Barb at Handbook of Nature Study is hosting this edition of the Charlotte Mason Blog carnival!

I contrived this list using

Laying Down the Rails: A Charlotte Mason Habits Handbook

These are all wonderful habits that we should want to instill in our children.

The habits that I am going to address here, may not be of most importance...

but there is no doubt, that they ensure smooth and easy days!

Because I did not want to reward the kids for doing what is expected of them,

but at the same time, I want there to be an incentive and a time limit;

I have given them a list of my expectations to be done before our mealtime or snacktime.

(sort of like chores on a farm being done before breakfast!)

   
It is also my goal that my children can run the household if need be.

"Charlotte advocated short lessons for younger children, growing progressively longer as the child matures. Elementary-age children's lessons should be no longer than fifteen or twenty minutes on one particular subject before moving on to something else. In this way, the habit of full attention is encouraged and children receive a broad education filled with many varied subjects."

I can attest to this!

Short lessons have worked well for us!

If we have spent too long on one subject...it shows...the interest starts to lag.

The Charlotte Mason method also includes the posting of a schedule. This would include what to do and how long each lesson will last. She writes, “This idea of definite work to be finished in a given time is valuable to the child, not only as training him in habits of order, but in diligence; he learns that one time is not as good as another; that there is no right time left for what is not done in its own time; and this knowledge alone does a great deal to secure the child's attention to his work.

A schedule works well for providing a plan and structure...

Everyone knows what to do and when. The days run smoother!

But, I do allow flexibilty. If we find ourselves enjoying a particular subject, then we continue on.

if time does not allow for a subject, (or two) to get done...that's o.k...

I know that it's on tomorrow's schedule! 

Simply Charlotte Mason is hosting the Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival!                                                   

The theme is  Mother Culture.                                                                                                                         

Karen Andreola used the phrase “mother culture” to refer to those things that provide refreshment, renewal, and rest for the busy homeschool mom.

 I Iove homeschooling my kids. I enjoy our time together. I consider it a blessing. I also consider it my hobby.    (Hobby: An activity or interest pursued outside one's regular occupation and engaged in primarily for pleasure.)

But...what refreshes and renews me?

 

I also get refreshed at the keyboard... music keyboard that is.                                                                         

I have a light-up keyboard (no need to read notes!) that I can play beautiful classical music on. I  practice to get better and faster. It may seem silly to some...but for me, playing Fur Elise is so therapeutic.

And of course... taking pictures. I can take my children to a field or park and observe through the lens of a camera. When I take a photograph of an insect or flower up close...I can view it with focused attention on that detailed object without the distraction surrounding it. When I take pictures of my children...I am watching them observe, I am able to focus, for that instant, on what they are watching or doing, and capture it. So when my kids say, "Can we go catch grasshoppers?"  I'm quick to agree, as long as I have my camera in tow.

These things make me happy, and in turn, make for a happier, Sunny household!