It’s Hard to Trust the Method of a Stranger: Why understanding Charlotte Mason’s philosophy is the first step to trusting her method in your homeschool.
When I first heard the name Charlotte Mason, it was whispered like a secret among homeschoolers, accompanied by words like living books, nature walks, and narration. It sounded lovely. Gentle. Almost too good to be true. Further diving into aspects of her methods in books and podcasts, I found myself desiring this way of life for m
But here’s the thing…it is hard to trust the method of a stranger.
If you’ve stumbled across the Charlotte Mason philosophy and only know her by a handful of catchy phrases or Pinterest-worthy schedules, you might find yourself wondering: Can this really work for my children? And if you don’t understand the why behind the method, doubt will creep in. That doubt will lead to inconsistency, and inconsistency will lead to frustration. Before you know it, you’re quietly packing the “Charlotte Mason” books back on the shelf and moving on to something that feels safer.
Why Understanding Matters
Charlotte Mason is not just a list of practices. She is not simply “read good books and take nature walks.” Her method flows from a deep philosophy about children and learning—a philosophy rooted in the belief that a child is a whole person, worthy of respect, and capable of incredible thought and understanding.
If we skip over the foundation, we are left with disconnected practices that we try to force into our existing ideas of education. When we don’t understand her reasons for slow, careful lessons, we might shorten them into nothingness. When we don’t see her belief in a broad feast of subjects, we might trim the menu to only what’s comfortable. And when we don’t grasp her purpose for narration, we might toss it aside the first time it feels awkward.
Trust is Built Through Knowing
Think of it this way, if a stranger walked into your kitchen and told you to throw away half your pantry and cook dinner their way, would you do it without question? Probably not. But if that stranger became a trusted friend, someone who you knew and you knew their heart, their skill, and their wisdom, you’d might be more willing to try.
It’s the same with Charlotte Mason. She may have lived over a hundred years ago, but she doesn’t have to remain a stranger. Her words are preserved in her volumes, her principles, and the many stories of families who have walked this path before us.
The more you know her, the more her ideas begin to feel less like rules from a stranger and more like guidance from a trusted mentor. You’ll begin to see why she insists on certain practices, and that understanding will anchor you when doubt tries to push you off course.
How to Get to Know Her
If you feel like Charlotte Mason is still a stranger, start here:
Read her own words. Even a few pages from her six volumes or a collection of her principles will give you a window into her mind. But absorbing her words are important to building trust.
Study with others. A book club or mother’s education group can help you wrestle with her ideas in community.
Start small, but with intention. Choose one practice—like narration—and learn the reason behind it before you try to implement it.
Look for living examples. Read blogs, listen to podcasts, and talk to veteran homeschoolers who have walked the Charlotte Mason road for years.
The Difference It Makes
When you take the time to understand Charlotte Mason’s heart and method, you’ll find yourself anchored. Instead of doubting every step, you’ll begin to trust the process, even when results don’t come overnight. You’ll stop feeling like you’re copying someone else’s homeschool and start realizing you’re building your own, rooted in a philosophy you believe in.
Charlotte Mason once said, “The question is not how much does the youth know? When he has finished his education but how much does he care?”
The same is true for us as mothers: the question is not how much we’ve memorized about her method, but how deeply we’ve come to care for and trust it.
When you know her, she is no longer a stranger. And when she’s no longer a stranger, you can begin to walk forward in confidence, trusting that her method is not only beautiful, but worth the journey.
