Charlotte Mason Mother Culture

When we were first starting off with the Charlotte Mason method, I encountered the term mother culture and felt that it was a timely reminder for self-care: after all, homeschooling takes so much from us, it’s only understandable that we would need ways to refresh and re-energize ourselves.

But the more I researched into what the Parents’ Review said about mother culture, I realized it’s so much more than just finding time to rest and refresh ourselves.

What is Mother Culture?

Let’s take a look at the following passages from the Parent’s Review article entitled “Mother Culture,” possibly the first time the term was coined:

Volume 3, no. 2, 1892/93, pgs. 92-95:

There is no sadder sight in life than a mother, who has so used herself up in her children’s childhood, that she has nothing to give them in their youth. When babyhood is over and school begins, how often children take to proving that their mother is wrong. Do you as often see a child proving to its father that he is wrong? I think not. For the father is growing far more often than the mother. He is gaining experience year by year, but she is standing still. Then, when her children come to that most difficult time between childhood and full development she is nonplussed; and, though she may do much for her children, she cannot do all she might, if she, as they, were growing!

Here we can see the very common and very heartbreaking condition of many a mother, whose children grow up despising her because she didn’t take the time to keep growing. Although it is important to refresh ourselves with self-care, I submit to you that this description seems to deal with more than just a passive rest, and instead focused on, shall we say, growth.

Is there not some need for “mother culture”? But how is the state of things to be altered? So many mothers say, “I simply have no time for myself!” “I never read a book!” Or else, “I don’t think it is right to think of myself!” They not only starve their minds, but they do it deliberately, and with a sense of self-sacrifice which seems to supply ample justification.

Here is the reference to mother culture, and if you notice, it doesn’t talk about finding time to rest, as it does about not “starving their minds.” Conversely, I believe the emphasis is finding time to read and feed our minds as mothers!

The more I read the PR articles, the more I realized that the emphasis of mother culture really was not just rest, but a commitment to keep growing as a person.

The Mothers’ Educational Course

Did you know that the correspondence course during Charlotte Mason’s time was not just for the children? I was surprised to find out that they also had a correspondence course for the mothers!

In Volume 8, no. 7, 1897, pgs. 463, it says:

The subject which I have been asked to bring before the Conference is that of the “Mother’s Educational Course.” By this we mean a course of reading, lasting three years, on subjects which are of vital importance to mothers. I am very glad to have the opportunity of speaking about it, for although it is regularly advertised in the pages of the Parents’ Review, and is known as one of the agencies by which the Union works, I do not think its usefulness has yet been thoroughly realised by our members.

The course of reading extends, as I have said, over a period of not less than three years; papers being issued at the beginning of each year giving the names of the books which are to be read; and at the end of each half-year, a paper of questions is sent to the students. Four subjects have been chosen for study. It is not necessary to take up all the four at once; some mothers have taken up two only. But these four have been chosen as being the all-important subjects to which mothers ought to turn their attention. For, while many topics are interesting, and it is good to learn about anything which lifts us to a higher level, these four are really indispensable for every mother who wishes to be thoroughly equipped for her work.

Can you imagine the kind of time that these readings might take? I can’t imagine being able to fit this into my current busy schedule, can you? But clearly, the conviction that mothers should keep growing as individuals was something that the mothers in Charlotte Mason’s day really took seriously.

And what are these subjects that they felt were “indispensable for every mother”?

They are thus described in the syllabus:-

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.”

With this, I think it’s safe to say that if we can have a book or two going for each of these four subjects, we can feed our minds and grow our souls as well!

What about you? What are you currently feeding your mind on, apart from your children’s school books? Share them in the comments below!