The Habit of Thinking {character training}

Charlotte Mason had this to say about children and habits {just a small bit, mind you}...

But who is able for these things? Not the child, immature of will, feeble in moral power, unused to the weapons of the spiritual warfare. He depends upon his parents; it rests with them to initiate the thoughts he shall think, the desires he shall cherish, the feelings he shall allow. {Vol 1, pgs. 108-109}

"These things" are referred to as the thought life of a child's mind and what road it takes him down. Who is able to train the child's mind so that it does not have two "trains of thought" riding on the same track simultaneously?

...and to put the child on the right track for the fulfillment of the possibilities inherent in him, is the vocation of the parent. {Vol. 1, pg. 109}

In other words, it is my duty as my children's parent to bring out the good qualities which are in their hearts and define them as good for my child, and help my children recognize the bad elements as sin and not pleasing to God. There are several ways to do this.

1. Be proactive--
   Talk consistently about the fruit of the spirit and other excellent character traits that are pleasing to God, as well as sin and what's not pleasing to God. We read from the book of Proverbs almost daily. We also read stories based on good virtue. Stories by Beatrix Potter, Aesop's Fables, The Book of Virtues, A Children's Book of Virtues, etc. Praying for my children is also key in changing the hearts and minds of my children. The Holy Spirit is the One who does the changing. I simply plant the seeds (and lots of them)
2. Use teachable moments--
   One of the [many] things I am not great about is using the opportunities of child discipline as training or teachable moments for applying what we've previously learned. Unfortunately, allowing these moments to pass by as merely discipline doesn't allow for real life implementation of good quality traits during hard times. I know this is an area I need to work on. It would give my children real life experiences on how to handle conflict in a positive way.
3. By Example--
   Another sure way to train my children's hearts and minds on the right track is by my very own example. How do I respond to the stresses of everyday life? Not as well as I would like and that is why I struggle so with trying to train them. These last two are probably the most important ground work for training. As the old saying goes, "things are better caught then taught". My children are going to mirror much of me since they are with me most of their time. (Talk about pressure and a weight on my shoulders!)

Rather than trying to train myself first in order to then train my children, it'd be far better to train at the same time. We can work together, as we are sinners together.

More Than a Blog--My Accountability--My Domain

This blog is going to become more than just a blog. It is going to serve as a servant to me rather than a master. I am going to use it as an accountability tool. Here, I am not going to worry about blogging technique or posting rules. I am not going to worry about wording, editing, revising, or perfection in anyway. It's a journal, and a journal isn't meant for perfection. It's meant for real life.

Thus far, I haven't added much to it because I have felt I haven't had the time to create the "perfect" post with "perfect" pictures.

I don't mean this to sound harsh, but when I go around reading on other blogs that some people won't even stay at a blog unless it's not set up exactly as they think it should be or have perfect pictures according to their standards, I find that a little mean. After all, we are unique individuals expressing ourselves in different ways. Why should everyone's blog look the same???

If people can't accept us the way we are and the way our creativeness flows, then by all means, move on.

I am not here for popularity, I am here to [hopefully] make a difference, in my kids, in myself (through God) and maybe even in those who happen to come across my blog or those who visit regularly.

I'm tired of trying to keep up with the trend of blogging. The trend of popularity wasn't working for me in high school and it's certainly not working for me now. I want to be content to just be me and accept those who accept me and accept those who don't. :)

Having said all that, this blog is about me and my family - it will not be set up to serve those who don't like it. And I don't mean that to sound selfish or harsh, but I mean it because I think it really unfair for people to be critical of other people's domains, simply because it's not set up the way they prefer. I think they would miss out on a lot of wonderful people that way.

So, this blog is set up for me, my family, and my accountability. Feel free to join us, even if you don' t prefer my set up!

