Let me begin with this photo. It captures the moment we left the birth centre to embark on our journey with our firstborn son, M, amidst the pandemic in early 2020. I distinctly remember experiencing a whirlwind of emotions- joy, excitement, and an overwhelming love for this new addition to our family. However, alongside these positive feelings, there was also anxiety and uncertainty. Despite months of preparing the house and reading parenting books, I began to wonder if I had done enough to be fully prepared for this new chapter of our lives.
One valuable lesson I have learned as a parent is that we are constantly learning about ourselves and our children. Just when we think we have it all figured out, they swiftly moved to the next stage of growth and development, leaving us feeling a bit uncertain once again. Nevertheless, what I am most grateful for on this parenting journey is stumbling upon Montessori when M was around six months old, while I was learning the concept of baby-led weaning. Up until then, the word ‘Montessori’ had only crossed my path once before, in the name of a daycare centre I had noticed while driving by a few years earlier- ‘Montessori House of Children’.
Little did I know that it would hold such a significance for us.
At that time, I had no knowledge about Montessori- what it entailed or its connection to baby-led weaning. Driven by curiosity, I started reading articles about Montessori, followed by reading books, watching YouTube videos, listening to audiobooks and podcasts, taking online courses, attending webinars- the learning process became continuous. Montessori opened my eyes to a whole new perspective on children, education, and parenting. It resonated with me and made perfect sense. What initially started as an exploration of introducing solid foods to my six-month-old son gradually transformed into an exploration of Montessori philosophy and parenting.
While there are no definitive manuals for raising children and parenthood is an unpredictable journey that cannot be fully prepared for, Montessori has proven to be a guiding light for us in numerous ways. With my husband on board, we spent several months preparing our home to encourage M’s independence, allowing him the freedom to explore within limits, involving him in our daily activities, and providing him with toys and materials that are aligned with Montessori principles. We also made the decision to transfer him in a Montessori-certified daycare, which he wholeheartedly embraced. Montessori has provided me with a foundation for how I approach my children, that is with mutual respect and accepting them for who they truly are.
I want to emphasise that I am by no means an expert in Montessori or parenting. I am simply a mother of two young boys who believe in the Montessori philosophy and strive to incorporate it into our daily lives. Through this blog, I aim to share our journey with other parents and caregivers who are interested in learning more about the Montessori method and seeking inspirations for implementing Montessori into their own homes. Allow me to extend a warm welcome to you as you step into the world of Montesku, our cherished online store and blog dedicated to all things Montessori.
Love, Ruz