Our Charlotte Mason High School – or Maybe Not

Charlotte Mason would have loved my pond. Only a half-mile from our house, the pond has river otter, blue heron, and other fabulous Northwest wildlife. When we moved here, I thought I would spend hours at the pond with my children, doing nature studies. A short distance from Puget Sound, I fantasized about oceanography units and marine biology studies…..I dreamed of examining algae under a microscope and I was positively giddy about the ducklings.Except…..it didn’t happen. It’s one thing to focus on “delight-driven” studies, but what about driving “non-delightful” studies? My boys would whine and complain the whole time we did nature studies. They loved physical exertion, and didn’t mind getting out for a bike ride or a swim, but they didn’t want to just “sit there and look at stuff.” All they wanted was books and bikes. Sigh! What’s a Charlotte-Masony Mom to do?

I finally had to conclude that the “delight” in delight-driven was about them, not me. I had to let go of the fabulous nature studies and focus on the ways my children learned instead. “Let them have books!” I decided.

Now that the kids are in college, my husband and I frequently walk to the pond, and walk to the beach, and enjoy our nature studies together. And he doesn’t whine… usually….

Blessings,

Lee
–
The HomeScholar
www.TheHomeScholar.com

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