What do you think?
Rate this book
Mother Culture: For a Happy Homeschool
"If mothers could learn to do for themselves, what they do for their children...we would have happier households." -Charlotte Mason
Karen says,
"Mother Culture is the skillful art of how a mother looks after the ways of her household. With a "thinking love" she creates a culture in the home all her own.
A mother does a lot of taking care, so she needs to take care of herself, too. As a mother is feeding and cultivating the souls of her children, she is nourishing her own soul with ideas, while taking a little time for her own play and creativity. Nourished and refreshed, she keeps growing closer to God and into the Christian woman God is designing her to be.
May you find the principles on these pages to be invigorating - especially if you have a low battery. May they strengthen you in your on-going efforts to create the happy home your heart desires."
Karen says,
"Mother Culture is the skillful art of how a mother looks after the ways of her household. With a "thinking love" she creates a culture in the home all her own.
A mother does a lot of taking care, so she needs to take care of herself, too. As a mother is feeding and cultivating the souls of her children, she is nourishing her own soul with ideas, while taking a little time for her own play and creativity. Nourished and refreshed, she keeps growing closer to God and into the Christian woman God is designing her to be.
May you find the principles on these pages to be invigorating - especially if you have a low battery. May they strengthen you in your on-going efforts to create the happy home your heart desires."
345 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2018
333 people are currently reading
2408 people want to read
About the author
Karen Andreola
17 books136 followersKaren Andreola is the author of Mother Culture®: For a Happy Homeschool; A Charlotte Mason Companion; Pocketful of Pinecones; Lessons at Blackberry Inn; and Story Starters. She home educated her 3 children K-12.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
June 14, 2019
This book was a beautiful breath of fresh air for me! After a trying year of homeschooling with diagnoses of dyslexia for one child and an autoimmune disorder for another then add in an elderly and sick parent to care for, I had been completely depleted of any confidence in my homeschooling and homemaking skills. This was exactly what I needed. I've always admired and looked up to the older, wiser Christian women who have homeschooled their children and Karen Andreola is no exception. She ranks right up there with Sally Clarkson and Carol Joy Seid!
Definitely will keep this book full of treasures for my mommy heart close by to refer back to when I need encouragement and reminding of the gentle art of learning!
Definitely will keep this book full of treasures for my mommy heart close by to refer back to when I need encouragement and reminding of the gentle art of learning!
May 11, 2022
Such a good read. Every mother should read this- whether homeschooling or not (though, I think if you're not homeschooling you would need to read some sections with a grain of salt). While I don't think that everything in this book is for everyone, there is definitely something for everyone. I love how the book is set up in little bite sized pieces, making it easy to pick up and read little bits at a time- which I recommend because then you can give yourself time to digest each bite before taking another one.
So many words of wisdom. I am currently expecting child #5, and in the midst of baby preparations, homeschooling, raising 4 children, taking care of a home- this was the refreshing and inspiring lift I needed. There is a lot of information, and yet, I never felt overwhelmed or hopelessly behind. This is definitely one I will be re-reading, probably several times over the next several years, just little bites at a time. I love the author's writing- she encourages and inspires me and makes me want to be a more gentle mother and more Christlike person.
Homemaking truly is an art- something that I don't think we see as much these days. And while some people may look down at the mother who stays home all day with her children, it is a calling I willingly and proudly accept- and one that is definitely not for the faint of heart. Staying home with kids does not automatically make you a homemaker; it truly is something that requires work. This book is all about how, as mothers, we CREATE the culture in our home. We are a crucial piece of how the home functions; we help determine if it is truly a beautiful place and a sanctuary because of the peace that others feel when they enter, the atmosphere we have created. I have many areas in which I am lacking, but I feel that this book will be a tremendous help and resource as I work towards bettering myself and becoming the mother and homemaker I want to be.
So many words of wisdom. I am currently expecting child #5, and in the midst of baby preparations, homeschooling, raising 4 children, taking care of a home- this was the refreshing and inspiring lift I needed. There is a lot of information, and yet, I never felt overwhelmed or hopelessly behind. This is definitely one I will be re-reading, probably several times over the next several years, just little bites at a time. I love the author's writing- she encourages and inspires me and makes me want to be a more gentle mother and more Christlike person.
