Charlotte Mason had much to say about parenting and this week’s episode addresses the role of parents, their responsibilities, attitudes, and weaknesses. Mason was clear about the dignified office of authority in order to lead, guide, protect, and inspire our children to fulfill their role as obedient, peaceful, and joyful persons.

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“The principles of authority on the one hand, and of obedience on the other, are natural, necessary, and fundamental; but-” (Principle 3)

“These principles are limited by the respect due to the personality of children, which must not be encroached upon, whether by the direct use of fear or love, suggestion or influence, or by undue play upon any one natural desire.” (Principle 4)

“There is an idea abroad that authority makes for tyranny, and that obedience, voluntary or involuntary, is of the nature of slavishness; but authority is, on the contrary, the condition without which liberty does not exist and, except it be abused, is entirely congenial to those on whom it is exercised.” (6/69)

“[We] are free under authority, which is liberty; to be free without authority is license.” (3/29)

“The arbitrary exercise of authority on the part of parent, nurse, governess, whoever is set in authority over him, is the real stone of stumbling and rock of offense in the way of many a child. Nor is there room for the tender indulgent mother….for the most ruinous exercise of arbitrary authority is when the mother makes herself a law unto her child, with power to excuse him from his duties, and to grant him…indulgences…This mother errs in believing that her children are hers–in her power, body and soul.” (5/70)

“Authority is for use and service.” (2/13)

“The love of ease, the love of favour, the claims of other work, are only some of the causes which lead to a result disastrous to society––the abdication of parent. When we come to consider the nature and uses of the parents’ authority, we shall see that such abdication is as immoral as it is mischievous. Meantime, it is well worth while to notice that the causes which lead parents to resign the position of domestic rulers are resolvable into one––the office is too troublesome, too laborious. The temptation which assails parents is the same which has led many a crowned head to seek ease in the cloister–– ‘Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown,’ even if it be the natural crown of parenthood.” (2/13)

“It is not open to parents either to lay aside or to sink under the burden of the honour laid upon them” (2/14)

Parents and Children (Volume 2), Chapter 2

School Education (Volume 3), Chapters 1-2

An Essay Towards a Philosophy of Education (Volume 6), Chapters 4-5

Episode 30: The Way of the Will and the Way of Reason