When We Began

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Once upon a time there was this (amazing) family. Small and meek, they decided after many troublesome days in the public educational system, mom would homeschool their young lad.

Like many newbie homeschool moms, this poor mother had no idea what she had gotten herself into. And like many newbie homeschool moms who have no idea what she had just gotten herself into did, was to create a public school atmosphere at home, at the kitchen table. She ordered a "grade level" boxed set curriculum, and purchased gads of pencils, glue sticks, markers, crayons, and lined paper.

Three weeks later both Mom and Lad were in tears on a daily basis.

Why, was it so hard to teach every subject, every single day?
Mom thought to herself, "If one teacher could teach 30 student's, why couldn't she teach the one?"

A little more time passed and Mom was sure they had made the worst decision of their lives. After all everyone in the family were certain they were nuts! "Who did they think they were?" They weren't qualified to teach. No degrees, no letters behind their name like PhD. that certified the Lads parents as suitable educators. Were were just his parents.

One day, Mom took the Lad to the Library. They both received library cards and began to explore this magical place. The Lad headed over to historical non-fiction and Mom found her way to the 'educational' section. With her head tilted sideways, and her hands brushing the spine of each book, one particular book caught her eye. Then another, and yet another! The Well Trained Mind, A Charlotte Mason Companion and The Everything Homeschool Book. She found the Golden Ticket's! Mom and Lad packed up all their books and headed home.

Over the next few months, Mom devoured her new books. She soaked in every bit of advice and encouragement about this completely different way of home educating than she ever knew or understood. She finally decided to implement a classical education with a Charlotte Mason twist for her young Lad. Slowly, she feathered in this method, and for may years it seemed to work. To be continued...