Homeschool is a calling and although most homeschool moms feel like this is the path we were led to take it doesn’t make it any less scary at times. Homeschool Bravely gives tangible, easy to follow instructions of sorts to help new or seasoned homeschool parents to tackle the challenge. I highly recommend this book to all homeschool parents.

This book couldn't be more timely! For new or seasoned homeschoolers, this book will blow your mind. I was encouraged to take control of my homeschool and create a fun, inspirational learning environment. This book ties faith with practical advice.

This is a very helpful book both for a new homeschooling family and the experienced homeschooling family. It is encouraging and helpful. This is a great book and It will help you move forward with more confidence regardless of what stage of homeschooling you are in.

We have been homeschooling for years and our oldest is a senior this year and we have homeschooled the entire time. He is a smart guy and doing great and already has college credits under his belt. This book is very encouraging and uplifting.

5 Stars!

This was such a great guide and glimpse into what homeschool life would look like. I've been considering it for a few years, and just wasn't confident I would be able to handle it- this book made me feel like it's possible! Although I wasn't crazy about all the religious references, I really enjoyed the down to earth tone of this book! It felt like talking to a friend over coffee.

Have you ever heard something from someone that has stopped you in your tracks and had you wondering if what you are doing is going to work? If it’s going to be successful? If you and your children are going to be able to learn and thrive together in this homeschool journey? Well, this book touches on all this and more. I found the author to be very transparent and upfront about her experience. I loved her friendly voice that she puts in her writing. She’s one of us. I think that no matter where you are on the journey of homeschooling, that this is a great resource to have. It’s like a B12 shot in the arm. It’s so encouraging and right on time. As a fellow homeschooling mama of many years, I recommend this one!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


***Also posted on Amazon, Christianbook, Barnes&Nobles

This is a truly beautiful book to inspire any homeschooling family. It is one I will return to often. I highly recommend it.

I am going into my 3rd year of homeschooling. This book is one that I'll come back to year after year,

In this book Jamie says what we all have thought but never felt like we could say outloud "While I love homeschooling, I don't always like it." Wow! This book reminds me that we all have hard days... heck, we all have hard months and sometimes years! There have been moments where every homeschool mom has looked longingly at the school bus wondering if they should send their kid to school. I felt so encouraged by this book to remember struggles are ok, homeschooling is a call from God, and I am following a calling that not ever mother is called to.

With thought-provoking questions, uplifting encouragement, fantastic ideas, and help with "troubleshooting" I highly suggest this book for all homeschoolers. Unlike some homeschool books, this one doesn't apply to a specific homeschool philosophy- and would even be excellent for parents who have children in school but recognize that the learning doesn't stop when they get home. Love, love, love this book!

How often do we consider courage when we think about our daily tasks?

Last year, I discussed the virtue of courage with a club of 9-13 year old girls at my parish, and asked them the question, "Can you share with us something brave you've done this past week?" A long silence followed. One of the girls said, "I don't feel like I've done anything brave. My life is just...normal. I don't have chances to be brave."

I agreed that most of us don't have the chance to be Joan of Arcs or Corrie Ten Booms. But courage is a virtue we're all called to. Courage is facing our everyday, normal lives with trust in God and confidence in His care for us. Courage is starting a new creative project when everything in us would rather binge watch Netflix. Courage is getting up early to have alone time before the toddlers are up. Courage is telling a friend we're praying for them and love them, when we might feel awkward saying something personal.

For me--every day--courage is homeschooling my children.

When I saw the description of Jamie Erickson's book on Netgalley, I knew I had to read it:

Many homeschool parents have a long-term relationship with self-doubt. "Did I make the right decision?" "Could someone else do this better?" "Am I robbing my kids of something by not sending them to ‘regular school’?"

What if there’s a better way?

Not a 3-step technique or a shiny, new curriculum, but a change in perspective that transforms the way you plan, teach, and homeschool?

