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Homeschool Bravely: How to Squash Doubt, Trust God, and Teach Your Child with Confidence
Quiet the voices of "not good enough" and step courageously into guilt-free homeschooling
Many homeschool parents have a long-term relationship with self-doubt. "Did I make the right decision?" "Could someone else do this better?" "Am I robbing my kids of something by not sending them to 'regular school'?"
What if there's a better way?
Not a 3-step technique or a shiny, new curriculum, but a change in perspective that transforms the way you plan, teach, and homeschool?
Homeschool Bravely teaches you to see homeschooling as a calling, helps you overthrow the tyranny of impossible expectations, and guides you through the common bumps in the road, including how
juggle school and parenting with toddlers at home
teach a struggling learner
plan with the end in mind
accept your own limitations without feeling guilty
stay the course even in the face of criticism
Reclaim your hope, renew your purpose, and transform your homeschool. Because the truth God will use every part of your homeschool, even your fears, faults, and failures, to weave good plans for your kids.
Many homeschool parents have a long-term relationship with self-doubt. "Did I make the right decision?" "Could someone else do this better?" "Am I robbing my kids of something by not sending them to 'regular school'?"
What if there's a better way?
Not a 3-step technique or a shiny, new curriculum, but a change in perspective that transforms the way you plan, teach, and homeschool?
Homeschool Bravely teaches you to see homeschooling as a calling, helps you overthrow the tyranny of impossible expectations, and guides you through the common bumps in the road, including how
juggle school and parenting with toddlers at home
teach a struggling learner
plan with the end in mind
accept your own limitations without feeling guilty
stay the course even in the face of criticism
Reclaim your hope, renew your purpose, and transform your homeschool. Because the truth God will use every part of your homeschool, even your fears, faults, and failures, to weave good plans for your kids.
201 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2019
591 people are currently reading
4786 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Erickson
3 books781 followersJAMIE ERICKSON is a former classroom teacher turned homeschool mom. When she’s not curating memories, hoarding vintage books, or playing ringmaster to a circus of her own making, Jamie can be found encouraging and equipping a growing tribe of mothers all across the globe on the Mom to Mom podcast, through her blog The Unlikely Homeschool, and at national conferences.
In addition to writing and speaking, Jamie loves talking faith and family over a hot latte, collecting calories around a table full of friends, and taking grueling hikes with her husband Dain and their five kids (because alas, calories don’t display very nicely on a shelf like other collections).
Connect with Jamie at jamieerickson.com
In addition to writing and speaking, Jamie loves talking faith and family over a hot latte, collecting calories around a table full of friends, and taking grueling hikes with her husband Dain and their five kids (because alas, calories don’t display very nicely on a shelf like other collections).
Connect with Jamie at jamieerickson.com
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February 25, 2022
I'm Christian and I'm a homeschooling mom, but I didn't find this book to be terribly helpful. At one point I checked other reviews which assured me that the advice would become more practical after the first one-third of the book- it did not. Basically, the entire book is ra-ra-ra you can do this because God has your back. Which is fine and even great if the book were called Religious Inspiration for Any Random Thing You Want To Do. I'm reading a bunch of homeschooling books right now so I will report back on which ones are most helpful.
Update: Best ones I found so far are: (1) 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers: When You Don't Know Where to Begin Homeschooling by Tina Robertson, and (2) The Call of the Wild and Free: Reclaiming Wonder in Your Child's Education by Ainsley Arment.
Update: Best ones I found so far are: (1) 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers: When You Don't Know Where to Begin Homeschooling by Tina Robertson, and (2) The Call of the Wild and Free: Reclaiming Wonder in Your Child's Education by Ainsley Arment.
June 5, 2019
As a potential homeschooling mom for my now three year old twins, I saw this book and thought it might be a neat read. It was soooo much more than expected. It gave not only good advice for homeschooling moms, but I think almost anyone attempting a new challenge would benefit. This book is definitely a Christian based guide, with scripture references throughout. This biblical support for doing things that could be scary is what makes the book so strong, in my opinion. We are not only hearing the author’s experiences and how she overcame challenges and what she struggles with, but she boosts her readers by reminding them that they do not have to be ready to homeschool (or face a challenge) because God is and that He is the source of true bravery.
