Encouragement for Homeschool Moms
We could all use a little more encouragement in our homeschool journey, couldn’t we? I know I do, and from time to time, just that little bit gives me the strength or inspiration to keep on keepin’ on.
I am a sucker for books and blogs that help me feel like I can succeed as a homeschool mom. Some I will read over and over, some I read once but keep the wisdom with me to ponder. In the sea of books, e-books, and blogs, it can be overwhelming to even begin to wade through and choose what to read. I asked around, and here I give to you a list of some favorite sources of inspiration and encouragement. Do you have a favorite not listed? Please tell us in the comments! I will add it to my list.
Books:
(there are some affiliate links in this list. All books are recommended based on my own reading, or the advice of other homeschoolers I know!)
–Teaching in Your Tiara by Rebecca Frech is a great start. As a seasoned homeschooler, Rebecca provides practical, amusing, honest advice that is perfect for those just considering homeschooling, just starting out, or even those of us who have been at it for a few years.
–Catholic Education: Homeward Bound by Kimberly Hahn came recommended to me. I have not read it yet myself, but I’m definitely interested!
–A Lap and Library Card by Rita Redding Hejkal is wisdom for homeschooling in the early years. A friend said this about it, “It leant some very comforting perspective to this high expectations/perfectionist streak newbie.”
–Real Learning by Elizabeth Foss has been highly recommended to me by several people! I haven’t read it yet due to the cost on Amazon (and I haven’t found it at a local library yet.) You can also find wisdom from Elizabeth Foss on her blog. I love love love her blog. She is honest, so kind, brilliant, full of love…I want to meet her someday.
–Twenty-Six Letters to Heaven by Sarah V. Park is a sweet, brilliant book for teaching the alphabet, faith, saints, and more to young children. I so wish I had picked this up 3 or 4 years ago. I finally did buy it this year and am loving it with my nearly 5 year old. It can easily be used over 2 years, or spread the ideas out and use them as family activities…it’s just delightful. Well worth it.
–Teaching From Rest is an e-book from Sarah at Amongst Lovely Things, and I have talked about this one before! Highly recommended.
–Plan Your Year: Planning for Purpose and Peace is another e-book I have mentioned before, which gives a really clear and practical guide to planning. I’ll revisit this each summer, I’m sure.
–Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum by Laura Berquist
–Haystack Full of Needles by Alice Gunther
-Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer and website http://www.welltrainedmind.com/.
Blogs:
–Wildflowers and Marbles I have followed this blog off and on for years, and I do enjoy her perspective and approach to homeschooling. A favorite recent post was Two Simple Ways to Prepare the Soil for a Classical Education.
–Amongst Lovely Things I especially like the Read Aloud Revival series on this blog (and wish I had more time for listening to the podcasts!)
–Catholic Icing has great ideas for younger children, and LOTS of crafts and hands-on ways to teach the faith.
–Shower of Roses I love her tea party ideas!
-a particular series at California to Korea, full of stories from several homeschoolers on “how they do it”. I loved this series, seeing how others make education in the home work for them.
Do you have another to add? Let me know and I’ll link it up!
(this post is part of my 31 Day Series: Imperfectly Perfect)
I don’t have another recommendation since we have yet to formally start (oldest is 3) but I do love this and am pinning! 🙂 Also, you are still rocking these 31 days!
Makes me miss homeschool my little guys – 1 graduate, 1 sophomore and one in private school, sigh — great resource list!
Aww…I’m sure you’d have some great wisdom to pass on with that experience! How is your daughter doing in her school?
I really enjoyed The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer – she also has a website with forums that I have found helpful over the years: http://www.welltrainedmind.com/. I loved Catholic Education – Homeward Bound – it was the first homeschooling book I ever read and I still refer back to it 9 year later! Thanks for the list – we sure do need encouragement and support as homeschoolers!
Ah! Well-Trained Mind is a great one! I forgot that I read that in my early days.