to teach because of our own lack of education. Once we start, however,
our enthusiasm for learning ourselves is usually kindled. But how to
find the time, what to study, and which areas are most fruitful for us
are the questions this episode will address as the ADE ladies review
Mason’s own Mothers Education Course and what she felt were the
essential areas of study for a mother and teacher.
“We are waking up to our duties and in proportion as mothers become more highly educated and efficient, they will doubtless feel the more strongly that the education of their children during the first six years of life is an undertaking hardly to be entrusted to any hands but their own. And they will take it up as their profession––that is, with the diligence, regularity, and punctuality which men bestow on their professional labours.” (Vol. 1, pp. 2-3)
“‘The mother is qualified,” says Pestalozzi, ‘and qualified by the Creator Himself, to become the principal agent in the development of her child; … and what is demanded of her is––a thinking love … God has given to the child all the faculties of our nature, but the grand point remains undecided––how shall this heart, this head, these hands be employed? to whose service shall they be dedicated? A question the answer to which involves a futurity of happiness or misery to a life so dear to thee. Maternal love is the first agent in education.'” (Vol. 1, p. 2)
“One of the greatest difficulties of women living at home is that of securing consecutive hours of work; for our lives (especially lives lived in towns) are very full of interruptions and conflicting duties.” (The Mother’s Educational Course, PR, Vol. 8)
“And this knowledge of the science of education, not the best of mothers will get from above, seeing that we do not often receive as a gift that which we have the means of getting by our own efforts.” (Vol. 1, p. 10)
“The attention of Members [of the PNEU] is called to the New Course of Reading, which is free to all members of the Union. It is confined to the distinctive teaching of the Union, and therefore to the volumes of the ‘Home Education’ Series…The method of these volumes is a progressive amplification of the principles of the Union. It is , therefore, desirable that the books should be studied in numerical order.” (PNEU Pamphlets)
“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.” (The Mother’s Educational Course, PR, Vol. 8)
“The mother cannot devote herself too much to this kind [Naturalists’ books] of reading, not only that she may read tit-bits to her children about matters they have come across, but that she may be able to answer their queries and direct their observations.” (Vol. 1, p. 64)
“That the mother may know what she is about, may come thoroughly furnished to her work, she should have something more than a hearsay acquaintance with the theory of education, and with those conditions of the child’s nature upon which such theory rests.” (Vol. 1, p. 3)
“And this true living interest is what we want to share with our children, with the aim of giving them an inspiration rather than with the expectation of being able to supply all the teaching they will need. Few mothers could qualify themselves to teach physiology, astronomy, botany, geology, and the knowledge of birds and insects; but all can learn enough of the alphabet of these subjects to answer intelligently the questions of young children, and to sympathize with the lessons of the older ones, or to work with them.” (The Mother’s Educational Course, PR, Vol. 8)
“For to be honestly pursuing a course of study, however simply, makes a mother feel that she is trying in some measure to live worthily of her calling. She will feel that she is doing her best to prepare herself for the bringing up and training of useful men and women, thoroughly developed in body, mind, and spirit, who may by God’s blessing leave the world a little better than they found it.” (The Mother’s Educational Course, PR, Vol. 8)
The Mother’s Educational Course, by Mrs. Anson (Parents’ Review, Volume 8)
Nicole, I love your book choices for health and wellness. I’m totally in agreement with you on how diet impacts behavior. Kelly Dorfman, I’m forever grateful to her for getting me on the right path. Her book is fantastic. This topic of nutrition and diet is one I’ve read so much in and is near and dear to my heart.
Emily, I think it was you that mentioned Adler (among others) and I’m curious CM’s thoughts on his ideas. I’m currently reading Positive Discipline.
I think something I love is that CM balanced all these subjects. I tend to get stuck in one area (like nutrition) and I need to branch out (like nature reading or Tozer/Lewis/Augustine/etc) or even return to old loves (like fiction and history). I’m going to work on expanding my horizons and spreading the feast for myself. 🙂
Rachel, I’m glad to hear your feedback. Some people think I’m kind of crazy with my nutrition suggestions, but 8 years ago I was so unhealthy that I had to go back to bed halfway through the day. I felt so useless but I was in my MID-THIRTIES! Now I can accomplish about 20 times what I could then, and it’s entirely a result of learning what “a healthy diet” really means.
Enjoy branching out into other subjects. I think it’s natural to want to stay close to our pet-subjects, but Miss. Mason knew it was good for us to take in the feast as well.
~Nicole
I would like to hear how real moms are making time for this kind of reading. Are you all setting aside time during your kids’ school hours or after they go to bed or on certain days of the week? I’m wondering particularly about those with younger kids who need a lot more involvement from parents to do their schoolwork.
I would also love to hear other moms thoughts. What is a good starting goal? This is our first year homeschooling and I am still learning as much as I can about CM and we are going to do it 100% next year. I bought a curriculum this year. FItting everything in, school, housework, cooking…..it has been a struggle!!
My natural tendency is to not be “confined” to a schedule, but since actually implementing a daily schedule for myself (when I actually do it and not be a slacker about it), I have found that I’m able to get this type of reading in. I don’t sit and read for hours though! But I do have 3-4 times during the day that it is on my schedule to grab one of my books and read…even if it’s just for 5 minutes or to read just 2-3 pages. But this DID NOT HAPPEN on a regular and consistent basis before I started time budgeting. I know that if I do not make the time for this, then I’m not filling myself up to better be able to pour out to my family. 🙂
Hopefully that gives you some ideas? If not, let me know and I can be more specific or try to help you in whatever way I can!
Yes, this is helpful. It’s easy to discount what I can achieve in five minutes of reading, but five minutes on a book I wouldn’t have read otherwise is better than zero, and I can find time for a few minutes while the kids are occupied elsewhere.
Thank you for your input, Bridgett. I know you have worked hard in this area, to good success.
I would only add that when Miss. Mason talks about the copious out-of-door time children are to take in, she mentions that mom should not be overly involved as the children play. She suggests we sit on a blanket with our book or our knitting or some such. Of course, we need to be sure the kids are safe, but we aren’t supposed to hover. (We are going to do a podcast on masterly inactivity soon, so watch for that.) Maybe you can fit a few minutes of reading in each day while the kids play outside.
And as you point out RD, 10 minutes here and there add up quickly.
~Nicole
Thank you ladies, again, for such an encouraging podcast. I have been very good about picking books like these and putting them on my bedside table, but no so great about actually reading them (ha ha). I am sure many moms feel the same way. I know that somewhere I have heard Liz talk about short lessons for moms, too, and it encouraged me to rotate through my books, even if I only get 15 minutes here and there. I am starting to make some headway. Also, I try to make sure to bring a few on our roadtrips/vacations. An older mom at my church recommended placing books in various locations around my house (like in the kitchen to read while I cook); that has been helpful.
ON another note, I have had Botany in a Day in my wishlist on Amazon for over a year now, and thanks to you, Nicole, I am ordering it today 🙂
What a great idea short lessons I am sure I can find 15 mins even just once a day to read. I have had Botany in a Day for some years now and I am going to dust it off and use it 🙂
Thank you for the idea, Parke. This summer I finished 2 books – finished – and I felt like a superstar! I hope you enjoy Botany in a Day. It has given new life to my nature study time, and I think it could be very helpful to someone leading a group or natural history club. Enjoy!
~Nicole