Homeschool Bravely teaches you to see homeschooling as a calling, helps you overthrow the tyranny of impossible expectations, and guides you through the common bumps in the road, including how to:


juggle school and parenting with toddlers at home
teach a struggling learner
plan with the end in mind
accept your own limitations without feeling guilty
stay the course even in the face of criticism
Reclaim your hope, renew your purpose, and transform your homeschool. Because the truth is: God will use every part of your homeschool, even your fears, faults, and failures, to weave good plans for your kids.

Keeping to my policy of 100% honest reviews, I wasn't pulled in my the first third of the book. Much of it involves Biblical affirmation of the vocation to homeschool, and I felt this was unnecessary for me. I've always wanted to homeschool and never--even on the rough days--doubted that God called me to do so. I also think it's a very personal calling, that there are many ways to educate our children, and that it's not for everyone. Jamie Erickson wasn't denying this (at all), but I can see how some on-the-fence schoolers might feel a little pressured by her Biblical quotes and enthusiasm.

But then... the last 2/3 of the book. Suddenly I couldn't highlight on my kindle quickly enough. Suddenly I felt as though the author was speaking directly to my heart, as though someone had emailed her a list of my homeschool mom insecurities and asked her to write a book to snap me out of it.

One of the topics that most spoke to me was the section on our priorities and ultimate goal in homeschooling. Erickson asked the bold--and surprisingly simple to answer--question: what do you want your children to grow up to be? For me, the answer is a single word: SAINTS.

With that in mind, Erickson suggests, reconsider your priorities in homeschooling. Are they serving that end goal?

I asked myself, what are my priorities for homeschooling? First, always first: to raise my children to be saints. Second, to encourage my children to learn fearlessly for the rest of their lives. As Erickson pointed out, there are plenty of smart people in the world. Sure, being smart will help you along certain paths to holiness and service. But the world desperately needs people who are kind, selfless, passionate, and compassionate. Is my homeschool curriculum allowing my children to grow in those areas? If so, I need to calm down about the details and minutiae. If not, I need to reevaluate my choices, making sure character is prioritized over academic success.

Within this framework, so many of my insecurities about which curriculum I was using for spelling or grammar or math suddenly seemed unimportant. The time I "waste" every morning reading books aloud and studying art and reading the Bible as a family suddenly seemed like a crucial part of our day.

Although this book is aimed at homeschooling parents (and does contain chapters and chapters of practical advice that are golden for homeschoolers but would not apply to non-homeschooling parents), I think all parents would benefit from this ultimate-goal-focused prioritizing. Is getting on that soccer team or getting straight A's in science going to bring them closer to the adult you want them to be? Maybe...maybe not. But it's worth remembering that the goal, not the details, is where your focus as a parent needs to be.

With that firmly in heart and mind...how much easier courage can be.

As a potential homeschooling mom for my now three year old twins, I saw this book and thought it might be a neat read. It was soooo much more than expected. It gave not only good advice for homeschooling moms, but I think almost anyone attempting a new challenge would benefit. This book is definitely a Christian based guide, with scripture references throughout. This biblical support for doing things that could be scary is what makes the book so strong, in my opinion. We are not only hearing the author’s experiences and how she overcame challenges and what she struggles with, but she boosts her readers by reminding them that they do not have to be ready to homeschool (or face a challenge) because God is and that He is the source of true bravery.

Jamie Erickson has written a balm to a homeschooling mama's heart in this book. While the books that I gravitate towards when it comes to home education are usually more scholarly sources, this is one that I would come to for encouragement and reassurance in the far-too-frequent chaotic seasons, or when it seems as though the toddlers are taking over!

Jamie instills throughout the notion we have the ability as Christian parents to raise our children in the admonition of the Lord, teaching them how to love God and understand the world He has created for us and placed us in. Jamie has also given us tools to navigate the zones that are riddled with obscurity and doubt, always pointing the reader to trust in God rather than leaning on current society's views of educating and growing our children at home.

