An Educational Philosophy

Here, then, is the fundamental problem of education: until now the education of character has been neglected.

Elsewhere, even in the family, we find the same error in principle: everyone thinks only of the child's tomorrow, of his future existence; no one ever concerns himself with the present, where so much is required of the child to live. More often than not, the modern family is completely involved in the child's physical life; reasonable diet, bathing, proper dress, play in the fresh air are the only criteria for assessing his progress.

But of all the necessities the child requires, the one most often neglected is that which defines his humanity: his spiritual needs.

-Maria Montessori

The Child in the Family

I love so much how at every angle, Maria Montessori is truly studying the child to see what he needs. Not which educational metrics need to be met. Not what college he will someday attend. Rather, "What are the God given needs of the child today?".

The Tool for the Job

After lamenting to her husband about a job she couldn't do:

Him: You needed to use a flathead screwdriver, I noticed you were using a phillips.

Her: I looked, but I couldn't find one in your bag.

Him: It's a magical tool bag. Whichever one you need, isn't in there.

Her: Oh.

Dear Sir,

Thank you for complementing me on my children's behavior at the restaurant tonight. You have no idea how many comments I receive about the number of children in our family, the fact that they're all boys, and how 'full' my hands must be. It is rare indeed that someone looks beyond the surface of a large family and waits before passing judgement. Thank you for not only thinking kindly of my family, but taking the time out from your dinner to tell me how well behaved the boys were.

Sincerely,

A tired Mom that needed a complement today

Healthcare

"Abortion isn't healthcare. What disease does abortion cure? There is no disease that it cures. There is no proven medical benefit to the procedure, and yet it's the most common surgery in America right now...Let's not let (the abortion lobby) hijack this very legitimate effort at healthcare reform...to expand abortion."

- Fr. Frank Pavone

You can watch his interview on Foxnews here.

UPDATE :: What you can do to prevent an abortion mandate in the healthcare bill.

Quick Takes

A blog that I enjoy reading has a "7 Quick Takes Friday" each week where the author jots down a few thoughts she's been having that aren't quite long enough for a blog post. Today as I sit down, I'm feeling similarly. So, here are some of my "Quick Takes".

[ 1 ]

Homeschooling Kolbe has been one of the greatest challenges of my life. It taps some of my strengths but it also challenges many of my weaknesses. Organization. Planning. Routines. I could go on. However, just as a runner looks forward to the next race, I am looking forward to another year. I have been visualizing, planning, investigating and praying. Probably not enough of the praying, but I hope to increase that as well.

[ 2 ]

The Montessori Method isn't traditionally used in homeschooling. A Mom can't simply buy a curriculum and teach her children. However, I've read many of the Montessori books and am a part of a great online community where I can learn and explore the Method. I don't know how much farther God wants me to go down this path, but I'm willing. Next year I'm contemplating taking some online courses.

[ 3 ]

Camping this weekend was good...and bad. We went to Lower Michigan to visit Nate's siblings and their families. The company was great, the weather was not. We enjoyed good food, good conversation, and, Nate won a game of Settlers of Catan. I'd call that a successful weekend!

[ 4 ]

On our road trip, Nate and I had a chance to look at our Dream Book. Long car trips are great for conversation...when the kids aren't crying, asking for snacks, or needing to go potty. We added some dreams, checked off some dreams, and removed a few. There is no better way of getting to know someone than talking about dreams.

[ 5 ]

We watched Fireproof last night (a pro-marriage movie by the Sherwood Church in Georgia). It was a good-ish movie. The message of the movie is good--God's vision of marriage is forever. The acting was less "Jon Voight" and more "Brendan Fraser", but you know the line about beggars and choosers.

Ultimately, the challenge of the movie would be complete if it was Catholic. Allow me to explain. The ideal of Christian love is sacrifice and service of the other (this was well-covered in the movie). However, this view falls short when the themes of contraception and children are left out. In the movie, these were never discussed (the church behind the movie is Baptist, so I understand why). However, my synthesis is this--the movie supported service and sacrifice, however a Catholic version would ask total trust in God and openness to life. They go hand-in-hand.

In one scene a man proclaims (I'm paraphrasing), "I realize you Mom isn't perfect. But, if you're looking for one that is, she isn't out there." To which I said out loud to the TV, "Yes, she is!"

Besides these issues, the movie is worth renting and I am sure the organization is doing a lot of good for marriages. I'm just suggesting they could do better!

[ 6 ]

We have a new nick-name in the house for certain rule-offenders--"Badger Billy". You can imagine the rule they're offending and the effect it must have on us as parents. Afterall, I was driven to such a brink, that I've coined a term for it. I must admit, I feel a little better when I say, "Please stop, Badger Billy." The funny nick-name helps to quell the situation and bring an almost-smile to my face. If only it would stop the Badgering...

[ 7 ]

We went to the library today. Two boys who promised "not to act like monkeys" ended up running, fighting and squawking all over the children's room. I decided it was prudent to leave after about 6-minutes. Oh well. At the checkout, as I sequestered one brother in timeout and another to "stand by me," the clerk smartly looks at me and the boys and trumpets (as though it was an original thought) that "you've sure got your hands full." I can't go too many places without hearing those comments. Today, as the boys have fought, cried, made messes, and pretty much taken over the house, I find a deep inner peace. Don't get me wrong it's been a harried day. I'm at capacity for whining, messes and the like. But, God's will be done. And I know I'm living out His will, one crazy day at a time.

For The Birds

I enjoy hanging laundry out on the line to dry. In the summer, when it's bright, and there's a bit of a breeze, it breaks me up to put sheets in the dryer.

Last week, I tapped my inner Ma Ingalls and stung a line between two trees. (Since we're still settling into our home here, Nate hasn't had a chance to put up some clothes lines.)

Yesterday, when the boys sheets were washed, I trotted outside with my crisp white sheets to dry in the fresh summer air.

They we outside for the better part of the day and, after Nate came home, he volunteered to take them inside.

Upon returning inside he announced that the bird had gotten the better of my sheets and they would need to be rewashed.

If Ma Ingalls were here she would say, "Clotheslines under trees only double the work!" I guess I need to live a bit longer in Wisconsin before touting my pioneer spirit. Either that, or read some more Little House.

Youngest First

We have a simple family rule when waiting for food, drinks, stories, baths, etc.--youngest first.

Here's how it plays out. One hot summer day, we are traveling back from a local park. After playing hard in the sun, the three boys are all thirsty (Jerzy is still nursing, so he doesn't count =). As we loaded them up in the van, each one began to squabble over the one large water bottle we had along. At this point, all I need to do is look at them and say, "youngest first." They usually quiet down with the realization that they will get their turn. After all, a boy can argue that his sibling, "always gets the water first and now it's my turn," but he can't argue about birth order!

It is a simple saying but I hope that it ingrains an important lesson in them as they all grow; the bigger boys need to be sure the needs of their younger siblings are met first. Our hope is to instill the instinct to look after each other and then they will naturally do this as potential priests or husbands or fathers.