A Quiet Growing Time

“In this time of extraordinary pressure, educational and social, perhaps a mother’s first duty to her children is to secure for them a quiet growing time, a full six years of passive receptive life, the waking part of it spent for the most part out in the fresh air” (Vol. 1, p. 43)./i>

My children's days are filled with wonder and excitement, curiosity and observation, laughter and some days lots of tears. They spend most of their days at home, learning alongside me. We take long walks and leave plenty of time to stop and stare at a flower just beginning to bloom or a wiggly worm after a summer rain.

We don't accept every playdate invitation or participate in all the events our community has to offer. We pick and choose based on what is best for our whole family mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually.



"Secure for them a quiet growing time, a full six years of passive receptive life"

When I read this quote by Charlotte Mason I envision a boat rocking in the water, strong waves crashing into it. But, even though that boat is being pushed and pulled in different directions it is not going to stray bc at the bottom of the sea is an anchor holding it secure.

Somedays I feel as if I am living on that boat when it comes to my children's early years of learning. Our culture tells us we need to be doing more. More sports, more lessons, more playdates, more formal preschool. I am striving to keep that anchor deep in the sea, to secure a quiet growing time for my children, all the while the waves of outside pressure to do more comes crashing in.



I have to be intentional with each day. I have to look at the bigger picture and not just the momentary joy an activity may bring. I know my children's limits and sometimes I nudge them, other times I push them and then we all regret it.

Charlotte Mason didn't encourage formal academics until a child was 6 years of age. The more I read her words the more I have to agree with her.
History lessons will always be there. Math worksheets with always be there. Copying the same letter over and over again will always be there. You know what wont always be there? The carefree days of childhood.

The one thing I consistently hear from veteran homeschool moms is that if they could go back to the beginning they wouldn't have done as many activities, and they would have spent more time snuggled up on the couch reading good books aloud to their children. That is just what we are going to do this year!

Simple. Gentle. Steady. Quiet. Secure.