Homeschooling This Year? The Best Books to Read for Encouragement

As a new school year begins, many of us are feeling uncertain. Some are homeschooling for the first time, others are weary and wondering if they are doing something wrong. All of us can use a little encouragement!

My own children are in first and third grade, and I have a preschooler and a very busy toddler in tow, so I appreciate hearing words of wisdom from parents who have been homeschooling much longer than I have — especially those who have already “finished the race”! Here are a few books I’ve found especially helpful.

Here at Club31Women, we recognize that not everyone has the same taste or point of view on books, music, or movies, but we offer these short reviews for your consideration. Our hope is that you will find something new and wonderful on this list of recommended resources!
~ Club31Women

The Confident Homeschooler by Pam Barnhill

This is a little gem by a veteran homeschooler. The next time someone asks me for the best homeschool tips, I’m sending them a Kindle copy of The Confident Homeschooler. It’s chock-full of practical ways to make homeschooling a little (or a lot!) smoother, and my favorite part? They are all really simple ideas, using things as basic as spiral notebooks. You can pick and choose what works for your family because it’s not a system where every piece has to be implemented in order to work. A helpful book for veterans and newbies alike.

More Than Enough by Kara Stephenson Anderson

Short and sweet, this book would be perfect for the mom who is just starting her homeschool journey and battling all the doubts and anxiety about whether she can really do it. More Than Enough assures you that yes, you can do it…and gives some much-needed perspective on what we’re really trying to accomplish. It also discusses owning your choices and your family’s needs and interests and letting go of things that don’t serve you in the particular season you’re in. If you need a quick pep talk, this is your book!

Homeschool Bravely by Jamie Erickson

If you are second-guessing your decision to homeschool, if you are discouraged by bumps in the road, or if you tend to overanalyze everything, this book is for you. Jamie Erickson understands the crippling effects of fear, and encourages her readers to lean into the knowledge that God equips those He calls. While acknowledging that homeschooling is not the best choice for every family, Homeschool Bravely shows you “how to squash doubt, trust God, and teach your child with confidence,” by teaching your children with the end goal in mind.

Teaching From Rest by Sarah Mackenzie

A quick but valuable read, Teaching From Rest reminded me that success in my homeschool is based on what God does in my children’s lives, not on me doing everything perfectly. I can be faithful in my work while resting in God’s much greater work, and teach my children from a place of joy rather than anxiety. “Rest…is work and leisure, properly ordered…Our task is to hear God’s call and follow His commands, and then to trust that God will be God.” The weight of our children’s education can be a heavy burden, but it’s one we don’t need to carry ourselves. This book is equal parts convicting and encouraging.

Educating the WholeHearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson

If you are looking for a wonderful introduction to homeschooling from a Christian perspective, I really love this one. The Clarksons, drawing from years of personal experience homeschooling their four children, as well as hundreds of conversations with parents at the conferences they offered, have pulled together a complete resource. You could almost consider it a “how to homeschool” curriculum for parents! Educating the WholeHearted Child begins with a section on the home as the heart of our children’s education, and the rest of the book flows out of that foundation. It covers educational styles, learning styles, personality types, curriculum, enrichment activities, and so much more. Highly recommended!

The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie

Reading aloud forms the backbone of my children’s education. We have chosen not to have a TV, and we very rarely allow screentime. Instead, we read aloud constantly (my kids are all still quite young, ranging from toddler to elementary age): from picture books to chapter books, about everything under the sun. Sarah Mackenzie’s website and podcast have been invaluable as I continually search out the best books for our family, and her book is a wonderful treatise on the importance of reading aloud. But The Read-Aloud Family is much more than that: it offers ideas on how to choose good books, how to discuss books with your children, and wonderful booklists so you have a place to start.

The Brave Learner by Julie Bogart

Written from a secular perspective, this book lives up to its subtitle, “Finding everyday magic in homeschool, learning, and life.” I’m a big believer in the importance of instilling a love of learning in our kids, but how does that translate to actual schooling? Is it just about finding that perfect curriculum? Is it about having a gorgeous Instagram-worthy schoolroom? The Brave Learner not only breaks down the idea of delight-directed education into a few basic principles but gives hundreds of suggestions on how to implement those principles in your home. Since it’s written from a secular perspective there will likely be a few areas of disagreement, but I found it helpful and inspiring.

The Call of the Wild and Free by Ainsley Arment

I’ve been intrigued by the “Wild + Free” homeschool movement for awhile, and this book confirmed my suspicion that I can claim that title for my own family. More of a mindset than a method, it centers around finding what works for your family, gentle lessons in the early years, and “reclaiming wonder in your child’s education.” Focusing on real-life learning, including time in nature, hands-on lessons, and the power of story and play, The Call of the Wild and Free is a book that will set you free to follow the path of a dynamic, living education. I’m adding this one to my personal library.

Better Together by Pam Barnhill

Veteran homeschooler Pam Barnhill is an advocate for two things that have been foundational to my personal homeschooling success: Morning Time and loop scheduling. Her book Better Together is a deep dive into the beauty of Morning Time: the heart of the homeschool day where children (and adults!) of all ages come together to learn the things that matter most. Full of book lists, ideas, and real-life interviews from moms, this is a wonderful resource for any homeschool parent, but especially for those with multiple children in different grades.

 

I hope a few of these books will give you new courage, strength, and inspiration on your homeschool journey. I’ll be adding to this list throughout the fall, so bookmark it and check back often!

Jeannie

P.S. Looking for more inspiration and encouragement?

• 5 Books for Big Picture Homeschooling
• 12+ Picture Books About Homeschooling
• The 5 Things You Need to Know If You’re Homeschooling

Here at Club31Women, we recognize that not everyone has the same taste or point of view on books, music, or movies, but we offer these short reviews for your consideration. Our hope is that you will find something new and wonderful on this list of recommended resources!
~ Club31Women