What Is Charlotte Mason Homeschooling (and Why It Feels So Peaceful—Even When It’s Not)

So I’ll be honest, when I first heard “Charlotte Mason,” I thought it was a Pinterest aesthetic.
You know—lace curtains, watercolor quotes, fresh-pressed nature journals, maybe a goat in the backyard nibbling on a vintage tea towel.
And look—I like pretty things. I really do. But I also live in the real world, where breakfast is often just pop-tarts and the toddler is doing somersaults on the couch while I try to remember which child I was supposed to be reading to.

So who was Charlotte Mason, anyway?

Okay. Tiny history detour (I promise I’ll keep it short because I know someone’s already climbing on the kitchen counter right now).
Charlotte Mason was a christian British educator in the late 1800s and early 1900s who believed kids are whole people—not just little buckets to dump information into. She spent her life developing an approach to education that was centered on habits, character, nature, and “living books.” She taught that kids learn best when they’re given rich ideas to chew on—not just facts to memorize.

And also? She didn’t believe in cramming in 7 hours of school a day.

Bless.

Her.

So what is Charlotte Mason homeschooling, exactly?

At its core, Charlotte Mason homeschooling is about feasting on beautiful ideas through books, nature, art, and real-life conversations. It’s slow and intentional and sometimes a little wild (in a muddy-boots-and-frogs-in-pockets kind of way).

Here’s the basic gist:

• Living books (which just means well-written, engaging books—not dry textbooks that make your eyes glaze over)
• Short lessons (especially for little ones—like 10–20 minutes tops)
• Nature time every day if you can swing it (but also, no guilt if it’s raining and you’re surviving)
• Art and music and big ideas—but not turned into worksheets with bubble letters and color-by-number composer facts
• And most of all? Respecting your child as a person.
  Not a project. Not a product. A person.

We’re not hardcore Charlotte Mason purists over here BUT I do believe her style of education has so much to pull from and we’ve borrowed a few things from her style. We love the nature walks that turn into bug hunts. Or reading a chapter of a really good story instead of doing ten pages of a workbook. I have Sam narrate back to me the stories we read but its not that serious.

If you’re coming from public school—or you’re Type A (like so many moms I know)—Charlotte Mason might feel a little… too soft at first.

Like, “What do you mean we’re just reading and going outside and talking about art?” But if you’re craving a slower, more connected kind of learning—it’s worth exploring. It’s not about perfection. Or adding more. Honestly, it gave me permission to do less—and still feel like we were actually learning. Deeply.

And no, you don’t need to buy watercolor paints or go to the woods every day. You don’t need to churn your own butter or start pressing wildflowers between pages of Pride and Prejudice.

Start small.

Read a story.

Step outside.

Look at a flower.

Wonder out loud.

That’s it. That’s the vibe.

And on the hard days (because oh yes, there will be hard days), just know this: You’re doing just fine. You’re loving your kids. You’re building something slow and sacred and lasting.

You’ve got this. 💛

Lori
To know God and to make Him know

P.S Find all sorts of Charlotte Mason curriculums here! You can also find a direct link to her 20 points.  Go check it out now!

Also, are you still interested in homeschooling but really still don't know what it is. Go check out my eBook, it's all about how to start homeschooling.
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