September 21, 2020
This book is FANTASTIC for new homeschool moms. I’d even recommend it to veteran homeschool moms. I wish I had the money to buy it for all my homeschooling mom friends. Truly, I do. This is the most encouraging book I’ve read on being a homeschool mom. I plan to read it every single year from here on out, for as long as we plan to homeschool. This will be one of those books that, similar to my Bible and other faves, will end up highlighted and annotated with curled corners and a reinforced cover. I’m so grateful to the author for sharing her heart here and I’m definitely entering into our school year with more confidence and wide-open eyes.
This book is full of scripture, quotes, detailed references, and encouraging personal anecdotes from someone who’s “been there.” I highly recommend this book if you’re new to homeschooling or if you’re already burnt out on homeschooling and questioning life itself. Read this book and be encouraged.
This book is full of scripture, quotes, detailed references, and encouraging personal anecdotes from someone who’s “been there.” I highly recommend this book if you’re new to homeschooling or if you’re already burnt out on homeschooling and questioning life itself. Read this book and be encouraged.
December 20, 2020
There was not enough information about homeschooling and too much information on scripture. The scripture was taken out of context many times and then applied to homeschooling very loosely. The entire book was made up of mostly that and other bible stories. I cannot tell you one thing I read about homeschooling other than to rely on God to help you homeschool and make the right choices and that there are other moms out there with the same situation. She would say this will be a struggle, rely on God, pray, and then loosely relate that to some Bible verse. It was more saying that than it was talking about homeschooling. It was VERY vague and generic and I am real disappointed in that aspect. Other than that, it was an okay book.
September 23, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. I love how so many of the things she talked about could be applied to many areas of life not just homeschooling. I don't know if we'll homeschool forever but for now I know that this is what God has for us. It can be easy to compare and worry if you're doing enough or doing it right but as she said in the book " God does not require my success just my surrender. "Instead of worrying am I doing enough? Ask am I doing what's mine too do?"
Lots of other great quotes and always pointing back to God. This is one I'll probably get a hard copy of.
Lots of other great quotes and always pointing back to God. This is one I'll probably get a hard copy of.
June 28, 2020
I loved this book! It was exactly what I needed as we just decided to homeschool next year. It’s filled with hope as well as the permission not to do it all! I love how seeped in Scripture it is and how the author points back to God constantly. The reminders to be brave in God has been helpful for other areas of my life as well. I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone homeschooling. I know it won’t be an easy journey, but it will be worth it!
September 14, 2025
I found this book quite encouraging and filled with little nuggets of wisdom. I do wish there was a little less direction on how to properly homeschool (the section telling me to not have a designated school room/space confused me) but overall it was a solid read for a homeschooling Christian mama.
July 28, 2024
Review to come after I dry the tears that were caused by the last two chapters 🥹
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I would commend this book to any parent of school-age children. Whether you are in the midst of evaluating your own school choices, looking for a biblical lens through which to consider alternative schooling options, or needing some encouragement, advice, and wisdom along your current homeschool journey - I guarantee you will find a friend within the pages of this book. Jamie writes in a style that is approachable and down-to-earth. She delivers clear biblicaltruth and bolstering encouragement as if you’re sitting down over a cup of coffee.
As moms, we are professionals at over-thinking and self-questioning…especially when it comes to schooling choices for our children. Sometimes the self-doubt feels crippling and never-ending. In desperation, we search for something that will relieve our concerns, doubt, and fears. But what if there is a better way? This book is not a step-by-step guide for HOW you should homeschool, rather it provides a necessary and important perspective shift for how you think about your home and your school therein. Covering topics like paying attention to your own unique call and giftings; thriving through the various struggles of homeschooling; building a schooling style that reflects your family and values; and homeschooling with the end in mind.
