When you think of the word “habit”, what do you think of? Did you notice that if you look up the word “habit” in the dictionary, there are exactly 11 different definitions for that word? Well, I want to talk to you about a specific type of “habit”. The kind of “habit” Charlotte Mason refers to in her teachings.
What is Charlotte Mason’s exact definition of a “habit”? If you look it up on Dictionary.com, it says this … “an acquired pattern of behavior followed regularly until it becomes almost involuntary.”
So how do you get these wonderful “habits” Charlotte Mason talks about? Well obviously after reading what Miss Mason says, it’s going to take a bit of work, but also, the earlier in our child’s life we start to start good habits, the more beneficial it will be for us overall. However, I don’t think Miss Mason felt, in any way, that it was “too late” to achieve a new or better habit at any age or stage of life. However, it is something that needs to be worked on, and not just once, but over and over again, until it becomes ingrained in our minds and actions. In fact, Ms. Mason believes that to have a habit truly ingrained in your life, you need to focus on one habit at a time and focus on it for up to six to eight weeks. Then move on to the next habit, the next, and the next.
Now sit back and think to yourself … what habits have you already instilled in your children that you are satisfied with? Don’t focus on the negatives yet, just the admirable ones. Start off positively and think about the ones your children already know. Here are a few that we are glad our children have learned.
1. They know how to clean, manage and manage a house.
2. How to care for children of all ages.
3. How to pay your bills and manage your money wisely.
4. Take care of animals of all kinds and do the best for them by supplying their needs.
Now, what could be some of the ones you want to instill in your children? Traits like immediate obedience, being habitually sincere, not joking when you ask him to do something, or even something as simple as not just brushing your teeth before bed every night, but also every morning after breakfast?
To learn more about Miss Mason and the habit formations she talks about, these sites will greatly help you learn how to do it.
http://www.charlottemasonmadeeasy.com. Take the time to learn for yourself, and then start applying these new habits right away.