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How a Mother Should Manage CLAA Lessons at Home: “Bit by bit, little by little.”

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For more than seventeen years I have taught my children at home using the curriculum we have published in the Classical Liberal Arts Academy. Six have graduated and moved on to college, while five have entered Army careers. What made this possible was not perfection or frantic busyness, but steady diligence: “Bit by bit, little by little—that’s how work gets done.” In this article, I want to show you how to manage CLAA lessons simply and peacefully, especially if you’re new and juggling children of different ages. Why CLAA uses “master texts” (and why that helps you) Many CLAA courses … Continue

Why Did the Catholic Church Preserve the Classical Liberal Arts?

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Today I’d like to explore a question that most Catholics would never think to ask: Why did the Catholic Church preserve the liberal arts? This is a question that takes us into history, theology, and education. If we understand the answer, we’ll see why the liberal arts—by which I mean the classical liberal arts—still matter in the 21st century. 1. What Are the Liberal Arts? Anyone who has been to college has heard the term “liberal arts.” We even speak of “liberal arts colleges.” But the first thing we must do is distinguish between the classical liberal arts and the … Continue

Strong Bodies for God: The Mother’s Role in Physical Training for Young Children

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The Gift of the Body When God formed Adam from the dust of the ground, He did more than create a functioning body—He entrusted man with a gift. Scripture tells us that after breathing the breath of life into Adam, “the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). This union of body and soul is not temporary or accidental. It is part of the eternal design of God. St. Paul reminds us that our bodies are not our own: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? … Continue

Modeling the Adult Catholic Life: A Problem in Catholic Families

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Among Catholic parents, there exists a common problem that is rarely discussed openly but has serious consequences for the faith and maturity of their children. It is the habit of expecting children to live according to high ideals while failing to live by those same ideals themselves. Parents speak about the virtues of lifelong learning, disciplined work, diligent use of time, and the pursuit of holiness—but their own lives often do not bear witness to these exhortations. They teach with words, but not with example.  Often, “being parents” is used as an excuse for neglecting these things, but this raises … Continue

Looking Ahead with the Church: The Assumption

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The Assumption Fra Angelico (c. 1430) This Friday, August 15, we will celebrate the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary—a feast full of hope for every Catholic mother. The Church teaches in the Catechism that “the Immaculate Virgin… was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, when her earthly life was finished, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things” (CCC 966). This is not only a truth about Mary; it is a promise to us of what God intends for all who love Him. St. John Damascene, a Doctor of the Church, called the Assumption “the … Continue

Why Catholic Homeschooling Mothers Must Be Lifelong Students

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A Mother Cannot Give What She Does Not Have If a mother wants to raise wise and virtuous children, she must first become wise and virtuous herself. This is not an insult to our efforts but a sober reminder of reality: no one can give what they do not have. The Catechism teaches that parents are the “first heralds of the faith” to their children. This means that we must know the faith ourselves—not only the basic truths but their meaning, history, and application. If we have only a shallow grasp of Scripture, the Catechism, or the virtues, how can … Continue

Why a Mother Must Discipline Herself for the Good of Her Husband and Children

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The Foundation of a Disciplined Life A Catholic mother’s life is not her own. From the moment she says “yes” to God’s vocation of marriage and motherhood, she gives herself away for the sake of others. Her time, her strength, and even her desires become bound to her duties. St. Paul tells us in the First Letter to the Corinthians that “you are not your own” because you have been bought with a price. In marriage, this reality deepens—your life becomes a gift to your husband, and through him, to your children. Because of this, discipline is not an optional … Continue

This Week’s Focus: Teaching Toddlers to Be Useful

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Why Toddlers Need Purpose In many homes, toddlers are treated as spectators. They are told to “go play” while the real work happens somewhere else. Yet idleness is rarely a blessing for the very young. A toddler with nothing to do will often find mischief—pulling things from shelves, climbing where they should not, or pestering older siblings. Their little bodies are full of energy. Their minds are eager to explore. When that energy and curiosity go unguided, trouble soon follows. God designed human beings for purposeful work. Even Adam, before the Fall, was given the task of tending the garden. … Continue

Liturgy of the Hours – August 9-16, 2025

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Saturday, August 9Saturday of Week 18 in Ordinary TimePsalter Week IIOptional Memorial: Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Virgin and MartyrEvening Prayer I is for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Sunday, August 10Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary TimePsalter Week III Monday, August 11Memorial of Saint Clare, VirginProper of SaintsPsalter: Common of Virgins Tuesday, August 12Tuesday of Week 19 in Ordinary TimePsalter Week IIIOptional Memorial: Saint Jane Frances de Chantal, Religious Wednesday, August 13Wednesday of Week 19 in Ordinary TimePsalter Week IIIOptional Memorial: Saints Pontian, Pope, and Hippolytus, Priest, Martyrs Thursday, August 14Memorial of Saint Maximilian Kolbe, Priest and MartyrProper of … Continue