What’s Homeschooling Really Like?
July 16, 2009
And how do homeschooled kids “turn out” as adults?
These are two questions that people often wonder about homeschooling. And even those of us who have experienced it often wonder the latter question.
Will my kids learn “everything they need to know” if I have an eclectic homeschooling style?
Natalie 
Wickham is a homeschooling “graduate” whose book, Pajama School – Stories From The Life of a Homeschool Graduate, gives you a peek inside the daily life of a large homeschooling family.
As I read this book I found myself thinking, “Yep, that’s exactly what it’s like!” over and over.
As Natalie describes new babies being added to the family, the homeschooling “routine” being shot to heck when major life events occur (and how that hardly matters in the end), how the daily grind of home educating changes over time.
If, as a homeschooling parent, you have concerns about specific areas of your child’s education (how will they learn higher math if I don’t remember how to do it!?, etc) you will find this book reassuring.
Natalie’s experience ( if there is such a thing as a “typical” homeschooler…) seems typical of so many homeschool graduates I’ve talked to and read about. She forged her own path. It may not have looked exactly like someone else’s, but her homeschool experience helped make her who she is. At one point, Natalie was working inside the public school system offering classes to help teach children character qualities. In her words:
“… I realized how much the environment in a public school setting pressures teachers to focus on maintaining structure and measuring results, while at the same time squelching opportunities for sincere academic inquiry and intellectual discussion.
… students were forced to conform to the mold that required them to be passive learners rather than creative thinkers.“
Natalie has graciously offered a copy of her book to one NaturalMomsTalkRadio reader.
If you would like to have a copy, please leave a comment below. Be sure to include a valid email address so I can get in touch with you.
The winner will randomly be chosen on Tuesday, July 21 at NOON Eastern time.
Thanks for playing!
More Posts By Carrie:
- Great Homeschool Books for Your Library
- Homeschooling Your Child With Special Needs
- Socialization Skills Can Be Taught at Home
Comments
23 Responses to “What’s Homeschooling Really Like?”
Got something to say?
I would love to be able to read this! I am sending my kids to public school this fall and am still nervous.
I’m so bummed that my husband just won’t relent with this topic. I’d love to homeschool, or at least try it out this year, but he just won’t give in. I’m hoping he will if Nicky just isn’t adjusting to it well. I had such an awesome experience being homeschooled… and I know the mistakes my Mom made and I would not repeat those.
Nell
And even though my husband isn’t on board with homeschooling right now, I’d still love to win a copy for myself. I think it would be fun to read a book written by another homeschool grad.
Nell
We’re in our 3rd year of homeschooling 3 kids – 12, 9, and 5 – and even with all the blogs and books out there I can’t seem to soak up enough information. I love to hear stories of other homeschoolers – it makes me feel so normal!
Even though my kids attend public school,none of my 5 kids attended Pre-K(how could I do such a thing, all 4 yr olds belong in school), and all except one didn’t want to go to school at all. School to them was boring and should be over with by Noon at the latest.
I’ve considered homeschooling before, but wondered about all of the common questions even though I’ve been reassured by other home schooling moms it really can work out well and usually better than public school.
Sounds like an interesting book!
wow! this is great! this will be my second year homeschooling, and I am still questioning myself at times! I like reading about other people that have felt, or are feeling, the same way I do! Thankks!!
Sounds like a good book!
this would be a great book ro read!
“Will my kids learn “everything they need to know” if I have an eclectic homeschooling style? ” is the question that overwhelms me most when I think about homeschooling. I’d love to win this book!
i have 4 boys ages 12,9,6 and 2. i hate our school system and i would love to home school them. especially my 6 year old. they just expect a little boy to sit and do all this paper work all day in school. and they send them home with tons of homework. he cried every day last year that he didn’t want to go to school but i’m not sure i can teach him what he needs to know.
I am a homeschooler-wannabe!
I have four children, ages 13, 10, 5, and almost 2. We have always homeschooled. Would love to hear Natalie’s unique perspective! Thanks fo sharing it with us.
I will be starting home schooling this year with my 4year old soon to be 5 year old son. Of course I have been doing research but I read anything I can get my hands on. Hearing from someone who has been through it would be such a help. Thanks for all the information you provide for us.
I would love to read this book. I have two kids in preschool and am already disappointed in the school system. Homeschooling is definitely a consideration now but I don’t know nearly enough about it.
This sounds like a great book! I’d love to read it as I am planning/hoping to homeschool my kiddos. I’ve often wondered how to teach them all the different things that I am unsure of – especially Math!
This is my first year homeschooling. I’m so worried I will screw it up, or screw up the teenager. With two babies under the age of three, distractions seem to be the norm in our house. Would love the book for some piece of mind!
I would love to read this book. Sometimes I get discouraged as a single mother homeschooling 4 children. Maybe they have some pointers that would inspire me in this walk.
I was homeschooled in highschool and since having my son I have given the idea a lot fo thought. I am interested in learning about how other people developed studying alone rather then with a class full of kids. lovesunshinex@aol.com
Hi, I am planning on homeschooling my son this year, his kindergarten year. He’s my only child, so some people – including myself – sort of wonder how that will work…. as if because I only have one child, he will be without peers. But we do have friends and he will continue to be involved. When he is old enough, I will introduce Boy Scouts,etc.(next year). I am really nervous and actually dug up his birth certificate in the event that my husband backs out and I have to register him in school. I really don’t want to! My husband’s business has floundered (structural engineers don’t have a lot of work when the construction industry is not doing anything!) and decided to become a trucker, so he went to school for that and is on his first job right now. Money is really tight, but I really believe in homeschooling and it has been my dream since I ever dreamed of having a child 23 years ago when I was 20! I would love to read this book.
I have been contemplating home schooling since I became pregnant with our first child; but, then “life” happened and I had to return to work. Our son is 19mths now and I keep coming back to this strong desire to home school and would really like to have the chance to win this book to add to my collection!
Thank you,
Leanne
Carrie,
I just love the broad range of subject you offer your listeners and readers! thank you so much for finding the best authors,topics, and products to share with us. I would love to read this book that shines insight on homeschooling. I feel we(mothers) are often afraid of homeschooling rather than excited. I do see that public school doesn’t encourage creative thinkers which is a scary future for all of us! thank you.
Breanna
I’d love to read this book as I think it would help to explain homeschooling to my husband. Though he lets us homeschool there are many times when he’ll say the kids are better off in public school.