I discovered Lingonberries several years ago at IHOP (International House of Pancakes) on their Swedish Pancakes. YUMMM! Well, this past Sunday afternoon, I discovered that Central Market (a grocery store that brings food from different parts of the world here in Fort Worth) carries Lingonberries from Sweden. I'm afraid I've used almost the whole jar in the last 5 days. I told my son that I would be better with my second jar, but for this first one it was too much of a delight and treat to use too sparingly.

I have a friend who mentioned recently that she uses Bath & Body Works brand liquid handsoap. She said that "living with a bunch of guys... Well, they don't really care about the scent anyway, so it's a luxury for me." It's amazing what little things can do for your outlook and perspective.

These sorts of things can be categorized along with the more specific items that Charlotte Mason required of her teachers. Mother Culture™ is actually a term coined by Karen Andreola (article #1), encouraging moms to do what Charlotte asked of her teachers. The goal was and is "to always increase their knowledge, to explore new ideas, to rest and refresh themselves with a little diversion so as to return to their task of teaching with renewed vigor." Mrs. Andreola (article #2) focuses on things that exercise a mom's creativity & imagination, like a mom learning things alongside their child, perhaps having her own Nature Notebook or persuing a hobby or interest. Revitalizing ourselves is an important aspect that so often can be ignored or set aside when homeschooling.

To me, Mother Culture™ is not only learning new things, having something to challenge as well as enjoy, but it is also making sure that mom has some time to herself. This is not done in a selfish way, or where it supercedes all family life. But having an appointment, as it were, at the very least, once a month for mom to have some down-time is critical. Perhaps she can use this time to meet a friend, or several friends in a "Moms' Night Out," or to even spend time behind her bedroom door by herself. She may choose to go to the library by herself, or out to eat alone, or even enroll in a continuing education class at the local junior college. If this time "off duty" in-home or away-from-home can be done once a week, even better, but each mother is different and therefore has different needs. Each one needs to assess their own situation, and with husband or friends, determine what works best for her.  Being responsible for another life 24/7 can be exhausting. Having this time to revitalize & rejuvenate can be imperative. Without this time, yes, moms can and do survive, but year-after-year homeschooling, of just being a mom, can sap energy, depleting a mom if she has no "off-duty" time.

So moms need to exercise their creativity and imagination, learn alongside of her children, but also have some "down time" where she's not responsible for little lives. Now, sometimes that down time is not available for extended periods of time. Perhaps she can only get away once a month for a day or an evening, due to her husband's schedule, or even once every other month. Perhaps she is a single mom both working full-time and homeschooling, with only a very limited friend-base to take her child occasionally. Here is where the "little things" can mean a lot. Having a treat now and again from the grocery store--just for mom--can breathe life. It might be a candy bar or a jar of Lingonberry jam, a particular brand & scent of hand soap. All of these things can bring a smile and a whisp of fresh air to a long day. Finding these things and allowing them to provide that bit of refreshment is a thing all moms should practice to do.