Homemaking truly is an art- something that I don't think we see as much these days. And while some people may look down at the mother who stays home all day with her children, it is a calling I willingly and proudly accept- and one that is definitely not for the faint of heart. Staying home with kids does not automatically make you a homemaker; it truly is something that requires work. This book is all about how, as mothers, we CREATE the culture in our home. We are a crucial piece of how the home functions; we help determine if it is truly a beautiful place and a sanctuary because of the peace that others feel when they enter, the atmosphere we have created. I have many areas in which I am lacking, but I feel that this book will be a tremendous help and resource as I work towards bettering myself and becoming the mother and homemaker I want to be.
April 9, 2021
I couldn't find this book for loan locally and was interested in the topic, so I went ahead and bought it. That makes me a little extra disappointed that I didn't like it.
This book has a great central idea—the idea that mothers can grow and learn new things while raising their children. Mothers absolutely ought to have hobbies and interests, and this is what I enjoyed about the book.
The downside is that it was not very well executed. The author spends a little too much time defending the idea that *she* came up with the idea of mother culture *first,* which didn't increase my enjoyment of the book at all. Additionally, it's stilted and disjointed, as if someone put together a bunch of little clippings and quotes. The book doesn't come together as a whole very well, and I had to force myself to keep reading it each day until eventually I gave myself permission to stop.
I did enjoy the vintage/antique illustrations included in the book. They're right up my alley!
This book has a great central idea—the idea that mothers can grow and learn new things while raising their children. Mothers absolutely ought to have hobbies and interests, and this is what I enjoyed about the book.
The downside is that it was not very well executed. The author spends a little too much time defending the idea that *she* came up with the idea of mother culture *first,* which didn't increase my enjoyment of the book at all. Additionally, it's stilted and disjointed, as if someone put together a bunch of little clippings and quotes. The book doesn't come together as a whole very well, and I had to force myself to keep reading it each day until eventually I gave myself permission to stop.
I did enjoy the vintage/antique illustrations included in the book. They're right up my alley!
May 12, 2019
Very practical and helpful thoughts from a former homeschool mom. I know this is one of those books I will come back to over and over again.
June 21, 2019
This was a very encouraging book on Mother Culture. Mother Culture is such a buzz phrase in Charlotte Mason groups. Brandy Vencel on afterthoughtsblog.net has some post and podcast on Mother culture and quotes Mason on continuing to read and develop yourself intellectually by reading 3 types of different books- stiff, moderate, and a novel. In one podcast where she is a guest and talking about Mother Culture she said she wasn't sure how/where Andreola expanded in all the areas she does in this book and calls it Mother Culture (that's not what Mason says). Karen Andreola really does expand on the word Culture- developing yourself in your Mother Culture which not only includes the intellectual growth in knowledge from books but growing in other aspects developing your whole self: Mother, educator, life long learner, homemaker, church member, wife etc. Because Mothers are persons too.
This book is like sitting with a wise woman who is giving godly advice to the next generation. It reads like your talking with your grandmother on the front porch with tea in hand gleaning all the wisdom and advice a young mother would want to hear.
This book is like sitting with a wise woman who is giving godly advice to the next generation. It reads like your talking with your grandmother on the front porch with tea in hand gleaning all the wisdom and advice a young mother would want to hear.
September 15, 2019
Twaddle! I know it's probably blasphemous to speak poorly of Karen Andreola in the Charlotte Mason community, but this book wasn't very good. I couldn't finish it. I'm thankful that she had revived the Charlotte Mason volumes and republished them, but she really shouldn't be writing books. This book was so disjointed with just little tidbits here and there about different things. I wouldn't even recommend this to someone new to Charlotte Mason. I really don't like her style of writing, either; she tries to be poetic, or something, but she failed at that.
I will say that I'm in my 18th year of homeschooling. So it may be of value to some just starting out. However, I feel like there are much better, more realistic books out there.
I will say that I'm in my 18th year of homeschooling. So it may be of value to some just starting out. However, I feel like there are much better, more realistic books out there.
