all of the questions and rambling. I just want to do the best for my kids. This is how I wish I had been taught. I want to give that gift to them I’m just worried about messing it up. Right now we use AAR1 and are almost finished with it, Handwriting without tears, and Singapore math (soon switching to Right start Math).

    February 18, 2017 at 6:55 am
    HollyS
    Participant

    I have read bits and pieces of her writings but not the entire books, and we’ve been using her methods for years!  My favorite books are For the Children’s Sake and A Charlotte Mason Education.  They give a great overview to get you going with CM methods and are much easier reads than the original series.

    We are involved in a co-op once a week, and I try to fit in just math on that day.  Many HSers have a 4 day week.

    As far as math, Singapore is a great program too.  I’d stick with it if it’s working well.  I believe Ambleside Online lists it as a recommended math.

    SCM is very easy to implement.  We use their guides for history and follow many of their enrichment and individual recommendations, while subbing in a few of our own materials.  The guides look very helpful for someone just getting started.

    February 18, 2017 at 8:03 pm
    Renee Gould
    Participant

    MM:-)

    I hear the excitement, uncertainty and overall ‘overwhelmedness’ that comes with changing our homeschooling vision.  I haven’t met a person that doesn’t feel CM philosophy resonates with them.  I think many of us get overwhelmed at the thought of implementing it.  I read about it early in my homeschooling quest, only to table it for a couple years while I found my way.

    My advise to you would be to start slow.  Keep reading when you can and implement a few things for  now.  I was in Classical Conversations for a while when I decided to switch to CM and I implemented a few things while I finished our commitment there.  I went to shortened lessons, I introduced picture study, poetry, scripture memory, and narrating.

    I will not lie, I stayed up many o night reading, reading, researching, and researching.  As I was doing this and we had a summer break,  I realized  that God had been working on my for my two years at CC.  He was building my confidence and assuring me that I can teach my children this way and don’t need an out of the box curriculum.  I am thankful to CC; for giving me a foundation to spring from.

    I too, thought I could not do it on my own and without a step by step plan.  ( I had chosen Heart of Dakota to help me) By the end of summer, I had decided to do it on my own.  I kept tweaking the Dakota plan or eliminating things.  I was like, I am not going to spend this money and not utelize it all. 🙂  I am still learning and I am sure I make mistakes every day.  What I don’t regret, is switching to CM style and implementing all studies with her principles.  I see the changes in my children.  I see the changes in me.

    Yes, it seems daunting at first.  I think when education truly becomes a way of life, vs a ‘task’ that we do, THAT is when things click and start to come together.

    In the mean time, baby steps.  Introduce the things that you believe can be done easily with your families’ schedule and see what you think.  As you gain confidence, implement more.  God will direct you with your schedule and let you know what is important.  ie; enrichment, extras, etc…

    You can do it!  The books Holly recommended are great resources and I would recommend reading them.  These books really lay some groundwork and fill in blanks.

    Blessings,

    Renee

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