Mother Culture: Fill Your Own Cup

What is Mother Culture?

Mother culture is a term that appears in the writings of the Parents’ National Educational Union (PNEU), an organization founded by Charlotte Mason in the late 19th century. Simply put, mother culture is the intentional pursuit of activities that nourish a mother’s mind, heart, and soul. Rather than viewing education as something that ends with school, mother culture emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning and personal growth for the mother as well.

This may include activities like reading, journaling, creating art, nature study, and engaging in meaningful conversations. The idea is to cultivate the mother’s own intellectual and spiritual life, so she can, in turn, share the joy and benefits of lifelong learning with her children.

Why Mother Culture Matters

While the Charlotte Mason approach focuses on a child’s holistic development, it’s equally important for mothers to nurture themselves. Here’s why mother culture is essential:

1. Prevents Burnout: 

Homeschooling can be challenging, and it’s easy for mothers to become exhausted. Mother culture allows you to step back and refill your own cup, helping prevent burnout and increasing your resilience.

2. Sets a Positive Example:  

Children learn not only from what we teach them but also from what they observe in us. When they see us pursuing our own education and interests, they learn that learning doesn’t end after childhood.

3. Builds Confidence in the Charlotte Mason Philosophy:  

Experiencing the benefits of a wide education for yourself helps you trust the Charlotte Mason method for your children. As you experience the joy of learning, you’ll naturally become more passionate about sharing it with your kids.

4. Nurtures Your Mind and Heart:  

Mother culture feeds the mind with living ideas and the heart with beauty and inspiration, providing you with a source of joy and intellectual nourishment beyond the demands of homeschooling.

How to Implement Mother Culture in Your Life

Implementing mother culture doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Here are practical ways to nurture yourself as you homeschool:

1. Read Living Books

One of the cornerstones of the Charlotte Mason method is reading “living books,” which are well-written, engaging books that spark imagination and interest. Create your own reading list of living books, focusing on subjects you enjoy or have always wanted to learn more about. Consider reading from various genres, including literature, history, nature lore, and poetry.

Tip: Start with one or two books that interest you, and read for 10-15 minutes daily. This small time commitment can make a big difference over time.

2. Keep a Commonplace Book

A commonplace book is a notebook where you jot down meaningful quotes, ideas, and reflections from the books you’re reading. This practice helps you connect with what you’re reading and gives you a resource to look back on. Keeping a commonplace book allows you to see how much you’ve grown and serves as a reminder of the ideas that have impacted you.

Tip: Use this time for reflection at the end of each week. Look back at the quotes and passages that stood out to you and consider how they apply to your life.

3. Engage in Nature Study and Journaling

Charlotte Mason emphasizes the importance of nature study for children, and mothers can benefit from this practice too. Nature journaling allows you to slow down, observe the world around you, and appreciate the beauty in nature. Not only is this activity relaxing, but it also helps you cultivate a sense of wonder and curiosity—qualities you want to pass on to your children.

Tip:  Bring a nature journal with you on family nature walks. Take a few minutes to sketch or write about something that catches your interest, whether it’s a bird, a plant, or a beautiful landscape.

4. Incorporate Poetry and Art

Charlotte Mason viewed poetry and art as essential components of a complete education. Introduce yourself to a poet or artist each term, and spend a few minutes each week reading a poem or studying a piece of art. Engaging with art and poetry fosters a love for beauty and helps you develop a more thoughtful, reflective mindset.

Tip:  Consider choosing a poet or artist that you can share with your children, creating a shared experience. Art appreciation and poetry recitation can become a special time for you and your children to explore beauty together.

5. Join or Start a Book Club or Study Group

Sharing ideas and discussing books with other like-minded moms can make the journey of mother culture even more rewarding. Look for a local or online Charlotte Mason book club or start one with friends. Reading and discussing Charlotte Mason’s volumes or other inspiring books can deepen your understanding and commitment to this educational philosophy.

Tip: If in-person groups are challenging, consider a virtual book club or even a simple phone call or video chat with a friend who shares your interests.

Making Time for Mother Culture

Finding time for mother culture can seem daunting, especially with a busy homeschooling schedule. However, these practices don’t require hours of your time. By setting aside 15-20 minutes each day, you can engage in meaningful activities that enrich your mind and spirit. Here are some tips to make it work:

•  Morning Quiet Time: Set aside a few minutes before the children wake up to read or journal. This quiet time can set a positive tone for your day.
•  Incorporate with School Time: While your children are working on their schoolwork, you can spend a few minutes reading or journaling alongside them.
•  Evening Reflection: Use the quiet time after the children go to bed to review your commonplace book, read a poem, or spend time with a favorite book.

Embracing the Worth of Mother Culture

One of the most empowering aspects of mother culture is the recognition of your own worth as a lifelong learner. Homeschooling is a journey for the entire family, and as you invest in your own growth, you’ll be better equipped to guide and inspire your children. Charlotte Mason believed in the value of each person, and that includes you. Embracing mother culture is an investment in yourself, in your children, and in the beautiful life you are building together.

Mother culture is an invaluable part of a Charlotte Mason education, nurturing the minds and hearts of mothers so they can create an inspiring and life-giving homeschool environment. By reading, journaling, enjoying nature, and savoring poetry and art, you can cultivate a richer, more fulfilling life that will benefit both you and your children.

Start small, commit to a few simple practices, and watch as mother culture transforms not only your homeschool but also your heart and mind.

Some of favorite books for Mother Culture in no particular order:

1. For the Children’s Sake by Susan Shaeffer Macauley
2. Mere Motherhood by Cindy Rollins
3. Modern Miss Mason by Leah Boden
4. Atomic Habits by James Clear
5. Own Your Life by Sally Clarkson
6. BookGirl by Sarah Clarkson
7. Mother Culture by Karen Andreaola
8. Last Child in the Woods by Robert Louv
9. The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
10. A Place to Belong by Amber O’Neal Johnson
11. How to Talk So Kids will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber
12. The Next Right Thing: A Simple, Soulful Practice for Making Life Decisions by Emily Freeman
13. Hard is Not the Same Thing as Bad by Abbie Halberstadt
14. Until the Streetlights Come On: How a Return to Play Brightens Our Present and Prepares Kids for an Uncertain Future by Ginny Yurich
15. Get Out of Your Head: Stopping the Spiral of Toxic Thoughts by Jennie Allen