The part about the paper on the fridge with the star and the comments making a difference really brought a smile to my face!
It's amazing, isn't it, how something small like that can make a nebulous idea of "progress" click. It also made me think, maybe your husband is visual and seeing the paper brought it home to him?I was totally nodding my head as I read your words about the purpose of grades in school versus the deep *knowledge* we have of our children's strengths and weaknesses. I sat in a workshop a few years ago and heard homeschooling grandparents who had been using a video and textbook program question *how* on *earth* they would know how the children were doing if they used a CM method. On the one hand, I completely understood their question. How do we know that they've made "enough" progress? On the other hand, the presenter's answer made so much sense as well--"I'm working with my daughter every day, all year long. If there's something she doesn't understand, I'm going to realize that and slow down and take the time until she understands it!"
, but because we just can't seem to take that route, the Charlotte Mason, relaxed is the best way to go for us! My husband doesn't really understand it, but he sees that my children love to read, and he thinks that is great, because he never had that as a child.