Encouragement for Moms from Charlotte Mason Herself

If you’ve been homeschooling with Charlotte Mason’s philosophy for any length of time, you’ve probably felt the weight of the responsibility. The feast is rich and full, but the task of setting the table day after day can feel overwhelming.

So what would Charlotte Mason say to us mothers? What words of wisdom does she offer when we feel tired, discouraged, or unsure if we’re doing enough? Thankfully, Charlotte didn’t just lay out a method—she spoke to mothers directly. And her words, written over a hundred years ago, still resonate today.

You Are Enough

"The mother is qualified," Charlotte assures us, "not because she has taken a course in child-study, but because she is a mother." (Home Education, p. 2)

What an encouragement! You don’t need an advanced degree in education to teach your children well. Your love, your attentiveness, and your willingness to learn alongside them are enough. You are already the best person for the job because you are their mother.

Your Work Matters

On the long, mundane days when you wonder if the lessons, the read-alouds, and the nature walks are making any difference, remember this:

"Let me repeat that education is a discipline—that is, the discipline of habits formed definitely and thoughtfully, whether habits of mind or body." (Philosophy of Education, p. 99)

Every small act of faithfulness, every time you gently redirect your child, every moment you spend in meaningful conversation, every habit you cultivate, matters. You are not just filling their minds with knowledge; you are shaping their very character.

You Are Learning, Too

Charlotte reminds us that education isn’t just for children:

"There is no education but self-education..." (Philosophy of Education, p. 26)

As mothers, we are continually growing, learning, and stretching ourselves. The books we read, the ideas we explore, and the way we cultivate our own minds directly impact the atmosphere of our homes. You don’t have to be perfect—you just need to be growing.

Motherhood Is a Calling

"Mothers owe a thinking love to their children," Charlotte writes (School Education, p. 173).

Our role isn’t just about logistics—getting math done, correcting spelling, making sure the handwriting is neat. It is about loving our children with a love that is thoughtful, intentional, and wise. This love sees each child as a person, born to grow in wisdom and virtue.

You Are Not Alone

Perhaps one of the greatest comforts Charlotte Mason offers is the reminder that we do not carry this burden alone. Our children’s education is ultimately in God’s hands:

"Our crying need today is less for better teachers than for better parents." (Parents and Children, p. 22)

We are not alone in this journey. We walk with other mothers who share our struggles and joys, and more importantly, we trust in the One who has called us to this work.

So, dear mother, take heart. The work you are doing matters. You, along with Christ, are enough. And as you grow and learn alongside your children, you are fulfilling the beautiful calling of motherhood.