Smooth and Easy Days with Charlotte Mason

by Sonya Shafer

We all want smooth and easy days in our homes. But how do we get them?

Charlotte Mason believed that the answer lay in developing good habits:
“The mother who takes pains to endow her children with good habits secures for herself smooth and easy days.”

Join us as we take a look at the common-sense ideas and practical tips Charlotte gave
to help us moms secure those smooth and easy days.

Smooth and Easy Days with Charlotte Mason is a free e-book from Simply Charlotte Mason. Download it here: http://simplycharlottemason.com/books...

Genres: Parenting, Education, Nonfiction

44 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Sonya Shafer is a popular homeschool speaker and writer, specializing in the Charlotte Mason Method. She has been on an adventure for more than 20 years studying, researching, practicing, and teaching Charlotte’s gentle and effective methods of education. Her passion for homeschooling her own four daughters grew into helping others and then into Simply Charlotte Mason, which publishes her many books and provides a place of practical encouragement to homeschoolers at https://simplycharlottemason.com/.

Reviews

[Sara Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very succinct ebook on Charlotte Mason’s habit training. Great quotes and is a helpful pick-me-up, refocuser when I need some motivation and thinking rightly, but don’t have time to read anything in depth and lengthy. Great resource.

[Lekeshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to habit training. Not only did Sonya Shafer provide Charlotte Mason's perspective of the importance of habit formation, she provided relevant examples. This book also serves as a product brochure for Sonya Shafer's Laying Down the Rails: A Charlotte Mason Habits Handbook. But this book can be used to start habit training since a list of habits are included. I wish I had read this book while I was pregnant but I say that about all the books about, inspired by or are by Charlotte Mason.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some solid principles to glean, but I don't necessarily agree with many of the examples given. Some of the suggested "hints" would drive one of my boys absolutely crazy. He needs black and white directives with clear consequences. And while I agree that habits are powerful things, I think she gives too much credit to mere habit without digging into the theology of sin-nature and the inevitable struggle. Will habit forming give us easier, smoother days with our children? Yes, of course! But the Christian life is one of endless work in sanctification. There will be days that are anything BUT smooth and easy, but still joyful, fruitful, and beautiful because of God's work in us as we overcome our pitfalls. I think it's Mystie Winkler who teaches how to love hard things, even as we're called to do them over and over in our homes. (Simplified Organization) Not because it automatically lets us sit back and relax, (although there is naturally more peace in an ordered home) but because there is delight in diligence to our calling, and raising the next generation to delight in the same.

[Enola Stevenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful and practical little book, available for no charge on the Simply Charlotte Mason website. I love the way that going over these things reframes my perspective for our home life.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick easy read. Very helpful summary of Charlotte Mason’s teachings on building good habits in children.

[Sharon Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick and easy read that I think was worth while to really think of how Charlotte Mason instills habits to ensure “smooth and easy” days.

[Michaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quick, easy to read, lists 60 habits at the back and through the pithy text ideas behind Charlotte Mason's strand of discipline aka habits. I loved this, it was just what I needed to help with habit building, with some practical ideas for going forward. I've read this alongside Susan Schaeffer Macauley's For the Children's Sake and Karen Andreola's Charlotte mason handbook.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book about instilling habits in your kids -- and in yourself! I am all about habits these days. And this book is available free as an e-book.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read that encourages habit training. Helpful picture of a mom being expectant and hopeful as she trains her children.

[Leigh Sabey · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first introduction to Charlotte Mason...I loved the philosophy behind this book and have taken the advice to heart.

[Tanesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book so much wisdom!

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very encouraging to anyone who wants a great homeschool year.

[Leslie Jordan · Rating 3 out of 5]

a nice summary of Charlotte Mason with key quotes and list of habits.