“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… 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! 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. There are, moreover, unfortunately, only too many people who think that sort of thing so lovely that public opinion appears to justify it. But does public opinion justify anything?” ~Mother Culture by A. (Parent’s Review, Vol. 3, no. 2, 1892/93, pgs. 92-95)

 

“If mothers could learn to do for themselves what they do for their children… we should have happier households. Let the mother go out to play! If she would only have courage to let everything go when life becomes too tense, and just take a day, or half a day, out in the fields, or with a favourite book, or in a picture gallery… or in bed, without the children, life would go on far more happily for both children and parents. The mother would be able to hold herself in ‘wise passiveness,’ and would not fret her children by continual interference, even of hand or eye- she would let them be.” ~Charlotte Mason

 

 

Parent’s Review article: “Mother Culture” by A.

 

ADE’s 2020-21 Parents’ Educational Course

 

Brady Vencel’s Mother’s Education Course: Summer 2020

 

Mother Culture, by Karen Andreola