Everyone always talks about homeschool books for kids, and curriculum for kids but what about homeschool books for moms? Homeschooling is a very unique part of parenting, and just like parenting there are so many different styles and approaches to homeschooling.
It is important that we remember to educate ourselves as well as our children. If you are still on the fence about homeschooling or if you are needing a little encouragement these books will light the homeschooling fire within.
1. The Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer
Whenever you ask homeschool moms for their favourite homeschool book you can almost guarantee that The Well Trained Mind will be at the top of at least 80% of them. It is usually the first book that many homeschoolers will point you to if you are thinking about homeschooling.
The Well Trained Mind will guide you through providing your child with a well rounded and comprehensive classical education. They classical model presented in the book is explained in detail to help you to better understand you child and teach them at developmentally appropriate levels.
The newest edition has all the updated curriculum recommendations which is a fantastic place to start if you need help and direction on selecting a curriculum. It also has tonnes of useful, and practical information like how to create a transcript and applying to colleges.
2. Educating the Whole Hearted Child by Clay Clarkson
This book is a wondering and inspiring book for the christian homeschooling mom. It is, in essence an all in one guide to homeschooling for the christian parent.
This book is full of scripture, anecdotes as well as information and ideas on how to plan and structure your homeschool. The back bone to the homeschooling method in this book is to raise children who love to learn. This is done by immersing them in good quality literature.
There are beautiful passages of scripture through out that tie in with homeschooling and parenting. It is wonderful to see a book which is able to seamlessly marry the two together.
You can purchase this book from Amazon, check here for its current price.
3. For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
This is another book with a christian world view which is beautifully written to inspire parents on their homeschooling journey. It takes the premise that education ought to be joyful, fulfilling and enjoyable for both student and teacher.
Much of education these days has become a burden and not nearly enjoyable as it should be. This books offers inspiration and hope for your own journey through homeschooling, that it can be so much more than you could imagine.
It is the perfect book for when you are needing that little bit of a pick me up or needing to remould you homeschool and your children’s educations into something more engaging and joyful.
Pick up a copy today from your library or purchase one for your home here
4. The Brave Learner by Julie Bogart
This is a brand new book that I am so excited to read. It is written by Julie Bogart who is well known (okay maybe even a little famous) among homeschooler for her contributions to homeschool literature work with The Brave Writer.
This book aims to help parents find solutions to common homeschooling conundrums and is filled with humour, which is kind of important as a homeschooling mom!
It includes the 12 Super Powers of Learning as well as how to create a homeschool environment that is going to be the most conducive to learning and a joyful homeschool experience.
I also really love how in this book she has a section to emphasise the importance of our own education as parents and how this effects our children’s. I really can’t wait to dive in deeper.
This book is for all homeschoolers regardless of faith, or homeschooling lifestyle. I am so excited for my copy to arrive, get yours here.
5. The Read-aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie
Sarah MacKenzie is the founder of an amazing podcast called The Read-Aloud Revival. It is an incredibly popular podcast, so it makes sense that she would create a book the could be a companion to the podcast and reach even more families with her amazing message.
This book really reiterates the point that reading aloud to your children and families is so immensely beneficial. As homeschooling parents we have some of the best opportunities to do this with our children.
From this book you will be able to garner the ability to bring your family together to really increase the atmosphere of reading in your home. Sarah gives you book list for every age and strategies to bring even the most eye-rolling of teenagers into the wonder of read-alouds.
Sarah’s book is available here, but also make sure you listen to her podcast too to find an abundance of inspiration
6. Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola
If you are interested in a Charlotte Mason approach to homeschooling this is a must have book for you. If you have no idea what Charlotte Mason homeschooling is then go HERE.
Charlotte Mason homeschooling is a very classical education that is three pronged. Environment, discipline (of good habits) and life.
This companion to a Charlotte Mason homeschool is written by an amazing homeschooling mother who has an abundance of experience in implementing this philosophy into her home. It is full of wonderful advice, laughs and direction on how to use the philosophies taught by Charlotte Mason with your own children.
7. 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing the Right Educational Philosophy for Your Child’s Learning Style by Cathy Duffy
Picking a homeschool curriculum is so incredibly stressful! The first curriculum you pick is almost never the right one. I can attest to that based on the amount of unused curriculum currently sitting on my book shelves! Or what is right for one child may be just down right disastrous for another child.
Cathy Duffy is known for offering unbiased opinions and reviews of homeschool curriculums. This book gives you the top 100 curriculums available. It will then guide you through how to pick the right curriculum based on you goals, lifestyle and your children.
This would be an amazing resource to have in your home. I can not even begin to imagine how much time it will save you in researching curriculum after curriculum. Once you have nailed down a few that you are really interested in then you can investigate them further. This book is really going to be a time saver for parents.
8. The Homeschool Experiment, a Novel by Charity Hawkins
This is a completely different book to any of the books mentioned previously. It is a hilarious novel that just makes you feel like you are not alone on this journey. It offers a bit of camaraderie as you resonate with some of the feelings, and experiences of the author.
This is just a really great read if you need something fun and easy. It will keep your spirits up. It follows a mom through her first year of homeschool her three young children. Encountering all the ups and downs and crazy moments that come along with it.
As you can see there are plenty of books to get you started on your homeschooling journey. It is always good to pick up one of these books at least once a year while homeschooling to regenerate yourself and remember why you are doing what you are doing. Sometime it can be hard to remember when you are neck deep in the middle of crazy town some days!
This is by no means and exhaustive list but it is the best place to start to help you along on your way. These authors are absolutely brilliant and offer so much loving and sound advice to budding homeschooler and veteran homeschoolers alike.
