When my adult children were young, my husband and I were involved with a group of committed parents who met to read and discuss books on parenting. It seemed like every month a new expert would publish a book about how to raise
children. More than one author claimed to have the corner on God’s method, which proved perplexing when often they suggested opposite strategies and systems. About that same time, I was studying and researching the works of the late British educator, Charlotte Mason. It didn’t occur to me until a few years later that I was already reading an excellent handbook on parenting and that this woman, childless though she was, had more wisdom, experience and foresight than many of our modern-day experts.
I had been working through the six books, skimming through what I thought were antiquated stories and advice on child-rearing. After all, I had been reading them to glean homeschooling tips and strategies, not for information on how to raise a family! I soon realized that I was missing out on some of the best parenting advice available and quickly changed my approach. Pick up any volume of her six volume series and soon you will see the value and importance she places on the role of the parent.
If I were to tell you that there was a philosophy of child training that could align and support your philosophy of education, character development and spiritual formation– wouldn’t that be exciting? A unifying philosophy! This is exactly what Mason has done. Every practice has an underlying principle to support it and because of this, a parent who studies Mason’s philosophy can assess any unique, modern situation whether in parenting or education, and make an informed decision or plan of action. That is, if they are willing to do the reading and critical thinking.
Let me give you an example. In Formation of Character (Vol. 5) we read the chapter “Mrs. Sedley’s Tale” which deals with lying in a young girl, Fanny. What we do not find is a quick fix, a one-size-fits-all solution. Yes, lying is recognized as sin, but Mason’s solution is for the parent to cultivate the knowledge and love of truth in the child. One of the many ways she suggests going about this is to have the young child look outside and describe the scene accurately, noticing all there is to see, having the child return to the scene until all has been thoroughly observed. Certainly, this will help with truth-telling but it will also encourage accurate attention to detail and when done correctly, a love of truth. You can see how the parenting scenario supports the future school life as well as the character and spiritual formation of the child.
Mason’s parenting advice is wide-ranging, covering specific and general principles. She spends considerable time discussing the importance of habits, outdoor life, and the will, among dozens of other topics. But it is her observations on the role of parents that provide the basis for many of her ideas regarding child-rearing. These big ideas – parents as rulers, parents as inspirers, and parents as revealers – give us much food for thought.
Though the title “parents as rulers” might sound extreme and dictatorial to our 21st century ears, this is quite far from what Mason had in mind. She says, “A ruler who fails to govern is like an unjust judge, an impious priest, an ignorant teacher; that is, he fails in the essential attribute of his office. This is even more true in the family than in the State.” (Vol. 2, p. 11) If we as parents don’t recognize, understand and act appropriately in our God-ordained role of steering our families, it may result in shipwreck. Holding the title of parent does not make one a good parent. Parents as rulers should call to mind wise, compassionate and noble leadership of their families.
My favorite is “parents as inspirers”. While this conjures up thoughts of urging our children to noble thoughts and deeds, Mason also had a much more practical yet daunting idea in mind. She says of the child:
That he should take direction and inspiration from all the casual life about him, should make our poor words and ways the starting-point from which, and in the direction of which, he develops––this is a thought which makes the best of us hold our breath. There is no way of escape for parents; they must needs be as ‘inspirers’ to their children, because about them hangs, as its atmosphere about a planet the thought-environment of the child, from which he derives those enduring ideas which express themselves as a life-long ‘appetency’ towards things sordid or things lovely, things earthly or divine. (Vol. 2 p. 27)
Thirdly, parents are to be revealers of God to their children. “The boy who knows that his father and his mother love him with measureless patience in his faults, and love him out of them, is not slow to perceive, receive, and understand the dealings of the higher Love.” (Vol. 5. p. 116) When Mason describes the role of the parent leading the child to Christ, it comes across as one of the most beautiful duties of parenthood. Bringing up children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord is our highest role.
This article is barely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Mason’s parenting advice. But I believe that there is one principle that I would consider to be the best parenting principle out there. It’s an idea that I can always quickly recall and apply to even the stickiest parenting issue. Just this – “Children are born persons”. Susan Schaeffer Macaulay, in her classic work For the Children’s Sake, shares this simple experiment which we would all do well to try with our children.
Take a small child on your knee. Respect him. Do not see him as something to prune, form, or mold. This is an individual who thinks, acts, and feels. He is a separate human being whose strength lies in who he is, not in who he will become. If his choices made now and in the future are to be good ones, this person must understand reality and see the framework of truth. In the shorthand of language we call this “knowing.” The child is a person who needs to grow in knowledge. (p. 12)
Do you see yourself as a wise ruler, noble inspirer, or appointed revealer to your children? If these ideas resonate with you, consider looking at Mason’s writings with an eye not only toward a homeschooling method, but also toward a way to raise your children. They are, after all, people made in His image.
From joy to joy,
Nancy
Originally published in Home Educating Family Magazine® (issue 1 – 2012 – coming out in April!)
Phyllis says
Thank you so much for writing this! It's a great reminder for me.
bookworm says
I have a friend who is well on her way in the paradigm shift to Mason. She is thrilled to death to be having a little one because she is going to have more confidence and trust that the road less traveled bears much good fruit. Thanks for reminding us that Mason is more than homeschooling. It is a way of parenting and a way of life.
Erin says
Nancy
I really agree with you, her writings contain some of the best parenting advice, if I'd only known some of this when I was a new parent.
Bonnie Buckingham says
Wonderful article! For the Family's Sake also has great parenting tips ~~ and much about this childless Charlotte! She was much like Amy Carmichael in her calling and singleness. I don't think parenting ends , even when they get married. It moves up to a different level.
bookworm says
Wonderful reminders!
Melissa says
"that this woman, childless though she was"…I am always in awe of her insight, wisdom, and knowledge when it comes to children, the hearts of children, and how to lead, guide, train and love them!
sageparnassus says
Melissa,
I am in awe, too. Really, though, she had thousands of children, didn't she?
From joy to joy,
Nancy
Charissa says
I love the quote from "For the Children's Sake"!! I'm so glad there are people who have been able to put these kinds of things into words. What an inspiring post 🙂
sageparnassus says
Charissa,
I love that quote, too! That experiment is never completed.
Truly,
Nancy
Bobby Jo says
Sending this along to a few friends…. this is a great intro to Mason for all parents, not just homeschool-ers 🙂 Thanks Nancy!
sageparnassus says
Dear Bobby Jo,
You're welcome!
Truly,
Nancy
Naomi says
So glad you are covering this aspect of Mason!
sageparnassus says
Thanks, Naomi!