Homeschool Bravely

Are you thinking about homeschooling, newer homeschooler or been homeschooling for years, this is a book you will want to read, Homeschooling Bravely ~ How To Squash Doubt, Trust God, and Teach Your Child With Confidence! This book is written by Jamie Erikson from The Unlikely Homeschool (follow her blog, I have for the last few years), this book had me laughing, made me tear up, and gave me some encouragement I needed! I think I have more highlights in my book than not! I didn’t realize I would need her words so much! I will be recommending this to all my homeschooling friends!!
I don’t know if you are like me, but sometimes after Christmas break about the middle of January, I start longing for spring to come and some days for the end of the school year too. Kids are weary, mama is weary, and we all just want some sunshine! Now don’t get me wrong, I love homeschooling and I love my kids, but mama said there be days like this… This book gave me the kick in the pants I needed. The reminders of why I homeschool, what God has called me to and His promises. Jamie also provides some great tips from her experience for the different stages and seasons. There is a great list of resources in the back of the book too! Unfortunately, it doesn’t come out till April, but make sure to add it to your book lists for when it does!

I have so many highlights, but here are a few (OK more than a few) of them:

Without support, more than a 1/3 of homeschool moms quit within the first year. (a reminder of the importance of friends and also to reach out to others)
Your foundation for homeschooling has to be anchored in God’s calling, or like the foolish man who built his house upon the sand, you’ll watch your homeschool crumble at the first sign of a storm.
Every part of my life, even the mundane bits, have purpose and point. The daily grind of homeschooling and mothering is really holy ground. (from teaching grammar to cleaning dirty dishes, all for His glory)
Obedience in all things is our one true demonstration of love to God.
Your value and worth have nothing to do with your ability, but everything to do with His. (all for Jesus)
Homeschooling can be scary, it’s true. But use that fear; leverage it for success. Allow your fear to be a firm reminder of your only source of victory – God. Allow His resolve to strengthen yours.
My homeschool isn’t supposed to look like yours, and yours isn’t supposed to look like mine. (Amen to that)
For the most part, this social media thing is just an illusion anyway. (this made me laugh, as I have realized that over the year, stop comparing)
The truth is, most of us are not just awesome at one or two things and pretty mediocre at all the rest. (I may be a great organizer and book reading nerd, but terrible at art/crafts, science projects)
The real Person behind all that awesome. It wasn’t me. It was God. He is the Giver of every perfect gift, including any good gift I can hold out to my homeschool.
To remove the struggle is to remove the story. (our struggles have purpose)
Heart issues require more than quick-fix solutions. Only the gospel can offer any real and lasting changes.
Education doesn’t have to be fun. Education should be engaging. It should propel a child toward curiosity and wonder, fun falls too short. Learning should be a deeper pursuit.
You cannot do more today than today allows. You cannot do more than God has for you. (focus on the moment, don’t worry about tomorrow)
Sometimes, though, the dark days bring about the biggest blessings. It’s often in the struggles that we find the best things in life.
Failure is part of the deal of living. Don’t deprive your struggling one of failure. That’s how he’ll grow. That’s how he’ll learn. No one ever learns nearly as much from the good stuff of life. We all learn most when we’re allowed to try, fail, and get back up again.
Forced association is not socialization. Real-life relationships are diverse. They include lots of different kinds of people from all different ages and stages of life. (sigh, you don’t know how often I get asked about socialization, sorry if my eyes roll lol)
You have to know your role. You cannot carry what’s not yours to carry. Stop wearing someone else’s expectations and judgments. That outfit never looks good on anyone. Walk in the freedom that is yours through the kindness of Christ. You have nothing to prove if your identity is fully rooted in Christ.
It’s about people, not a product.
Character is formed in mundane, repetitive, faithfulness.
Every mile will mean something, even the wandering ways, and the missteps. It will all matter. (thankful for God’s sovereignty)
God does not require your success, only your surrender. You’re charged with simple obedience. God is in charge of the results.
If you will feed your faith, your fears will starve to death. If you fix your eyes on the Author and Finisher, you won’t ever lack for bravery because He always completes the work He begins. (faith over fear)
My children need Jesus more than they need a perfect education.
A brave homeschool is not a perfect homeschool; it’s a gospel-centered one.

I am thankful to Moody and net galley.com for an advance copy of this book. I was a little disappointed with this book, I found the bible quotes that were used were often taken completely out of the context of the bible books from which they came. I found the constant use of the feminine pronouns annoying after a while as if no father has anything what so ever to do with homeschooling.

All in all for me one to avoid I am afraid.

I have been homeschooling my daughter for years but for those families who think that Homeschooling your children is the way to go, just read this book. Who cares about what others think about you being the primary source of learning for your children. You can do it bravely and you can give your children a wonderful education right from your home. Had this book been out when we first started out, I didn't have a lot of friends who were homeschooling and so I didn't feel like I was doing my job well enough so we put her back into public school for a year. It was the worst year ever for her and us and we soon were schooling her at home. If you are ready to educate your children at home but aren't sure you can do it, this is the book for you! I promise you that you can teach your children at home and they will have the best education they can!

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?

“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'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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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