As I’m getting myself geared up for another new school year, I am revisiting a few old friends. I’ve pulled my favorite how-to books from the shelf and I’m snuggling into my favorite chair with my favorite hot beverage and browsing through familiar pages to be reminded and rejuvenated and ready for the task at hand.
There are many, many books out there that offer wonderful advice and encouragement on how to educate your children. I have not read them all. I have read these and have found the kind of support I needed. So much so, that I come back time and again to read them. These are some of what what I consider the ‘classics’ for homeschooling moms. {note: the links in this post are my affiliate links for your convenience. You may also find them at your favorite book seller.}
How to Home School: A Practical Approach by Gayle Graham. This is my all-time, absolute favorite. The author offers fantastic tips on teaching multiple ages, dealing with toddlers, balancing home and schooling, plus includes great planning sheets and forms.
Educating the Wholehearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson. I heard the Clarksons speak at the very first homeschool convention we ever attended – over 20 years ago. I was touched by their gentle yet focused and firm approach to raising their children and homeschooling. I think they were the first I heard use the term ‘living books.’ They include some great booklists.
A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Art of Gentle Learning by Karen Andreola. While doing some research on the Charlotte Mason approach to education, Karen Andreola’s name kept popping up. And then she summed it all up in this beautiful book. Reading it is like sitting down with the author over a cup of tea.
For the Children’s Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School by Susan Schaeffer MacCauley. The first time I read this little book I couldn’t put it down. And I cried through much of it. I so wanted to have the relationships with my children she describes here. This book, and the Clarkson’s book changed the way I approach educating our children. (psst! the author is the daughter of Edith Schaeffer who wrote The Hidden Art of Homemaking)
Parenting from the Heart by Marilyn Boyer. This book is all about being a mom, from a mom of 14. The Boyer’s are one of our pioneer families in home education circles and we are free to do what we do today because of families like this. In this book, Marilyn shares tips and tricks she’s used in parenting and schooling their children. It’s a fun and honest look at real life homeschooling.
Seasons of a Mother’s Heart by Sally Clarkson. This is a devotional book to encourage and strengthen homeschooling moms. Let’s face it – we give and give all day and all night, and sometimes our own cup needs to be filled. This is a wonderful resource for doing just that.
I could list more, but I’ll stop here. These are my favorites. Not exactly check-list how-to books, but books filled with nuggets of gold and practical tips from Moms who’ve been there and shown us that we, too, can educate our children.
Now it’s your turn! What resources have encouraged you? What are your favorite homeschool reads?
Linking this post up to some of these wonderful Linky Parties.
What a perfectly timed post! Just starting 2nd year homeschooling, through an extension program, for my high schooler and a mixed approach of private school/home school for the younger kiddo (she has an IEP, communication, health issues). I’m always looking for good resources! Can’t wait to share with other mamas just starting out like me!
Hi Jennnie 🙂 Your second year, how exciting! God’s timing is always perfect, isn’t it? I pray you have a wonderful year, and that you find ways to fill your cup as you pour yourself out on your children. Thank you for stopping in and commenting. It made my day!
My friend shared this with me. I have a 2yr old and 1yr old. I long to HS them. I have been told it will be too much. Impossible. Etc. So I am slowly starting to research. Not sure where to begin etc. Thank you for this post!!!
Hello, Elizabeth 🙂 I’m happy you stopped in to check out my reading list. Our oldest 2 children are less than 13 months apart, and the year we began ‘official’ homeschooling, when our oldest was kindergarten age, baby #3 had just arrived. It can be done 🙂 Right now, at ages 1 and 2, all they need from you is love and nurturing and opportunity to discover and explore the world God made for them. Read out loud, sing with them everyday.
I highly recommend Marilyn Boyer’s book (Parenting from the Heart) first – she shares a lot about instilling God’s Word in her children’s hearts, which is the very best foundation for any education.
Gayle Graham’s book on How To Homeschool has lots of tips and advice on mothering, housekeeping, schedules and balancing it all. You have lots of time yet to make schooling decision. Ask God to give you discernment and clarity, discuss it with your husband, do not be quihttps://apronstringsotherthings.com/wp-admin/edit-comments.php#comments-formck to make decisions one way or another.
