Authority
From the Alveary Team:
While Mason calls the Family Government “an absolute monarchy,” she also maintains that the parents’ authority is “deputed.” We are under God’s authority and have authority over our children, as the Roman centurion in Matthew 8 was “a man under authority, having soldiers under me.” In Parents and Children, Mason emphasizes:
The sense of must should be present with children; our mistake is to act in such a way that they, only, seem to be law-compelled while their elders do as they please. The parent or teacher who is pestered for 'leave' to do this or that, contrary to the discipline of the house or school, has only himself to thank; he has posed as a person in authority, not under authority, and therefore free to allow the breach of rules whose only raison d'être is that they minister to the well-being of the children.
In Towards a Philosophy of Education, Mason explains,
The teacher, or other head may not be arbitrary but must act so evidently as one under authority that the children, quick to discern, see that he too must do the things he ought; and therefore that regulations are not made for his convenience. (I am assuming that everyone entrusted with the bringing up of children recognises the supreme Authority to Whom we are subject; without this recognition I do not see how it is possible to establish the nice relation which should exist between teacher and taught.)
While some of us are drawn toward arbitrariness, others of us are tempted to abdicate. To these Mason says,
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.
Recognizing Whose authority you are under, wear your crown with confidence, and rule faithfully and well.
Notes:
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Mason Quote:
“Thought breeds thought; children familiar with great thoughts take as naturally to thinking for themselves as the well-nourished body takes to growing; and we must bear in mind that growth, physical, intellectual, moral, spiritual, is the sole end of education.” - The Story of Charlotte Mason
