We don’t know if Charlotte Mason would have used Facebook or not. However, we do know how she scheduled her time. You can hear or read a bit about how she scheduled her time in one of our recent blog posts/podcasts, Following Charlotte Mason’s Personal Schedule for 30 Days.
What an interesting thought! I have never considered it, but it sure makes one think. Speaking from personal experience, Facebook is so addictive, full of useless ads, suggestive things through pages/posts, drama and it’s a huge drain on a person’s time and mental health. I can’t say for certain of course, but considering those things I would say that Miss Mason most likely wouldn’t have used it.
I agree with the points that momto3blessings makes. However, I find value in Facebook too. I have family members who live in other parts of the world. Facebook is a way to keep connected, both through private messages and public postings. The same is true of friends I have who are scattered across the country. It is easier to connect with friends and family through Facebook than it is to keep up on their current email address or phone number. A church I attended created a private message group for the moms in the church. The group was used to share prayer requests, trade toys and other things, and generally as a way to be involved in each others’ lives beyond Sunday morning. My parents are old enough now that using a phone is difficult for them with their hearing aids. My siblings and I now call them through Facebook. It is a joy to be able to see my parents while we are talking with them and they are better able to hear us.
So, I think the answer to whether or not Charlotte Mason would use Facebook is it depends. It certainly can be a useful tool but it definitely can be a time-waster too.
Such a fun discussion! Listening the podcast you mentioned, Karen, is what made me think to ask this question. I believe she would have, due to her excitement with all the new gadgets, ideas, and discoveries of her day. I also remember she read the daily papers, and kept up with current events. But I suspect her Facebook use would be subject to the sense of duty and order that she brought to every other part of her life. I left Facebook when my children were all young, as I found my use of it to be stealing valuable energy from their childhoods. But as they’re getting older, I’ve decided to dip my toe back in, and am thinking through how to regulate myself.
If you are interested and haven’t found us yet, SCM has an active group on Facebook, Simply Charlotte Mason Homeschooling, where we regularly answer questions about SCM, our products, and our recommendations. We usually announce new product releases and our event schedule in the Facebook group, and sometimes do polls and how-did-your-week-go type check-ins.