Three (Favorite) Feminine Ideal Types in Classic Literature | The Home Librarian Series | Common Mom

[@britgauger5334]

Possibly my favorite Little House moment is when the family is crossing the creek in their covered wagon. The water rises unexpectedly and the horses flounder. Pa has to jump into the water to guide the horses so he yells at Ma to grab the reins. She is scared but she doesn’t panic. She expertly holds the team as they cross the water, remembering to make sure Laura and Mary are being safe and obedient in the back. Once they’re safely across she then turns to her husband for comfort. I think the scene not only encapsulates Ma’s strength, but is also the epitome of female fortitude. I love it!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Boom. YES. Do you remember when she hurts her foot and just carries on taking care of that which must be done with cheerfulness? I love how trustworthy she is as a wife and mother.

[@britgauger5334]

Yep. And she didn't even have real coffee every morning!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

@@britgauger5334 The bar is now too high. ;)

[@kazmynjohannes5163]

What I love about Marme is that she appreciates and loves her daughters as persons. As individuals. It’s so beautiful

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Absolutely an ideal to have in mind as we mother!

[@emmaogilvie9908]

I was hoping you’d say Marmee! I’ve been so inspired by the conversation with Jo where she says “I am angry nearly every day of my life.” Would love some recommendations of books with masculine/paternal ideal types for my husband.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Yes, I hope to do a male one too! The lit life for kids (next week) will talk about some for boys, if you have sons!

[@TshOxenreider]

All excellent choices, Autumn! Thanks for the boost of encouragement right at the start of another school year. Oh, and this encouragement pours downstream (upstream? hmm) to those of us with teenagers as well, because these truths remain true throughout all of mothering. 💛

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Ah, glad to hear it. I suspected women like these three (er, four) would only grow dearer to over the years and I'm happy to know I was right.

[@exploringgodscreation-]

Thank you! I really enjoyed this! As a mother of three toddler boys, I can definitely learn a lot from Marmee! "Is what I'm feeling right? If not I need to control it and command it towards what is right." "Marmee learned to command herself towards what is good, even if it is not what she was feeling in the moment."

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Have you read Jo's Boys? I haven't yet but my mom-to-three-boys-pal *loves* it for her not-Little Women life.

[@exploringgodscreation-]

@@thecommonplacehomeschool No I haven't. I'll have to buy a copy, thanks for the recommendation!

[@hannahbaker2856]

I propose that all mothers should listen to this video once per postpartum. It hits differently on round #2!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Ooh, this is a fun encouragement!

[@knveteto]

Autumn, I really enjoyed the wisdom and humanizing images you shared in this episode. I was both convicted and inspired and I appreciated both! Thank you!!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Convicted and inspired-good books will do that to you! I'm so glad you connected with these women and hope you enjoy (re)visiting them in their stories!

[@Hookhamhomestead]

Really enjoyed this video! Thank you for reminding me of the work of the mother and finding beauty in that.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

So happy to hear it and to pass along some of the literary women who have been (and are) dear friends to me.

[@amymalo7390]

YES! Preach against the toxic “Self Care” culture!! Loved this video.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Woo! Fight it! I have a whole video coming next month!

[@GraceGerardot]

I related to all the March sisters, but Amy the most.

[@brittakneek]

I love this whole video but I REALLY loved that last part. Thank you for this. -Military Mom

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

So happy to hear it! Bless you, military mom! You're in good company with the Penelopes and Marmees.

[@RaeBehrs]

I love and absolutely agree with all of the types you chose! "Little Women" and the Little House books are some of my favorites! I remember hating The Odyssey when I read it in High School. Penelope was so honorable and Odysseus was shacking up with goddesses in the meantime. It infuriated me. I haven't picked it up since. I will revisit it someday, but I do not think I'll have any more love or admiration of Odysseus. I have "The Odyssey For Boys and Girls" (as well as "The Illiad for Boys and Girls" and "The Aeneid for Boys and Girls") by Alfred Church that I plan on reading through with my kids sometime soon. We are currently reading "The Heros" by Charles Kingsley for bedtime right now!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

You weren't supposed to tell people what he's doing! But yes, I'm with you. She's a vision of feminine glory and I love her.

[@AndreaSorial]

Oh I just love your episodes. They make me smarter I think.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

So happy to have you here!

