Customer Reviews

Pajama School - stories from the life of a homeschool graduate

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Just to avoid confusion, this is not a book about homeschooling, as I had expected when I got it. Instead it's about one young woman's Christian beliefs. References to her schooling are few and far between, as compared to her other experiences, and homeschooling in and of itself plays a small role in both the book and the development of her life as she describes it. I just want to correct the impression given by the title so that it is aimed at the right audience.

This is the personal biography of a very Godly young woman. She shows how God has used homeschooling, her parents, and the community to shape her life and make her into an incredibly useful woman for Him. From a very young age, she began having unique experiences which are incredible to read about. I found myself wanting the same for my daughters, and setting the book on the coffee table is all it took for them to pick it up and read it! As I read, I feel motivated by Natalie's example to find opportunities and foster attitudes which will prepare myself and my daughters for a life with eternal significance.

Once upon a time, a blonde and blue-eyed family of girls (three, to be exact, all with names starting with "N") left old ways behind and lined up at the foot of the stairs for their first school picture as a homeschooling family. They had desks, organized bookshelves, maps and pictures on the walls, and a placard proclaiming "School Room."

Well, most of us homeschoolers know how that goes. The Wickham family soon gave up trying to be like a school and got more focused on being a home that teaches, and Pajama School -- Natalie Wickham's memoir of homeschooling, getting to know God, and learning to lead -- was born.

I came away from Pajama School feeling like I'd gotten to know Natalie, who is just a little older than I am and has had a journey in some ways like mine and in other ways very different. The book is steeped in the perspective not just of a homeschooler, but of a homeschooler who grew up connected to ATI (Bill Gothard's Advanced Training Institute), which is a subculture all its own. In many ways I enjoyed that aspect, which reminded me of dear friends who were also brought up in ATI and who, like Natalie, found places of service within that ministry as young adults.

In fact, Pajama School focuses far more on those experiences of service as a young adult -- with ATI in Children's Institutes and at the beginning stages of the Character First! program, in politics, in running a tea shop, and in teaching -- than it does on the childhood experiences I expected from the title. This is less a homeschooling book and more the record of one homeschooler's spiritual journey. More than anything, Pajama School is a memoir of Natalie's walk with God -- a memoir that is honest, humorous, and insightful.

Natalie has spent many of her years as a young adult teaching, whether in public-school classrooms as part of the Character First! program, in assemblies at big homeschool conferences, or in her own piano studio. I found her emphasis on teaching methods and experimentation slightly ironic for a "homeschooling book," but also very inspiring. She's implemented some fantastic ideas, and anyone who works with children will find something to encourage them here! In fact, I passed the book on to my partner in Soli Deo Gloria Ballet, as we're developing summer camp ideas.

For homeschool grads and older teens, parents who want to see how homeschooling can play out in their student's life, and anyone who enjoys good, clean, thought-provoking memoir, Pajama School is well worth reading.

Every homeschool family has some of the same experiences--we all study, work to incorporate learning with daily activities, and we share special times with siblings and parents. Yes, homeschooling leaves a recognizable mark on those who have gone through it. The mark may be recognizable but each family has a unique story to tell about their homeschooling journey. Natalie Wickham shares her adventure with wit and honesty. Her book will particularly appeal to families who are looking into homeschooling or those who want to hear a first-hand account of a homeschool graduate. It is a rare author who can take an everyday subject matter and turn it into an engaging book for others to enjoy and that is exactly what Natalie Wickham has done.

As a homeschool graduate I could identify with Natalie's story. When she shared how she and her sisters became best friends it sounded like my life. When she told about the multitude of activities her family was involved in, I could relate because my experiences were similar.

Natalie Wickham really shares her heart in this book. We see her heart of thankfulness to her parents for following God's leading to educate her at home. Perhaps you are feeling overwhelmed along the homeschooling journey and need a little encouragement, PAJAMA SCHOOL will encourage you to continue this important path. Thank you Natalie for sharing your story!

Amy Puetz, author of Uncover Exciting History
[...]

The thing I appreciated most about this book was its honesty. Natalie attempts neither to glorify nor sugarcoat her homeschooling experience. It was a delight to follow her journey from childhood to caring and capable young woman. I especially enjoyed the chapter on "Confronting Feminism" where Natalie presents a balanced and helpful view for single young women. Natalie's story will challenge and encourage readers of all ages and educational backgrounds to make learning a lifestyle. They will be inspired by Natalie's example of what one young lady determined to glorify God in all that she does can accomplish.

Pajama School - stories from the life of a homeschool graduate by Natalie Wickham is an encouraging book I would recommend to any homeschooling Mom.

I love reading about successful homeschooling. When a parent shares something that worked for them, I feel more secure attempting it than just a product promoted for sale. This is not a parent's tale of what worked rather a homeschooled graduate's story of her life.

