This post: books for homeschool moms.
Looking for books for homeschool moms?
I have a reading guide for you today. xoxo
As a home educator, reading just might be my super power– but don’t ask about my math prowess.
Over the years, I’ve read quite a few books about home education and parenting.
Today’s list is my top five, please-read-these-right-away books.
If you’re planning to homeschool this year-
whether you’re a new or veteran home educator–
I cannot recommend these books highly enough.
May they inspire, encourage and equip you as an educator and mother.
Books #1 and #2 were written specifically for home educators.
Book #3 is for parents in general, but vital for home educators (because we’re home all day with our kids, right?).
Books #4 and #5 are tried-and-true homeschooling handbooks you’ll likely refer to many times over many years (I know I do).
There’s a bonus mention at the end of this post, so keep reading!
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#1 Teaching From Rest
Who wrote it: Sarah Mackenzie: an energetic mother of six, popular podcaster, and one of my favorite homeschool convention speakers.
Why I like it: Sarah’s writing style is engaging and conversational; actually, she’s hilarious! Teaching From Rest is divided into easy-to-read sections, which is perfect for times when I only have ten or fifteen minutes to sit down with a book.
Why I think homeschooling moms should read it: This book will change your life- at least, it changed mine. Sarah doesn’t propose methods or prop up idealist theories about homeschooling. Her “teaching from rest” concept is a lifestyle more than a method, and it’s both convicting and freeing.
My favorite quote:
It is so exhausting- sometimes even demoralizing- to realize that our work in raising up and teaching our children is never really done. But we must remember that we were never intended to finish it.”
Sarah Mackenzie, Teaching From Rest
Links: Check out Sarah Mackenzie’s website and podcast at ReadAloudRevival.com. You can buy Teaching From Rest on Amazon.
#2 Better Together
Who wrote it: Pam Barnhill: mom of three, blogger/speaker/podcaster, and a fellow INTJ. *wink*
Why I like it: I’m a huge fan of Morning Time in our homeschool routine, so I dearly loved this book!
Why I think homeschooling moms should read it: If you need some inspiration for a little more structure in your homeschooling, this book is for you. Organization is Pam Barnhill’s expertise. Better Together is all about the whys and hows of “morning time,” and how to plan your day so that what’s important doesn’t get squeezed out or neglected.
My favorite quote:
Homeschooling has very little to do with personal productivity. Homeschooling is about relationships.”
Pam Barnhill, Better Together
Links: You’ll find Pam’s blog and podcasts- and tons of homeschooling inspiration- at PamBarnhill.com. You can order a copy of Better Together from Amazon.
# 3 Boundaries With Kids
Who wrote it: Dr. John Townsend, a leadership coach and psychologist; and Dr. Henry Cloud, a clinical psychologist.
Why I like it: Boundaries With Kids shaped my paradigm as a Christian parent and helped me move toward maturity as a mother. I like the fact that it seamlessly blends the Christian faith with sound psychology.
Why I think homeschooling moms should read it: This book is not about home education, but every homeschooling mom is a parent. More often than not, homeschooling issues have relational and parenting issues at the heart. This book goes there.
My favorite quote:
It is hard for kids to grow when they aren’t around growing parents.”
Cloud & Townsend, Boundaries With Kids
Links: Read more about the authors at DrCloud.com and DrTownsend.com. Boundaries With Kids, and all of the Boundaries books, are available online at Amazon.com.
# 4 The Charlotte Mason Companion
Who wrote it: Karen Andreola: mother of three and writer who is “known for her practical interpretation of the writings of the 19th century British educator Miss Charlotte Mason.” (source)
Why I like it: Reading The Charlotte Mason Companion introduced me to the Charlotte Mason “methods” of education; or, as the author refers to them, “the gentle art of learning.”
Why I think homeschooling moms should read it: Karen Andreola’s writing style is quite endearing and rich. If you’re fond of bookish reads that hint of something old fashioned, pick up a copy of The Charlotte Mason Companion.
My favorite quote:
Children’s love of knowledge is dependent upon how clearly ideas are presented to them. The mind feeds upon ideas.”
Karen Andreola, The Charlotte Mason Companion
Links: Purchase The Charlotte Mason Companion on Amazon.
# 5 Educating the Wholehearted Child
Who wrote it: Clay and Sally Clarkson: homeschooling pioneers, popular authors and speakers, and founders of Whole Heart Ministries.
Why I like it: If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you already know that I have considered Sally Clarkson a mentor of mine for many years. I cannot recommend Educating the Wholehearted Child enough; it has been my official “homeschooling handbook” for many years.
Why I think homeschooling moms should read it: This resource is packed with creative ideas for teaching and discipling children, gems for parenting, and- above all- grace for living as a homeschooling mom.
My favorite quote:
The myth that you must have some kind of higher education in order to give your children a good education suggests that being smart is more important in homeschooling than being committed. It isn’t.”
Clak & Sally Clarkson, Educating the Wholehearted Child
Links: Check out Sally Clarkson’s books and blog, and listen to her inspiring podcast.
#6 Awaking Wonder
I mentioned that there would be a bonus read at the end of this blog post.
Here it is:
Awaking Wonder, brand new from Sally Clarkson.
Who wrote it: Sally Clarkson.
Why I like it: I’m on the launch team for Awaking Wonder, so I’m currently reading a digital version of the book. So far, what I love about it is how Sally inspires us to excellence and idealism without forgetting what it’s actually like living in the trenches as a parent with school-age kids.
Why I think homeschooling moms should read it: This book speaks to us where we’re at without projecting guilt, and that’s a breath of fresh air. We all need space to grow into excellence.
Favorite quote:
A child fashioned by a wonder-filled life will cultivate inner strength,
Awaking Wonder, Sally Clarkson
a confidence in his own ability to think, evaluate, and know. But those who influence children must fight to protect time for the imagination to have space to work, to have time to engage.”
Links: You can preorder a copy here.
So, my friend, are you homeschooling right now?
If you are, I invite you to check out my ebook, Homeschooling Day by Day, in addition to settling in with one of the titles I mentioned in this post. *wink*
Get Homeschooling Day By Day for your Kindle reader.
Your Turn
Do you have a favorite book to recommend to other homeschooling moms? Drop a comment below and let me know.
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