One thing I've been struggling with is the Montessori's emphasis on orderliness. My house is completely children-centered so all their stuff is everywhere. On top of that, I am naturally a messy person. I don't like mess;I just genuinely struggle with organization. If I have to choose between cleaning or reading, I'll pick reading any day. So, I suppose it's about motivation as well.
Most of their Montessori equipment is in their quiet toy room full of their books and quiet toys. And that I try to keep as organized as possible. All their loud toys are downstairs which serves as their play room. The problem is that their sensorial equipment is all in the living room. So can you imagine the sensorial equipment all neatly stacked in a room full of books and doll's clothes scattered. Not to mention all these random diapers and diaper covers everywhere.
Sometimes I feel like we live in a pig sty. I guess it wouldn't bother me if we were not homeschooling. I can't help but think this chaotic environment is not good for my kids' development. But at the same time, my husband points out as a kid, he loved to put all types of sticks and rocks and completely play in his junkyard. He thinks our kids are creative like him. And it's true. My firstborn gravitates towards messes. In the basement, she likes to put every single toy she has inside her jeep or inside her clubhouse. She loves to cover her babies with numerous items of clothing. But when it comes down to clean up time, she does an immaculate job because she knows where everything is supposed to be. And same thing with our Montessori equipment. She never liked to follow traditional Montessori protocol for sensorial equipment, but almost jumped right into making her own extensions right away. But when it comes to putting back her work, she does it perfectly in exact order.
For the record, my husband doesn't mind having a messy home at all. He wishes it wouldn't stress me out. As for Koko, sometimes she comments, "Wow, our house is messy." And we clean it...eventually.
I wonder how other Montessori homeschooling parents do it? Am I the only one struggling with this? Any thoughts are welcome.
3 comments:
I am a mess too! Can not help at all with this one! Josh's room is full of toys and often is a giant mess. I try to have him clean it up at the end of the day but often we are running late and it just does not get done! Our schoolroom is often a mess but it is always my fault...
I would agree with your husband - don't stress! I'm trying to figure out how to get my lil girl to clean up after activities are done, but halfway through cleanup she starts throwing stuff around again, so I'm in a losing battle all the time...
I struggle with this, too -- you're definitely not alone! I think some kids (and adults) are more bothered by messes than others. I notice that when my boys' room gets really messy they stop playing in it, and if I get in there and pick it up with them, they'll use it more. But it just depends.
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