Hi everyone
Some of you may know me from other groups, you name it, we’ve tried it for our HS. About 2 months ago I suddenly realised I was loosing my children. I’d purchased a boxed curriculum, and was just teaching to finish the pages assigned. If my son wanted to know more, and read up about it, there simply was not time. At the same time I have a 6yo in Grade 1 and a 4yo, both daughters. I started yelling at them, working at this super stressed pace to tick off all the subjects. And in the process destroying our relationships and the beauty of HS.
I have read few books about the Cm method, The Catherine Levison book, the old Child Light one by Diane Lopez, and I recently got a used ORiginal Homeschooling series set, I am reading VOl 1 slowly trying to digest it . I perhaps tried CM with my son in the incorrect way, when he was too young. I tried narration and dictation when he was 6, in ignorance!! Last year we did a bit of narration, and he loved it, we used the jar. I think I am a bit confused and unsure where to start.
In a nutshell my son is 9, he LOVES reading, reads very well, about 7th grade level. He struggles with his cursive. He can do wonderful oral compostition but really struggles to get it on paper. I recently read the Moore’s books and think perhaps I expect too much. It is so hard as a parent to balance making children try hard and develop good habits against pushing them beyond their normal capabilities. I do not think my son is stupid at all, but I do get criticism and people insinuate that he is “behind” school level here in SOuth Africa. His general knowledge is excellent and he is well read in so many fields. He needs more practice with his math but I’ve seen over time that his strength is Languages and he gets there with Math, even if it just takes longer. We have lots of books at home and most of them are living books. We’re real book lovers.
My problem is this. I want to try CM with what I have, I do have lots of living books. I have many unused/half used resources and if they have to sit on the shelf that is fine, but I cannot afford to buy anything new. So for Math I’ll just use what I’ve got.
But where do I start? I’m trying to see if we could plan our education using the CM curriculum guide, and I’ve got to admit it, it looks overwhelming. The Light schedule looks doable.
I also feel there are so many character issues and bad habits I need to work on that the academics have taken a back seat these past 2 months.
Should I start with buying the Planning your CM education and go from there? I am just so afraid that I am going to feel overwhelmed again and become crazy with my children and lose the plot. And perhaps Laying downthe Rails?
Thanks,
Lindy