Homeschooling for the Rest of Us: How Your One-of-a-Kind Family Can Make Homeschooling and Real Life Work [Paperback]

Sonya Haskins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2010

Homeschooling parents are under great pressure. Besides trying to balance teaching responsibilities and family life, they often face unrealistic expectations from relatives, churches, other homeschoolers, and society at large. Even parents considering homeschooling sense the need to be perfect.

Sonya Haskins doesn't want any more families to give up on homeschooling. In this book she shares affirming stories and practical ideas from dozens of everyday families who successfully deal with cluttered schedules, academic struggles, sibling squabbles, and other real-life issues. Instead of learning a one-size-fits-all approach, readers will discover how to evaluate their own family's strengths and weaknesses and set their own goals for success.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Overwhelmed?
Wonder how others do it all?
Not sure you're cut out for homeschooling?

It's time to break a myth: Homeschooling families aren't perfect. In fact, real-life families like yours can be--and are--successful homeschoolers! That's the life message of Sonya Haskins, who is dedicated to helping everyday families meet the challenges of home education and enjoy its countless benefits.

In this practical, encouraging guide, Haskins shares tried and true ideas for how to:

Discover a realistic vision of homeschooling for your family
Help your child get excited about learning
Find a routine that fits your goals and lifestyle
Nurture a biblical worldview in your child's heart and mind
And much more

Whether you are already homeschooling or just considering it, this book offers the support, answers, and flexible strategies to help you succeed.

About the Author

Sonya Haskins is a veteran homeschooling mom of five children and an active homeschooling consultant and advocate. She is the author of several books, including The Homeschooler's Book of Lists, and her articles have appeared in Homeschooling Today, Educational Dealer, and other magazines. She lives in the Tri-Cities region of northeastern Tennessee with her husband, Chris, and their children.

Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (January 1, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764207393
• ISBN-13: 978-0764207396
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #370,888 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

For most of my childhood I was raised in Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee and when I was 17 I moved to Bristol, Tennessee to attend King College. This is where I met my husband and we wed in 1994. Our first child, Sarah, was born in 1996 and later I had Micah, Christopher, Daniel and Hannah. I am grateful for the opportunity to teach them at home and it amazes me how much I learn in the process as well. Homeschooling is a wonderful option for any family and I love sharing homeschool information with others.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The nuts and bolts and answers to the real questions, February 13, 2010

By 

Mimi "Mimi" (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Homeschooling for the Rest of Us: How Your One-of-a-Kind Family Can Make Homeschooling and Real Life Work (Paperback)

I recently recommended Homeschooling For the Rest of Us by Sonya Haskins after skimming over the media release and reviews. I thought it was a great resource for homeschooling families. Since then, I have read the book and can offer my thoughts and a review. They begin with the word Excellent!

When we first started homeschooling 4 years ago, I didn't realize it then, but we had a long road ahead of us. Along the way, we have tried several curriculums, many schedules, and I have dealt with (in some cases unsuccessfully) concerns regarding our decision. In my quest to find answers, I've read alot. (That doesn't surprise you, though, right?) I've learned so many different ways to teach, curriculums that work and don't work, classroom sizes and types and how far to go in decorating-but to tell you the truth, I never read a book that addressed the heart of the matter.

The more answers I got regarding curriculum and other aspects, the further I felt from getting the most crucial answers. As in, am I doing enough? What about the pressure I put on myself and pressure from extended family members that just don't support our decision? What can I do if my child falls behind? What does my schedule look like compared to others? What is a reasonable time to spend on each subject a week? Those were the questions that kept me awake at night, staring at the ceiling.

Chapters titled Pressure, Perfection and Progress, and Nurturing Your Childs Heart jumped out at me right away. But then I see Developing Positive Relationships that points out young children need to learn to obey, how to interact in relationships and be read to more than they need a strong academic schedule. That totally made sense! The chapter regarding Dealing with Relatives gave me a game plan for the next visit when I was most apt to overhear someone ask my child "When are you going to real school?" Oh, and that clutter that drives you nuts? It's addressed in the chapter Living in a Very Messy House. It's not about excusing the mess, but rather in finding ways to get it to an organized mess you can live with.

Written from a Christian perspective aldo helped. At the end of the day, Haskins points out, if you lack wisdom, that's when you pray for direction. How can any homeschooling parent leave it to luck and destiny when it comes to their childs academic and social future? Speaking of socialization, be prepared to be WOWED as you read that chapter. You won't stress over whether your kids are getting proper interaction ever again.

As a homeschooling Mom, I recommend this book be read first if you are on the fence about homeschooling. If you are already educating from your living room or playroom, you still need this book. So many fears and concerns are addressed that you don't realize come with the package until you are nose deep in the adventure. Haskins answered my questions and calmed my fears. I realize now, it's really not that hard!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally, a homeschool book for the rest of us!, February 6, 2010

By 

Cynthia E. Downes "Cindy Downes" (Broken Arrow, OK, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Homeschooling for the Rest of Us: How Your One-of-a-Kind Family Can Make Homeschooling and Real Life Work (Paperback)

So many homeschool books picture the homeschool family with all the kids going to Harvard, kids that are polite and spiritual giants, and homes that are spotless. Sonya Haskins explodes the myth of the perfect homeschool family in her book, Homeschooling for the Rest of Us.

In the 30+ years I've been involved in homeschooling, the perfect homeschool family is MOST unusual. Instead, just like traditional schools, there are good days and bad days. Some of our kids turn out to be auto mechanics; others become college professors. Some of our kids live to please their parents and others keep us on our knees. And most of our houses are far from spotless!

Haskins' book gives a realistic picture of the typical homeschool from academics to housekeeping and from socialization to budgets. She shows you how you can succeed in homeschooling and not be picture perfect. She shows you how to focus on relationships with God, family and others in the community. She explains the variety of routines that homeschoolers have and how you can find one that works for you. She clarifies how to choose extracurricular activities and academics based on your child's individual gifts and goals. Most of all, she helps you relax so you can homeschool your family knowing this is what God called you to do. It's not your job to be perfect, just obedient.

5 STARS for a book we can read and be encouraged to do what God called us to do! Thanks, Sonya.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for people new to homeschooling, veterans or considering!, January 7, 2010

By 

dwayne burke - See all my reviews

This review is from: Homeschooling for the Rest of Us: How Your One-of-a-Kind Family Can Make Homeschooling and Real Life Work (Paperback)

Homeschooling for the Rest of Us is a wonderful book! I have really enjoyed all of the information! We've been homeschooling for 3 years and I would have loved to have had this book when we were first starting out. I like how the author gives information for questions on topics that beginners would ask, but it is approached in a fresh way that doesn't make you feel as if you're reading the same old info.

However, even homeschooling for as long as we have, I still have found the book full of wonderful advice and suggestions that can help me to improve our schooling experience. Beyond that, it is very encouraging! It seems as if Haskins is speaking directly to the concerns and problems that we (and I am sure most other homeschooling families) are facing each day.

I also love the length of the book. It is packed full of information but it is not overwhelming. It was easy to find time to read the book, unlike some homeschool books that are so long that I have had to skim through their content.
A definite 5 stars!