“Parents are the primary educators of their children.”

Jill Romine, Principal at Ambleside in Ocala, Florida, references this Charlotte Mason teaching as one of the cornerstones of the Ambleside educational philosophy: the strength in the parent-teacher partnership.

The definition of “education” becomes diluted if we limit it to the mere presentation of facts and data points from a teacher in a classroom. Ambleside embraces a definition that also encompasses the proper cultivation of habits, relationships, and disciplines that lead to a fuller life. Parents who want their children to be discipled need teachers to care about how their children handle struggle, how they approach work, and how their children relate to God, themselves, and others.

“When there’s a strong partnership between a teacher and parents, there’s trust,” Romine says. “That teacher knows how to look above and beyond just a set of skills that need to be mastered, but rather from a character perspective.”

Parents and teachers work together in building that character, both at home and in the classroom. Rather than shying away from weakness, they can address it together. Romine lays out what that can look like in practice.

What Parents Can Do to Support Their Children’s Growth

Model Healthy Authority

Authority is a good and healthy structure. We all ultimately live under God’s authority and sit under other leadership in one way or another throughout our lives. Parents who understand and demonstrate their authority in the home prepare their children to accept their teacher’s authority in the classroom. Having a healthy relationship with authority is important, as is being able to rest in it peacefully.

Build Habits at Home

Habits shape character. Parents can reinforce habits of attention and orderliness by encouraging routines at home — ensuring homework is completed, helping children tidy up after meals, or setting consistent bedtimes. A classroom full of children who are trained in these habits consistently at school and at home is a classroom marked by peace and order, which creates a conducive atmosphere for learning and engagement.

Engage in Meaningful Conversations

Rather than focusing solely on to-do lists, we encourage parents to talk with their children about big ideas. Discussing books, history, or moral dilemmas helps children mature, make connections, and think for themselves. “Since the mind feeds on ideas, relating over the good, true, and beautiful as a family is one of the most important things we can do at home,” says Romine.

Set Boundaries on Screens

Establish firm limits around screen time. Modeling a healthy relationship with technology and setting parameters around its use in the home communicates that being present with one another matters.

Volunteer and Be Present

Parents who volunteer for school activities, like field studies or classroom Handwork sessions, get a close-up look at what their children are capable of. Not only does this support the school community, but it also provides parents with insight into the habits and culture of the classroom, which they can mirror at home.

Encourage Perseverance

Ambleside embraces the idea that struggle and delight go hand in hand. Parents can encourage their children to persist through challenges, from a difficult math problem to learning to crochet. Romine notes, “Real growth happens when we’re outside our comfort zone. Children need to experience the satisfaction of working through something hard and succeeding.”

What Parents Should Avoid

Rescuing Children from Struggles

One of the most detrimental habits parents can develop is stepping in to relieve their child’s discomfort too quickly. This robs children of the opportunity to build resilience and discover their own capabilities. When parents rescue children from every struggle, it sends the message that they can’t handle challenges, which undermines their confidence.

Sowing Limiting Ideas

Casual comments like, “It’s no wonder you struggle with this — I was never a math person,” can have a lasting negative effect on a child’s mindset. Such statements can lead children to internalize limitations that might not exist. Instead, parents should convey that learning is a journey and that effort, not innate ability, determines growth.

Focusing on Performance Over Growth

A parent’s personal anxiety around performance often filters down to children, creating a pressure-filled atmosphere that detracts from a love of learning. Ambleside aims to cultivate curiosity and understanding, not competition. Parents should avoid comparing their children to others and instead celebrate personal growth and effort.

A Beautiful Partnership 

“When it’s really working beautifully is when a parent and a teacher are both laboring together, and there’s a sense of being for one another, with ultimately the end goal being the success of the students. We want the fullest life possible for your child.”

Jill Romine

Principal

Ambleside School of Ocala