Why I Left Classical Conversations

Hi guys! This is my first update video in almost a year! It's great to be back on KZbin.
My update: we left Classical Conversations AND classical home education...and I'm sharing why on this video. Let me know your questions or thoughts in the comments. I appreciate you!
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[@7BlessedMama]

I 💕 this video. I wish I could like it 10 times. You really did a great job taking us through how you made your educational choices. I recently came back to youtube and then I hit the pause for the last few weeks because I don't think I came back the right way being my true authentic self. You are modeling self love for your daughter's by not be afraid to make changes and making sure you are reflected in your education.

[@momzestlife]

I’m so glad to have found you again!! My heart just did a happy dance when I saw your channel❤️ Sometimes I question whether I should share but I am feeling it’s ok to come back. I am looking forward to gleaning from you too.

[@keeperofmyhome]

Yes, sometimes we just need that break! Welcome back!!! 💕💕

[@momzestlife]

Thank u!!! Yes, a break was much-needed :-)

[@TLmomofZAHS]

I had to come and watch this, sister. I am soooo very proud of you for speaking up. Such similar experiences. Thanks for standing up for what is best for you and your girls!!

[@momzestlife]

Awww- thank u so much my friend!! Yes, we have to do what’s best for our kids ❤️

[@keeperofmyhome]

You’re so right about us being honored and blessed to have those choices to choose what’s best for our children.. what schools, what methods of Home education etc.. I’m barely going on my 5th year of how chilling but still feel so new!

[@momzestlife]

It really is a blessing to have choices! It frees us up to do what’s best for our own families 💕

[@a.violet5905]

We're running into this for our schooling and for us, we used A Blessed Heritage last year for history and our kids were so happy with it. They were able to learn about the history of many different people who make up our country. So they learned about Olaudah Equiano, Benjamin Banneker, Philis Wheatley, Black American Revolutionary heroes and so much more. It really fostered a healthy perspective of history with a wonderful view of different people. We are Charlotte Mason Homeschoolers and after watching Amber O'neill Johnson and getting understanding of how she wanted to incorporate African history into the method, it really helped me out. She is a member of CMI and they are really working to incorporate the history of all the people groups who make up the USA and Amber is integral that. I'm seriously considering CMI over CMEC for that reason. One thing Amber said that struck me was that we need not only living books, but life-giving books for our children so they can have a sense of knowledge of their culture and family. Her suggestion is to do it in such a way that our children value themselves and others. I'm an African American, Orthodox Christian conservative and I want for all of our children to thrive. Good on you for making a choice to help foster a sense of self worth in your children. It common pitfall many of us in the homeschool world.

[@momzestlife]

I love this! I will look into the name you mentioned regarding Charlotte mason. I also really love Belinda Bullard’s work. She is phenomenal!❤️

[@a.violet5905]

@@momzestlife I want to make a correction. It's Amber O'neill Johnston. Not Johnson. Everything else I said was exactly what I wanted to say. I really love Amber's blog Heritage Mom and her suggestions for each time period. It's been a great blessing to our family.

[@U_neekliss]

Yes I love Amber's blog and resources! We are still doing CC but I understand what you mean Demetria.

[@lbtk]

I so appreciate your honesty and openness in your homeschool journey. It gives me so much hope for my own and how it okay to be openminded and flexible with your plans, and to not be afraid to try different things to make it work for your own family. Thank you for this. 🖤

[@momzestlife]

Hi, I am glad that this was helpful. I aim to be honest and try to stay open-minded. Thank you for watching and taking time to comment! :-)

[@openhearts3466]

I appreciate your perspective. You are right. There are issues with lack of diversity within a lot of homeschooling communities and curriculum. Sometimes intentionally so and it's just plain wrong. It's wrong from a gospel perspective. Thank you for sharing your experiences.

[@momzestlife]

Thank you so much for watching and for your comment. I appreciate that!💕

[@lesley7033]

So happy to see you back... you were the very first homeschooler I ever found on youtube and have always gleaned so much wisdom from your videos and podcast. I share a lot of your feelings expressed in this video... thanks for articulating them so well.

