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!
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.
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. 💛
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.
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."
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.
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.
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!!
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
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 RU-vid 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!
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!
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!
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/
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.
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!
