Well Trained Mind?

I read it and I liked it, but it is classical education and not CM – I enjoyed reading the ideas put forth in the book, but it was a little too rigid for me, I don’t like being told what I should and should not read from long lists – I like to pick and choose from the best that is out there, and if it is not classical oh well, never mind, it does not bother me. I still have the book on my shelf, because there are some interesting things in the book, but I did not use it for our homeschool though I may have gleaned some ideas from it. Maybe someone else has combined it, I personally don’t think it would be successful as the demands are different between classical and CM – so lets see if anyone else has another idea. Linda

I have also read most of it and attempted to implement it.  I will keep it on my shelf as a reference, for now, anyway.  I was drawn to it during my earlier years of homeschooling, I think because it outlined exactly what to do, and I liked/thought I needed that.  We have gradually become much more CM in our approach, and this next year we are making a giant leap into CM!  I think I am just much more confident now and began to feel smothered by the guidelines in WTM, rather than guided by them.  It kind of felt like outgrowing a pair of shoes.  Just didn’t fit our family anymore…not sure it ever did, really!   

Okay, SowingLittleSeeds just said what I was trying to say, only she did a MUCH better job of saying it!  Lol!  🙂

I’ve read it up to my kids ages, and still pop over to their forum occasionally.  I found that trying to implement both WTM and CM ideas could get overwhelming at times.  WTM is just not me, but I felt the need to add to CM because of a misperception that CM wasn’t as rigorous.  Now that I’ve gone more fully CM, there is more peace and joy in our homeschool.  I also appreciate that CM has a focus on the inner life and value of a child, and their relationship w/God.  I didn’t get that w/WTM.  :)Gina

Thank you for posting those links, Nebby.  I enjoyed reading them!  I will say that I used to spend a lot of time on the WTM forums and find myself going there less and less.  The number of threads/comments that I feel are hostile towards Christians has really started to bother me.  It occurred to me that if others are using the same materials I am (not ALL the same, but a lot of the same curricula and methods) and are able to act in that way, I may need to re-examine my approach.  Now, I know there are a lot of mamas here who are also on WTM, so please don’t get mad.  I am not saying everyone there is mean!  It is just a very different environment.  I am feeling much more at-home here at SCM!  

Life is full of stress in everyday life and we all go through periods where stressful events come into our lives and cause havoc…therefore to me there is no sense in adding to that by turning school into something that is anything other than pleasant, enjoyable, nurturing and encouraging. Rigid things generally do not bring calm, peace, and enjoyment into our lives, it causes more worry and more anxiety, something we do not need to add to the daily life of a child. Childhood is so short, it needs to be nurtured, enjoyed and treasured; when we are stressing, we are doing none of those things – which harms us and the children…so keep it simple and keep it as free from stress as possible. As I come to the end of our homeschool journey, I can tell you that there are things I would have done very differently had I had the knowledge I have now. I would never have put them in PS, I would have started with the CM approach, and I would have started with MUS. I would have made much more time to smell the roses, and I would have not bought so much curriculum which just muddied the waters. I would not have been as impatient with my girls as I was when they were younger – I would have learned about their learning styles much earlier – I would have made God much more of the focal point of their days, and I would have been much more forgiving than I was at times. I would have spent more time on art, music and nature when they first started out – PS gave them none of that and I felt I had to play catch up – so remember, treasure the moments, and don’t forget these are the best years of your children’s lives, make them wonderful. Linda

SowingLittleSeeds said it perfectly.

And Linda made me teary!

I loved TWTM until I actually implemented it. Then I realized it was exactly opposite of what I wanted for my kids. I think I would have actually done great with that method as a child, but it is definitely not for my boys or what I want for them.