Every homeschool mom needs Mother Culture in her life. She needs time to nurture her own soul, time to fill up so that she can pour out.
Homeschooling is time-consuming, challenging, and rewarding. And it can also be extremely draining.
Even if you’ve counted the cost and you know why you’re homeschooling, you can still go through a period of feeling a bit burned out.
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Mother Culture
The point of Mother Culture is to help you avoid that feeling of burnout. To keep your soul nurtured so that you have more to give.
We must take time to fill up, if we are going to be able to pour out. ~Sally Clarkson
There is nothing like reading something encouraging, uplifting, and insightful to fill up your soul and give you the strength and stamina to keep going year after year.
Mother Culture will help you thrive rather than just survive as a homeschool mom.
The wisest woman I ever knew—the best wife, the best mother, the best mistress, the best friend—told me once, when I asked her how, with her weak health and many calls upon her time, she managed to read so much, ‘I always keep three books going—a stiff book, a moderately easy book, and a novel, and I always take up the one I feel fit for!’ ~Parents’ Review Magazine
I discovered the idea of Mother Culture many years ago thanks to this book. Immediately, I latched onto this idea and it has stayed with me through these almost 15 years of homeschooling.
I keep a steady stream of books going (here’s my list for this year), and I read whenever I can find the time. Actually, I have to make time for it, but I’ve found if I keep a book with me I can often sneak in a little more reading.
Mostly I read non-fiction, because there are just so many things I want to learn! I also enjoy reading biographies and autobiographies. And occasionally I read fiction. (Most of the fiction I read comes from our read-aloud time.)
Related Post: Cultivate the Art of Delight
No matter what you decide to read, the main thing is to understand that nurturing your own soul and filling your heart and mind with encouraging thoughts will only enrich your life as a mother. You will be refreshed, and, in turn, you will be able to share that truth, beauty, and goodness with your children.
Making time for Mother Culture makes you a better mother.
How to Find the Time
If you’re wondering how you can possibly fit in one more thing , I suggest taking a look at your schedule. Could you read during nap time? Can you take a book with you to appointments? This past school year I got so much reading done during my children’s lesson times.
Maybe you could get up a little earlier, or read before bed (make it part of your bedtime routine), or maybe you could try listening to audiobooks while you exercise.
Related Post: Exercise for Busy Moms
And keep in mind that you don’t have to carve out large chunks of time for reading. Here a little and there a little will add up, and you’ll be encouraged. You’ll be growing. That’s the important thing.
Suggested Books for Mother Culture
The purpose of Mother Culture is simply to nurture growth in the life of the mother. Therefore, you’re free to read whatever speaks to you. I’ve shared some of my favorite books below, just in case you’d like to add some new titles to your reading list.
The Shaping of a Christian Family
What are some of your favorite books? Share them in the comments!
Other Posts in The Mom Makeover Challenge series:
- The Mom Makeover Challenge Week 1: Renew Your Mind
- Week 1 Progress Report: 5 Bible Verses for Hard Times
- The Mom Makeover Challenge Week 2: Make Sleep a Priority
- Week 2 Progress Report: How to Get to Bed on Time
- The Mom Makeover Challenge Week 3: Prioritize Exercise
- The Mom Makeover Challenge Week 4: Overhaul Your Wardrobe
- Week 4 Progress Report: Nothing to Wear? Shop Your Closet!
- The Mom Makeover Challenge Week 5: Update Your Look
- Week 5 Progress Report: What’s in My Makeup Bag
- The Mom Makeover Challenge Week 6: Cultivate Delight
This post contains affiliate links. Read my full disclosure here. Sharing here.
The Liturgy of the Ordinary is a great one to add, as well as Teaching from Rest.
I love Teaching from Rest!
Another good way to read mother-books when you have very little time is to keep one by your bedside and read it for 5 minutes before turning out the light. I’ve read many books just reading a page or two at a time. It adds up!
I agree, this is a great way to get in some reading time! Thanks for sharing, Rachel!
Joy, this post is really very encouraging and inspirational for me. This is a story of all the mums, after baby we get so busy with them (which is important) that we forget about us. I had three month maternity leaves, i did not wanted to go on the fourth month because it was too hard for me to leave my little oe at home but i am thankful to god that i made a right decision to move out on that day. I will definately give a ready to the book and wil share this post to my friends too. Thanks so much for sharing. I will subscribe to your blog for more such posts.
So glad it was encouraging, Hannah!
Your reading habits sound much like mine. Even though my kids are grown, life is still busy. I have much the same 3-book plan and carry a book with me all the time. It’s easier than ever with Kindle. I hope the young moms out there who think they don’t have time to read will take your great advice.
Yes, Kindle makes it so easy and less expensive! (Even though I still prefer paper to digital. 🙂 )
Thank you for sharing this book! I was one of the burned-out homeschooling mommas. I couldn’t do it anymore, my health was affected. I wish I had read this book!
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I’m glad it was encouraging! And I’m so sorry you had to deal with burnout and all that comes with it. Thanks for stopping by, Julie!
Love this idea of mother culture. A taking care of and feeding our souls. I find without some nurturing of myself, I get crabby and that is not a good thing. So a little mother culture is good for me and those around me.
Like you said, we need to find some time here and there. With my first born I nursed and gazed into her eyes, not wanting to miss a moment and feeling that this was what I had to do. With my second, I nursed and read and didn’t feel bad at all. I got through so many books.
I agree Theresa! When we take care of our own souls, everyone benefits!
Love this post! And so many resources to check out! My mom was a stay at home mom until I was about 12 and I remember her saying that she wishes she would have maintained more of herself and her own interests outside of us. As we got older it was hard for her to kind of re-figure herself out. So I’ve made it a goal in my own mothering journey to always make time for me and my interests. 🙂
Thank you, Gabrielle! And thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. I agree, mothering requires so much of us that nurturing our own souls is a necessity so that we have more to pour out for our children. 🙂