A Good Airing

We’re pleased to be the host for this 11th edition of the Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival! This edition is dedicated to Mother Culture and to all those mothers who need a good mental “airing” during these last weeks of winter.

“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’ ” (Parents Review, Vol. 3, No. 2).

So grab a cup of tea (or a Coke), put your feet up, and enjoy a good “airing” with Mother Culture!

Refocus Your Perspective

First, let’s talk about making the decision to carve out some time for recharging your own batteries.

• It’s not always easy, as Cindy reminds us in Nourishing “Mother Culture” posted at On Our Journey Westward.
• Lori shares how her decision to focus on things that are lovely this year has resulted in some great guidelines for her growth in The Year of the Just Pure Lovely posted at Just Pure Lovely.
• Tea Party Girl encourages us to remember three key words and that It’s Not All Up to You.
• Leslie explains that fanning the flames of our spiritual lives is crucial in The Deepest Wellspring of My Motherly Renewal posted at Pockets of the Future Blog.
• Can our desire for Mother Culture turn into a selfish pursuit and a source of conflict within our families? Yes. As with all Charlotte Mason principles, balance is the key. Read Jen’s article Charlotte Mason and “Mother Culture” posted at Living, Learning … and Loving for some wise reminders of what Mother Culture is and is not.

Refresh Yourself

We could all use some ideas for refreshing and rest. Maybe what some of these moms wrote will become your new Mother Culture favorite. Take a look at . . .

• Trisch’s “things I do for myself that make me a better mommy” in Let the Mother Go Out to Play! posted at Never a Dull Moment.
• Amy’s “various things I have done over the past years to recharge” in Recharging the Batteries posted at Growing Fruit.
• Jessica’s search for “moments to learn” in Taking the Moments posted at Nest of Pleasant Thoughts.
• Renae’s delightful reflections on The Barefoot Boy posted at Life Nurturing Education.
• Tammy’s “seven things that I do for mother culture” in Mother Culture posted at Aut-2B-Home in Carolina.
• Keri’s list of what “refreshes and renews” her in Mother Culture posted at Sunny Homeschool.

Rejuvenate Your Mind

Learning plays a big role in growing and Mother Culture.

• Melissa writes that “Continuing to learn new things will not only benefit your family by making you better equipped to fulfil your duties, but it will also send a message to your children that learning is not just something one is forced to do until they are old enough to do more important things. Here are three ways you can use ‘mother culture’ to nuture your child’s love of learning”: Getting Your Child Excited About Learning posted at Lilliput Station.
• Swylv shares how she continues to read and learn in Mother Culture Revisited posted at Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.

Reflect Your Creativity

Expressing your creativity can be a wonderful aspect of Mother Culture!

• Barb-Harmonyartmom encourages all of us to go ahead and try relaxing pastimes in Art: Women Need to Be Creative posted at The Heart of Harmony.
• Kelly reminds us that art and handicrafts can inspire creativity in our children too in Do it not just for them – but for yourself! posted at ART and HANDICRAFTS.
• And Jimmie shows how “blogging is mother culture that gives back” in Blogging as Mother Culture posted at One Child Policy Homeschool.

Revitalize Your Homeschool

Our day goes easier and our spirits feel lighter when a friend shares an idea that worked well in her homeschool, we try it, and it succeeds famously. So here are ideas for your homeschool from some friends.

• Leila explains how she uses Karen Andreola’s The Three Period Lesson posted at Freedom Academy – A Charlotte Mason Homeschool.
• If you’re looking for a fun way to dress up your Shakespeare, check out Stephanie’s idea in All’s Well That Ends Well posted at Learning with the Girls.
• Peakmore Academy presents very helpful memory work details in her Q & A on Memory Work.
• ChristineMM blogs a bit about oral narration and shares a narration her ten year old did on a book of fiction in My Ten Year Old’s Narration: The Swing in the Summerhouse posted at The Thinking Mother.
• Dana tells about some great resources she found to study Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart posted at school for us.

Renew Your Vision

It’s always helpful to take a break and focus on what is really important. Done correctly, Mother Culture is not a selfish practice, for ultimately, your children are the ones who will reap the benefits.

• Peek inside MooBeeMa’s day when she was able to share with her daughter The beginning of wisdom posted at MooBee Farm.
• And take to heart Belinda’s gentle challenge to live by the same principles and practices that we are seeking to teach our children in Sincerity as a Homeschool Mum posted at Lifestyle Homeschool Blog.

We hope this issue of the CM Blog Carnival has been a time of mental “airing” and growing for you. But, ladies, please don’t let it stop here; let’s make Mother Culture a habit all year round.

“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.

“Is there, then, not need for more ‘Mother Culture’?” (Parents Review, Vol. 3, No. 2).

(SCM is hosting and presents the entries to the blog carnival but does not necessarily endorse or agree with the opinions expressed by the individual bloggers.)

The next edition of the CM Blog Carnival will be held at The Heart of Harmony on March 4. Thanks, Barb!