As a veteran Charlotte Mason homeschooling mum, I kept a nature journal alongside my daughters. We went on weekly nature walks and I found that by keeping a nature journal, it encouraged them to do the same.
Through this practice, I became attuned to the seasonal rhythms of year. I began to notice slight changes and developments such as a shift in the light, the fresh green shoots of the spring daffodils pushing up through the frozen earth or the first hint of a tightly wound fiddle of a fern.
Each day I would watch these small changes which had previously gone unnoticed and by and by, I came to know when to expect he arrival or departure of plants, birds or insects. I was alive to the rhythms of nature and a deep appreciation of God’s creation rooted in my heart and my being.
Then our homeschooling years came to an end. My daughters went off to university and our long-established habit of observance seemed to leave with them. For so long this beautiful habit was something we did together. It wasn’t just about the act of observing, drawing and painting, we were sharing moments, conversations and thoughts… we were sharing experiences together.
Somehow when I opened my journal once our homeschooling had come to an end, it no longer had the same depth and purpose…and so my practice of drawing and painting was slowly neglected and pushed aside. From time to time, I would pick up paintbrush but not with the same regularity and purpose.
Keeping a Nature Journal
I have often felt that I wanted to really pick this up again but I failed to find the motivation…it will never be the same.
I pondered on my resistance because in truth, I still love observing the seasons, being out in the countryside, going on walks and I love drawing and painting but I would find silly things would stand in my way:
Should I start a new journal or continue in my journal that still has half its pages waiting to be filled or;
New year new journal…this year I will be more dedicated or;
I’m going to combine all my journal’s into one because I want a continuous record…then regretting it and shoving it aside once more.
For Your Own Sake: You Are Worthy of Your Own Time and Attention
Often, when I picked up my journal and leafed through the pages, I was overwhelmed with beautiful memories and sometimes, that alone would make me set it aside again for it would not be the same. I have come to realise that much of what I did as a mother and home educator was for my children’s sake.
That is not something I regret at all, and I would gladly do it all again for my family is my life. But what I failed to realise is that it is okay to take the time to indulge in things simply because it brings you joy and peace.
The things we do, do not always have to have an altruistic purpose. I could carry this, and many other Charlotte Mason practices that resonate deeply with me, not just for the children’s sake, but for my own too.
As home educating mothers, we spend so much time creating a rich learning environment, atmosphere and culture for our children because we want only the best for them, then fail to apply the same principles, love and grace to ourselves.
Perhaps I felt that Charlotte Mason was speaking her educational philosophy exclusively for the children, but I don’t think that is true.
We are all human beings, capable of change, development and learning. You are never too old to learn something new, to embrace a better way. Many of us first generation homeschooling mothers went through the traditional formulaic and graded education system. We did not have lessons in nature, art appreciation or composer study simply for its own sake.
Mother Culture
We need to implement a bit of Mother Culture, something advocated by Charlotte Mason.
The term “Mother Culture” was first coined in the Parents’ Review Magazine, edited by Charlotte Mason. In an article of the same name, the author recommends carving out daily time to read or do something for personal growth. To find just 30 minutes out of the 24 hours of each 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 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
Find Time for Mother Culture
Anyone else feeling convicted?
As mothers and women, we are so used to putting ourselves last without actually thinking about it. I’m not saying that you should allow the pendulum to swing too far over into the side of complete indulgence, but you should value your own personal growth and development enough to 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.’”
Mother Culture, by A., The Parents Review, Volume 3, no. 2, 1892/93
If we all took time for Mother Culture I think that we would have less burnout, the people in our lives would be better off for it, and we would experience greater balance and fulfillment in our busy lives.
Here are some ideas that I plan to embrace to bring a bit of Mother Culture into my life in 2026:
- Book Club – At the moment I have two hard copy books on the go at any one time. One literary book and one complete indulgence (in my case, an Agatha Christie murder mystery or the like). You could find and join a book club be it in person or online.
- Nature Journal – Pick up your nature journal and go for walks in the countryside and paint because you want to. Being outdoors and observing the natural rhythms of the year is beneficial for every human being no matter what age.
- The Arts – continue your education in learning about great works of art and composers. Follow the recommendations set out by Charlotte Mason, each quarter, choose an artist and composer to learn about. Little by little your knowledge will grow and you will be adding to the picture gallery in your mind. Plan at least one trip to your local philharmonic orchestra and an art gallery each year – treat yourself. Go with a friend and enjoy a (moderate) champagne lunch after a morning spent browsing great art.
- Learn New Skills – have you always wanted to learn to play the piano, garden or learn a new language? I’ve recently started learning chess and I have to say I am hooked! Find something that you have wanted to try and keep learning!
So there we are, if you needed permission to keep growing, here it is. Keep a journal of your Mother Culture moments. In December do a review of your year and see how much you have learnt and how you feel after having allowed yourself just 30 minutes a day.