God used this book to open my eyes to some myths I was believing and some pitfalls I was guilty of, as well as to strengthen my resolve and give me excitement for our own future of homeschooling. It is a resource I will be referencing often over the years and will be widely recommending!
One of the best, and most freeing, quotes from Jamie: “A brave homeschool is not a perfect homeschool; it's a gospel-centered one.”
Thank you to Moody Publishers for a complimentary book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
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I would commend this book to any parent of school-age children. Whether you are in the midst of evaluating your own school choices, looking for a biblical lens through which to consider alternative schooling options, or needing some encouragement, advice, and wisdom along your current homeschool journey - I guarantee you will find a friend within the pages of this book. Jamie writes in a style that is approachable and down-to-earth. She delivers clear biblicaltruth and bolstering encouragement as if you’re sitting down over a cup of coffee.
As moms, we are professionals at over-thinking and self-questioning…especially when it comes to schooling choices for our children. Sometimes the self-doubt feels crippling and never-ending. In desperation, we search for something that will relieve our concerns, doubt, and fears. But what if there is a better way? This book is not a step-by-step guide for HOW you should homeschool, rather it provides a necessary and important perspective shift for how you think about your home and your school therein. Covering topics like paying attention to your own unique call and giftings; thriving through the various struggles of homeschooling; building a schooling style that reflects your family and values; and homeschooling with the end in mind.
God used this book to open my eyes to some myths I was believing and some pitfalls I was guilty of, as well as to strengthen my resolve and give me excitement for our own future of homeschooling. It is a resource I will be referencing often over the years and will be widely recommending!
One of the best, and most freeing, quotes from Jamie: “A brave homeschool is not a perfect homeschool; it's a gospel-centered one.”
Thank you to Moody Publishers for a complimentary book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
September 25, 2019
I picked up this book in May, right before we finished school for the summer. It has taken me this long to finish it because I basically took a break from even thinking about school as soon as I could. But with starting up homeschooling again in the fall, it was time to finish this book.
What I Liked
Homeschool Bravely by Jamie Erickson is a book to encourage Christian homeschool moms who are doubting their homeschool choice or worried they aren't doing a good enough job. I thought it completely lived up to that purpose. Erickson has so much hard-won, practical encouragement for homeschool moms, and she tells it all from her own experience.
This book is solidly a Christian homeschool book. Erickson weaves her faith through every aspect of homeschooling that she addresses, and I love that - it's as it should be! Her encouragement is definitely geared toward Christian homeschoolers, and I appreciated alot of what she has to say, especially her encouragements to trust God for our homeschools, not on ourselves or crossing things off our to-do lists. She encourages Christian moms to keep their eyes on the big picture of why we are homeschooling in the first place, and that is always valuable to me.
What I Didn't Love
My only complaints with this book have to do with some muddied Christian messages in it. Though Erickson refers to the gospel, and based on different things she says she seems to understand that we are saved by faith in Christ alone and His atoning sacrifice for our sins, it's not really clearly explained. If a book is going to focus on Christian encouragement and teaching, and refer to the "gospel" so much, I really appreciate when the gospel is clearly spelled out. Not everyone who picks up a book like this may have a clear understanding of how to be saved. This book didn't reach that bar for me of clearly explaining the salvation message.
The other thing I didn't love was the way Erickson took different Bible stories or isolated verses and applied them to a homeschooling point she was trying to make. Sometimes I felt like she seemed to reduce everything Jesus did on earth as merely for our example. He is our example, but that is not the primary reason He came. Her use of Scripture felt forced sometimes, and also led to some theological interpretations I would question.
The best example of this is on page 141. Erickson writes:
"God constrained Himself when He took on human flesh. He gave Himself physical limitations. If God recognized the need to do less for a time, then why shouldn't you? Why shouldn't I?"
