As a homeschool mom, you need to be sure to get everything right – all the parenting stuff, all the schooling stuff, outside activities for your children (socialization), and on-time healthy meals. All those moms we follow on Instagram and Pinterest are surely getting it all done and done well. Right? Newsflash! We’re all messing up – when we are comparing to the wrong measuring stick. We need to remember who it is we are following. Why are we doing what we do? If our will is to follow God’s will, then we will find ourselves aligned with His ways. They may not look Insta-perfect, but that is just fine. I have been reminded recently of these very things, thanks to God Schooling: How God Intended Children to Learn by Julie Polanco.
God Schooling is a book I thought I would read and then pass on to a young homeschool mom. I thought it would be just for a mom that was new and unsure of how to go about homeschooling her children. Wow! Was I ever wrong. I’m not that young mom. I’m a forty-something mom about to begin our 13th year homeschooling. Our eldest will be starting her senior year soon. I am confident, overall, in our routines and choices. But this has been such an encouragement to me. I know that I don’t know it all. I know that I lack the right ways to motivate my children.
The chapter on Motivation and Excellence has been my favorite chapter (and the one with the most underlining). I am hesitant to mark in books, but I just had to. I need to revisit and make plans from the words I read here. Even if you think you have this homeschooling thing under control, I recommend you read God Schooling.
At 150+ pages the initial read should be easy. But then, like me, I’m sure you’ll go back and re-read. There is a lot of great information and encouragement in Julie’s words.
The 9 chapters are divided into two sections. The first, Dispelling Myths, is where you’ll find my favorite chapter. It’s the one right after Biblical Support for Natural Learning. The second section is where you will find the practical helps. Three chapters covering different age groups. Other chapters include: Spreading the Banquet, Getting Started, and Record-Keeping and Structure (a close second for favorite).
If you have ever asked yourself if you are doing it right in regards to your homeschool, then this book belongs on your shelf.
Check out the other Crew families’ thoughts on this book. Our thoughts are sure to be a different as our homeschools. Simply click the image below to find all the reviews.
