S11E145: Preparing Boys for Manhood with Heather Martin
Qualities proper to a Ruler.––Nobody understood this better than Queen Elizabeth, who contrived to make a curious division of her personality and be, at the same time, a model ruler and, as a woman, full of the weaknesses of her sex. It has been well said that she knew when to yield and how to yield. Her adroitness in getting over many a dangerous crisis has been much praised by historians; but, possibly, this saving grace was not adroitness so much as the tact born of qualities proper to all who are set in authority––the meekness of one who has been given an appointed work, the readiness to take counsel with herself and with others, the perception that she herself was not the be-all and the end-all of her functions as a queen, but that she existed for her people, and the quick and tender open-minded sympathy which enabled her to see their side of every question as well as her own––indeed, in preference to her own. These are the qualities proper to every ruler of a household, a school, or a kingdom. With these, parents will be able to order and control a fiery young brood full of energy and vitality, as Elizabeth was, to manage the kingdom when the minds of men were in a ferment of new thought, and life was intoxicating in the delightfulness of the possibilities it offered.
Charlotte Mason, School Education, p. 18
Show Summary:
- On this episode of The New Mason Jar Podcast, Cindy and Dawn are once again joined by their friend Heather Martin to talk about the unique considerations to take into account when homeschooling boys.
- How Heather and her husband started thinking about their priorities in rearing their boys to be protectors, providers, and leaders
- Some examples of things they expected of their boys and did with them to encourage the character qualities they valued
- The importance of boys spending time alone with Dad away from Mom
- The unique way in which the Martin family celebrating each son’s graduation
- Some encouragement for the mom who is worried and troubled about many things
Listen Now:
Books and Links Mentioned:
The Desecration of Man by Carl Truman
Episode 77: Seeing the Big Picture with Heather Martin
Find Cindy and Dawn:
Cindy’s Patreon Discipleship Group
Mere Motherhood Facebook Group
Subscribe:
Our Calling.––Of this thing I am quite sure, that his calling, or, if you like to name it so, his chance, comes to the person who is ready for it. That is why the all-round preparation of body, mind, soul, and heart is necessary for the young knight who is waiting to be called. He will want every bit of himself in the royal service that is appointed him; for it is a royal service.
Charlotte Mason, Ourselves, p. 209