I think it's a big jump to use the fact that God became flesh in Jesus Christ to then state that God recognized a "need to do less". I just cringe even typing that. I may be misunderstanding her, but I still need to point out that God is not like us, He has no need to rest or "do less". He wasn't doing any less when He became flesh in order to live a sinless life and take the punishment for our sin upon Himself! Sure, in His humanness, Christ rested in His physical body. But as He was also fully God, He was also doing everything God normally does, upholding all things by the word of His power (Heb 1:3), even while He had become fully man in order to become the sacrifice for our sins. He certainly wasn't doing any less.
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Anyway, aside from all that, I did appreciate how Erickson wove the Christian faith into her encouragement for homeschool moms. Alot of her homeschool advice was right on the money, and I appreciated reading it. I'd recommend this book to Christian homeschool moms, while encouraging them to still read with discernment since I thought some of her use of Scripture and theological statements were questionable. But there is certainly alot of encouragement to be had here.
Note: I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
What I Liked
Homeschool Bravely by Jamie Erickson is a book to encourage Christian homeschool moms who are doubting their homeschool choice or worried they aren't doing a good enough job. I thought it completely lived up to that purpose. Erickson has so much hard-won, practical encouragement for homeschool moms, and she tells it all from her own experience.
This book is solidly a Christian homeschool book. Erickson weaves her faith through every aspect of homeschooling that she addresses, and I love that - it's as it should be! Her encouragement is definitely geared toward Christian homeschoolers, and I appreciated alot of what she has to say, especially her encouragements to trust God for our homeschools, not on ourselves or crossing things off our to-do lists. She encourages Christian moms to keep their eyes on the big picture of why we are homeschooling in the first place, and that is always valuable to me.
What I Didn't Love
My only complaints with this book have to do with some muddied Christian messages in it. Though Erickson refers to the gospel, and based on different things she says she seems to understand that we are saved by faith in Christ alone and His atoning sacrifice for our sins, it's not really clearly explained. If a book is going to focus on Christian encouragement and teaching, and refer to the "gospel" so much, I really appreciate when the gospel is clearly spelled out. Not everyone who picks up a book like this may have a clear understanding of how to be saved. This book didn't reach that bar for me of clearly explaining the salvation message.
The other thing I didn't love was the way Erickson took different Bible stories or isolated verses and applied them to a homeschooling point she was trying to make. Sometimes I felt like she seemed to reduce everything Jesus did on earth as merely for our example. He is our example, but that is not the primary reason He came. Her use of Scripture felt forced sometimes, and also led to some theological interpretations I would question.
The best example of this is on page 141. Erickson writes:
"God constrained Himself when He took on human flesh. He gave Himself physical limitations. If God recognized the need to do less for a time, then why shouldn't you? Why shouldn't I?"
I think it's a big jump to use the fact that God became flesh in Jesus Christ to then state that God recognized a "need to do less". I just cringe even typing that. I may be misunderstanding her, but I still need to point out that God is not like us, He has no need to rest or "do less". He wasn't doing any less when He became flesh in order to live a sinless life and take the punishment for our sin upon Himself! Sure, in His humanness, Christ rested in His physical body. But as He was also fully God, He was also doing everything God normally does, upholding all things by the word of His power (Heb 1:3), even while He had become fully man in order to become the sacrifice for our sins. He certainly wasn't doing any less.
---
Anyway, aside from all that, I did appreciate how Erickson wove the Christian faith into her encouragement for homeschool moms. Alot of her homeschool advice was right on the money, and I appreciated reading it. I'd recommend this book to Christian homeschool moms, while encouraging them to still read with discernment since I thought some of her use of Scripture and theological statements were questionable. But there is certainly alot of encouragement to be had here.
Note: I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 20, 2019
Loved this. Will probably recommend and buy copies for friends in the throws of homeschooling. But I found that so many phrases and helps could be directed at any mother in her current choice of schooling or in other walks if life that leave them filled with doubt.
September 12, 2023
Loved every second of this audiobook! Narrated by the author herself (she did a fantastic job!)
She really has us all the practical things to do for ourselves, for our kiddos during the homeschool year & how to love it all while you’re at it!
This Will be a book I revisit!
“The outcome is not up to you, my friend, only the obedience. “
She really has us all the practical things to do for ourselves, for our kiddos during the homeschool year & how to love it all while you’re at it!
