Mix “Have” To with “Love” To Wisdom

Of all my Charlotte Mason books, Karen Andreola is my favourite author.  Her books are inspiring, refreshing and nurturing.

And I love her blog Moments With Mother Culture.  She is a wonderful mentor.  I think it is because she loves to encourage mothers.  She also inspires me with her love of beautiful things; knitting, needlework, gardening and pretty touches to her home decor.

She talks mostly of “Mother Culture” ~

“Mothers should cultivate their souls so that

in turn they may cultivate the souls of their children.“

In an Interview with Karen Andreola at Teish Knits, Teish asked Karen this question,

“Do you have any particular words of wisdom for homeschooling moms?“

Karen spoke of how homeschool moms, devoted and self-sacrificing, need to be aware of her enemies.

She said,

“Fatigue is one. It will drag her down.

All work and no play is another. It can cause her to become disheartened, disinterested or after an extended period – depressed”

But I loved  her remedy:

“Mix some of what you “have” to teach with some of what you “like” to teach, each day.”

Isn’t that wonderful?

Permission to, “Mix the business of bringing up children with pleasure.”

And doesn’t Charlotte Mason’s approach encourage this practice?

Moms need to go out and enjoy those nature walks, sit and listen to classic music, read wonderful books.

What do I love to do?

I realized that I love Sketch Tuesday.  I love art.  Classic music fills my soul. I love great books and reading aloud.  And more recently, nature walks and journalling fill my cup.  All part of our Charlotte Mason education.

I am so blessed to have homeschool days with these joyful, happy, lovely activities scheduled.  In fact Fridays are our best days because we do Fine Arts and Nature Study then.

And when days go wrong, or kids are sick or whatever, we read, craft, listen to audio books, or sit out in nature and journal.

But when mothers are tired and discouraged, Karen encourages us to take small moments for “Mother Culture” ~ moments of recreation and refreshment for mom.

• listen to mommy’s music
  
• read a mommy book
  
• take a walk alone
• take photographs
• watch a sunset
• get up early and watch the sunrise
• garden
• arrange a vase of flowers
• decorate a table or a shelf
• light candles and play music
• cuddle a pet
• listen to a teaching
• learn a new skill
• visit another mom to encourage and share
• make a special cup of tea or coffee and sip it slowly
  
• do some knitting, sewing, needlework or craft
  
• dance, sing, play a musical instrument
• stretch and exercise
• pray and have devotions in a sacred place alone
• do not stop growing into the person God created her to be

What do you do?

Thank you Karen, for your wisdom and encouragement.

Thank you for nurturing mothers.  We so appreciate you and your ministry.

Blessings,