[@momzestlife]

What an honor that you’ve found my videos so helpful (and the first homeschooler you found on YT world)! Thank you for watching!💕

[@kendraburtontravels8578]

I’ve just retired as a Challenge 3 Director and graduated my oldest from cc. And decided for my second one not to continue now that she’s going into sixth grade. I appreciate everything you said about diversity because it is definitely true. In either challenge 1or 2 (can’t remember) they read Booker T. Washington & Frederick Douglass and that’s wonderful but I think that’s about it. So with my older one we did do some diversity with what was going on in Asia and Africa and other cultures. I know I’m white and ppl thought I was making a mountain out of a mole hill but if you’re going to study world history you need to study more than north America and Europe.

[@momzestlife]

I absolutely agree with you. ❤️There is so much to learning about the world and its cultures and people that just isn’t covered at CC or in other similar programs.

[@mrs.hollyb.4886]

I love that you shared this. We have had a similar experience joining a "non-denominational" co-op, but having to insert our family's ideals at home, supplementing and correcting toward our Catholic faith, and it has been an exhausting five year trudge. So, I feel a similar pull towards something else, still Christian in root, but with the freedom to tailor it for our individual kids and our values. It is so difficult because I never anticipated this feeling of division. I admire your bravery and conviction. 😍

[@momzestlife]

I understand the exhaustion and sorry you’ve had to experience that for five years. I hope you find just the right fit for your family tailored just toward your children and your family values. You are not alone, there are many of us out here looking to find “our tribe”. Thank you for taking time to watch and comment.❤️

[@katherinewfrancis]

Thank you so much for this.

[@momzestlife]

You are welcome, and thank you for watching!

[@carlamowell6239]

I know I’m late to the game with this comment but would you consider developing curriculum enrichment for AA families, that would align with Charlotte Mason and Classical core curricula? Your experience and background is great!

[@rmdrs1011]

You may love Sonlight or their sister company Bookshark.

[@MsAndrea]

You didn't miss anything. I have not used CC, but everyone I know who tried it that is AA has said the same thing.

[@MsAndrea]

as a former homeschooler who has used the group homeschool "schools"... this is why I am running my own program and writing my own curriculum... it has a timeline bent, and we do use some classical lit, but we are world centered, not european centered.

[@momzestlife]

@@MsAndrea yes, I learned along the way that other AA homeschoolers have been feeling the same. I would love to know more about your program! 😀

[@MsAndrea]

@@momzestlife my email is posted on my about page if you would like to chat.

[@lilly7128]

Minute 28 you mentioned how much your daughter enjoyed herself... I think that speaks volumes between the way children and adults see the world.

[@momzestlife]

That is true. Children can often be oblivious to what adults are going through because when younger they are naturally innocent. She did catch a few things, though, that make me glad we decided to leave when we did. We are much happier now for it. Thank you so much for watching! :-)

[@deboraholukaikpe8737]

Thank you for this video. I’m running into this problem as I go through history curriculum for my kids. Sonlight, ambleside online, cc. They are all the same. Africa is portrayed as this very poor continent with very dry and hot weather. Common Africa is way more than that! What about our rich culture, our resources. Like you said we always have to supplement and make up our own when it comes to history. These curricula are only written for a particular group of people.

[@momzestlife]

I agree with you- so much of the curricula out there faces this issue of erasure of our beautiful and rich history. I like to support homeschool parents and educators who are creating history curriculum for our kids that shows the beauty of our legacy. I am compiling a list of these curriculum creators now on my blog. Thank you for watching and for your comment!

[@terrashetler9256]

@@momzestlife do you have a link of the blog that you are creating this list?

[@kristiLB93]

I can see what you were feeling about the fact that CC's has a pretty specific type of conservative christian atmosphere/community. I recognized that/felt that too. I was with CC for four years, one year in Pennsylvania and three years in South Carolina. We too left during the start of the pandemic. For several reasons, but the big one being the cost (I have three children). Also, for a long time I seemed to always be on the fence about whether CC was really working for our family. I too don't necessarily subscribe to committing to one and only one group for all my kids through to graduation. Some like that idea. It's not for my kids. They are just really different in their needs. Life is dynamic and our needs change. Great, informative video!

