August 14, 2007 1:30 PM
Mommy, Teach Me! - one reader's thoughts and a few of my own
I just received your books (Mommy Teach Me and Mommy Teach Me to Read). I started with Mommy Teach Me and I am so excited to get started on some of the exercises. You’ve really given me the confidence boost to take the initiative to teach my daughter so many things that will help her in the future.The book has been so easy to read. Most books I’ve read are not so easily worded and it seems like you have to read a paragraph 1000 times before you ever start to understand it. Your methods really seem to be something I can do. And I really appreciate that the materials are mostly things I have laying around the house, instead of big expensive kits and toys.
My mother-in-law keeps my daughter while my husband and I are at work. She is going to read the book when I get finished and incorporate some of the exercises into her daily routine as well. I may not be financially able to stay home with my daughter and home school her, but if I can start preparing her early for a lifetime of learning I feel like she’ll have more opportunities and will be more eager to learn. Thanks again for everything…(i.e. the website, the blog and the books) I wouldn’t have known where to begin otherwise. You are an answer to prayer.
Joani
I asked Joani if I could publish this letter for a couple of reasons.
One is that I know there are people out there wondering, "Should I buy this book or not?" I know what it's like to have a stack of books by my bedside and little time to read them. Or to go to a homeschooling convention and be inspired by the speakers and come home with hundreds of dollars worth of books that really never even get used :(
Believe me, going into writing I knew what kind of books I didn't want to write. I did not want to write anything that condescended to my readers, that showed off my own abilities rather than reminding them of their own. I didn't want anyone to have to have a college education to access the ideas I wanted to share. I didn't want to make anyone feel they had to do every single thing I suggested in my book or they were a failure. I didn't want anyone to think that I was some kind of Super Mom or to feel hopeless and helpless at the end of reading my book.
My writing motto is a line from the move Meet John Doe: Say something simple and real, something with hope in it."
And I also like what Barbara Johnson says: "No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care."
And I especially like what Jesus told us about the yoke being easy and the burden light.
When I began writing, I was blessed to have an editor say one simple thing to me that changed the course of my writing from a Know-It-All-Supermother-of-12 to just another mother who wanted to share a few ideas that had helped her in her mothering journey. There are lots of mothers like me out there. I don't know why God chose me to write, but he did and I am blessed to be living out my calling.
But Joani's email made me burst into tears because I am just so grateful to God that he helped me become a writer who was friendly and down to earth - and who could make someone even in a tough situation (working mom) feel encouraged and empowered to make the most of these early years.
I frankly don't care if I ever write another book. I am very happy right now with the freedom blogging gives me. I seem to be getting more requests to come speak and so I'm looking forward to seeing that part of the plan unfold.
From the time I was young I wanted to help make the world a better place for children. Those of you who know my background - divorced parents, foster home, early abuse, a lot of my own mistakes too - can understand why that might be the desire of my heart. That's why I became a Montessori teacher. And why I eventually had a large family.
I look forward to spending the rest of my life continuing to make the world a better place for children by encouraging and equipping moms. Thanks so much, Joani for taking the time to let me know that my words made a difference in your life!
Remember: my books are on sale through the month of August - buy three, get one free and 3. postage no matter how many books you buy.
Posted in Books, Montessori, Mothering, Preschoolers, Writing | Permalink
