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Let’s chat about making time for mother culture in a modern world so that we can learn and grow as a mom in our daily life. And make time for wonder and beauty!

In the blur of daily tasks—homeschooling, dishes, diapers, dinner—it’s easy for a mother to forget herself. And I don’t mean in the holy, sacrificial way that Christ calls us to—but in a way that drains the soul and leaves us hollow. We give and give until there’s nothing left to pour out.

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

There’s a lovely idea, quietly tucked away in the writings of Charlotte Mason and the Parents’ Review, that holds the key to a vibrant, joy-filled motherhood.

This is called Mother Culture.

What is mother culture?

Mother Culture is the intentional, ongoing education of the mother—mind, heart, and soul. It’s the quiet, faithful pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty in our own lives, so that we may be life-givers to our homes.

As Charlotte Mason once wrote, “If mothers could learn to do for themselves what they do for their children when these are overdone, we should have happier households. Let the mother go out to play!”

Mother Culture isn’t a luxury—it’s part of our calling. It reminds us that mothers are persons, too. We are not machines. We are not merely managers of home and child. And we are souls in formation—just like our children.

“Woman Reading by Candlelight” by Peter Vilhelm Ilsted

Why It Still Matters Today

And perhaps, it’s even more of a necessity.

In our fast-paced, digital age, Mother Culture is more necessary than ever.

We are bombarded with noise, distraction, and the pressure to hustle. Even our rest is often consumed by scrolling or surface-level consumption. Meanwhile, loneliness, burnout, and a loss of wonder haunt many modern mothers.

This is truly heartbreaking to ponder.

And Mother Culture is a remedy for this restlessness. It is a return to sanity and sanity-making things—reading noble books, spending time in silence and prayer, walking in nature, creating beauty, and savoring small moments of leisure.

This isn’t escapism—it’s restoration.

painting of a lady reading a book and walking by a river.

Mother Culture for Busy moms

Let’s chat about how to incorporate mother culture into our busy days. This simple guide will help you as you grow as a mother-teacher.

Read Something Worthy

Even a few pages a day can awaken the mind and soul. Choose books that feed your intellect and imagination—classics, theology, philosophy, biography, or good literature.

Start with 15 minutes a day. Carry a book in your basket or leave it on the kitchen counter.

Here are just a few suggestions to help get you started:

  • Solitude and Silence by Thomas à Kempis
  • Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
  • The Death of Christian Culture by John Senior
  • The Restoration of Christian Culture by John Senior
  • The Awakening of Miss Prim by Natalia Sanmartin Fenollera
  • Confessions by St. Augustine
  • Home Education by Charlotte Mason
  • Leisure the Basis of Culture of Josef Pieper
  • For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
  • Kristin Lavransdatter by Sigrid Undset
  • Dante’s Divine Comedy

→ I’ve included a few of these favorite Mother Culture books here.

Or try John Senior’s 1000 Good Books — at the end in the appendix. I have been enjoying this list for the past few years!

Pray and Grow spiritually

Mother Culture is not just about intellectual growth, but spiritual nourishment. As Catholic mothers, we are called to sanctity—to grow in union with Christ.

Daily prayer, spiritual reading, the sacraments, and liturgical living anchor us in eternal realities.

Begin your day in the presence of God — pray the Morning Offering with intention.

Stay the presence of God throughout the day and pray short ejaculations often. Whenever I am called to do something unpleasant, I pray a short prayer “All for thee, oh my Jesus”, “It is for love of Thee, my God”, or “I love Thee, Jesus, my love”.

Find a way to converse with God throughout the day and short little prayers while washing the dishes or baking bread will help us to practice the Presence of God.

Here I have shared a couple of posts about my favorite spiritual books for meditation and contemplation:

painting of a lady sewing in a room.

Create Something Beautiful

Whether it’s sketching, sourdough baking, seasonal decorating, or nature journaling with your children, creative expression brings joy and wonder to motherhood.

You don’t have to be an artist—you just have to create. Beauty awakens the soul.

I know, we are all busy. But, take some time for recreation, relaxation, and create something. We need time to rest and recover — and leisure. Remember, this is not idleness.

Embroidery, watercoloring, calligraphy, baking, sewing, etc. These are a few favorite ways I like to spend time in creating something beautiful.

Even if it’s just a few small moments of quiet in the day — or I may even make the time while the children are working on their handicrafts to join in with them.

But I’m Overwhelmed—Where Do I Start?

Mother Culture isn’t another task for your to-do list. It’s a gentle invitation to be a whole person again. Here are a few practical ways to begin:

  • Start small. Just 10–15 minutes a day is enough.
  • Make a “Mother’s Morning Basket.” Choose one spiritual book, one good book or novel, and one creative pursuit.
  • Set seasonal goals. One book per season. One new recipe or skill. One prayer habit to strengthen and grow in wonder.
  • Join or start a book group. Accountability and community can help you stay inspired.
  • Make learning visible. Let your children see you read, pray, and grow. You are their first and lasting model. ♡
  • Join in with the children — I make it a point to enjoy the music of our composer study and folk songs and engage in the picture study with the children. I also find beauty and enjoyment in our nature study and note book work together.
  • Schedule in quiet time. Sometimes this is hard with small children, but it can be done during nap times, early mornings or evenings. I wake up early and grab a cup of coffee with my devotional and sit outside alone most mornings. It does so much for my soul.

Let go of the guilt

Taking time for your own growth is not selfish—it is essential to your vocation.

A well-formed mother is a gift to her family. She brings peace, joy, and depth to her home. Her children see that learning doesn’t end with graduation—it is a lifelong pursuit and should lead us closer to union with God.

As John Senior wrote, “The ultimate formality of whatever subject studied is the mind of God as it is revealed in created things, physical, mathematical and ethical, and as it is imitated in things productive, so that God Himself is always our only subject, which is not to deny the real distinction of the parts.”

“We are made for the stars but rooted in the soil. We are made to seek spiritual realities, but we must use this world, this visible creation, to do so.“

Fr. Francis Bethel

A Call to wonder

You are not “just a mom.” You are a whole person, created in the image of God. Your heart and mind matter and your soul is worth forming.

  • Take up a book.
  • Say a prayer.
  • Bake the bread.
  • Watch the stars.
  • Make time for quiet contemplation.
  • Grow in wonder.

This is not extra! This is the heart of your vocation.

painting by Cornelia Elisabeth Gallas "Young Adoration"

Resources for the Mother Teacher

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