Why We Homeschool

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of families worldwide have been thrust into schooling remotely at home. Some parents look forward to sending their kids back to school, but others have found they prefer schooling at home. They've noticed things like, "My child has learned more at home with me in the last 2 months than in the past 2 years at school!" Or, "I kind of like spending so much time with my kids and learning alongside them." Many parents are considering continuing homeschooling beyond the pandemic, and this book is here to help them make an informed decision about their children's education.Homeschooling is not about trying to reproduce a school environment at home. It's not hours and hours sitting at a desk with a parent or in front of an online class. Homeschooling is about creating an environment outside of the school structure that fosters a love of learning, creativity, family closeness, and flexibility. There is no one size that fits all in homeschooling; every family is different, and approaches homeschooling and parenting in their own unique way. In this book, 24 seasoned homeschooling families share their experiences. The authors include both religious and secular homeschooling parents from all walks of life. They represent a variety of homeschooling styles (from self-directed learning/unschooling to more formal approaches), abilities and disabilities, marital statuses, educational achievements, job statuses, races, and socioeconomic levels. The authors have children of all ages, from babies, preschoolers, and kindergarteners, to students in elementary school, middle school, or high school. And some have children who are now adults. They discuss what they love about homeschooling and also the challenges they've overcome. We hope that this book will inspire and encourage those who are considering homeschooling, as well as those who are already on their homeschooling journey. And we hope it will expand your ideas about the concept of education, and what's possible for yourselves and your children.

"Mama, why am I homeschooled?" It's a question that nearly every homeschooled child asks at some point. With its delightful, hand-painted illustrations and rhythmic structure, this charming book shows readers how they can learn scholastic skills through everyday life. Sometimes, ditching the desk makes all the difference. In choosing to homeschool, your family gains the freedom to learn while snuggled up in a porch swing. Science lessons can take place in the garden. Math facts can be mastered in a grocery aisle. Days are spent in the company of loving family. The school bell doesn't ring until tired eyes are amply rested. The homeschool life is a simpler life. Written in patterned poetic prose, this book showcases a few of the delights that come with the decision to homeschool. Do you enjoy supporting female entrepreneurs and/or fellow homeschoolers? This book was written, illustrated, edited, and published by a small group of messy and loving moms! Mama, Why Am I Homeschooled© was written for homeschooled children in the primary grades (Preschool-3rd). It is ideal for both boys and girls, ages 3-8, but certainly could be enjoyed by older siblings. Open it up and prepare to fall in love with homeschooling all over again!

“If you read only one book on educating children, this should be the book.… With a warm, informative voice, Bauer gives you the knowledge that will help you flex the educational model to meet the needs of your child.” —San Francisco Book Review Our K–12 school system isn’t a good fit for all—or even most—students. It prioritizes a single way of understanding the world over all others, pushes children into a rigid set of grades with little regard for individual maturity, and slaps “disability” labels on differences in learning style. Caught in this system, far too many young learners end up discouraged. This informed, compassionate, and practical guidebook will show you how to take control of your child’s K–12 experience and negotiate the school system in a way that nurtures your child’s mind, emotions, and spirit. Understand why we have twelve grades, and why we match them to ages. Evaluate your child’s maturity, and determine how to use that knowledge to your advantage. Find out what subject areas we study in school, why they exist—and how to tinker with them. Discover what learning disabilities and intellectual giftedness are, how they can overlap, how to recognize them, and how those labels can help (or hinder) you. Work effectively with your child’s teachers, tutors, and coaches. Learn to teach important subjects yourself. Challenge accepted ideas about homework and standardized testing. Help your child develop a vision for the future. Reclaim your families’ priorities (including time for eating together, playing, imagining, traveling, and, yes, sleeping!). Plan for college—or apprenticeships. Consider out-of-the-box alternatives.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A groundbreaking history of 175 years of American education that brings the lessons of the past to bear on the dilemmas we face today—and brilliantly illuminates the path forward for public schools. “[A] lively account." —New York Times Book Review In The Teacher Wars, a rich, lively, and unprecedented history of public school teaching, Dana Goldstein reveals that teachers have been embattled for nearly two centuries. She uncovers the surprising roots of hot button issues, from teacher tenure to charter schools, and finds that recent popular ideas to improve schools—instituting merit pay, evaluating teachers by student test scores, ranking and firing veteran teachers, and recruiting “elite” graduates to teach—are all approaches that have been tried in the past without producing widespread change.

In the book of Philippians we are told to be anxious over nothing, and yet we are anxious over everything. We worry that our students will be "behind," that they won't score well on the SAT, get into a good college, or read enough of the Great Books. Our souls are restless, anxiously wondering if something else out there might be just a little bit better -- if maybe there is another way or another curriculum that might prove to be superior to what we are doing now. God doesn't call us to this work and then turn away to tend to other, more important matters. He promises to stay with us. He assures us that if we rely on Him alone, then He will provide all that we need. What that means on a practical level is that we have to stop fretting over every little detail. We need to stop comparing. We've got to drop the self-inflated view that we are the be-all-end-all of whether the education we are offering our students is going to be as successful as we hope it is. After all, our job is not to be successful -- success itself is entirely beside the point. It's faithfulness that He wants.

Your personality is a gift, not a liability. This book helps you uncover and embrace the hope, laughter, and joy of using your unique gifts to parent your children. Life as a mom is LOUD, but you long for quiet. When the volume of family life clashes with your personality, frustration, guilt, and overwhelm naturally result. In Introverted Mom, author Jamie C. Martin lifts these burdens from your shoulders, reminding you that your steady strength is exactly what your family needs in this chaotic world. Jamie shares vulnerable stories from her own life as well as thoughts from other introverted mothers, letting you know you're not alone. Her practical suggestions and creative inspiration are enhanced with quotes and insights from four beloved writers--Louisa May Alcott, Jane Austen, L. M. Montgomery, and Laura Ingalls Wilder. Together, Jamie and this band of fellow introverts share their wisdom on . . . Believing that you're enough Self-acceptance that leads to freedom Navigating heartache and disappointment Stretching out of your comfort zone Connecting with God as an introvert Cultivating calm wherever you are Defining for yourself what really matters Whether you've just realized you're an introvert, or if you've known it all along, this book is for you. It's time to honor who you are and savor life as an introverted mom. *Note: Written from a Christian perspective

Who should teach our children? What should they be taught? What teaching methods should be employed? A homeschooling advocate gives answers that profit all parents.

Homeschooling is a wonderful, worthwhile pursuit, but many homeschool parents struggle with feelings of burnout and frustration. If you have ever felt this way, you're not alone! Most of us need to be reminded of the "why" of homeschooling from time to time-but "The Unhurried Homeschooler" takes parents a step further and lifts the unnecessary burdens that many parents place on themselves.Drawing on twenty years of homeschooling her eight children, Durenda Wilson gently reminds parents about the things that really matter, as she offers a clear portrait of what a life-giving home life can be during the homeschooling years. Reading "The Unhurried Homeschooler" is like having coffee with a trusted friend. You'll be encouraged as you learn to do what God has put before you. This book will lighten your load while helping you learn how to raise life long learners and ENJOY the homeschool years with your kids.