mornings at home

Over the years, I’ve noticed how one simple thing helps us to stay motivated, focused, and more satisfied with our homeschooling efforts– mornings spent at home. These hours are essential. They set the tone for the rest of the day. And peaceful, focused mornings support the Charlotte Mason approach to learning especially well. 

Spending mornings at home can seem like a deceptively simple practice, but anyone who has homeschooled, even for a short time, starts to feel the lure of many good activities outside the home. We could be racing off each morning to drawing lessons, to 4-H club, to pottery classes, or horseback riding lessons. We could unintentionally become the We’re-Never-Home-Homeschoolers. It’s very tempting.

Adequate Sleep

The children and I don’t need an alarm clock, with the exception of Sundays when the whole family attends church. Quite simply, we sleep until we are refreshed.

Adequate sleep has powerful benefits for our bodies (vigor and wellness), minds (clear thinking), and most of all– our hearts (positive attitudes). I wake up feeling hopeful and grateful for the blessings of a new day. Our school days at home feel like the Saturdays of my childhood. New. Ripe with possibility. Satisfying.  Refreshed, I’m able to rise above the weekday “grind” and see unlimited possibilities for the day ahead.

 

 

Even without an alarm clock, I find myself waking up at about the same time each morning—usually an hour or two before the children wake up. This gives me a little centering time to collect my thoughts, to sip some tea, to pray, and make plans for the day ahead. This peaceful beginning makes all the difference for me. It adds grace and perspective to my outlook. 

 A gentle, predictable morning rhythm helps the rest of the day flow smoothly.

When the children get up, we all accomplish a few essential tasks. Putting “first things first” is our habit. These chores only take a few minutes, but they make a huge difference in the rest day.

My First Things:

• Put on some music (usually classical or Celtic).  
• Plan a supper menu
• Tidy the master bedroom/ bath
• Start a load of laundry
• Check today’s calendar
• Make breakfast

The Children’s First Things:

• Get dressed (in anything comfy except pajamas).
• Make beds
• Bring the laundry hamper to the laundry room.
• Empty the dishwasher.

Learning Time

The rest of our morning hours are spent in learning time.

I plan most of the children’s lessons using the excellent suggestions from Ambleside Online, but they ultimately have the freedom to decide how to spend the afternoon hours. Their interests and projects are varied, and so much more creative after we’ve had our morning “feast of ideas”.    

We’re all very satisfied with the Charlotte Mason approach, one that fosters a balance between structure and freedom.