In Part III of the above book, Charlotte Mason is addressing the relationship between home and school life and aspects of discipline and training pertaining to both. The passage above was included under ‘Table-Talk,’ which she believed afforded parents ‘their best opportunity of influencing the opinions of the young.’
There is some very good advice regarding opportunities for parents navigating the years during which children are forming their opinions. Her view is that young people are trying to construct a chart to steer by. They want to know what to do and they also want to know what to think about everything.

But it’s not our duty to think for our children…

‘Table-Talk’ worked well when all our children were all still homeschooling and life was more regular. Now we have older ones often absent at mealtimes – occupied with evening classes, Bible studies, meetings or sport. It’s not always easy to have those conversations but I know they are still very important.

Many parents assume that once a young people reaches the age of 18 years, their work is done but the years from around this this age on need as much care (and prayer!) just in a different way, to previous years. I’ve heard enough sad stories of young people who seemed to be fine until they reached their late teens and even early twenties. There are so many important decisions to be made during these years and new spheres of influence are felt. A weak foundation with unformed opinions won’t stand the pressure.

We recently had a state election and my son who had just turned 20 was voting for the first time. On the way to the polling booth we were talking about an issue that on the surface didn’t seem important. I explained to him what I thought and what the consequences might be if the issue was pushed to its logical conclusion.

He hadn’t made that connection. His generation has grown up in an environment different to that of mine. He has been home educated all his life, loves the Lord, is active in Church and involved in leadership, and has some great friends. But the culture around him leaks its toxins into the atmosphere. We’re all affected by this toxicity to a certain extent, but there are things his generation have never questioned because they are ‘normal’ to them. Now that he is spending more time in that environment he unwittingly is affected by it.

I want to use every opportunity to help my young adults chart these waters. Mealtimes may not be practical but some of my best conversations with my young adults have occurred in the most unlikely places – when I’ve been sensitive enough to see the open door.