Charlotte Mason Hobbies for Personal Mother Culture
While reading through School Education this week I came across a quote I had to commonplace.
“Have we many keen interests soliciting us outside our necessary work? If we have, we shall not be enslaved by vapid joys”
I think if we’re honest, as mothers, it’s easier to invest our time in vapid joys rather than keen intrests. In the spirit of Charlotte Mason’s timeless wisdom, mothers, too, are persons. We flourish when we make time to nourish our minds, bodies, and spirits. Below is a curated list of hobbies and activities to bring life to your days, refresh your heart, and gently point you away from vapid joys.
May these ideas inspire you to cultivate your own education, delight in beauty, and carve out moments of rest and creativity throughout your busy season of homeschooling and mothering.
Nature journaling
Watercolor painting
Sketching wildflowers or birds
Calligraphy or illuminated lettering
Handmade card making
Knitting or crocheting
Embroidery or hand quilting
Pottery or clay work
Wood carving small household items
Making pressed flower artKeeping a commonplace book
Reading classic literature
Reading poetry aloud to oneself
Memorizing a Psalm or poem each month
Journaling reflections on daily life
Copywork of inspiring quotes or prayers
Writing letters by hand to friends
Practicing Lectio Divina with scripture
Studying Plutarch or a favorite philosopher
Starting a personal book club with a friend
Learning or practicing a musical instrument
Singing hymns or folk songs
Joining a local choir or community music group
Dancing (folk dance, ballroom, or simply at home)
Attending live performances or concerts
26. Gardening (flowers, vegetables, herbs)
27. Keeping a seasonal nature table
28. Foraging for wildflowers or herbs
29. Birdwatching with a field guide
30. Taking solitary nature walks without an agenda
31. Stargazing or learning constellations
32. Sketching landscapes en plein air
33. Baking artisan bread
34. Trying new recipes from different cultures
35. Making homemade candles or soap
36. Learning herbalism or natural remedies
38, Preserving food: canning, fermenting, or drying herbs
39. Arranging fresh flowers for the home
40. Sewing simple clothes or household linens
41. Hosting a tea party for friends
42. Organizing a seasonal book swap
43. Volunteering at a local charity or church
44. Mentoring a new homeschooling mom
45. Planning seasonal family traditions or feasts
46. Taking silent retreats (even a few hours at home)
47. Studying a foreign language
48. Documenting family history
49. Leading a nature group for mothers or friends
50. Learning floral design
And 4 rest and rejuvenation ideas:
Soaking in a warm bath with candles and music
2. Napping under a tree in the backyard
3. Practicing gentle stretching
4. Enjoying a cup of tea on the porch at sunrise or sunset
May this list remind you that tending to your own growth is not selfish but a gift to your family. When a mother is well-nourished in mind, body, and spirit, she pours out that quiet strength and beauty into her home. Choose a few ideas to try this season, and let them become small seeds of joy in your daily rhythm. Happy Mother Culture, dear friend, may you find rest, delight, and inspiration along the way.
If you’re looking for a group to cultivate a rich reading life, fellowship, and friendship, may I suggest our Mother’s Education program. Our summer session begins June 22nd!
