“Country Girls!”
I think anyone who’s been a fan of “Little House on the Prairie” will remember those words. And we’ll also remember the girl with her nose in the air that spoke them so freely. She was none other than Nellie Oleson, the girl who did what she wanted, said what she wanted, and ate all of the candy she wanted.
It was the second episode in the series, and possibly my favorite one of them all. Mary and Laura had just moved to Walnut Grove. Everything was new to them including the little school house that doubled as a chapel on Sundays. Hoping to fit into the crowd, the girl’s were met with an obstacle clothed in a bright yellow dress and blonde ringlets. It was her mission to make their lives miserable, and so she attempted to do so, time and again.
Growing up, I read all the books. But since I tuned into the show year after year it’s fair to say that it had a bigger impact on me than the books did. My vision of Caroline Ingalls will always be Karen Grassle, the woman behind the apron that made their house a home.
Years later, I still sit down to watch the show, but some things have changed. I’m watching with my own kids, and I’m seeing things from a different perspective. Little did I know back then that while I was watching this show I was gleaning important lessons on parenting. Since I was such a big fan, I suspect that these lessons have in part affected the way that I parent my children.
Here are just a few of the lessons I gleaned from the episode, “Country Girls”
Her smile was the first thing they saw in the morning, and the last thing they saw at night. I had never realized just how much she smiled, until now. It’s a beautiful site to behold. I don’t think I smile enough, but I’m still working on that.
She often reminded them of God’s will. I’m warmly amazed to see that so much scripture is used in a television show. The theme of the episode was “Do unto others…” and she repeated it often. She also said things like, “We don’t stop learning until God calls us home.” Scripture is so important, and it needs to be a part of our every day language.
She was engaged with her children. At the beginning of the episode, they show her busy in the kitchen. She pull buns out of the oven and shows them to Carrie. After putting the buns down to cool Caroline whisks the child up in her arms in a playful manner. I also loved the way that she talked to Mary and Laura. Being at least as busy–probably busier than most of us are–she stopped what she was doing to offer direct eye contact. She was constantly offering them physical affection by placing a hand on their shoulder, giving them a hug, or holding their hands.
She was humble. When Charles made a remark about her beauty, she humbly replied, “Oh, Charles,” and tossed her head to the side in such a beautiful fashion. Later in the episode the family remarks about how much she deserves a new dress because she never gets anything new. So humbled by their kindness, she breaks out in tears.
She wasn’t perfect, but was willing to grow. In this episode she has a run in with Harriet Oleson, the woman who owns the mercantile shop. Caroline’s pride gets the better of her and she purchases fabric out of spite. Later that night she confesses to Charles, “Pride goeth before destruction.”
She sacrificed for her family. Charles wakes up in the middle of the night and notices that Caroline isn’t in bed. Confused he looks over to the kitchen, just as she peeks her head around the corner. She assures him that she’s taking care of something and will be in bed shortly. Once the children wake up in the morning, we discover that Caroline took the new fabric she had purchase for her dress and made dresses for her daughters instead. “And why not?” she said, “My brown dress is perfectly good.”
Now before any of you point out the fact that she’s an actress and nobody is really this awesome all of the time, let me clarify that I’m aware of that. Real life doesn’t offer us the privilege of scriptwriters, editing, or great camera angles. However we do have the opportunity to make each day better than the last.
What I’m sharing here are some characteristics of parenting that sharpen me and encourage me to be the best mom I can be. All children deserve our love and attention. We might not do it perfectly well, and we aren’t expected to, but can accept the challenge to grow, and to be perfected by faith.
I think Caroline Ingalls would agree with that.
I’d love to hear from you. What are some of your favorite “Little House on the Prairie” moments?
You are loved by an almighty God,
Darlene Schacht
Thank you for this awesome reminder!I think I will be watching some episodes of this soon, to see what secrets I see now that I’m a mom too!
I love the Little House on the Prairie series too! We can watch them over and over again. Years ago, when they would rerun on T.V. I actually video taped them all. I think I had like 25 videos. Then, DVD came out, lol. Now, I get to share watching Little House with my daughter, and reading all the books, and learning history about this enduring family! I think every episode or chapter is an inspiration for me, but I do agree with you about Caroline Ingalls. Her humility and quiet strength is what I most admired.
