What is Mother Culture?
We are all familiar with the concept of self-care. However, Mother Culture is slightly different. If you’re familiar with Charlotte Mason, you have probably heard of it. So, what is Mother Culture?
Where the term comes from
You might be surprised to learn that Charlotte Mason did not come up with this term.
“Mother Culture” was first coined in the Parents’ Review Magazine, edited by Charlotte Mason. The article was titled “Mother Culture” and the author identified herself merely by the initial A.
In the article, A. recommends carving out daily time to read or do something for personal growth. She exhorts the mother to find 30 minutes out of the 24 hours of the day.
“Mother must have time to herself. And we must not say “I cannot.” Can any of us say till we have tried, not for one week, but for one whole year, day after day, that we “cannot” get one half-hour out of the twenty-four for “Mother Culture?”–one half-hour in which we can read, think, or “remember.”
Mother Culture, by A., The Parents’ Review, Volume 3, no. 2, 1892/93, pgs. 92-95
So What is Mother Culture?
“Mother Culture” refers to the ways in which the mother carves out time to continue to grow her own mind through reading. Nowadays, the term is also associated with hobbies and general growth.
The article suggests keeping three books going to grow the mind:
“The wisest woman I ever knew–the best wife, the best mother, the best mistress, the best friend–told me once, when I asked her how, with her weak health and many calls upon her time, she managed to read so much, “I always keep three books going–a stiff book, a moderately easy book, and a novel, and I always take up the one I feel fit for!” That is the secret; always have something “going” to grow by. If we mothers were all “growing” there would be less going astray among our boys, less separation in mind from our girls.”
A few ways to “do” Mother Culture
Book Club
It’s not just for the kids! I participated in one week through the library and really enjoyed it. (The book was The Last Garden in England.)
Commonplace Journal
This is where you write down quotes from books or other things you want to record. I’ve picked up doing this again.
New Skills
Acquire new skills to keep growing. Right now, I’m learning all about gardening. Books, videos, getting outside and in the garden, it all counts. Other things I’d like try are calligraphy, sewing, and wreath making.
Old skills
Sharpen old skills. If you had all the time in the world, what would you enjoy doing? I’m back to playing the piano a few times a week and it feels pretty awesome! I’ve picked up my knitting needles and crochet hook again, too.
Just Keep Growing
“What we need is a habit of taking our minds out of what one is tempted to call “the domestic rag-bag” of perplexities, and giving it a good airing in something which keeps it ‘growing.’”
I don’t know about you, but I’m easily overwhelmed by my domestic rag-bag of perplexities. But you know what?
You can spend all day doing dishes and the sink keeps filling up.
You can spend all day sweeping and there are still crumbs at the end of the day.
Just let the dishes and crumbs pile up for a minute as you grow yourself. Then get them all at once.
“if we would do our best for our children, grow we must; and on our power of growth surely depends, not only our future happiness, but our future usefulness.”