tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-361140250831062750.post656219029592913486..comments2024-03-10T06:18:57.599-07:00Comments on Montessori Messy: The Trickle Up EffectMontessori Messyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13872404436044899480noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-361140250831062750.post-15716086022520598762014-09-06T10:58:18.352-07:002014-09-06T10:58:18.352-07:00Thanks for the encouragement! And what a beautiful...Thanks for the encouragement! And what a beautiful quote and so true! I talked to my pastor almost a year ago now so I think I'll talk to him again and perhaps he knows of more moms that I don't! I am very grateful that I can stay at home with my kids, even if I am alone with them most of the time. I can't imagine the loneliness that mothers who work full time experience, especially those with stressful jobs. But I believe deep loneliness comes from estrangement from God... With God we are never alone. So if we can get close to God while keeping each other company, all the better! Anyhow, thanks for all your encouragement and thanks for keeping up your blog! It's the only one of it's kind I've found that marries Montessori with Catholicism, which, from what I gather, was Maria Montessori's intent all along! Cecilianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-361140250831062750.post-70496290146718306422014-08-25T11:11:12.901-07:002014-08-25T11:11:12.901-07:00Sometimes I have met people at daily Mass, mom'...Sometimes I have met people at daily Mass, mom's night out at church, waiting in line for Confession (!), storytime at the library, once per week Kindermusik class, or just at the park. It can be a challenge to live in a ritzy area, but remember what Mother Teresa said: “The greatest disease in the West today is not TB or leprosy; it is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for. We can cure physical diseases with medicine, but the only cure for loneliness, despair, and hopelessness is love. There are many in the world who are dying for a piece of bread but there are many more dying for a little love. The poverty in the West is a different kind of poverty -- it is not only a poverty of loneliness but also of spirituality. There's a hunger for love, as there is a hunger for God.” I think many many mothers today (at home or working) are very lonely. If you feel called to start something, maybe start with talking to your pastor? Or see if there's a group like the Legion of Mary where you live? Or just start visiting nursing homes yourself, and then gradually others can join you? God bless!Montessori Messyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13872404436044899480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-361140250831062750.post-11813662351705116882014-08-25T09:26:48.525-07:002014-08-25T09:26:48.525-07:00Thanks! I think there is hope yet, as you said, no...Thanks! I think there is hope yet, as you said, nothing is impossible with God! I've been wanting to start a prayer group for young mom's for a long time. Perhaps that's the Holy Spirit saying to start there. I'm also going to talk to the few moms I do know about Montessori and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and see what they think. I know part of the reason it would be hard is because I'm not trained in either one of those, so it would require a bit of work on my part... I guess my lazy side is jealous of those moms in your group who just show up! It's hard because I live in a very expensive area that's also near a large university so most kids are in daycare all day because either both parents have to work or because parents are grad students who also need their children in daycare so they can study. I'm in neither one of those categories and it doesn't help that I stay home all day, so meeting people is hard! But like I said, I suppose I just need to put in a little more effort and let God take it away! Cecilianoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-361140250831062750.post-49098157825118238372014-08-23T14:37:20.969-07:002014-08-23T14:37:20.969-07:00In some ways you could say this started 4 years ag...In some ways you could say this started 4 years ago as a simple playgroup--just me inviting my neighbor over. And it grew. But in other ways it is more complicated than that. I think the first step is inviting that first mommy and putting the word out there. I am a real stickler about germs, so many people whose children are in other programs just never were able to come very much--they were constantly sick. But in this tough economy, many parents are choosing to keep their little ones home and that's great for building communities like this one. The advantage of things growing slowly over time is that you can establish a tone and a culture for the group that grows pretty naturally. We've also had 3 parenting discussion nights where we address discipline issues and life as a family, so we've had time to "get on the same page" as far as how we handle corrections, etc. You may as well try starting something (if you feel so called). Nothing is impossible with God! :)Montessori Messyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13872404436044899480noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-361140250831062750.post-71057876290593624382014-08-23T10:05:38.437-07:002014-08-23T10:05:38.437-07:00It looks wonderful! I wish I lived in your neck of...It looks wonderful! I wish I lived in your neck of the woods! Where I live there aren't a lot of families with small children let along a whole bunch ready and willing to start their own Montessori/Catechesis of the Good Shepherd Co-op! But maybe all it takes is one or two families? Any advice?Cecilianoreply@blogger.com