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Real Homeschool: Letting Go of the Pinterest-Perfect and Instagram-Ideal Homeschool
This book is not really about social media per se, but more about our hearts in a world that continues to push us to be more like it. Everywhere we turn, social media is screaming at us and showing us pictures of what we should be. Slowly, gradually, we start following the world and trying to bring God with us, rather than letting God lead us and then bringing the world with us!
There are the desires that creep in and take my focus off of my true purpose in homeschooling. You know what I mean— when the focus becomes all about finding the best curriculum or filling up the schedule with the most extracurricular activities? Or how about decorating the perfect homeschool room? Or the hours spent online searching what others are doing, while neglecting your own time with the Lord? These are all things that have become an issue with me, and I am sure with others, especially as social media grows.
I have often thought about those early homeschoolers who had no Internet or fancy curriculum but truly sought the Lord in their decision to homeschool. I admire them so much! They weren’t busy showing off their schoolrooms or their kids on Instagram; they were deep in the nitty-gritty of daily homeschool life when homeschooling wasn’t even mainstream. They weren’t spending hours on Pinterest, but probably hours in the Word.
This book will challenge us to get back to the basics and fully rely on God. Pinterest and Instagram and all the other media out there are certainly not bad in and of themselves, but we do need to be aware of our hearts when using them. We must not let those things rule our standards. Only God should rule us.
Will you join me as we get back to the basics? Will you join me as we endeavor to be real with each other because we need each other? Will you join me as we focus on what God wants for our homeschools and not what the world says is success?
Will you join me as we pursue Real Homeschool? Not a picture-perfect homeschool, but a real homeschool –where the rubber meets the road and it sometimes gets messy –and we work together through those messes…
And then it gets beautiful…oh, so beautiful…because God is right there with us. He is working through our families on this real homeschooling journey.
God has called us to this beautiful journey…and the perfect picture is the one where He is leading every step, guiding us, and our eyes are fixed solely on Him.
There are the desires that creep in and take my focus off of my true purpose in homeschooling. You know what I mean— when the focus becomes all about finding the best curriculum or filling up the schedule with the most extracurricular activities? Or how about decorating the perfect homeschool room? Or the hours spent online searching what others are doing, while neglecting your own time with the Lord? These are all things that have become an issue with me, and I am sure with others, especially as social media grows.
I have often thought about those early homeschoolers who had no Internet or fancy curriculum but truly sought the Lord in their decision to homeschool. I admire them so much! They weren’t busy showing off their schoolrooms or their kids on Instagram; they were deep in the nitty-gritty of daily homeschool life when homeschooling wasn’t even mainstream. They weren’t spending hours on Pinterest, but probably hours in the Word.
This book will challenge us to get back to the basics and fully rely on God. Pinterest and Instagram and all the other media out there are certainly not bad in and of themselves, but we do need to be aware of our hearts when using them. We must not let those things rule our standards. Only God should rule us.
Will you join me as we get back to the basics? Will you join me as we endeavor to be real with each other because we need each other? Will you join me as we focus on what God wants for our homeschools and not what the world says is success?
Will you join me as we pursue Real Homeschool? Not a picture-perfect homeschool, but a real homeschool –where the rubber meets the road and it sometimes gets messy –and we work together through those messes…
And then it gets beautiful…oh, so beautiful…because God is right there with us. He is working through our families on this real homeschooling journey.
God has called us to this beautiful journey…and the perfect picture is the one where He is leading every step, guiding us, and our eyes are fixed solely on Him.
90 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 31, 2015
41 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Karen DeBeus
8 books3 followersKaren was called to homeschool when her oldest child was about to enter kindergarten. She had no intention of homeschooling; after trying to run as far as she could from it, she obeyed the call and is now passionate about homeschooling. Karen is the author of Simply Homeschool, Called Home, and Real Homeschool. She speaks nationally at homeschool events, and truly believes her ministry is to encourage others on their journey. Karen is also the author of her blog Simply Living for Him, and she is the owner of Bible Based Homeschooling.