[@momzestlife]

Yes it seems that the pandemic caused many families to stop and think about how to proceed with our kids and their education. The cost has definitely increased from what I have heard. Thanks for watching and for really “hearing” my take on things. I hope you and your family have found something that really works for you.❤️

[@amysopcak2976]

We are loving the classical model currently. Just curious if you could point me to some resources that would help vary our readings. I do want my kids to see the beauty in our differences and appreciate them. I am thinking about any recommendations for youngers specifically elementary and early middle levels. Just curious if you have any initial thoughts or ideas for me. Thank you so much for your time and sharing your experiences.

[@momzestlife]

Hi, Amy, thanks for your comment. You are right, it is important to see the beauty in our differences. One way I've been finding selections to help diversify our readings is through book lists specifically curated with multicultural and diverse audiences in mind. Here is one book list that highlights black and multicultural children - for the elementary age kids: matermea.com/where-to-find-multicultural-and-black-childrens-books/ Here is one for middle age kids: www.mahoganybooks.com/juvenile/ . The Mahogany Books site has many resources for different ages. You can find many book lists like these out there, and they can help you begin your search. I hope this helps!

[@amysopcak2976]

@@momzestlife Thank you so much. These resources are a helpful start!

[@sabrinaburnham4395]

Thanks for sharing! I’m an African-American mother of a son and a daughter. I make a priority to have a curriculum that is rich with African-American history, arts, and sciences that will help my children benefit from knowing they are valued in this society. ❤

[@momzestlife]

I agree, it is extremely important to make sure our children understand their value, and it is a blessing hearing that you provide a rich experience for yours. God bless, and thanks for taking time to watch and comment!

[@burkhousehold8880]

What resources do you use?

[@burkhousehold8880]

What resources do you use?

[@sulaibaddour7365]

Can you recommend possible programs in lieu of Challenge. We currently belong to CC and this might possibly our last year because I am not sure that Challenge will be a good fit for us moving on. I have loved essentials and my community is awesome but as an Afro Latina, I am very concerned about the same things you mentioned.

[@momzestlife]

Hi, thanks for watching, and I do understand your dilemma. I agree that Essentials was such a useful part of the CC program and that part of it was the most helpful for us. The Challenge part of it was questionable, however, and unfortunately, I don't know of a program that I could recommend in lieu of it. I do know that some people in my area have left CC and have begun a classical co-op of their own, 7-12th grades. You might want to look for other groups in your area or you could start one if you're up to it...I'm currently looking into my local chapter of Mocha Moms to see if there are any parents of homeschool teens.

[@rochellegraham6484]

My family and I have been using simply charlotte Mason and my oldest is using an African centered curriculum. I appreciate your thoughts on this, since i have been entertaining the idea of classical conversations. We tried abeka as well. However, im recognizing that as black homeschoolers we need to be extremely vigilant on the curriculums we choose. Most are masked as "diverse", but are very Eurocentric. I find that when we create and build our own curriculums our children and communities benefit more.

[@momzestlife]

Yes, I completely agree about the masking of "diversity". We do have to be extremely vigilant and attentive as parents. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

[@burkhousehold8880]

What resources are you using?

[@emilydent417]

As an ex tutor and director of CC I agree with you. There is most definitely a, in my opinion, holier than thou personality surrounding many CC leaders. Our job as Christians is to love others and love them well, unconditionally. We do not have the final say, God does, so the judge mental mindset has no place for me or my family. Glad you were able to cater your homeschool to your family and their needs. That’s the beauty of homeschool! We are allowed to have trial and error with our curricula choices!

[@momzestlife]

So true, love is the foundation. Wow, thank you for your words of understanding and affirmation. I'm glad we took a different route and we are happier :-)

[@aletheakelly1010]

So, Cycle 1 is Ancient Cultures, Cycle 2 is European History, and Cycle 3 is American History. I did feel Cycle 2 was obviously focussed on Europe. So maybe you came in on that Cycle? We have done Foundations only so far, but your insights are helpful for the future.

[@angeliawomble6402]

Look into Jasmine Holmes

[@angeliawomble6402]

for history

[@rachelespiritu6863]

Can you please be specific about what you are saying? I have been doing CC for over 4 years and I have never ever seen and teaching coming from them that were " Judgmental" in the least.... Maybe I missed it but I would just like to know what exactly you are referencing.... Also considering my family is Asian, Mexican, Irish and Jewish..

[@momzestlife]

Hi Rachel, I am referencing the communities that I have had experience with, so your experiences would be different of course. Thanks for watching.