perfectionism-following thread and could use some input

[pjssully]

HI,

I haven’t been here in awhile but came back and found the topic of perfectionism and just knew that God had drawn me back for this topic.  I have been been trying to find the “perfect” curriculum, to no avail, obvisouly.  This year has been a very stressful year, and i have been considering enrolling my children in Classical Conversatoin-just to take the planning away from myself.  I really don’t want to do that, and neither do my kids.  But I just can’t take another year like this year!!  We have tried 4 different programs!!  I am so ashamed and have been praying for forgiveness.  I want to give this perfectionsim to God and make a new start.

Here is where I need some thoughts from others.  I bought WinterPromise about 1 month ago (THIS was going to be it-LOL) and for some reason, it just don’t want to do it.  I have it all ready to go, and I think my kids would be ok with it but……is this my perfectionsim.?  After reading the conversation last night, I made a vow to stop searching and use what I have.  Yet, I am thinking of coming back to this site-use the modules and the on line organizer and just use this-stick with it and stop looking.  I don’t know if coming back the SCM is another attempt to find the perfect curriculum-I “should” use WinterPromise since I bought it.  But there is not much bible in it, and lots of busy work.  If I take the busy work out, there is not much there!

Maybe I need permission to come back to SCM.?  I just feel guilty….even though I have almost all of the books I would need.

Anyways, I just needed to share this with someone who might relate.  Sorry if this is a boring post, i just needed to get it out of my head, on onto “paper”

Thanks for “listening”

pj

[Mysterious Lady in Pink]

I accidentally came to SCM just now, but just have to give you a hug!!  I can totally relate! I have stories to tell of curriculum woes that would make you laugh or just shake your head at me. lol I’m not very familiar with Winter’s Promise, but can share some of my more recent struggles…although I can’t do it now because I’m really not even supposed to be on this site at the moment! 

But know that you are not alone — and you certainly welcome here and don’t need permission to come back here!  <3

[Angelina]

Sorry to hear you are feeling this way!  I think we all know what it feels like to be switching curriculum around, researching too much and searching for the perfect program – you are not alone.  As I read your post and saw you looking for an answer, one thing came to mind that I think you could ask yourself in order to find your answer.  (you don’t need to tell us here on the forum, but just ask yourself).  Think about why you ever left SCM in the first place.  Was there something in particular that you felt wasn’t going to work for you/your children, and if so, is that variable no longer in play? If it’s not, and you own most of what you need, perhaps you are getting that niggly feeling about coming back SCM because it is truly the best fit.

This is something I try to keep a eye to.  At one point I had four “favourite” history curricula in mind/on the short list.  I got to the point where I had to focus on the “why it won’t work” versus “key strengths”.  I knew everything I had short-listed was pretty strong anyway, so needed to find other differentials.  So, I looked at the “con” list and made decisions from there.  I think every program is going to have pros and cons… for me, understanding which “cons” are biggies versus just me nit-picking makes narrowing things down a lot easier.

Hth a bit!  Angie

[blue j]

PJ, do you own SCM’s Planning Your CM Education?  I was just wondering because that one tool can make life ever so much easier.  You can plan it out using that tool, then only write in one week at a time in your actual planner.  That way if something comes up, you can adjust as needed – like add in a spur-of-the-moment field trip without messing up your plans.  Or maybe I’m totally missing the point of your post.  If so, carry on.

[pjssully]

Hi,

Thank you everyone for responding to my post.  I feel so much better, relieved, coming back to SCM and the CM ways that I know work for my family.  It is hard to stay focused when my good friends are strictly classical-I do the compare game way too much!!  I read this great, short article comparing classical and CM and it put my mind at ease as well as this discussion board.  I listed the article below in case anyone is interested.

Yes, I own the Planning Your CM education and I am going to get that out as soon as I finish this post! God is so good and sometimes I just don’t listen! 

Thanks again,

pj

http://www.normanjamesacademy.com/charlotte_mason_and_classical_education.html