Another homeschooling Mom first mentioned this book to me. She shared one of the real life learning examples from the book, and I wanted to read it for myself. Soon after that, I had the privilege of hearing Natalie Wickham speak at the HOTM conference, and I wanted to hear more of her success story. That isn't how she markets the book- as a success story, but that is my own view of it.

This is such a personal story, almost as if Natalie Wickham opened the door of her home to her readers and let us be a part of her own homeschooling experience. She speaks from her heart, even honestly sharing about hard times. By the end of the book it is as if you are listening to a friend.

First hearing her as she shared at the conference, then again while reading about her scripture memory, I was inspired. NavPress was referenced both times and I have since placed my order for their Topical Memory System.

She also shares creative teaching ideas that she has used with her own piano students. It was encouraging to read of her personal training route instead of college, to become a certified piano teacher.

I gave the book to my oldest daughter to read and discuss with me. One thing she remembered was reading how their schoolroom didn't work. (We also have a schoolroom, of sorts, but it becomes more of a storage room and our actual school lessons are more often done in the dining room.) She also discussed the real life examples she read, how plans changed when life happened. I enjoyed using this book as a discussion starter with her.

Natalie Wickham graciously shared a copy of her book for the purpose of this review. All opinions shared are my own.

I was encouraged by Natalie's story, yet in some ways it made me feel inadequate, only because she and her family were extremely involved in the homeschooling community and ministry. That just hasn't happened for our family, yet anyway.

I believe that Pajama School isn't just hope for homeschool moms, but for our growing young daughters. I couldn't help but think of my oldest at different points in Natalie's journey because Natalie is the oldest child of a larger than normal homeschool family and so is our oldest daughter. Our daughter has already asked to read this book and I will gladly allow her to. However, since she has a "wee" tendency to share what she reads, I asked her to wait until I was finished and wrote my review. I look forward to reading her review of it, as I think it will be inspiring to her; it will be interesting to see if I am right. :-)

This is definitely a book that Christian parents, homeschooling families can glean from and one that I highly recommend them to read. Natalie is a testimony to her parents and to the Lord for how He has graciously used her during her years of singleness, under the guidance of her parents. Even if you don't homeschool, it will allow you to understand what it means to homeschool - from a graduate's student's perspective.

May the Lord bless Natalie as she contines to seek and serve Him in all areas of her life.

As a homeschooling mom to three boys, Pajama School brought me both sighs of relief and smiles. The author's recollection of her homeschooling days gave me much needed encouragement. After all, don't we sometimes wonder if we are doing the right thing, educating our children at home? What about socialization, team sports, band, the "prom" and high school requirements? Are they missing out? Of course my answer to those questions is a big no, but every once in a while I wonder....And then a book like this comes along, proof that homeschooling is successful! The author was homeschooled through high school, and is now the owner of her own piano studio, is the director of Adventures in Character, and a gifted writer. Her testimony reminds me homeschooling is a vital and outstanding form of education.

In Pajama School, Natalie tells of her early school years developing her relationship with her siblings, gently maturing from schoolmates to best friends. She then progresses through the years, telling us about the structure of her learning, what she did in her free time, her character development, her participation in grassroots politics, her babysitting "career", volunteering - she shows in many ways how exciting and adventurous her homeschooling days were.

Most importantly, Natalie credits God for her success and for being the one who gave direction to the many paths her life has taken. In this excerpt she discusses the importance of carving out time for seeking God.

"One of the beauties of homeschooling during these years was that I could dedicate such large chunks of time to Bible study and prayer. I was constantly challenged by the things that I read, and as I grew closer to the Lord and began to apply the things I read in my life, I sensed that the Lord was transforming me and molding me into a different person. I wanted more than anything to please Him, to serve Him, to go anywhere and do anything for Him. Just as the psalmist wrote many years before, I experienced personally that God was showing me the path of life; in His presence was fullness of joy and at His right hand were pleasures for evermore (see Psalm 16:11)."

As Natalie looks back over her homeschooling years, readers will come away blessed.
She had a well-rounded education and came out a successful and godly woman. Need reassurance? How about inspiration? Yearning for a worthy role model? I bet you'll find it all in the pages of Pajama School.

Natalie does an incredible job of revealing what the life of a homeschooler really entails! Her family made mistakes; her family had successes, but most of all, God used all of it to bring the whole family closer to Him and one another. The thing I love most, though, is the message that rings through the entire book: "School is not true education. Life is where our true education comes from." 3 Cheers for this! This is what homeschooling is all about!

I give it a rating above A+

The homeschooler always faces questions from those who faced their education in other ways. "Pajama School: Stories from the Life of a Homeschool Graduate" is one woman's reflections on her homeschool education, speaking on her own past. Advocating a higher amount of homeschooling for America's youth, calling for a more godly educational experience. "Pajama School" is of interest to any Christian family who is considering homseschooling.