August 19, 2021
As a non-Christian, you have to be able to translate what she’s saying in many parts to one’s own faith tradition, but the sentiment and viewpoint of motherhood, homeschooling, and the responsibility and gift that these are hold truth across many traditions.
January 18, 2020
I loved this book so much. 40 lovely chapters on all things pertaining to a godly life, motherhood, and of course homeschooling. When I first started this book I didn't quite know what to think. I didn't know much about Charlotte Mason or her method of homeschooling... But Karen Andreola quotes Charlotte Mason in just about every. single. chapter. I eventually realized this is primarily a Charlotte Mason homeschooling book and so I got used to all the quotes!
After finishing this book I'm especially excited to "home educate" my children... and I don't need to wait until they are "school aged" to begin! Learning comes in so many shapes and sizes. If we can teach our children to love and appreciate learning, we will have given them one of life's greatest gifts! ❤️
A few things I love about this book:
•Shorter chapters on a wide array of topics (homemaking, taking walks, narration, reading "living books", courtesy, modesty, marriage, and more!).
•Beautiful, old-fashioned illustrations in every chapter.
•A conservative and biblical perspective (most chapters had Scripture verses and everything was biblically based).
I would definitely recommend this book to fellow Christian mothers!
After finishing this book I'm especially excited to "home educate" my children... and I don't need to wait until they are "school aged" to begin! Learning comes in so many shapes and sizes. If we can teach our children to love and appreciate learning, we will have given them one of life's greatest gifts! ❤️
A few things I love about this book:
•Shorter chapters on a wide array of topics (homemaking, taking walks, narration, reading "living books", courtesy, modesty, marriage, and more!).
•Beautiful, old-fashioned illustrations in every chapter.
•A conservative and biblical perspective (most chapters had Scripture verses and everything was biblically based).
I would definitely recommend this book to fellow Christian mothers!
October 21, 2022
Meh. A fairly disjointed assemblage of thoughts, perhaps better suited to blog posts than a book. Karen Andreola is one of the modern homeschool movement pioneers but maybe it's time for her to enjoy her well earned retirement and not publish books that are glorified victory laps. ("We did homeschooling so incredibly well and basically invented the idea of 'mother culture', go us!") Her tone rubs me the wrong way now (particularly the affected and overused "man of the house" line), there are numerous fallacies presented, along with several false dichotomies. And I'm not sure who this is meant to convince with its constant harping against "government schools" when her audience is presumably people who already agree with her on the whole homeschooling, preferably the Charlotte Mason (tm) way, or bust. YMMV, obviously. I just want...more these days than this.
January 23, 2019
I loved it! It was very encouraging and just what I needed!
August 1, 2021
Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! Not only for homeschooling mothers; I’d recommend to any mother. Just a beautiful book that I will revisit again and again. I was so inspired and implemented several things from
this book into our home. Very reminiscent of Edith Schaefer’s Hidden Art of Homemaking, but pointed more at motherhood. Just lovely!
this book into our home. Very reminiscent of Edith Schaefer’s Hidden Art of Homemaking, but pointed more at motherhood. Just lovely!
September 8, 2022
Great snippets of wisdom. It's a book I'll come back to for encouragement again and again.
June 3, 2023
“Perhaps you worry that you aren’t able to do enough, to love enough, or have patience enough, time enough, or money enough. When a Christian humbly faces his shortcomings and asks for guidance, the Heavenly Father gives it. We are all inadequate. We will always need to keep growing and learning. At the same time, we trust in God to bring fruit from what we can do, from the little seeds we sow, from the resources we have. We are limited and always will be. But the God we serve is limitless.” – Karen Andreola
What I loved most about this book was the warmth and the wisdom found inside. Every time I sat down to read it, I felt as though I was sitting with a close friend and mentor—a Titus 2 woman with a heartfelt desire to pour into a younger woman walking a similar journey to her own.
In the forward, Karen’s daughter, Sophia, writes, “By applying the principles preserved in this book, you will not only be encouraging yourself but be inspired to encourage and uplift those you love.”
