Customer Reviews

The Basic Steps to Successful Homeschooling

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book is written with an extremely strong Christian tone, which I had not realized from the descriptions. For example, in listing the steps to successful homeschooling the author discusses the need to be CONVICTED, not just convinced, that homeschooling is for you, would you do it no matter what. This is the first step. Others follow, such as record keeping, home skills, home industries, and curriculum choices. Some of the information is helpful, but I didn't get as much out of this book as I had hoped from the description. I have also read Homeschooling: The Early Years and found it to be more useful to me as I consider the options available as a homeschooler, as it draws from the experience of many homeschoolers in a friendly fashion, as opposed to a more narrow point of view. This book by Mrs. Brady does give many references, discusses her radio program about homeschooling, and discusses her success with homeschooling her own children, including one with learning disablities.

I picked this book up in the library book store and figured it may have some useful tips. I am not new to homeschooling but always can use helpful hints. I didn't realize the author was Christian and like the other reviewers felt it was a bit heavy on that. I am Christian so some of it made sense, but the author suggests in many steps to "ask God" things before taking steps. No comment either way on that from me, but I was not prepared for it from the title or even back cover of the book.

The information is a bit dated of course, but there is some helpful hints about organizing and encouraging kids to complete things such as school work and chores. One thing I found odd and little disconcerting was her portrayal of social services coming to take homeschooled children away and how she had to almost literally run away to hide with her kids to another county. Not that this cannot happen, but I had to look at the date again of the book b/c it seemed very "we are being convicted for our beliefs" TV drama. Not sure if she had more bad experiences that most homeschoolers I know or if she was dramatizing the story more than necessary.

All in all, an okay book if you can filter through the strong evangelical / missionary type messages and get to the meat of what the book implies it's about: Basic Steps to Successful Homeschooling.

I couldn't wade past the heavily Christian Fundamentalist sentiment. Advice like -- Go before the Lord and ask what kind of hours and schedule He would have you set -- was too much for me. I don't know about her Lord, but my Lord gave me intelligence to make such decisions.

Vicki Brady has done an excellent job in detailing organizational essentials and options for those of us who know we want to homeschool our children but are not sure where to begin. She has a comprehensive checklist of necessities and ideas, from choosing curriculum to filing, formatted in step-by-step instructions . She includes reference materials, addresses and phone numbers you are sure to need as you go! This book is excellent material that is enjoyable to read. As a homeschooling mom of seven children, Vicki Brady knows from whence she speaks!

To use the author's words, "After time spent in the Word and with the Lord, I knew that speaking out for Him was what He called me to do". I feel this sentiment was the author's first and foremost reason for writing this book with the subject of homeschooling coming second.

Still she has some good very basic ideas, if you can wade through the other messages. I would probably not buy this book had I known of the overtly strong Christian theme.

I happened upon this book at the library, and I read the whole thing in one sitting, and took tons of notes! Some of the information is dated, but don't let that stop you. The words are timeless and I love the fact that the author stresses looking to God for direction first before you just jump in and try to do things your own way. Some of her ideas are brilliant, such as the way she teaches her children to do household chores. We are not new to homeschooling, but I've been in a bit of a slump lately, and this book was a breath of fresh air! Very inspiring and motivating! This book can really help you regain your focus on why you're doing this homeschooling thing to begin with.

P.S. Disregard the negative reviews, they look to me like they were all written by the same person!