The encouraging words and sentiments gleaned from this book will definitely keep me coming back to it over the next several crazy years, as well as put it in the hands of other frazzled moms who are seeking understanding as to how to best equip their children with knowledge and wisdom in the Lord.

Thank you to NetGalley and Moody Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book!
#HomeschoolBravely #NetGalley

A great book for those starting out homeschooling or those who need a boost and motivation to get through those tough times and self doubts.

The first third of this book had me scared I was wasting my time, thought it was just a list of platitudes and Bible verses... I was pleasantly surprised and excited when the book became what I needed.

I'm a public school teacher (college-level Physics and writing), but have been thinking of homeschooling my daughters for awhile now.  This isn't an attack on public schools, my family has reasons for debating keeping our girls home, at least for the near future.  But this isn't a pressing need so while I'm thinking about it, I haven't committed either way yet.

This book got my attention, and I was disappointed in the first third; it was about the emotions and fears of teaching your own child.  Lots of platitudes and Bible verses about following God's plan for your family.  Good advice for some, but not what I need.  While I know this is a big deal for many people, its not something I'm worried about.  If I commit to educate my kids at home, I'm confident I can succeed, so fear of starting isn't a concern.  I was concerned with the daily "nuts-and-bolts" of teaching, and when my Kindle showed 35% through the book, Jamie Erickson delivered in spades.

Lists of what how to work with your little kids, how to start the school year with multiple children, logistics of home education, separating "home" and "school" supplies, this is what I needed and hoped for, and Jamie, thank you.  I'm sure much of this is in your blog ( https://www.theunlikelyhomeschool.com ) but having the information organized in the book was helpful.  I've also never read the blog, so this was a practical introduction to homeschooling that got into the logistical problems of keeping children productive during the learning curve of starting something new.

The religious aspect of the book is fairly concentrated into blocs, so if you're not looking for a sermon, there are still large sections of this book that can be helpful.  I didn't like being preached at, but my religious background is different from the author, so it didn't offend me... I knew what I was getting into with this book, and I enjoyed it.

If you're looking for a justification for homeschooling your children or you're scared or confused, the first several chapters are what you need to hear.

If you're confident and just need to see how someone else got started, this book has several ideas to get started with.

**I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Do you ever struggle with mom guilt? That disabling feeling that you're screwing it all up? What about homeschooling mom guilt? Wondering if you're not only screwing up your kids, but also sending them off track academically? Raising my hand HIGH over here! Homeschool Mom Guilt is the real deal and can throw a mom into a tailspin if she's not careful.

Enter Jamie Erickson's new book, Homeschool Bravely. This book was unlike anything I expected. Picking it up, I expected more of a how to style book as is typical of the market. What I wasn't expecting was the address of the heart that Erickson delivers. Speaking directly to the core of the issue, Homeschool Bravely addresses the fears head on, encouraging the reader that the Lord is well aware of their strengths and weaknesses, and has called them to homeschool for such a time as this. Easily the most encouraging read that I've had the privilege of reviewing, my copy of Homeschool Bravely has a multitude of notes and highlights, and has completely changed my view on my homeschool.

These are just a few of my favorite quotes:

"Sometimes the crossed-arms of resistance are the quiet pleas of a child who just wants to be heard- to feel like a portion of his school day is within his control."

"What you don't know, or perhaps what you need to be reminded of, is that a 'struggle' shows that you are doing something right. Struggle is a verb. It implies action; effort; giving it all you've got."

"In his kindness to me, God's shown me that in trying to do everything perfectly, I end up doing a lot of things with mediocrity... Again and again, His kindness has helped me see how and when I've made parenting and teaching harder than it needs to be."

"If you're being pushed around by fear, you're not listening to the Voice that really matters."

"You can drape yourselves in the tattered cloak of the perceived judgment of others and trudge around in it all the livelong day, wrestling for shreds of approval from everyone else. Or you can homeschool like you know you are already pre-approved by the One who called you to do it. The choice is yours."

