The Homeschool Highway: How To Navigate Your Way Without Getting Carsick

by Amy Dingmann

Ah, the road of homeschooling. It's a lovely ride filled with togetherness, freedom, and the knowledge that you journey down the road in whatever style you feel is right. But consider yourself forewarned. As beautiful as the drive is, you might get carsick along the way.

Join Amy Dingmann, homeschooling mom of two, as she discusses the potholes and roadblocks along the Homeschooling Highway: what is the real socialization question we should all be asking? How do we get rid of our homeschooling doubt and guilt? How do homeschooling parents get any time to themselves? What is a parent's responsibility when it comes to homeschooling? Why can't homeschoolers get along with each other? Do labels really matter? How do I handle my family and friends who don't agree with homeschooling? And what in the world does my husband really think about what I'm doing?

Hop in your Minivan of Awesome and get ready for an honest (but hilarious!) look at how to deal with life on the Homeschooling Highway...without getting carsick!

Genres: Parenting

114 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2012

About the author

Writing has been a part of Amy Dingmann's life since she was old enough to put pen to paper. She has written for many magazines, both online and in print. Amy enjoys writing both fiction and non-fiction in several different genres. "The Homeschool Highway: How to Navigate Your Way Without Getting Carsick" is her first book.

Amy posts regularly at these sites:

Her author site: http://www.amydingmann.com

A Farmish Kind of Life: http://www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com

The Hmmmschooling Mom: http://www.thehmmmschoolingmom.blogsp...

Aside from being an author, Amy is a homeschooling mom to her two sons. She thoroughly enjoys life at her (rarely) quiet Minnesota farm. If she's not writing, teaching, or chasing after a wayward goat, you can find her relaxing on the front swing with a glass of wine and her Kindle. She also enjoys photography, the great outdoors, and bluegrass music.

Reviews

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read whether you're a homeschool parent or not. Amy uses personal stories and stories of other homeschooling families to give the reader a glimpse into the ups and downs of homeschooling life. The stories are humorous and relatable!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that Amy talked about the problems that can come up. I am just starting my journey with 3 little ones and often think that there is no way I can compete with these Mom's who seem to do it all. Reading her book was like sitting down and having a conversation, with hot chocolate of course! I feel more empowered and think I will have more realistic expectations, hopefully some prevention to keep my and my girls as happy as possible on the way. Thanks Amy for sharing your experience, you are one of the reasons I decided that I really did want to do this after all.

[Oconel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a homeschooler and I don't plan to be, but this is a very interesting book because at its core it deals with children education and family relationship. I liked its approach to homeschooling and how the author is very self-aware of how her choices and behaviour reflects on her children. Very interesting book.

[Angela Echols · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a parent and I still really enjoyed and related to the life stories in this book!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderful, honest, realistic look at the positives as well as the challenges of homeschooling. A quick read with a bit of humor and fun driving analogies, this was very relatable and actually made me feel validated in my family's decision to send our kids back to public school in September after 2 great years of homeschooling, keeping an open mind to the possibility of homeschool again in the future if it presents itself again as a better fit for our family. Amy really emphasizes that there isn't one right way to go about anything-- it's all about what works for your family. That could mean different arrangements at different times and definitely requires thinking outside the box and adjusting.

I've learned so much and expanded my perception of educational options throughout our homeschooling journey, but much of the literature I've read promoting homeschooling does make it sound perfect in a way and superior to more traditional schooling options. I can understand this perspective as a defense against those who judge homeschoolers for their off the beaten path choices, but reading enough of this literature can make homeschoolers feel alone in some of their everyday realities. Amy's perspective was refreshing to read.

[Kasey Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome and hilariously honest

A great book for beginners who need the upfront honesty about homeschooling. I loved the section about husbands and it made me take a look at my own and truly see how he feels.

[Jennifer Neuschwander]

This was an good book, full of practical advice and encouragements for the homeschooling mom.

[Lekeshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Amy Dingmann for telling it how it is. We are about to complete our first year of homeschooling and I thought I was loosing it or doing something wrong. Only picture of homeschooling I read, seen, or heard was rainbows and butterflies. Or if something doesn't work just change it. Or why are you doing it that way. Or how do you teach your own kids. I had never been a SAHM on top of that. I had worked outside the home until my kids turned 4 and 6. I had to learn them all over again since I was going to be with them 24hours a day.

I recall my first time hanging out with homeschool moms and I asked them about curriculum. I was brand new and thought it was an ok question since we all were homeschooling. I was just stared at like I had asked a stupid question or I had offended someone. Really? Where is the support system I read about from blogs or seen via Instagram. Oh well. Each their own. We are still in our minivan of awesomeness and we are making homeschooling our own. That was a wake up call right there. I get on my soap box about individuals make up this world so why are we trying to fit into a one size fits all mentality. Then I was shocked I was doing it as well when I continued to search the web or read books on how other people are doing it. This will be the first recommendation for anyone wanting to get into the minivan.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the style and the voice of the author. She is honest and refreshing in her evaluation of homeschooling. I found this great information as I begin the homeschool journey with my own family.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Read!

This was a fun and lighthearted book of encouragement and advice for homeschooling. I enjoyed her sense of humor very much.