This Will be a book I revisit!
“The outcome is not up to you, my friend, only the obedience. “
August 26, 2023
“Fear will never lead you well because it speaks in falsehoods and cannot be trusted. Doubt is a bully that will always try to knock you down. But here’s the thing: if you feed your faith, your fears will starve to death. If you fix your eyes on the Author and Finisher, you won’t ever lack for bravery because He always completes the work He begins (Heb. 12:2; Phil. 1:6). Nothing is ever half done in His care. You might stumble forward, but He’ll catch you and set you right again. Trust that if God has called you to it, He will help you do it.” – Jamie Erickson
Almost every homeschool book that I read, I say that I wished I had read it at the beginning of my homeschool journey, but not this one. For me personally, Homeschool Bravely was a timely read that not only encouraged and ministered to my homeschooling mama’s heart, but to my heart overall. So much of what Jamie shares not only applies to homeschooling, but to all areas of life, and for that I am grateful.
As a homeschool mom of five, Jamie is well-equipped with experience, knowledge, and wisdom to guide you “through the common bumps in the road” and does so in Homeschool Bravely; but moreover, she consistently guides your eyes to the One who does the equipping and where your hope and strength is found.
I read Homeschool Bravely because it comes highly recommended in the Christian homeschool community, but I am recommending Homeschool Bravely because it is one that meets you with Truth and hope. Whether you are new to homeschooling or a veteran, there is much to savor and hold on to from Homeschool Bravely. I highly recommend it!
Almost every homeschool book that I read, I say that I wished I had read it at the beginning of my homeschool journey, but not this one. For me personally, Homeschool Bravely was a timely read that not only encouraged and ministered to my homeschooling mama’s heart, but to my heart overall. So much of what Jamie shares not only applies to homeschooling, but to all areas of life, and for that I am grateful.
As a homeschool mom of five, Jamie is well-equipped with experience, knowledge, and wisdom to guide you “through the common bumps in the road” and does so in Homeschool Bravely; but moreover, she consistently guides your eyes to the One who does the equipping and where your hope and strength is found.
I read Homeschool Bravely because it comes highly recommended in the Christian homeschool community, but I am recommending Homeschool Bravely because it is one that meets you with Truth and hope. Whether you are new to homeschooling or a veteran, there is much to savor and hold on to from Homeschool Bravely. I highly recommend it!
April 3, 2019
Homeschooling, that journey we take and then wonder if this was such a good idea after all. Jamie Erickson doesn't know me from Adam, but there was something personal when my word of the year was "Brave" and then this book about Homeschooling Bravely came out. Coincidence? As Jamie would say, "...as a Christian, I'm inclined to believe there's more to the story than mere happenstance situations or coincidences." (p. 22).
I grew up homeschooled and I knew I would homeschool my kids before I said, "I do" to my husband. It wasn't until I was 5 years into homeschooling that I began to wonder if I had made the best decision for my children? Suddenly all my inadequacies seemed to be a mountain top that I had to overcome. Jamie's book really encourages and breaks everything up into 3 sections: fear, struggle, and solution. Her approach comes from a biblical viewpoint that this is a calling, and through that calling our "...foundation for homeschooling has to be anchored in God's calling, or like the foolish man who built his house on the sand, you'll watch your homeschool crumble at the first sign of a storm."
There is excellent wisdom nuggets founded within the pages of this book and it is encouraging but also convicting. I would recommend this book to all homeschooling mama's out there. There is biblical truths to cling too during the stormy weather, but there is also simple strategies for walking away more brave for this homeschooling journey.
Be strong and courageous!
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.
I grew up homeschooled and I knew I would homeschool my kids before I said, "I do" to my husband. It wasn't until I was 5 years into homeschooling that I began to wonder if I had made the best decision for my children? Suddenly all my inadequacies seemed to be a mountain top that I had to overcome. Jamie's book really encourages and breaks everything up into 3 sections: fear, struggle, and solution. Her approach comes from a biblical viewpoint that this is a calling, and through that calling our "...foundation for homeschooling has to be anchored in God's calling, or like the foolish man who built his house on the sand, you'll watch your homeschool crumble at the first sign of a storm."
