Welcome Christy-ChristyH wrote:I spent this summer trying to pull together my own thing for school and it was pretty good, but I spent so much time looking for books and planning and thinking about it that my head is going to explode.
I frequent the homeschool review board quite a bit and everyone had just a ton of great things to say about MFW. Just a week or so ago the children were playing together and the boys didn't know what part of history their sister was playing and I was struck by a thought. Why am I taking such effort to school them separately? Why not have them learn together? I am sure by now you are going, well DUH!
I have skipped around the curriculum world a bit too much so I didn't think Hubby would be happy at the new suggestion but he was actually quite on board with it. (less time listening to me be frustrated about school, I think) After I purchase ECC I am chucking all my links and recycling my catalogs. People seem to stick with MFW after they try it. The biblical focus of MFW and the not terribly expensive package price is a plus with using the library, are some of my favorite parts of it. I think the library is great and it's free and doesn't take up space on my shelf.
You are perhaps wondering why I need hand holding. I have spent a lot of time reading Charlotte Mason books and thinking about homeschooling and using HEAVY books. AM I cheating my children by using lighter options? After reading a lot of CM I feel like I need permission to let go and just enjoy the journey and not worry so much about my homeschooling technique.
Oh and now more about me, I have lovely creative daughter, Erin 10, and twin boys age 6, one scholarly and the other mechanically minded. Married to best friend 15 years tomorrow. Live in beautiful western Michigan. Thanks for learning more about me then you ever wanted to know and then some, but hey, confession is good for the soul. LOL
I can relate to much of your post as I was much more focused on my "teaching" of my oldest vs. now being more focused on my children's "learning."
I wanted to share how I am seeing so much more creative and (what-I-think-is) useful use of my children's free time with MFW. Prior to this, I think I was so focused on "teaching" every spare minute, they were not interested in searching out for themselves. Look for some threads on "productive free time" because this is where I have seen such great benefits.
Enjoy ECC!!