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tovlo4801
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Kind of a goofy question, but I was just thinking tonight of models of parenting that I'm attracted to in literature. We listened to Little Lord Fauntleroy on tape earlier this spring and I was so inspired by the quiet kindness of Cedric's mother. I think it's interesting how book characters can inspire us to grow to be more than we currently are. My favorite book growing up was The Little Princess . I had an "evil" stepmother for many years of my childhood and I identified strongly with Sara. I always aspired to be as "good" in the face of cruelty and adversity as she was.
I thought it might be interesting to hear what literary parent-type characters inspire you to be something better in your parenthood.
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Karen E.
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Well, off the top of my head --
Caroline, from Little House
Charlotte, from Lissa's LH books
Martha, from Lissa's LH books
Atticus, in To Kill a Mockingbird
Dickon and Martha's mother in The Secret Garden
Off to bed,
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Karen E.
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alicegunther
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In addition to the excellent examples posted above, I love the mother in Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome.
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Love, Alice
mother of seven!
      
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Angie Mc
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i think the father in swiss family robinson is a hoot...constantly confident, clever, and RIGHT. after a few capters i become weary with it all but have to admit my prideful heart would love to be so surely sure!
on second thought, the mother would be a better role model .
love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Leonie
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I really like Mrs Austin, in the Meet the Austin series by Madeleine L'engle. I wanted a home like that, when I read the books as a girl!
Leonie in Sydney
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MacBeth
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The mother in The Railway Children is probably one of the strongest mothers in ficition, even when she is sick. Wow.
I love Mrs. Beaver, too! So practical and calm with the White Witch in pursuit!
Angie, I wanted to sock the dad in Swiss Family Robinson about halfway throught the book. The oldest boy, from my estimation, should have been reduced to a quivering bundle of nerves with his father correcting him all the time. 
It is an interesting point for discussion, as there is a trend in kid-lit today towards eliminating the parents from the story. Like Alice, I do like the mother in S & A, and though she is in the background, she is there to check up on the kids, from time to time, just to make sure. Don't kids need to know that someone cares?
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MacBeth in NY
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Elizabeth
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Pa Ingalls
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Elizabeth Foss is no longer a member of this forum. Discussions now reflect the current management & are not necessarily expressions of her book, *Real Learning*, her current work, or her philosophy. (posted by E. Foss, Jan 2011)
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Joanna
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I like father from Little Britches, by Ralph Moody.
Joanna
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alicegunther
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My daughters asked me to cast their vote for the mother and father in "The Cottage by Bantry Bay" by Hilda van Stockum.
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Marybeth
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Karen,
I would say off the top of your head...you did very well. 
I have to say I have lost many hours of sleep happily reading Lissa's books these past few weeks!!
Mrs. March in Little Woman gets my #1 vote.
Marybeth
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Karen E.
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Oh, yes -- Marmee! Absolutely.
And, MacBeth, I love that you thought of Mrs. Beaver. I'm in wholehearted agreement.
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Karen E.
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Visit my blog, with its shockingly clever title, "Karen Edmisten."
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Kelly
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Leonie, I LOVED the "Meet the Austins" book, too, and thought the parents were both so neat. As a kid, I immediately put our record player in the kitchen like the Austins. Thanks for reminding me about this great book, and the inspiring parents in it.
My favorite Mother Vote might have to go to Joe in "The Chalet School" series. Catholic convert, history buff, mother of eleven and ever fun, I always wanted to be like her when I grew up. Either like her, or Harriet Vane, wife of Lord Peter Wimsey.
I would also have to vote for Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird". He inspired me so much that I named my horse after him
Kelly in FL
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Karen E.
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Karen E. wrote:
Well, off the top of my head --
Charlotte, from Lissa's LH books
Martha, from Lissa's LH books |
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Of course, I meant to say "Charlotte's mother" (who happens to be Martha) and "Martha's mother" (whose name is escaping me at the moment) -- but, that's what I get for posting off the top of my head. On the other hand, I pretty much always post off the top of my head, so what you see is what you get ....
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Karen E.
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Angie Mc
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MacBeth wrote:
Angie, I wanted to sock the dad in Swiss Family Robinson about halfway throught the book. The oldest boy, from my estimation, should have been reduced to a quivering bundle of nerves with his father correcting him all the time.
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LOL, glad it isn't just me! My guess is that the oldest boy will grow up just like dad...Cliff Claven the second . I think that dad was on my mind because I recently watched National Treasure and cracked up at some of the oh so smart sluethig coversations. I have a soft spot for know-it-alls and often find them/me? funny .
I like the softening of Anne's Marilla (another know-it-all!)
Love.
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Angie Mc
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alicegunther
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Angie Mc wrote:
I like the softening of Anne's Marilla (another know-it-all!)
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That's it! You just reminded me of one of my favorite father figures--Mathew Cuthbert from Anne of Green Gables. I like Marilla too.
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Love, Alice
mother of seven!
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Karen E.
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I've been thinking of Matthew, too (our homeschool, by the way, is named Green Gables School) .... If you didn't already love him, it was all over when he went to buy the dress with puffed sleeves, wasn't it?
Last night as I went to bed in Green Gables School, I bid my husband, nicknamed Atticus, goodnight, and dreamt of Matthew saying, "Well, Marilla, I think you ought to let Anne go."
Do you think I'm living in a fantasy world ??
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Karen E.
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Visit my blog, with its shockingly clever title, "Karen Edmisten."
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teachingmom
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I recently finished In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden. (And just wrote enthusiastically about it in the "favorite fiction" thread.) I have to vote for the character of Abbess Catherine. I kept thinking as I read that I have a lot to learn from her about being a strong, wise, and loving mother.
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~Irene (Mom to 6 girls, ages 7-19)
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Kathryn UK
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Kelly wrote:
| My favorite Mother Vote might have to go to Joe in "The Chalet School" series. Catholic convert, history buff, mother of eleven and ever fun, I always wanted to be like her when I grew up. |
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I wondered if you'd beat me to it on that one, Kelly . I managed the Catholic convert and history buff bit, but only made it to two children  .
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Kelly
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Hey Chalet Girl,
I was waiting for you to take the bait first! Yes, as they say in the teenage circles, Jo "rocks". Like you, I managed the Catholic convert part and the history buff aspect, but only made it past halfway to Jo's target of eleven children. Isn't it funny, though, how those Chalet School books influenced us both in similar ways?
Kelly in FL
PS Irene, I loved Abbess Catherine, too. Everytime I go dancing, I think of her!
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4Real Forums : Book Club
Topic: Favorite "parent" character in books