There is excellent wisdom nuggets founded within the pages of this book and it is encouraging but also convicting. I would recommend this book to all homeschooling mama's out there. There is biblical truths to cling too during the stormy weather, but there is also simple strategies for walking away more brave for this homeschooling journey.
Be strong and courageous!
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book from the publisher for the purpose of reviewing it. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review.
October 21, 2022
Wow! What a blessing this was to me.
If you are considering homeschooling, just starting to homeschool, OR like me have been homeschooling for several years now, you will be encouraged by this book!
Have a highlighter and a tender heart ready because you will want both. I so appreciated how the author kept pointing us back to God’s Word. This isn’t a book about the best curriculum or all the ways you should homeschool. But it is a fantastic book about priorities and mindset in homeschooling. Loved it.
If you are considering homeschooling, just starting to homeschool, OR like me have been homeschooling for several years now, you will be encouraged by this book!
Have a highlighter and a tender heart ready because you will want both. I so appreciated how the author kept pointing us back to God’s Word. This isn’t a book about the best curriculum or all the ways you should homeschool. But it is a fantastic book about priorities and mindset in homeschooling. Loved it.
May 1, 2021
I couldn't finish this book. Not at all what I was expecting.
November 29, 2020
As a first time homeschooling mom, I get anxious a lot about the uncertainties of the new path that our family is taking. I thought I need a self-help book because my self-doubt is scaling up.
Of all the self-help books that I read, this is one of the few that really eased my apprehension. It made me trust myself that I can do it and be less self-critical. I love that it is Bible-based and one of the things that I learned is to feed my faith and not my fear. This is something that I would re-read whenever my confidence is getting low.
I would definitely recommend this to my fellow first time homeschoolers.
Of all the self-help books that I read, this is one of the few that really eased my apprehension. It made me trust myself that I can do it and be less self-critical. I love that it is Bible-based and one of the things that I learned is to feed my faith and not my fear. This is something that I would re-read whenever my confidence is getting low.
I would definitely recommend this to my fellow first time homeschoolers.
August 17, 2023
I was inspired to homeschool when Little Girl was only 18 months old. I remember watching video after video on YouTube. There were so many pros and only a few cons. However, when she was two and a half, I realized we didn't have many other children her age around us. Our church is small, and at the time she was the only child under the age of ten years old. We enrolled her in a mother's day out program for three days a week from 8 am until noon. She loved it. And we came to realize how social she is. By the time she turned four, I was convinced she was smart enough to learn to read. And I still believe she could have. But I now understand that she wasn't interested at that time. And my pushing her resulted in frustration for her and for me. I started to feel like I wasn't capable of teaching her, or maybe she wasn't capable of learning from me. She seemed resistant all around. Her kindergarten year started when we were in the middle of our home renovation and were living with my parents. Baby Boy was also only 6 months old. Homeschooling her then would have saved me some drive time, but it also would have added extra stress on top of an already extremely stressful period in our lives. So we sent her to public school for kindergarten and first grade. And she had wonderful experiences there.
I started to move away from the idea of homeschooling because public school seemed to work out well for her. Yet I still had a couple of issues. I missed her terribly. I felt like she was missing on so much family time. When I picked her up from school, she was grumpy, irritable, and tired of being around other people. Yet Little Boy had been looking forward to playing with her all day. Nearly every day there were fights in the car before we even made it home from school. Add to that, Little Boy started getting into trouble in his K4 class. He was acting up, disobedient, and generally disruptive to the other students in class. His teacher suspected he may have ADHD. He has not been formally diagnosed, but I do think it's possible. I also think ADHD is overdiagnosed in our country. And so I began to explore options that might be better suited for him than being in a classroom for 6-8 hours a day. I came back to homeschool.
