There was a post on one of the forums that I frequently visit. It was about how this mom felt like a CM failure. I remember myself feeling the same way before. I couldn't figure out how one women could do so much and here I couldn't even fit in a 10 minute picture study or a nature walk.

It finally dawned on me that CM didn't have laundry, diapers, meals to cook and so forth. Once I realized this it lifted a burden off my back that I was carrying. Feeling discouraged and defeated in this area. I sometimes felt that my dc were missing out on a great education that I could not give them because I couldn't do all that CM could.

Another poster also added to my light-bulb moment when she at one time felt discouraged when she came to realize that CM was writing to Victorian English upper class moms who had nannies and housekeepers. Of course they could take their kiddos out when ever they wanted for those nature walks. They didn't have to prepare supper or make the beds.

One thing I have learned is there are so many styles and ways to school. When I first started homeschooling I was a Ruth Beechick homeschooler. Until I realized I wasn't very good at remembering to ask one of my kiddos "How many forks do we need for dinner, oh wait dad won't be home so take one away how much is that?" I remember reading all her little books (forgot the name of them) and really wanted to follow her philosophy but it didn't happen.

Then there was the classical style. I was going all the way. Latin, Hebrew everything from Memoria Press. Well the Latin programs are still on the shelf and Famous Men of Rome didn't catch my little ones interest. Plus I was not that disciplined. In my opinion the Classical Education is wonder but hard.

I won't go on about how I tried The Well Trained Mind...................

Now that I am done having my pity parties because I couldn't keep up with any of them I finally decided to pull stuff from each. Latin ( we will start with Latin Roots though) & chronological History  = Classical. Lots of great books = Literature. Composer's, picture studies, copywork = Charlotte Mason. Workbooks = Traditional School.

As you can see I'm a little bit here & there but I like to call it "The Beltran Way"

Blessings,
Linda<><

Email me at Homeschooling6[At]hotmail[Dot]com.