Shifting Gears

"The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, "The children are now working as if I did not exist." - Maria Montessori

This past week was hard. Life as we once knew it, is no more and as a parent, it is easy to feel overwhelmed right now. I sure do. So many questions, fears, concerns, pressures from work, and academic resources flooding in at an astounding rate. It's a lot. But let's pause for a moment. Let's breath and validate ourselves. We did it. We got through. In fact, we did better than that. We succeeded. Our children are safe, content, and working on various tasks. It's easy to focus on the negative, or all that we didn't get done. But let's try and shift gears here. Let's hold our chins up high.

Everyone's home situation is going to be different during this unprecedented time and what works for the next person, may not work for you. And that is understandable. So how do we get through each week- each day- without feeling paralyzed? In the spirit of shifting gears, I will use this platform to help you bring Montessori into your home. You have more skills than you realize and are already sharing your many gifts. But, let me remind you that your job is NOT to sit and teach your child all day. You have work, life, and a whole slew of other responsibilities to tend to. So let's put some onus back on the child. The biggest goal of a Montessori education is independence. And your children are more than capable.

The key for all of us, children and adults, is routine. This starts with a schedule, or "Work Plan". Your children can look at their options and chart their own course for the day (see my daughter's plan above.) You can make one, too. Decide when you will do YOUR work and discuss with children that they have THEIR work to do as well. If you have times you are not available, put it on the schedule and set clear boundaries. Children can always read, practice math facts, draw, play games, go out in yard, and even (gasp!) watch cartoons while they wait for you.

We can't do it all. That is a never-ending battle, and one that we will not win. You have a lot of resources at your fingertips. Choose what works for YOU and push the rest aside. I can't stress that enough. Having a Work Plan helped me as a parent last week. This does not mean every day went perfectly. It did not. Some days will be better than others. Some days children will be motivated, while other days will feel like a struggle. As we shift gears, and find our new normal, I am working to practice patience and to extend some grace to my children... and myself.