Every day is complicated, messy, and full of friction. And every day has glorious or cozy moments worth celebrating. I seldom bother to chronicle the friction and the mess because writing time is fleeting and precious—and childhood even more so. I’d rather capture the small joys that I might forget—or take for granted—if I don’t take time to set them down in words.
(Excerpt from
this post about Real Life, quoted here because I don't want anyone to be under the impression that things are always perfect around here! Heaven knows we are anything but. Perfect, frictionless, orderly? Nope. Happy? Most of the time!)
- regan: my 14yo used to lock himself in the bathroom and paint indian “war paint” all over his face using...
- Activities Coordinator: My sister had that hair. My husband had that hair. Why, oh why didn’t my children get...
- Kathryn: Oh my! Rilla is a miniature Beanie!
- angela: A couple years ago, I spotted someone signing at a Living Stones retreat (back when K and I were newbies in...
- Alice Gunther: Oh so very, very cute! And all those golden curls are a joy to behold!
Be like the bird
Who, pausing in flight
On limb too slight,
Feels it give way beneath her,
Yet sings,
Knowing she has wings.
—Victor Hugo
Six Things to Include in Your Child's Day:
meaningful work
imaginative play
good books
beauty (art, music, nature)
ideas to ponder and discuss
prayer
Whence It Came
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Thank you! I loved the CM letter and it was great to discover the site of Bona Vita Rusticanda Est.
Posted on January 20th, 2008 at 11:53 amWow. I just lost a lot of respect for dear old CM. She totally misrepresents Montessori education in that letter. I wonder if it is due to an astounding lack of understanding of Montessori or if there is some sort of ulterior motive?
Posted on January 20th, 2008 at 12:33 pmTheresa, I would love to hear more. If you post about it, please share the link here!
Posted on January 20th, 2008 at 2:03 pmI will consider posting about it. The problem is that there are so very many errors in what CM claims about Montessori that I am not sure I have time or energy to counter them all. And please don’t get me wrong. I have always held CM and her educational philosophies in high regard, which is why I was so astounded by her lack of understanding of what Montessori education is all about. Her letter just has a feeling of vitriol akin to prejudice–of criticism based on erroneous assumptions, which is why I (albeit hesitatingly) question her motives to some degree.
Posted on January 20th, 2008 at 3:58 pmIt would be interesting to know more about the history leading up to this letter. Perhaps that would explain a bit of the rancor?