In all transparency guys, I am not a patient person. Parenting hasn't come easy to me in that area. So much of parenting feels like putting out fires in all directions all day long. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. Maybe I'm too reactive and not enough proactive. I'm constantly trying to improve myself as a person and parent. So this aspect of my personal struggles terrified me when I thought about homeschooling. Yet, I yearn for the opportunities to overcome my personal struggles, and teach my children how to overcome theirs. My reasons for homeschooling go beyond those I've mentioned here, but this is just setting up my journey and state of mind. I pretty much determined by January/February of this past year that we would try homeschooling. And so I set out to research in all the ways possible for resources, curriculum and help in any area possible. I saw this book recommended so frequently, that I knew I would have to check it out.
Jamie Erickson touched on it all. The fear. Other's people's reactions. Whether homeschooling feels like a calling for you or a convenient temporary thing. Dealing with the struggle of homeschooling a difficult child. The challenges of teaching a child that is struggling. The difference between schooling at home and homeschooling. And of course the entire point is pressing forward with bravery and handing your homeschool over to God to work in and through it and you.
Favorite quotes:
And the quote that made me cry...
Homeschool Bravely is my first 5-Star book of 2023. It will easily be a book that I come back to over and over and over again. As I'm writing this review, we are only 3 days into our homeschool journey. These three days have been challenging for sure. My commitment is still strong. But I know days will come when I waver and wonder. And I know that coming back to this book will be just what I need because Jamie Erikson addresses nearly every potential breaking point that I can imagine. There is truth to be gleaned about the Christian walk outside of homeschooling. Simply following the call God has placed in our lives and stepping out beyond fear. I will recommend this book a ton, I know. Have you read Homeschool Bravely? What did you think? Let me know!
I started to move away from the idea of homeschooling because public school seemed to work out well for her. Yet I still had a couple of issues. I missed her terribly. I felt like she was missing on so much family time. When I picked her up from school, she was grumpy, irritable, and tired of being around other people. Yet Little Boy had been looking forward to playing with her all day. Nearly every day there were fights in the car before we even made it home from school. Add to that, Little Boy started getting into trouble in his K4 class. He was acting up, disobedient, and generally disruptive to the other students in class. His teacher suspected he may have ADHD. He has not been formally diagnosed, but I do think it's possible. I also think ADHD is overdiagnosed in our country. And so I began to explore options that might be better suited for him than being in a classroom for 6-8 hours a day. I came back to homeschool.
In all transparency guys, I am not a patient person. Parenting hasn't come easy to me in that area. So much of parenting feels like putting out fires in all directions all day long. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. Maybe I'm too reactive and not enough proactive. I'm constantly trying to improve myself as a person and parent. So this aspect of my personal struggles terrified me when I thought about homeschooling. Yet, I yearn for the opportunities to overcome my personal struggles, and teach my children how to overcome theirs. My reasons for homeschooling go beyond those I've mentioned here, but this is just setting up my journey and state of mind. I pretty much determined by January/February of this past year that we would try homeschooling. And so I set out to research in all the ways possible for resources, curriculum and help in any area possible. I saw this book recommended so frequently, that I knew I would have to check it out.
Jamie Erickson touched on it all. The fear. Other's people's reactions. Whether homeschooling feels like a calling for you or a convenient temporary thing. Dealing with the struggle of homeschooling a difficult child. The challenges of teaching a child that is struggling. The difference between schooling at home and homeschooling. And of course the entire point is pressing forward with bravery and handing your homeschool over to God to work in and through it and you.
Favorite quotes:
-"Fear will be a threat whenever you set out to pursue a desire that means something to you." Emily P Freeman A Million Little Ways
-And the work, when done faithfully, will always lead to worship. When I set aside my wants, my plan, my goals, and joyfully embrace the calling God has placed in my life to train my children in this short season, I am offering up worshipful praise to my King.
-Trouble will always brew when you allow your own narrative to speak louder than the whispers of God. But His voice is always there.
