Name: CHEC Rocky Mountain Homeschool Conference
Start: 2025-06-12T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-06-14T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Denver, CO

Tagged: motherhood, preschool

This topic has 4 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 1 year, 4 months ago by Karen Smith.

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)

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February 1, 2024 at 3:32 pm
Stephanie B
Participant
Hi! What do you wish you had read when your bigger kids were tiny? I am in a unique position where I am “starting over.” My older kids are 14 and 17 and I never really followed much of a CM style with them. I wish I had, but I think I came to it just a little too late…and my girls were not really interested. Fast forward a decade and I am now Mama to 2 more blessings, twin toddlers who are 1. I have plenty of time before they hit school age… I am so glad! I want to really enjoy the little years! But, I got to thinking on what I wish I had known when my girls were little. Maybe I am just sleep deprived, but I keep coming up empty. I can’t recall any of my favorites.
What are some of your favorite Mama reads…especially books that help you feel like Motherhood is awesome (starting over has been wonderful, but I do kind of miss my old life sometimes)…and books that help you engage and spend quality time your tiny tots.
Thanks!
February 2, 2024 at 6:43 am
Ruralmama
Participant
I really like The Homegrown Preschooler. It resonates with me and all the sensory, art, and social emotional activities are fun. I have and like the curriculum A Year of Playing Skillfully too but it’s expensive. Both the book and the curriculum help me embrace my little ones and let go of the perfect house, perfect plan, extra. They encourage me to say yes to the toddler value him and play with him. It’s great for about ages 2-6 but you could totally enjoy reading it now. I’ve read the book multiple times and pull from the curriculum monthly. I’m on my 4th preschooler and 5th toddler;) I love the philosophy and never feel pressured to do it all.
February 2, 2024 at 6:54 am
Ruralmama
Participant
For CM encouragement, read Home Education. I’ve never managed to get all the way through but have been encouraged by the parts I’ve read. He Early Year’s by SCM is a synopsis.
I have to say that with 2 dyslexic kids and 2 sisters in law who teach K,1,2 at a private school I strongly disagree with Miss Mason’s learning to read philosophy (and have some issues with her spelling one). I can explain the research some if you want. A lot of her ideas on the rest of school I really think work though and I use them lots. Just never feel like you have to follow any 1 person or curriculum completely…..teach the child in front of you. He is a born person save your following for Christ;)

February 2, 2024 at 7:22 am
Stephanie B
Participant
Thank you Ruralmama! I actually picked up The Homegrown Preschooler book used about a week ago! I haven’t touched it since. I am starting a reading bucket list and will add it. I have eyed the curriculum and wondered if it will be worth the expense. I will also add Home Education to my to-read list. I haven’t read any of CM’s original writings. To be honest, it looks a little overwhelming. Maybe The Early Years would be a good starting point…
February 2, 2024 at 11:45 am
Karen Smith
Moderator
When you read Charlotte Mason’s books, read only a few pages at a time. Her writing is dense! Allow yourself some time to process what you read before reading the next few pages.
If you want to ease into Charlotte Mason, The Early Years by Sonya Shafer (you can buy the book or video separately. The video is a workshop with some of the information that is in the book.) and A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola are both great places to start. We also have many blog articles/podcasts that help you understand Charlotte Mason’s philosophies and methods and that give you a look into how to put those into practice.
Karen Andreola’s book Mother Culture is full of encouragement for moms in any season of life.