From one homeschooling mom to another

 

             by Peggy Smith

 

“Why are we reading, if not in hope that the writer will magnify and dramatize our days, will illuminate and inspire us with wisdom, courage, and the hope of meaningfulness, and press upon our minds the deepest mysteries, so we may feel again their majesty and power?”

                                                                                            --Annie Dillard,  The Writing Life, 1990

As some of you may know, Dave and I formally began our homeschooling adventure back in 1982 when our first born was kindergarten age and when there was not a whole lot of support or written information to turn to and learn from. Five homeschooled, college graduates later, if I could offer one small bit of advice, I would recommend that mom and dad take some time to familiarize themselves and take advantage of the wealth of advice now readily available.

That being said, the following is a list of recommended books about homeschooling, for those of you who are new at this grand adventure, for those  who need a refresher course, or for those who feel you need to breathe some new life into your homeschooling style or program:

(Some of these books may have been written a while ago when homeschooling was still pretty much an under-used educational option, but, if you haven’t yet read them they are still packed with timeless wisdom.)

What is a Family? by Edith Schaeffer: Essentially—the family as an ever changing mobile of life…a center for the formation of human relationships…a perpetual relayer of truth…an educational control…a museum of memories…and more

A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola: explains the 6-volume Charlotte Mason approach to homeschooling in one volume. An easy read.

For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay: presents the Charlotte Mason approach to homeschooling in an understandable and doable form

For the Family’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay: having time for a rich home life

The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling Teens by Debra Bell: a MUST READ for parents presently homeschooling middle-schoolers, about to homeschool middle-schoolers, or those with high schoolers but have somehow missed out on reading this wonderfully informative book!

The Well-Trained Mind by Jesse Wise and Susan Wise Bauer: a detailed guide to putting together a classical educational program

So, Mom or Dad, pick one of these titles and tuck it into your luggage for reading on vacation, or during quiet summer evenings, or for when you have to sit and wait for your children during swim lessons. Guaranteed to stimulate thoughtful conversation!