Erickson's words were the refreshing drink that I didn't even realize that my heart needed. Again and again, she comes back to the idea that our homeschool's success if based on more than our human abilities, and rests in the trust and ability of the Lord. To be reminded that I'm not standing alone, but rather with the One that knows and loves my children even more than I do. And that makes our homeschool more than enough. If you could purchase one homeschooling book, let Homeschool Bravely be that one.

*Disclaimer: I received this book for free from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Encouraging for those already homeschooling, though possibly not the book for those considering it but not yet in it. Did feel that some scripture was taken a bit out of context, but appreciated it's inclusion on the whole.

This book was written really well and did what it was supposed to do...encourage a homeschool mom to keep going in the midst of struggle. It was a very timely read for me as I am in the trenches of homeschooling my three children and I found it to be a source of strength in my day.

This book is like a devotional for homeschooling moms. I do wish it had covered more about dads who homeschool and mom's who assist with it and work outside the home. From a Christian perspective in books, working mom's are often left out. But if you're a homeschool mom you will be inspired by this and motivated to continue on doing what is best for you and your family.

A Book for Moms Who Are Brave (that means you!)

A REVIEW OF A BOOK FOR MOMS TO ENLIGHTEN AND ENCOURAGE.

Do you feel BRAVE? Nah, me neither. But really, we are. Being a mom means you have to be brave. Finding a good book is just what you need. A book for moms who don’t feel brave, even if they are.

That little life depends on you. It may have been a decade or two since you brought that child into the world, but they still need you in much the same way.

Your job is to light the way and protect and care. You cook and clean and stay the course no matter how you may feel.

I know moms with chronic illnesses who homeschool their children bravely every day, with a smile on their heart.

I know moms who support the household and have children to care for and sick husbands to tend.

Moms cannot turn back and run to their safe space. Moms are in the thick of it. No time to rest, no time to sleep. Have to keep moving and care for your kiddos and teach them and guide them.

It will never stop.

But it is OK because moms are brave.

This book for moms is an amazing, encouraging, story about a mom who homeschools and goes through everything that you have. You will feel encouraged as you read. This is a beautiful true story and so worth the read.

I've been homeschooling my two sons for a long time (nearly ten years), and even though I'm experienced, I found Homeschool Bravely very useful and inspiring. I tend to forget that homeschooling my children is what I'm called to do, and I needed the reminder. I am definitely going to refer to this book in the future, when I'm feeling burned out, frustrated, or just needing to feel like someone understands.

“She who feels smart enough, organized enough, equipped enough to homeschool is delusional and puffed up. This job demands love, patience, and kindness that are not of this world, but are fruits of the Holy Spirit.”

“Character is formed in mundane, repetitive faithfulness.”

These, along with tons of other reminders/encouragers are pervasive throughout Homeschool Bravely.

Jamie has captured the nuance of what it means to homeschool for God’s glory, in the 21st century. She takes your hand and walks along side you, not showing you a away, or even her way (though they’re plenty of personal anecdotes and helpful tips/tricks), she shows you God’s way.

I highly recommend to any restless, discouraged, prideful, fearful, homeschooling mama to help get her bearings, anchoring her soul and homeschooling to the One who has called her to such meaningful, brave work.

I received an advance copy of this title from NetGalley and Moody publishers.

My eldest child has just started State (Public) school and everyday I see the many problems with this system. In an ideal world I would love to homeschool and so came to this title very sympathetic to homeschooling and eager to learn more. However this book really frustrated me in many regards. I felt that although obviously as a book primarily targeted for homeschoolers it will be pro homeschool this was excessive. There was no real acknowledgement that sometimes homeschool is not an option. Sometimes special needs mean that a child would do better in school. I felt that the whole thrust of the book was that homeschool is always right and no matter what we should continue because God will help us. Surely sometimes God helps us by providing others tp educate our children? Surely sometimes the bravest thing we could do is to hand them over to those who, although don't know Christ have abilities and training beyond what we have and we trust that the biblical training they have received at home will bear fruit?