The Art of Keeping a Commonplace Journal for Mothers
Charlotte Mason believed that education is a life. That life is fed by ideas, and the act of collecting, savoring, and reflecting on those ideas is at the heart of a living education. For mothers, keeping a commonplace book is not simply a practice for students. It is a habit that nurtures the mind and heart of the teacher at home.
“The only vital method of education appears to be that children should read worthy books, many worthy books.” – Charlotte Mason
If this is true for children, it is true for us as well. A mother who is learning is better equipped to inspire and lead her home. Keeping a commonplace allows you to slow down, to read with attention, and to preserve the ideas that strike you as beautiful or true.
What is a Commonplace?
A commonplace book is a personal collection of quotes, passages, and reflections drawn from your reading. Charlotte Mason mothers often use it to gather excerpts from Scripture, literature, poetry, essays, and even talks or sermons. It becomes a treasury of wisdom you return to again and again.
This practice is not about writing perfectly or filling every page. It is about engaging with ideas. When you pause to copy words by hand, you make them your own in a deeper way. You begin to notice connections and patterns across the books you read.
Why It Matters for Mothers
Mothers are the atmosphere of the home. The ideas that shape your thoughts will flow into your teaching, your conversations, and your habits. Keeping a commonplace is a simple way to keep learning alive. It guards against the temptation to rush through a book and forget what you read. Instead, you gather what is living and let it nourish your mind.
“The question is not—how much does the youth know? when he has finished his education—but how much does he care? and about how many orders of things does he care?” – Charlotte Mason
A mother who keeps a commonplace is cultivating care. She is saying, “This matters enough to linger over.” That spirit will speak more loudly to your children than any lesson.
Getting Started
You do not need anything elaborate to begin. A simple notebook will do. Choose something that feels inviting, a place where you want to write.
Recommended Supplies
School Nest Notebook – Beautiful, high-quality notebooks with wide margins and thick paper. Perfect for years of treasured notes.
Book Darts – Thin, elegant markers to hold your place in books without damaging pages. They make it easy to find passages you want to copy later.
Good Pens – A pen that glides across the page will make the habit more enjoyable.
Optional: Tabs or Index – For organizing by theme, author, or subject as your commonplace grows.
What to Record
Passages from books that strike you as beautiful or true
Quotes from Scripture or hymns that speak to your soul
Lines of poetry you want to remember
Thoughts and reflections stirred by what you read
Do not feel pressure to write every day. Let it be a joy, not a burden. Keep your notebook close when you read so you can easily capture ideas.
A Habit Worth Keeping
Charlotte Mason reminded us that education is the science of relations. Commonplacing helps you see those relations—between books, between ideas, and between truth and your own life. It is a small habit that makes a great difference in the life of a mother.
