Mother Culture and Getting Moms to Read

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  • December 27, 2012 at 10:04 pm
    TailorMade
    Participant

    I’ve been disappointed lately by the fact that few (if any, but me) in our local mom’s Homeschool group read outside their children’s read alouds (if that) and Facebook. For some reason, I decided to look at the cm help site today and ran across this post.

    http://www.charlottemasonhelp.com/2011/03/mother-culture-what-it-is-and-what-it.html?m=1

    I thought some of you might like it. I am trying to encourage these mothers to read more. As a Homeschool librarian, I feel it’s so very important. Otherwise, without realizing it, I’m afraid they will be discouraging their children from reading outside school assignments. :(. They identify mother culture as “me time,” not reading time.

    Do any of you have suggestions as to how to encourage moms to read? I’d appreciate it.

    Becca<><

    December 27, 2012 at 10:09 pm
    missceegee
    Participant

    Becca. I completely relate and understand. I started a book club where we’re reading the original CM series. We also did a classics one time. Short of a get together book club type thing, I’m not sure.

    December 28, 2012 at 12:48 am
    RobinP
    Participant

    Becca, I totally relate.  Liz, Emily and I are planning a seminar for Feb. dealing with these issues.  I have moms in my library who have never read (one who had never heard of) the Little House books, Heidi, etc.  They know what they want for their children but don’t have time (or make time) to read themselves.  However, I am seeing a shift very slowly.  Many, though not all, of the moms are loving the books they check out from me so much, they’re starting to ask what I would recommend for them.  I recently had one mom get hooked on Elizabeth Goudge and another on Gene Stratton-Porter.  Our CM group also discusses her volumes (on Vol. 6 right now) and there are many moms there who are voracious readers.  I think it’s just been lost for so long but I have hope of a reading reformation.

    December 28, 2012 at 2:18 am
    Carolyn
    Participant

    Becca,

    Thanks for sharing the above post.  My kiddos are still young (6yo and 3yo) and since deciding to HS I have realized that I was not required to read most of the books I expect my children to read.  I have started to read before bed and it has helped me get an appreciation for the classics.  Right now I am reading The Chronicles of Narnia and The Little Duke.  However, you are correct that if my boys don’t see me reading for enjoyment then will they think reading is just for “lessons”?

    This post has encouraged me to make a good habit for 2013 of reading for enjoyment during the day.  Then when my 6yo is reading we can spend our time reading together outside of lessons.  I hope there is at least a “reading reformation” I can pass onto my boys’ generation.  Smile

    December 28, 2012 at 5:34 pm
    Tristan
    Participant

    One way I encourage other moms I know locally to read is to offer a book I have read to them with the promise of getting together to chat about it over a snack when she finishes.

    It’s hard. Lots of moms locally think I’m nuts for reading so much. They ask how in the world I manage to read for me on top of caring for a large family and homeschooling. They don’t realize that little moments add up (especially those middle of the night ones with a baby!). We make time for what is important to us. Not for what we ‘say’ is important to us, but what really is when the rubber meets the road.

    It’s the same in homeschooling! I may ‘say’ that nature study is really important to me, or reading aloud, or ______, but when you look at what we actually get done in homeschool you’ll quickly see where I mean it and where I don’t. (For example, nature study rarely happens unless it is spring or fall and generally is child-instigated at my house. It is not really a priority to me, even when I wish it was. Reading aloud happens several times per day every day. True priority for me.)

    December 29, 2012 at 3:52 am
    TailorMade
    Participant

    You’ve all encouraged me and given me great ideas to kick start this next year mother culture topics of discussion and a book club for the moms in my area.

    Thanks so much for the inspiration,

    Becca<><

    December 29, 2012 at 12:30 pm
    RobinP
    Participant

    Also sometimes I’ll recommend a book for mom on “her level” on a particular topic when she is checking out books for her children. And as I said, getting them to read some of the classic books they never read as a child. A good book is timeless, after all.

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