Charlotte Mason Talks About Parenting
By admin, on July 18th, 2009
I continue on reading Charlotte Mason’s Home Education. I love her! As an educator, she freely admitted that the first and foremost influence on a child was altogether the mother, the father, and the homelife, but especially the mother in the early years. She did her best to impart useful ideas to parents without telling parents exactly how to carry them out. She gave tips, but she put a lot of faith in mothers.
From the Preface to the Third Edition:
Believing that the individuality of parents is a great possession for their children, and knowing that when an idea possesses the mind, ways of applying it suggest themselves, I have tried not to weight these pages with many directions, practical suggestions, and other such crutches, likely to interefere with the free relations of parent and child. Our greatness as a nation depends upon how far parents take liberal and enlightened views of their high office and of the means to discharge it which are placed in their hands.
Miss Mason goes on to say:
The parents of but one child may be cherishing what shall prove a blessing to the world. But then, entrusted with such a charge, they are not free to say, “I may do as I will with mine own.” The children are, in truth, to be regarded less as personal property than as public trusts, put into the hands of parents that they may make the very most of them for the good of society.”
And there’s no ambiguity in what she’s saying. She is saying that the sole responsibility for making the child the most he can be does rest on the parents, and especially on the mother in the early years. She quotes Pestalozzi who said, “Maternal love is the first agent in education.”
Some things to think on today.
Lynn
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About Lynn
I am the mother of four delightful children: a 23-year-old son, a 20-year-old son, a 17-year-old son, and a bright and bubbly 13-year-old daughter. I share an apartment home with my 17-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter. My little home on the internet is called Rose Cottage because of my love for gardening, roses, and all things romantic and Victorian. Welcome.
I'm a North Carolina girl and I love sharing North Carolina links and information. I do medical transcription from home. My hobbies include making sweet little dolls from clay who are named and have their own stories to tell. I also make old-fashioned brooches. These are for sale in my Etsy shop.
For 13 years continuously, I homeschooled some or all of our four children, but the time came that our homeschool had to be closed. It was the end of a beautiful chapter in my life. I will always be a strong supporter of homeschooling and I will continue to review books and maintain my homeschool website, The Healthy Homeschool. The Players
Lil Ol' Me
Son Daniel, 23
Son, Big Joe, 20
Son, John, 17
Daughter, Michaela, 13
Annie Fatso Beagle
My Symphony
To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony.
William Henry Channing
1810-1884
What You Do Sow a thought, reap an action.
Sow an action, reap a habit.
Sow a habit, reap a character.
Sow a character, reap a destiny.
Contact Me 
I would  for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
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Lynn dear.. I really need you to take me firmly in hand and educate me of all things Charlotte Mason. Seriously!
Diane, years ago I felt like Karen Andreola had taken me by the hand regarding Charlotte Mason when I first read A Charlotte Mason Companion. Somehow, I needed to read Charlotte Mason’s Home Education for myself this time around, with Michaela. It is so enlightening! I plan to continue sharing what I learn and how we use it.
Lynn
I am really feeling that our homeschool would benefit from moving more in this direction. We are using Sonlight, which follows along with the emphasis towards real books in place of texts, so that’s a plus. I’m thinking just making a few changes would be a real benefit, you know what I mean. But I really do need some concrete direction. If I were to read one book that would encapsulate the Charlotte Mason method, what would you recommend? One of Andreola’s or one of Mason’s herself?
I love the quote by Pestalozzi. I am inspired to read more about him and the writings he published.
As for Charlotte mason’s writings I have read two, one by K.Andreola and one by Charlotte mason both pieces held so much information. I am going to try and infuse the philosophy into my teaching this year. For example, My students have a personal reading requirement each 9 weeks. I will encourage them to read things there are curious about, or have a passion for. I will model this by setting up my own reading path each 9 weeks. I think my first exploration will be on the element of creativity in life and living.
Do you think it could work?
There may also be an angle here to increase parent involvement. Needs more perculating!
Thanks I am always inspired by your sharing.
Oh Lynn I forgot to ask…
I was reading some of your past eentries on herbs and infusions and was wondering if you have a suggestion on good resources to learn more. Your infusions look so appealing!
Thanks again!
Diane, I am going to make a separate post about this. About the little I know so far.
DianeM, I am very intrigued by Pestalozzi as well. It was the first time I’d heard about him. I definitely think your idea would work. I think it’s just wonderful that you are always trying to bring excitement and creativity to your classroom. Would you have the kids pursue reading about something they love and then sharing it through writing? I want to hear more when you get it perked.
As far as the infusions, my favorite all-time book about herbs is Rosemary Gladstar’s Family Herbal:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Rosemary-Gladstars-Family-Herbal/Rosemary-Gladstar/e/9781580174251/?itm=10&afsrc=1&lkid=J28433633&pubid=K44539&byo=1
For my own infusions, I tend to stick with very safe and mild herbs right from my yard such as nettles, mints, dandelion leaves, etc., and pour water over them, add a bit of honey and drink like tea.
Lynn