Next to my scriptures, Little House on the Prairie has taught me more about the meaning of life and finding lasting joy amidst conflict than any other publication! Charles Ingalls played by Michael Landon is my favorite actor on the series! I think I will look for him in heaven and thank him for the impact he had on my life for good !
I love that show for many of the same reasons. And I learned alot about what a Christian marriage should look like as well. I always adored Charles and Carol’s marriage on the show, how they nurtured their children and worked hard every day as a team to provide a life for them. Thank you for the reminder, I may have to sit and watch some of my DVDs today 🙂
Dear Darlene thank you for post. I came upon it through Pinterest, as a little girl back in Brazil I watched the shows. It was reruns but I did not care, I was a country girl and I am still a country girl at heart. I have fond memories of my dear mother preparing supper in the kitchen and how she reminded of Caroline Ingalls. Sweet memories, I have grown fond of the series for so may reasons, specialy for been gospel centered.
Thank you for this great article on Caroline. I have always been a huge “Little House on the Prairie” fan. When I was a kid I used to watch it all the time. But , I am 42 now with 4 teenagers and they have grown up watching it too on the Hallmark channel. It is such a FAMILY show in every way. And, Caroline is definitely a Proverbs 31 Woman. I really enjoyed what you wrote! Thanks!
Growing up in southern Minnesota, Little House on the Prairie everything (books, show, tourist sites) were my favorite things. I wanted to be Laura Ingalls Wilder. Or at the very least look just like Melissa Gilbert. Like you, as I’ve watched the shows as a mother I notice Caroline more. In addition to what you said, I am struck by her gentle voice. Oh my do I need to emulate that! Today was a pretty “sharp” day for me. Thank you for your list-it is encouraging & a helpful reminder to this stressed out mama!
I LOVED Little House, and still do, but somehow I didn’t instill that love in my children, and I have no idea how that happened, because they love everything else I introduced them to. Maybe they will later…
I just saw a clip of the cast who got back together for a reunion; it was the 1st time since Michael Landon passed away, and Caroline, Karen Grassle, was as super sweet, gentle, and humble there as I had always thought her to be. She was crying just seeing “her” 3 girls together again. It was so wonderful.
I believe even though it was a TV show, they had some wonderful lessons for all, adults, parents, and children alike.
Thank you for a great post!
Always Experiencing Him,
Jody
I think that, besides my grandmother, LHOTP had more influence on my faith that anything. Oh, how I wanted a Ma and Pa like them. They never fought. They never threatened. They never berated or degraded each other or their children. God’s grace covers me, though, and, even though my home and my family was not perfect, “it is better to be a redeemed family than a perfect one.” Thanks for sharing these memories with me. I hope to some day watch them with a grandchild. My sons wanted nothing to do with my “girl shows”.
I’m sure I saw the show here and there in my lifetime, but I’ve never really watched much television. I did, however, read the books to my daughter. Pa was obviously Laura’s favorite, and she highly romanticized him in her literature. That being said, I personally got the sense that Laura did not think of her mother nearly as highly as she did Pa. In the books, Ma came off very rigid, strict, and (to me) not overly loving.
I decided to DVR an episode of the show to see if *maybe* I’d let my daughter watch it (again, we don’t do television in our house). I prescreened it one evening after the kids were in bed and I was BLOWN AWAY by the stark contrast of Ma in the books vs. Ma on the show. Ma was no where near that sweet and/or happy in the books!
That all being said, I still agree with your post, that parenting in the manners discussed above are optimal. Just throwing my observation out there….am I the only one who thinks this way?
That would be really interesting to have this visual in your mind that didn’t match the show. I kind of watched and read at the same time, so the actress was in my mind.
“Least said soonest mended. ” Is one of the wise words Caroline Ingalls taught me from the books.
I love that.
I came across your site yesterday and was shocked to find your references to Little House. I love that show and have often thought of how godly and sacrificial ma’a love is for her family. I watched the originals as a teen and now watch the DVD’s with my kids and grandkids. We all love them. Thank you for your hard work and the honor you give God by being true to the biblical view of home and home keepers. I love it. May God bless your life and ministry.
Oh, a fellow Little House fan. Awesome!
I loved reading this. I loved “LHOP” as a child, I love watching with my children, and I love trying to channel Ma in my day to day life. I think you & I could be long lost sisters lol. God bless!
Yes! It sounds like we think alike. LOL