This fall we will start homeschooling my oldest. (Cue the tears.) During curriculum research, I found myself drawn to the Charlotte Mason way of learning. After digging more, I learned that she also encouraged mothers to continue educating themselves alongside their children.
I have lacked on culturing myself since R has been born (unless you count the hours scrolling Instagram during the middle of the night nursing sessions). I used to love books, devouring them as often as I could. Now that O is 6 months old, the desire to find myself again is growing from a want to a need. The best way I’ve found that works for me: participating in mother culture.
What is Mother Culture?
I’ll admit that I haven’t actually dug to find a common answer, but from what I’ve gleaned in the context of homeschooling and Charlotte Mason, is that mother culture is simply continuing to educate and nurture yourself; to keep your identity outside of your children alive. For me, that looks like reading 2-3 books a month and some sort of handicraft.
What kind of books to read?
In general, the whole basis of Charlotte Mason’s educational style was to learn through living books. That extends to mothers as well! There are four genres that are mentioned in The Mother’s Educational Course by Mrs. Anson that are good to keep on rotation:
“Firstly. Divinity. “To help mothers to give their children such teaching as should confirm them in the Christian religion.”
Secondly. Physiology and Health. “To give the knowledge necessary for the care and development of children in sickness and health.”
Thirdly. Mental and Moral Science and Education. “To show the principles of education, and methods based on these principles.
Fourthly. Nature Lore and the Elements of Science. “To enable mothers to awaken their children’s interest in Nature, and to give them their first ideas.””
May 2024 Mother Culture Readings
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This is my first month really leaning into this, so I’m keeping it simple while I ease into it. Here is what I’m reading:
Divinity: The Bible Recap – this is my daily devotional
Physiology and Health: I don’t have a reading for this month but have been checking out books on herbal medicine.
Mental and Moral Science and Education: Habits for a Sacred Home: 9 Practices from History to Anchor and Restore Modern Families – I am really excited to start reading this alongside @storiedmotherhood on Instagram.
Nature Lore and the Elements of Science (or the fluff book): Anne of Green Gables – I have been wanting/meaning to read this forever. I wouldn’t say I’m obsessed, but I did wear out my church’s VHS tapes of the movies when I was in elementary school. I may have dreamed that Jonathan Crombie was my husband once or twice.
In addition to these, I am also listening to Home Eduction by Charlotte Mason as an audiobook when I can, mostly in the car.
I’d love to know what you’re reading this month! I hope this inspires and encourages you to invest into yourself. Happy May!
