Parenting lessons

So last year I finally decided to take a break from my career and stay at home with the girls, which the previous posts mentioned the crazy roller coaster experience that has been to adjust and move forward. In the process I tried to get some help from the experts, reading up on everything from how to entertain a toddler, how to Montesorri, homeschooling, love and responsibility, and anything I could get my hands on to read when I was not completely drained from energy. 

At first I didn't know what to do with all the time with the kids -- which I had looked up other blogger moms who experienced the same dilemmas. So I got into getting crafting and sensory play ideas from online blogs and websites. A friend had mentioned the library but at first I rolled my eyes and thought it was a lame idea... lo and behold the library has been my new BFF and we go every week. It's been a life-turning event! I cannot believe how I did not appreciate libraries growing up. Our library recently celebrated their 20 year anniversary last year. It seems a little outdated but maybe that's part of its appealing charm, with a good size space for the kids and lots of lower shelves full of children's books. As we kept coming I decided to try and browse an educational book for me -- which was a difficult decision. Imagine me trying to be in the adult section where one acknowledges the silence and focus of everyone else and here I am with a toddler on one arm while the older sister is running through the tall rows of bookshelves. *sigh* Yet the first book I checked out for myself was called "Homeschooling: you can do it" by Kirsten Mcternan. Why a homeschooling book??? If only I could understand how God maneuvers through my life... At the time a friend of mine had mentioned she was trying to homeschool her 5 kids and to understand I decided to read before I judged (although naturally I did judge, ha...). This book got me thinking and led me to request for a list of reference books on homeschooling -- methods, thoughts, people who influenced this movement... Since then I've come a long way and even though my oldest is 3 years old I consider I'm homeschooling her informally and will continue to do so until I feel it is not my calling anymore.

There are many books that have shaped my thoughts. To keep as a record below are some of the books I've enjoyed and would highly recommend reading for anyone curious on homeschooling:

* Bauer, Susan Wise and Wise, Jessie. (2009) "The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home (Third Edition)".  W. W. Norton & Company

* Dorothy Sayers' "The Lost Tools of Learning" essay.

* Kimberly Hahn and Mary Hasson "Catholic Education: Homeward Bound"

* Sarah Mackenzie. "The Read-Aloud Family"

* Kirstern McTernan "Homeschooling: You can do it"

I also picked up some research books on Montessori methods, which helped to understand a little of the whole Montessori world, but I became more drawn to Classical Education methods and applications than a full Montessori approach to teach my kids. 

Regardless of all that I read I kept having career-desire and emotional crisis to where one day when my husband finally came home and was taking care of cleaning post-dinner I turned to my right-brain mind and wrote out an evaluation of self, and a brainstorming list on how to move forward, with goals and desires for the rest of the year. I'm looking back now and I think these pivotal moments of courage were what led me to a more structured week. I'm a mother but also a teacher, a friend, and a huge planner for my kids. If I'm not having fun chances are they will soon not have fun.

I'm currently reading "How to REALLY love your kids" by D. Ross Campbell, MD. and I also recommend it! It's a bit late, so I'll have to continue in another post. :) Goodnight!