Let’s start with this: my now nearly 21 year old boy and 17 year old girl haven’t asked me for money in years. Why? Because they learned early on to be proud of and to nurture their own independence, are unconsciously competent in their ability to delay gratification, and understand that they are responsible for themselves, their family and friends, and their communities.
These characteristics were formed by the wonderful teachers at Montessori and reinforced at home. One day I came home to find my young daughter singing “This is my school, my place of work and play…” while washing the dining room table — unasked. We did have to politely redirect her when we awoke to hear her vacuuming the house at 5am, however….
My son is now a sophomore at Yale and daughter headed to the University of Edinburgh, both with many self-arranged and self-financed trips to other continents over the past few years. They have healthy habits and relationships, interesting hobbies, work more hours than any kids I know, built their own savings and retirement funds, and are secure with themselves, their place in the world, and their future.
That’s about all a parent can hope for in the best of circumstances, and from all the kids we know from the school, apparently it’s just how things are done at Montessori Columbia. Many thanks to the teachers and staff who grow all these wonderful little beings for our world, you made the difference.