The Three Types of Books Every Homeschool Mom Should Read
There is a rhythm to homeschool motherhood that often goes unseen. We spend our days pouring ourselves out in the education of our children. Teaching phonics at the kitchen table, correcting math, wiping sticky counters, and listening to read-alouds with one ear while stirring dinner with the other. We give and give, and in the giving, we sometimes forget that mothers need feeding too.
Charlotte Mason once said, “The mother who takes pains to endow her children with good habits secures for herself smooth and easy days.” But to cultivate those good habits in our children, we must also cultivate ourselves. One of the most powerful ways a homeschool mother can grow, and continue growing, is through reading.
But not just any reading. To truly nourish your heart, sharpen your mind, and stay grounded in your calling, I have found that there are three kinds of books every homeschool mom should be reaching for: Encouraging, Edifying, and Educational.
1. Encouraging Books: Fuel for the Heart
These are the books you turn to on weary days. They affirm the beauty and value of motherhood, even when it’s messy and unseen. They remind you that you’re not alone, that others have walked this road too.
You don’t need to be “productive” when reading these books. You just need to be nourished.
Books like:
Mother Culture by Karen Andreola
Homeschool Bravely by Jamie Erickson
The Life-Giving Home by Sally and Sarah Clarkson
Mere Motherhood by Cindy Rollins
A well-loved devotional or book of meditations
A book of poetry
When to read them: When you're doubting your abilities, feeling overwhelmed, or need to reconnect with the heart behind your homeschool. Sometimes these books are great to have in the morning, before your day even starts.
2. Edifying Books: Fuel for the Soul
Edifying books are those that grow you as a whole person. These are the “mother culture” books Charlotte Mason encouraged mothers to read as part of their own lifelong education. They might be a classic novel, a biography, poetry, theology, or a book on character or virtue. These books lift your gaze, cultivate wonder, and strengthen your moral imagination.
They don’t have to be long or complicated, they simply need to be living.
Books Like:
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Les Misérables by Victor Hugo
Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
A nature journal, a collection of poetry, or an essay by C.S. Lewis
When to read them: During quiet moments in the evening, alongside your child’s reading schedule, or as part of your own morning time.
3. Educational Books: Fuel for the Mind
These are the books that equip you in your role as a home educator. They help you understand the philosophy and methods behind what you’re doing. They help you troubleshoot problems, explore curriculum options, and refine your vision. Reading these kinds of books gives you the tools and confidence to lead your homeschool well.
Whether you follow Charlotte Mason, Classical, or another approach, reading “teacher books” reminds you that your role as a home educator is meant to be taken seriously and faithfully. They encourage you to “own your craft” and do the work well.
Books Like:
A Philosophy of Education (or any of the Charlotte Mason Volumes) by Charlotte Mason
For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
Consider This by Karen Glass
The Living Page by Laurie Bestvater
The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer
When to read them: At the start of a new school year, when planning, or any time you need to refresh your educational compass.
You don’t need to finish a stack of books each month. In true Charlotte Mason fashion, aim to “read a little, often.” Ten minutes here, fifteen there. A few pages over morning coffee. A chapter while the children play outside. If we follow her busy schedule (which I don’t recommend!) you’ll find she picked up a book when she could, read for a few minutes, and set it aside.
As mothers, we are the atmosphere of our homes. What we think on, dwell on, and love will shape the lives around us. And as any seasoned homeschool mom will tell you, books are among the best mentors you’ll ever have. In reading, you’ll also set the example for your child.
So pick up that book. Let it encourage, edify, and educate you. Because as you grow, so will your homeschool.
And please, share some of your favorite books!
