There are all sorts of reasons for bringing Montessori home.
And there are all sorts of ways of doing it. There doesn't have to be a divide between working moms and stay-at-home
moms (who are, of course, also working). There really are just moms, and we’re
all just doing our best.
Let’s have a bit of grace with each other (and ourselves),
shall we?
With that said, there are some practical differences. Those
of us who go out of the home to work have to focus our efforts into some
shorter time-slots and more specific times of day. There may not be as much
time for themed-trays and seasonal art work, but there can be simplicity, respect, and a prepared environment.
Here are a few ways we try to bring Montessori into our
home:
1. Focus on the
environment. Maybe you can’t give your child all of the time you’d like to,
but you can prepare a space in the home that is his own. It doesn’t even have to be a lot of space. By
creating a welcoming environment for the under three-feet set, you are giving
your child the gift of independence — and giving yourself a mini-break in the
midst of a working mom’s jam-filled day of attention and tasks. When it’s time
to brush teeth, I know my toddler, Jasper, can open the cupboard and get out
his own toothbrush and toothpaste.
2. Keep it simple.
Let go of all the advice, the shoulds, the time commitments, and everything
else that works for someone online — and which doesn’t work for you. Spending
every evening preparing shelf work is not a commitment that would be
sustainable for me (if it is for you, by all means, do it). Instead, we
incorporate the Montessori way into the little things. It’s waiting while
Jasper puts on his own boots or shoes. When bath time is done, he pulls the
plug in the bath tub. Like I said, little things.
3. Get your child
involved in your daily routine around the home. Life is full of little
tasks and frequent joys. As a working mom, in addition to loving and bringing
your best self to your partner and child after hours, you likely also play a
big part in the domestic duties around the house, and you need to get supper
made and the rec room vacuumed on evenings and weekends. Practical life is most
practical when it actually contributes to life at home, and no one feels this
more keenly than your child. Get her involved washing potatoes for dinner. Give
him his own broom to sweep when you do. What better polishing work than wooden
spoons that are really in need of oiling? Provide your child with the right
tools (a Learning Tower is a dinnertime god-send), arm
yourself with patience, and ignore the clock.
4. Find a caregiver
whose values reflect your own. It doesn't have to be a formal Montessori
program — sometimes that’s regionally unavailable, or out of reach in other
ways. What is important is that your child is respected and given opportunities
for exploration and independence. If you can’t be with your child full time,
there’s no better feeling than knowing that they are in the care of the best substitute
possible.
5. Intentionally set
aside time for observation. Observation is an important part of the
Montessori method, allowing the adult to learn about the child’s growth and
needs just through quiet watching. With everything on my plate, I find it easy
to get stuck in a do-do-do mindset. When I’m at work, I’m making a mental
chorelist for when I’m at home, when I’m at home, I’m making a mental grocery
list for when we go out and when I’m with Jasper I catch myself wondering about
the next work I could add to the shelves or worrying that he hasn't had enough
time outside that day. I’ve written before about the importance of observation,
but now that I’m back at work, I find I need to make a priority of it — and
even schedule time set aside for it.
6. Stay connected.
One thing stay-at-home moms have is each other; you can often find them at the
park on a fine Monday morning or commenting with words of support on a Facebook
status. Find your own tribe of folks, either in real life or online, who
understand what your days are like and what your hopes are and want to know
more and share their own. I’m still building my own tribe, but every confessed
worry and every “I get it, I feel ___ too,” goes a long way to encouraging me
to continue on this journey.
Maria Montessori shared a lot of wonderful wisdom about the
child as teacher, and the child as the shaper of his own education. One of my favourite of her quotes says: “This
is the first duty of the educator: to stir up life but leave it free to
develop.”
I feel like one of the most important things I can do as a
mama-guide to my child is to take a deep breath and remember it’s not about me.
Hello! I’m Meghan, mama to an outgoing and active almost-two
year-old. I was recently certified as a Montessori Infant-Toddler Assistant,
but I'm no expert — I'm just an passionate learner. I love to share my
enthusiasm about the things I'm learning on my blog, Milkweed
& Montessori, where we spend our days exploring the natural
world and inviting each other to be in the moment.
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Are you looking for affordable Montessori lessons and activities! Check out Lisa Nolan's affordable online programs: her 0-24 program is here, her 2-3 program is here, and her 4-5 program is here.