Lots of us homeschool moms have survived and succeeded, by God’s grace, and we are happy to share from our experience. Just ask!
Have a wonderful weekend, enjoy your two little blessings!
Thank you SO much!!!! We do lots of reading, singing, flash cards. They love to read the Bible :). I will write you more details on the email you sent me!! Thank you for saying it can be done. I would think 11months apart might make it a little “easier” too :). Idk
Loved this post! Thank you for sharing. I have read almost all of them over the years but I know I saw some I haven’t read that are on my to be read list! Linking up from Fellowship Fridays!
Thank you for stopping in 🙂 It does me good to revisit some of these resources. I am especially needing it these days, when my lessons have been bit stale. I hope you’ve been encouraged today, and that you have a found a couple of new reads. Enjoy your weekend!
This is a great list! I’m FBing it! Thanks for sharing at FF! I’m always glad to meet new people as well as catch up with old friends!
Thank you Sylvia 🙂 I’m happy to share. These books have blessed over the years, I they do the same for others. This online world is a crazy one, but fun, like you said, meeting new friends and catching up with old. I enjoy the posts from FF. THank you!
What a great looking list of books. I remember how few there were when I first homeschooled my own kids decades ago! Now I’m helping with some of my grandkids and there is such a rich abundance of resources – it’s GRAND! Sweet blessings from God! Thanks for a lovely visit.
There are so many good resources available these days. How exciting to be helpful with schooling your grandchildren. Ours are not official school age yet, but we enjoy learning with them as oftn as we get the chance. Thanks for stopping by today. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Thank you for sharing these fabulous resources!
My pleasure, Barbie 🙂 thank you for hosting the link party. Have a wonderful week!
Hi there, friend…
Thank you so much for linking to my Memoir Monday hop! I have owned at some point, or still own, all the books on your list in my …what a great resource!
May I humbly ask that you add my blog’s link to your list of link ups whenever you can? Thank you so very much.
God bless
Hello, Chris 🙂 I enjoy the links everyone shares on Memoir Monday. Thank you for stopping in and leaving a comment.
I have Memoir Monday listed on my link page! Have a wonderful week.
Thank you for sharing these resources on Mom’s Library. I’ll be featuring you this week on Crystal’s Tiny Treasures. Have a great week!
Thank you Crystal, how exciting! I always enjoy stopping in for a peek at some great ideas at Mom’s Library. Thanks for co-hosting 🙂
Thanks for these recommendations, Linda. I am a homeschooling mom in training; my oldest is three and a half, so we are just getting rolling! I have read two on the list, but will definitely need to check out the others.
You are very welcome, Becca 🙂 Good for you, reading ahead and getting yourself prepared. What I love about these books is that there is something for every mom – mom’s who’s children are not yet school age, even non-homeschooling moms.
Thank you for stopping in and commenting – have a wonderful week!
This is a wonderful list of resources! I am getting excited about getting a start on the new school year!! Thanks, Linda, for linking up with me again. You always inspire me!!
Thank you, Kasey, for stopping in and leaving your nice comment 🙂 This is an exciting time of year, isn’t it? I gain encouragement from your link party every week, thanks for hosting.
These are some of my FAVORITES! Thanks for linking up at Ultimate Mom’s Resources. I know many will be blessed by this post!
Thank you, Rebecca, for your nice comment and for hosting the link up. I always enjoy participating! have a wonderful weekend 🙂
These are some amazing titles. I might just need to delve into a few of them this month.
Thanks bunches for splashing with us and linking up. Every Monday, I post on Momma Notes. And as always, it is a joy to have you join us. Just moms. Sharing our notes. Creating a melody.
http://justsarahdawn.blogspot.com/2013/05/momma-notes.html
Hello Sarah 🙂 I hope you get the chance to enjoy some of my favorite reads one day soon.
Your Momma Notes always make me smile – I’ll be coming by for a visit soon!