Sophia’s words proved true. I gleaned so much from this book. I honestly can’t put into words the depth of my love and appreciation for all that Karen shares in the pages of “Mother Culture.” Whether you homeschool or not, I believe there is something for every Christian mother in this book. An absolute must-read! ❤️
What I loved most about this book was the warmth and the wisdom found inside. Every time I sat down to read it, I felt as though I was sitting with a close friend and mentor—a Titus 2 woman with a heartfelt desire to pour into a younger woman walking a similar journey to her own.
In the forward, Karen’s daughter, Sophia, writes, “By applying the principles preserved in this book, you will not only be encouraging yourself but be inspired to encourage and uplift those you love.”
Sophia’s words proved true. I gleaned so much from this book. I honestly can’t put into words the depth of my love and appreciation for all that Karen shares in the pages of “Mother Culture.” Whether you homeschool or not, I believe there is something for every Christian mother in this book. An absolute must-read! ❤️
April 5, 2019
I loved this book so very much! It was so encouraging and good for my soul. I love the author's gentle, motherly voice evidenced in her writing.
I highlighted this like crazy, kept a running list of all the books, films, and other resources she mentioned (before I noticed the wonderful bibliography in the last pages of the book), and have already tracked down some of the books and movies to enjoy because of her recommendation.
I loved how she included many quotations from Charlotte Mason's writings, as well as Scripture passages. She always pointed us toward Jesus, and was so wise and kindly that I felt like I had a mentor-in-a-book. For me, she was the "older woman" spoken of in Scripture, encouraging me to love my husband and children, be busy at home, etc.
I encourage all mamas to read this lovely book!
I highlighted this like crazy, kept a running list of all the books, films, and other resources she mentioned (before I noticed the wonderful bibliography in the last pages of the book), and have already tracked down some of the books and movies to enjoy because of her recommendation.
I loved how she included many quotations from Charlotte Mason's writings, as well as Scripture passages. She always pointed us toward Jesus, and was so wise and kindly that I felt like I had a mentor-in-a-book. For me, she was the "older woman" spoken of in Scripture, encouraging me to love my husband and children, be busy at home, etc.
I encourage all mamas to read this lovely book!
June 11, 2021
Karen Andreola is practical, down-to-earth, and a longstanding gift to the homeschooling community, and this collection of Mother Culture writings reflects her wisdom and faithfulness. The beauty of this book is that it is a starting point, an introduction of sorts to many ideas about cultivating "mother culture." Andreola offers stories and examples and invites the homeschooling mom to go from there. A chapter a day can certainly inspire and keep the stagnation away.
September 30, 2019
I can't say enough wonderful things about dear Karen and her blessed Titus 2 ministry! I'm so thankful for her wisdom, humility, and practical help as I'm figuring out The Gentle Art of Learning. This book is a fabulous resource and, like other living books, is best digested slowly and thoughtfully. Every woman needs a Karen Andreola in her life!
November 11, 2020
Some good nuggets of info here, but a lot of the content is pulled directly from another of Andreola's books, A Charlotte Mason Companion, so it felt rehashed.
Secondly, I just don't like the author's writing style. It feels contrived, like she's trying to sound more old-fashioned than she really is. The message is good, but I'd appreciate more modern language.
Secondly, I just don't like the author's writing style. It feels contrived, like she's trying to sound more old-fashioned than she really is. The message is good, but I'd appreciate more modern language.
December 10, 2023
This was a read for a homeschool book club I’m in- at first I found it to be a bit slow, which it admittedly was. Yet overall there is very good counsel in it and it also helped me to better understand the Charlotte Mason method and seek to incorporate that into our homeschool.
December 14, 2023
I enjoyed this book immensely! It will be a regular re-read for sure.
August 5, 2025
It felt like I was sitting down to tea and a chat with an older mentor/friend who was bestowing her godly wisdom and life experience! A great read.
March 9, 2024
What a nourishing, practical gift of wisdom! I will be coming back to this book for inspiration and encouragement for many years to come. Karen is a new and beloved “book friend.”