To find out more, please visit Simply Living for Him.com.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 3, 2020
Quotes: “Homeschooling is about so much more than a snapshot of a day; it is a lifelong, journey. It is about education, discipleship, family, and eternal matters. We are shaping a whole new generation in a countercultural way.” ― Karen DeBeus, Real Homeschool: Letting Go of the Pinterest-Perfect and Instagram-Ideal Homeschool
“Before we jump on the Internet, do we search God’s Word? Do we seek Him first? Do we pray? Or is our immediate instinct to search out social media? Are we searching out what everyone else has to say or are we searching out what God as to say? ― Karen DeBeus, Real Homeschool: Letting Go of the Pinterest-Perfect and Instagram-Ideal Homeschool
My Thoughts:
This book was so refreshing! It really was so convicting. It really has caused me to rethink a lot of things that I truly need to revamp in my homeschool. This book reminded me of our first “Why” my husband and I decided to homeschool, so Jesus can be at the core of our daughter’s learning. I also appreciated how she touched up on how we can be so consumed by social media that we lose focus on what is most important. Wow! Still so much I am chewing on so much that I need to fix and make right!
What I Liked Best: The author truly shined the light on Christ and how it is ok to not be ok! I also enjoyed reading the 20 ways we can keep it real at the end of the book!
What I liked least: I loved it all!
Rating 5 out 5
“Before we jump on the Internet, do we search God’s Word? Do we seek Him first? Do we pray? Or is our immediate instinct to search out social media? Are we searching out what everyone else has to say or are we searching out what God as to say? ― Karen DeBeus, Real Homeschool: Letting Go of the Pinterest-Perfect and Instagram-Ideal Homeschool
My Thoughts:
This book was so refreshing! It really was so convicting. It really has caused me to rethink a lot of things that I truly need to revamp in my homeschool. This book reminded me of our first “Why” my husband and I decided to homeschool, so Jesus can be at the core of our daughter’s learning. I also appreciated how she touched up on how we can be so consumed by social media that we lose focus on what is most important. Wow! Still so much I am chewing on so much that I need to fix and make right!
What I Liked Best: The author truly shined the light on Christ and how it is ok to not be ok! I also enjoyed reading the 20 ways we can keep it real at the end of the book!
What I liked least: I loved it all!
Rating 5 out 5
March 1, 2018
I found a lot of gems, I was highlighting things throughout the entire book. But something with the book just didn't click with me. Between the gems, I was honestly just bored. I felt like the book repeated a lot and stated a lot that seemed obvious. The writing was good and the book well organized, I think it just didn't click with me.
November 8, 2025
In Real Homeschool, DeBeus urges homeschool parents to let to of the idea of a social media perfection and focus on what actually matters. Her message is an important one, and it's no less significant for being one that is frequently expressed by other authors in the homeschooling sphere. It's not a groundbreaking book, but it is a sweet, encouraging read.
March 26, 2018
Great advice
An eye-opener. I will be reassessing my life and remembering Who made it possible in a more cognizant way. I love the advice of tracking time on the internet.
An eye-opener. I will be reassessing my life and remembering Who made it possible in a more cognizant way. I love the advice of tracking time on the internet.
July 31, 2022
I’m probably not the target audience. Nothing against the book!
March 8, 2021
We all need encouragement not to give up and this book definitely fits that bill. While the writer sometimes seemed to state the obvious or cover the same point multiple times, the reminder of why we actually started our homeschooling journey is one we should never tire of hearing. (Also, appreciated is the length of the book; it was a shorter read. While this homeschooling mom would love to read all the books, finding time to do so can be a struggle.) And while this book is written geared toward a homeschooling family, the points she makes about our priorities and the way we should be using social media could actually be appreciated by any mom-homeschooling or otherwise. I think it’s definitely a book I will be pulling out to read again in the future.
August 17, 2015
Not just for home schoolers
This book is full of biblical truths every women should live by. Speaking not as a home schooling mom but as a grandmother I found inspiration for my own life. Thank you Karen.
This book is full of biblical truths every women should live by. Speaking not as a home schooling mom but as a grandmother I found inspiration for my own life. Thank you Karen.
September 18, 2020
I have loved each book of Karen's. I am always striving to put God first in our homeschool and not over worry about the academic side. Karen is so great and pointing you back to Jesus at each part of your homeschool journey!
August 9, 2015
This is a convicting, yet encouraging book. It really helps me focus on the important things as we begin our new year.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews