I absolutely love The Unhurried Homeschooler, A Simple, Mercifully Short Book on Homeschooling. The title and subtitle say it all: first, it is very short and took only about an hour to read (my kind of book!). And second, it is very simple and refreshing. Reading it was truly like taking in a big breath of fresh air.
I’ve listened to the Durenda Wilson, the author, on many episodes of The Busy Mom Podcast. There she shares practical advice that she’s gained from being a mom of eight kids, all of whom she’s homeschooled. When I found out that she had written a book, I was really excited to read it.
I have read several books on homeschooling over the past few years, and this one was truly different. Instead of adding a burden, this book really lightened my load. Three themes in the book really encouraged me: rest, simplicity, and trust.
Rest. Right away in the introduction of the book, this verse is included: “My yoke is easy and my burden is light,.’ and Wilson practically lays out what this verse looks like for homeschoolers, She emphasizes that as a Christian parent, Jesus wants us to rest in him knowing that he will guide us in how to parent and homeschool our kids.
Simplicity. Wilson describes how she very simply educates her children using an unhurried, natural approach. She writes, “We would never think of trying to force a three-month-old to walk. They walk when their bodies are ready for that stage of development, and the same is true with education. Each child is unique and has an individual internal clock for learning.”
Trust. Instead of laying out exactly what her family has done in their education process, Wilson instead encourages her readers to prayerfully ask God want he wants for our families and to trust our instincts about what is best for our kids. Wilson writes, “It is possible to have such freedom in homeschooling that you actually enjoy the experience and thoroughly enjoy spending these precious years with your children.” Wonderful!
If you want to be encouraged about your homeschool pursuit and to lay down any unnecessary burdens that you may have placed on yourself, please read this book! I think you will love it as much as I did. Find it here.
How fun! I listen to her on the Busy Mom too!
Yay! My favorite podcast. Usually listening while I fold laundry. 🙂
My goal is to homeschool next year, and as a substitute teacher, I’m reminded every single day I work, why I want to homeschool my three children. I need all of the help and preparation I can to begin this very different and new venture for our family.
You’re going to love homeschooling! It’s wonderful- challenging, but wonderful!
I would love to read this book – it sounds right up my alley!
I would love a copy!
I am very interested in exploring the homeschooling concept for my daughter, who has twin boys with autism. She was actually a first grade teacher before giving up her career to have a family. I’m hoping this book will help her re-evaluate her decision to send her boys to a “regular” school. I myself am very leery of what children are being taught these days.
This is a topic that has been resting heavily on my heart. Would love to read this book and love Durenda Wilson!
Intrigued by “rest, simplicity, and trust”. I hope I win! 🙂
I would love a copy so that I can show my husband that all of our homeschool days are never the same. He tells me that we need structure and discipline because we love to sleep in. We have structure but it does not start at 7 am. I just want to enjoy my kids and this blessed homeschool life God has gifted me and I want to let them be kids. That is the reason why we pulled them out of public school. I think this book would be a great tool that God can use so that my husband and I can see eye to eye in this matter. Thanks for the opportunity. Blessings.
This looks great! Thanks for the giveaway!
How thoughtful of the author I could definitely use this for my little ones !
Looks really interesting!
My daughter homeschools and would really enjoy this book!
I need to check on The Busy Mom Podcast. I never heard of it. I am in my first full year of homeschooling my two daughters and I was looking for homeschool books to read myself and this was one I seen. I would be so excited to win a copy. Thanks for a chance.
Thanks so much for the book. I was so excited to win. I started reading it this weekend and it’s a wonderful and encouraging read.
Awesome! So glad you like it!
Oh Shauna, I’m so curious to hear what you think of this book. Maybe a Starbucks chat??