Masterly Inactivity {in action}

Here you will find my children "caught" in the act of Masterly Inactivity. This is simply free play. At times I would help gather supplies, but they did the rest.
You will find them dressing up, teaching one another, creating, building, playing and learning. :)

Motherhood & Homeschooling

Being a faithful mother is a daily and hourly challenge. The reality of homeschooling is that God is asking you to become a servant to your children, willing to sacrifice your time, body, energy, emotions, and expectations for them. That takes more than natural strength--it takes supernatural strength. It takes the kind of faithfulness that comes only from trusting God and depending upon his grace everyday.

~Sally Clarkson
Educating the Whole Hearted Child

This is something I really need to embrace. Sometimes - quite often, I really fight against the very thing I committed to do. Why? I think it's just the weakness of my flesh and it being war with the Spirit. Because I want to all the things right to train my children and disciple them. Satan is king of bringing upon distractions, isn't he?

Arming myself with the Word and covering myself in prayer must happen daily, before the day begins in order to have the weapons I need to fight off temptation and the desires of the flesh. Sadly, it doesn't happen daily because, guess what? I get distracted from that, too. LOL

It's funny how everything comes back to reading the Word and prayer...specifically I think it narrows down to putting on the full armor of God. To home school? Absolutely. It's not just education...it is so much more than that.

Educating the Whole Hearted Child

Has anyone ever read that book? Educating the WholeHearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson? I'm reading it [like crazy!] right now and I just can't get enough. In the beginning I was a bit nervous at first. I thought Sally was talking about solely using an unschooling approach, and, unfortunately, the way I am built cannot handle this method. I understand it works great for other families and that's awesome! But for me, I would be too much of a worry-wart (more so than now)!

In fact, it seems there is a strong leaning toward the Charlotte Mason method, which I am already in love with! Clay and Sally really break down to the nitty gritty so as to get detail-oriented and avid planners/organizers [such as myself] to fully understand how to reach the heart of a child.

Thus far, what I see really being a great fit for our family is gentle, formal lessons in the morning and informal learning, or masterly inactivity as Charlotte Mason calls it, in the afternoon.

As a matter of fact, this week I have been snapping some photos of my children engaging in masterly inactivity in order to share with you on Friday just what my children come up with on their own time!

My goal is actually to loosen up just a bit, until I'm comfortable with that bit and then see if I can loosen up a bit more from there.

I really want my daughter to enjoy learning, not dread it. So I am slowly changing some of our methods, while not throwing away some need for instruction and direction. Especially in areas like math and writing...the things she seems to dread the most.

On the flip side, I don't want my children growing up to believe that everything can be made to their liking, either. So if after several tweeks and changes she is still unhappy, it will just have to remain so. Part of this tweeking includes training the heart.

Anyhoo, once I finish this wonderful book, I am going to do a review on it right here. It is an excellent book and everyone needs to at least hear about it! :)

Such Sacrifice - Homeschool Devotion

Homeschooling is a very sacrificial lifestyle. There are moments that really force sacrifice whether I want it or not.
I think I tend to think of sacrifice in a false light. You see, sacrifice by it's very nature is supposed to cost me something. It's not exactly supposed to be comfortable. I gather that if it is quite comfortable, it's not much of a sacrifice, if at all.
Jesus said,

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Daily. Not once in a while. Not whenever I feel like it. But daily. This is a real sacrifice because there are so many things I have to give up in order to make room for sacrifice. Including the "perfect plan for the perfect day". I'm not leaving much room for life when I try to plan things according to my own idea of perfection.

Jackie Wellwood says in her book Devotions for Homeschool Moms

Probably the most striking sacrifice I have to make is to give up my personal time.

I can relate.

But rather than wallow in self pity, I can run to the Lord and seek out the help I need to crucify the flesh so that I can live in the Spirit. I must recognize it is not me who is able, but it is Him.

Autumn Leaves

Fall is definitely my favorite season. I love the color changes and the crisp smell in the air.







These pics were taken in my own backyard...the leaves are from our large, silver maple tree. :)