Mother Culture is a popular concept in Charlotte Mason circles, and it basically just means that mothers should be learning too. It's important to keep learning as a homeschool mom, and as I learn, I'll be a better teacher for my kids.
A mother culture basket is kind of like a morning time basket for the mom, and I think it can include not just books that help me to learn, but books that I find refreshing as well. For the last couple years I have my own morning basket of sorts - actually it's a morning shelf in my reading nook in our front room - and I thought it would be fun today to share a few things that I have on my shelf right now. These are books that I read after my morning Bible reading, and usually before the kids are up and about for the day, but I'll sometimes squeeze a little reading in here and there during the day as well!
Life In The Spirit by Martin Lloyd Jones - This is a book of sermons by Lloyd Jones that are directed at family life. Lloyd Jones was a British preacher in the middle of the 20th century, and I am always amazed at how applicable his sermons still are - and it's because he focused so intently on preaching the Word. I wish we had more preachers today who were so focused on bringing the Word of God to people rightly and thoroughly.
Face To Face: Praying The Scriptures For Intimate Worship by Kenneth Boa - I've mentioned this book before, and I'll mention it again. This is a book of daily readings to guide you through praying different Scriptures each day, and I've found it so helpful for my prayer time. I am terrible at letting my mind wander when I'm trying to pray, and having Scripture right there in this book to focus my mind back on Jesus is so uplifting.
Education: Does God Have An Opinion? by Israel Wayne - This is my one homeschool book that I'm working through right now, and it is very convicting and helpful. I've been reading snippets as I'm waiting for the kids to finish worksheets, etc, and it's helping to keep me focused on the whole point of homeschooling, which is to be there to point my kids to Christ through every subject we do together. He has some really thought-provoking questions to discuss with kids, and some mindset-shifting ideas about how each subject can and should be taught from a Christian perspective. I'm really enjoying it.
Martin Luther by Eric Metaxes - Can an audiobook be part of my mother culture basket? I am going to say yes, because I have been listening to it as I fix my hair and make breakfast each morning. I am finding this book so fascinating. Martin Luther really was an interesting guy, flawed though he was, and the way Metaxes explains the different elements of the story of his life is so engrossing. You can really see Luther's personality even developing as the book goes on, with the way Metaxes writes.
Household Papers And Stories by Harriet Beecher Stowe - I downloaded this book recently because it was mentioned in a different book I was reading on frugality, and I'm finding it fascinating to see how certain consumeristic struggles were even a problem back when this was written in the 1800's. I especially like Stowe's view on the difference between a house and a home, and how too much concern over keeping things "nice" can actually make a house less home-like. It's been really uplifting to me as I consider how I want my family to feel in our home. You can get it free on Kindle, by the way!
The Politically Incorrect Wife by Nancy Cobb and Connie Grisby - I read this book years ago, when I was a much younger wife, and found it so incredibly helpful. I decided it was time for a review, and I can already feel my attitude as a wife shifting again (in a good way) as I start this book for a second time.
The Age Of Innocence by Edith Wharton - I just started this one on a whim, and I am very much enjoying her writing style so far!
The Art Of The Handwritten Note by Margaret Shepherd - This is a delightful little book that I've been trying to add into my morning rotation because I would really like to make letter-writing a more serious pursuit. I used to love to receive letters as a kid, and I still do! I want to spread a little more of that snail mail joy, and this book is inspiring me to put more time toward that.
Now, do I read all these books every day? No, not even close. My mother culture shelf habit is based purely on mood reading, which is why I have so many different books going at any one time. I'm okay with that, and I'm enjoying trying to intentionally read books that will encourage me to be a better wife, mother, friend, and homemaker before I go about my day.
I really love this whole concept!! I wake up early to do my Bible studies, but I need to be better about throwing some more educational books in there. I’m jotting a lot of these titles down!
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