March 1, 2021
This book was incredibly encouraging to me as a mom just starting out on this journey of homeschooling. Karen has such a gentle, practical, yet visionary way of writing to her readers. I feel more equipped to be a homeschool mom who is seeking to instill a love of learning and awe of God’s creation in her children. But I also feel more equipped to more live out my callings as a wife and homemaker as well. I love how she uses scripture to ground her thoughts and encouragement throughout the book! The quotes she uses from other sources are so full of truth and meaning as well.
September 17, 2021
Topic: How a homeschool mom can nurture her own heart so she can make a household full of love and responsibility.
Who it may interest: Homeschooling moms.
Helpfulness: Motherhood is messy. Homeschooling with a one year old in tow is messy. Often I can feel like I’m drowning in chaos. Mother Culture helps bring clarity in the chaos and confidence where doubts creep in. It was like a mentor gently giving me assurance while also giving me fresh ideas to implement.
Ease of reading: Medium, it was a book I had to stop and ponder at times but it wasn’t hard to read.
Main takeaway: Nurturing myself is not selfish, it pours over into the atmosphere of my home. The atmosphere of my home matters.
April 23, 2021
This read like a 1950s home ec textbook. At one point she mentions that young girls need to dress modestly because it’s a woman’s responsibility to help men control their hormones. Um... no. Hard stop. That’s their responsibility, no matter what anyone is wearing. I kept reading, though I don’t know why, and in the last chapter she mentions a reason to keep kids homeschooled is so they aren’t subjected to “gender fluidity and transgenderism”.
Not in my homeschool it’s not. All are welcome. We don’t judge others.
I’m disappointed books like this are still being published.
Not in my homeschool it’s not. All are welcome. We don’t judge others.
I’m disappointed books like this are still being published.
July 13, 2021
Tedious at best.
The writing style cumbersome and the book is approximately four fifths longer than it needs to be. Very few tips on how to homeschool, be a wife/mother or on creating your own mother culture other than "to read books". Obviously she is a huge Charlotte Mason fan so this needn't even be stated.
A few stories dotted around but mostly quote after quote linked together with how Karen felt about said quote.
If it wasn't written by Karen Andreola it would be considered twaddle.
The writing style cumbersome and the book is approximately four fifths longer than it needs to be. Very few tips on how to homeschool, be a wife/mother or on creating your own mother culture other than "to read books". Obviously she is a huge Charlotte Mason fan so this needn't even be stated.
A few stories dotted around but mostly quote after quote linked together with how Karen felt about said quote.
If it wasn't written by Karen Andreola it would be considered twaddle.
December 30, 2022
I wish someone had told me that unless you’re a Christian homeschooler- this is dripping in theocracy and Christian values. As a secular homeschooler and primary parent, this was full of rhetoric I don’t choose to consume in my free time. If it’s your name, awesome! But, if you’re secular, you may not love it the way others do.
September 26, 2022
This was such a perfect book, with easy, short chapters (very nice for a mama short on spare time to read! 😊).
I felt like I was sitting down with an older Titus 2 woman as she was sharing her heart with me, and I know this will be a book I come back to again and again over the years.
I felt like I was sitting down with an older Titus 2 woman as she was sharing her heart with me, and I know this will be a book I come back to again and again over the years.
September 9, 2021
This book is good for a Mama's soul. I keep it on my nightstand and reach for it often. The wisdom and encouragement Karen offers is priceless.
October 16, 2025
3.5 stars. Some good, practical wisdom in here. I do appreciate the encouragement for mothers to create their own time to pursue learning and enjoyment in their creative lives. My only critique is that there’s a quite a few chapters that are highly idealistic and if not read with discernment may cause some mothers to be disillusioned about the way their children respond to homeschooling. I found some of the perspectives on womanhood to be very Victorian, and I am not a feminist by any stretch of the imagination. But overall, I’d say it’s a worthwhile read and one I’ll keep on hand to reference for encouragement and practical wisdom when I feel stuck.
June 10, 2020
Karen brings up a lot of good points and the artwork throughout the book is absolutely beautiful. The author is a big Charlotte Mason and handicraft supporter and those themes are woven through the pages of the book, but anyone who homeschools, whether unschooler, classical, or eclectic could find encouragement in this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews