Exhortation......to myself mostly

When most people bring home leftovers after Thanksgiving dinner, we like to buck tradition and bring home a pet. We brought home a black kitten to torment our older cat and delight the children. His name is Bram which means raven in Gaelic. Our daughter picked it out. Of course, he is too funny and keeps us off track sometimes.

You know something is up when you read something in two different places and it pricks you. Mostly, I figure it is the Holy Spirit trying to get my attention. In two different Charlotte Mason books, I have read about being diligent and consistant in getting our work done. Reading it twice has really made it stand out to me and thought maybe someone else might want to hear it too.

I was just thumbing through A Charlotte Mason Companion and decided to read a chapter at the very end of the book. I think it is the second to last chapter. It is about two different families experiences with CM during the 50's and one during the 30's. One of the woman described that she felt part of their success was in that they always did their work first and that they did the whole program of work. They wouldn't let too many interuptions happen. I sometimes let my extended family interupt us too much. Since the children aren't at school all day we must not be doing much at home. Of course, if I quit answering the phone that might help also. How many times do I maybe let something slide? Maybe I rationalize it by saying just this once, when really it has been more then once. That has really made me think that I don't want to stay on my slipperly slope after the holidays. I want to be a little more protective of our school time and enforce getting our work done more.

Another book I have been reading through also hit with a very similar concept. Catherine Levinson's book, More Charlotte Mason Education, also brought up point that hit home with me. She said that we always have this nagging sense of guilt when we know we haven't done a good job homeschooling. I must admit that I have feel that before. Homeschooling takes time, no matter what anyone else says. On days when I don't have other commitments I feel like I have time to slow down and help someone with a problem or deal with a discipline issue without trying to just sweep in under the rug, because we must rush. Does anyone else ever feel this way?

I know with the holidays I feel this way more often and lately everyone else seems to really need me, but I know I should tighten up the reins of our homeschool more. I plan to pull us in after the new year. No sense trying before then.

I highly recommend both books. More Charlotte Mason Education is very practical and deals with high school issues and over buying of curriculum and other "fun" topics. A Charlotte Mason Companion will give you warm fuzzies about CM like you have never felt before. It will inspire you, but it isn't the most practical. Both books have their place in a will stock Charlotte Mason collection.