Homeschooling for the Rest of Us: How Your One-of-a-Kind Family Can Make Homeschooling and Real-Life Work by Sonya Haskins (Rated: C)
BethanyHouse Publishers
ISBN: 978-0-7642-0739-6
Published Jan 1, 2010
Trade Paperback, 172 pages

I’m not a homeschooling mom, however, my husband and I have always said that if ever one or both of our children were to suffer from bullying or extreme difficulty with a teacher, we would pull them out of school and homeschool temporarily and as long as necessary. Thus far, our children are doing very well in school.

Nonetheless, when I was given the opportunity to review Homeschooling for the Rest of Us, I took it. And although I have a close friend who homeschools her children, this book was truly an eye-opener. It dispels the myth that homeschooling families are perfect. I liked author Sonya Haskins’ voice immediately as I began reading. She is honest, forthright, and a true advocate of homeschooling. I connected with her on the level of a busy mom concerned with my children, their spiritual and secular education, my husband, my work and my household duties.

If you are thinking of homeschooling, this book will give you the confidence that you can do it, no matter your family situation. If you are already homeschooling but need some advice, or motivation to keep going, this book has plenty of practical, hands-on advice for all types of families. It is easy to read, helps the reader discover a realistic (loved this!) but do-able vision of homeschooling, includes short anecdotes from other homeschooling parents, and doles out support. I also appreciate that she added a biblical viewpoint. As parents, my husband and I conduct regular Bible studies with our children. To see this advocated as part of a well-rounded education is to be applauded.

Haskins states, “Focus on relationships first, academics second.” How simple this sounds, but how true and profound! Living in a society where the workforce is just beginning to understand that emotional IQ is more valuable than the classical IQ, this is a piece of advice that can keep homeschooling parents focused. Not everyone might agree with Haskins philosophy of education, but I thought it wise and truthful. For the most part homeschooling parents do it for similar reasons—they want to create a close-knit family with elevated moral standards in a world where family and moral breakdown is spiraling downward at an alarming rate.

I highly recommend this book for everyone interested in his or her child’s education. It will give the reader a well-balanced perspective on education and the family. For more information on homeschooling and this book, visit Sonya Haskins' Web site TheHomeschoolAdvocate.com.

Disclosure: Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for sending this book for review. I was not compensated in any other way, nor told how to rate or review this product.