[@beckymay439]

We just read Farmer Boy and over the past few weeks whenever I feel tired, I think of how ‘Ma’s hands were always flying’ and try to make mine do the same.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

That's an "image worth reflecting" indeed!

[@Shelfaroundthecorner]

It seems we never hear the words duty or industry anymore. Accepting those two aspects of motherhood is essential to finding contentment in the child rearing years!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

100%

[@carolynrunck9118]

Thanks for the video! When I was a kid I always wanted to be Amy! And of course for Little House books I always wanted to be Laura... and when I started reading the Little House picture books to my daughter, I had this sudden realization... I'm Ma!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

I'm hearing (a good bit) that people wanted to be Amy! Love hearing how others read the story.

[@Spencer_Lacey]

Excellent choices!! My eldest daughter is Penelope 🤎

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Ah, a name to live up and into!

[@annamattos8627]

I don't like "Gone with the Wind", because I find Scarlett O'Hara annoying, but the book does have a single redeeming quality, which is Melanie Wilkes.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Yes, this happens a lot in great books. The main character is not the shining star.

[@laurenperron4130]

I loved this so much! I also really loved Mother Mason by Aldrich (especially as children get older) and Mama's Bank Account by Forbes.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Ooh thank you for sharing!

[@Yesica1993]

I haven't read The Odyssey, but I adore Little Women and the Little House books. I hope you do a video one for the masculine side, too! Boys are so desperate for good role models today.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Oooh, good idea! I have a video coming about the literary life of my kids and it definitely features siblings pods and good boys!

[@kerinac1909]

I knew you were going to say Marmee. I read it a few years ago and she was by far my favorite character.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Long live Marmee!

[@kerrytouchet9613]

Lovely. Thank you.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

You're quite welcome! Hope you find a new literary lady pal.

[@larissabess7617]

Hi! I'd love to hear more from the episode on being a firm door for our children, do you know which Scolé Sisters episode it was?

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

It might have been this one: scholesisters.com/ss31/

[@anamurray3444]

I haven't yet read anything from Alcott but your channel has inspired me to do so. I was gifted a book box set which includes Little Women, Little Men, Jo's Boys, and Good Wives in this order. From other KZbin channels, it seems to me that Little Women and Good Wives go together. Therefore, do you recommend reading Little Women and Good Wives back to back and then Little Men and Jo's Boys? Or would you read them in the same order the box set has them in? Would love your insight/recommendation!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Ooh, great question (and so excited for you to enter the world of the March family!): I would say it's helpful to read Little Women before Little Men, but I don't think you need to read Good Wives before Little Men!

[@anamurray3444]

Thanks@@thecommonplacehomeschool !

[@humblyhaley]

All of these examples are wonderful! I’m inspired to finally pick up The Odyssey, which has very patiently been waiting on my bookshelf for years. 🙈

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Excellent! If you find your translation difficult to read, allow me to suggest the Everyman's Library one. The translation can make or break a first read!

[@maddiediorio1010]

Loving your videos!! Where did you get your chotkis (both the small bracelet and the full rope)? I can only ever find chotki bracelets that are big and chunky and look better on a male wrist, but yours are beautiful and dainty!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Thank you! And yes, totally know what you mean. I also wanted something a little daintier (my wrists are too small for anything chunky!): Smaller one: www.etsy.com/listing/1079790676/komboskini-prayer-ropejesus?ref=yr_purchases Larger one: stpaisiusgiftshop.com/mt-athos-russian-prayer-ropes/athos-50-knot-prayer-rope-with-wooden-bead/

[@aub8687]

This was wonderful! Thank you for taking the time and uplifting others. It’s always a good reminder as to why we are mothers and the great and sacred role we have in this journey.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Thank you so much and you're quite welcome! We moms need inspiring ideas too!

[@AndreaSorial]

I am also weary of the demands of self care. I find that stressful. Haha. I'm glad I'm not the only one🎉

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Ah, you'll enjoy a coming video I think. ;)

[@AndreaSorial]

I enjoy all the videos!

[@HMSmueller]

Definitely always identified as a Meg 😂 as the oldest of 4 girls, my mom would also call me Meg.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

I love Meg! And I would certainly do the same if I had four girls. You're just asking for it!