Customer Reviews

So - WHY Do You Homeschool?

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Hello. When my husband and I decided to homeschool our 4 children (2 were of school age at the time) we received less than enthusiastic reactions. Most of the family opened with "I don't approve of that." or "I think that's just wrong." That was in Spring of 2005.

Recently, I found this fabulous book. How I wish I'd had it back when I made the announcement! Since reading the book myself, I have purchased the book for 4 family members. Our community is one of the best for homeschoolers, so there's more social opportunities than they had in public school. I've found that many of the questions in this book are things that people want to ask, but don't think of or know how to ask.

Today, most of the family still thinks we are wrong for our choice, but 1 has come around, my mom. However, occassionally I still get asked, "honey, wouldn't it be easier to send them to school?" The answer is "yes, but as parents it's our job to do what's right, not what's easy."

Buy this book, read it, share it. There are things you don't know, even if you've been homeschooling for a while. This isn't a heavy book, but a realistic collection of the most common questions about this amazing journey.

I've just finished reading Mimi's very excellent resource for parents and family members who wonder about this education option.

It's a quick read and easily scanned to find just the answer you're looking for. Mimi's special education credentials and teacher certification means that she can answer the questions of and provide the citations for professionals and her writing style and humor make the information very approachable for normal folks. Mimi understands the diversity of the homeschooling community in regards to religions, politics, and ethnicity as well as learning and teaching styles. She has answers and recommendations for all those lifestyle flavors.

This is a fresh and up-to-date resource for homeschoolers at the front of the 21st century. We've come a long way in the last several decades and Mimi does a really good job of bringing people up to speed on what homeschooling is like in the here and now. You won't have wasted your money on this book.

Kay Brooks
Founder, TnHomeEd.com Tennessee's Homeschool Information Site.

As the grandmother of homeschooled children, I am often asked my opinion of the decision their parents have made. Casual observers and those seriously considering home education for their own families want to know "Does it work, are the kids doing well?". With this book I can point people to well researched answers to their questions, rather than just, "well, I know a family who...." which was my previous response.

"So-Why Do You Homeschool?" answers questions I didn't even know I had about homeschooling! Each section made me more and more interested in homeschooling, something I orginally had given little thought to. I read the book cover to cover - well written and easy to read. It can also be used as a reference for specific issues, looking up individual questions and topics.

"So-Why Do You Homeschool?" is a must-have for homeschoolers, but also a must-have for all parents, grandparents, educators, and anyone interested in children's education. This book is full of information about homeschooling everyone needs to know.

I read this book after having read just a few other books on the topic, shortly after I seriously started to consider homeschooling my children. After just reading a few books, I realized that most of the books all have the same information in them, just said in a different style. Not so with this book, it had way more information and an easy conversational tone though-out it.

There are 10 section (not including the introduction, which is the author's story, and the conclusion). Within each section are numerous questions, such as, under the section of "Who Homeschools?" the question "Isn't it just the religious nuts who homeschool?" is answered. Other topics include concerns one might have for children that are homeschooled, the sacrifices one might make in order to homeschool, the history of homeschooling, socialization, academics and teaching, cost, qualifications, college, and more.

This was very easy reading, kept my interest, and all the information was tightly packed into this little book. It is perfect to read just before telling family members that you plan on homeschooling, or to give it directly to them. Or if you are a family member of someone who homeschools and you are concerned about them, reading this book will most likely ease your worries. I highly recommend it to all who are interested in homeschooling (for any reason).

One note of caution; the author is obviously a Christian and some answers (mainly to the questions of religious topics) make note of this. If you think this might offend you, they are easy to skip. This is such a good book, it really is worth the read, even if you aren't a Christian.

This is an excellent reference for homeschooling parents or for others who simply would like to know more about home education. (I fall in the latter group.) It addresses many of the common questions and concerns that people have about home schooling. It is well referenced with facts garnered from important studies on school choice, yet is written in a conversational style that lends itself well to the topic. Hats off to the author!

As a homeschooling mother, I have to admit that I do have a bias toward home education. With that said, as every home schooler knows, people do indeed have a LOT of questions when they hear that you home school.

This book is written in a conversational tone and is laid out in easy to digest chapters, with essays arranged topically. Really, it's more like a collection of home education FAQs interspersed with summaries of statistical findings and anecdotal stories of real-life home schoolers.

The topics covered are:

* Who Homeschools?
* Concerns
* Personal Sacrifices
* History of Homeschooling, the Law & Research
* Socialization
* Academics & Teaching
* Materials, Costs & Extracurricular Activities
* Qualifications of Parents, ad Religious Reasons for Homeschooling
* All Grown-up - College & Other Topics

Overall, this is a good book that answers many of the common questions people new to home schooling may have, or that new home schoolers may encounter. No book can answer ALL the questions...as I am sure there are a few that the author hasn't considered or encountered.

For those who prefer to dig deeper into the statistics of the home schooling movement I also recommend: Home Educated and Now Adults and Worldwide Guide to Homeschooling: Facts And Stats on the Benefits of Homeschool.

I just finished reading this book and have to say it is very good. Although I already know "why" I chose to homeschool, she reaffirms the decision for me. She makes some excellent points, and she has the facts and statistics that back it up for those doubters out there.

This is a great book to help give you great food for thought to answer the question the title asks, which happens all the time if you decide home-schooling is for you. Loved it!

Very highly recommended reading for anyone considering homeschool their child, So - Why Do You Homeschool?: Answering Questions People Ask About Home Education by Mimi Davis (homeschooling mother of four) is an informative presenting a comprehensive and knowledgeable introduction to the realities and possibilities of homeschooling. Offering a "user-friendly" understanding, addressing over 70 pertinent questions, So- Why Do You Homeschool? is an ideal addition to the personal reading lists and library collections of homeschoolers (and curious non-homeschoolers!) for its practical, experienced based information as well as its remarkable grasp of the entire home-schooling process.