-Fortunately, hearing God's voice in the big things, such as a child's education, requires no more faith than it takes to find His voice in the everyday. He's not clutching it tightly just waiting to see if you can muster up enough strength and tenacity to peel it from His steely grasp. He's holding it out for you. He's inviting you to trust Him with it. Ambiguity is not in His nature. His plans are certain. His way is sure--especially for you, especially in this.
-God does not withhold His will from me, and He won't withhold it from you, friend. If you ask for wisdom for your child's education, He will give it abundantly--no secret codes or special security clearance required. Immerse yourself in Scripture, and it will become a compass, guiding you toward True North. His rhema will answer your heart cries and cast out your fears. What once looked like a coincidence will begin to show itself for what it's been all along, God's calling.
-My fear was not a sin, but my disobedience in my fear would have been.
-Since the very beginning, Satan has taken the self-doubt of humanity, coupled it with some truth, and slipped in an ittybitty lie when no one was looking in order to dupe entire generations into believing God will never give a Christian any more than she can handle on her own. In this case, he’d like you to believe that if you were called to homeschooling it was because God knew you could do it— and so you better come through. Satan wants nothing more than for you to pull yourself up by your bootstraps and try to get this thing done all on your own. ... God didn’t call you to homeschooling because you could handle it. He called you because He could handle it.
-When you finally hand Him the reins, step back, and let Him do His thing, you’ll watch your liabilities become your greatest assets. His power will be made perfect in your weakness (2 Cor. 12: 9). As you decrease, He will increase (John 3: 30). Knowing that, why in the world would you ever want to just sit silently in your fear?
-God is at work right now in the midst of your fear to break your bonds of self-sufficiency.
-God is in the business of calling foolish, simple people to do great and mighty things—not because they are able, but because He is. ... Your glaring inadequacies will only stand to prove His might.
-And when we came to the end of us, we saw God. Without the fear, we would have missed His presence entirely. We wouldn’t have been looking for it. We wouldn’t have been waiting expectantly for it.
-The key is to set your sights on who your child is becoming and not just how he is acting at this moment. God is writing a story in the life of your child. And stories, at least the good ones, always have a beginning, a middle, and an end. It would be so much easier to skip to the last page— to the completed work.
-The middle pages are what make the last page so captivating. They’re where all the action takes place. The pretty resolve is only pretty because of the struggle that happened just before it. To remove the struggle is to remove the story. That’s not to belittle the struggle or to dismiss it away but to realize that the struggle is a necessary plot point in the bigger narrative.
-Most people believe that conflict and sibling rivalry are to be avoided. But it’s in the conflict that basic heart issues and differences are brought to the surface and can be dealt with accordingly. Without the conflict, the sin issues fester and multiply.
-What you don’t know, or perhaps what you may need to be reminded of, is that a “struggle” shows that you are doing something right. Struggle is a verb. It implies action; effort; giving it all you’ve got. If you are teaching a struggling learner, it means that you are, right now, developing a learner. You’re not sitting idly by or watching from the sidelines. You’re not growing comfortable with good enough. You’ve gathered all your pluck and moxie and are moving forward, helping him do the same.
-Joshua 1: 9, and the promise that God would be with me ministered to my heart. I realized that God wasn’t saying, “There’s the path; go down it”; he was saying, “Here’s the path that I have prepared for you. Take my hand, let’s walk down it together.” So I held tightly to His hand and took the first step. And then the next and the next.
-You can’t always opt out of the struggle for you or your child.
-But don’t forget that Christ’s best moments of teaching were wrapped in chaos too. In crowded homes, along the lakeshore, and even in the house of God, Jesus was familiar with messy living. He had to teach stubborn people who refused to listen.
-...should you feel dead to homeschooling because of the struggle that surrounds you, remember that God can resurrect anything. Pray He resurrects your love for your children, your calling, your commitment, and remember that this moment doesn’t define your entire homeschool. You are more than your worst days. Nothing is ever too far gone for His redemptive power. He is always working even when it doesn’t seem like it (John 5: 17).
-In His kindness to me, God’s shown me that in trying to do everything perfectly, I end up doing a lot of things with mediocrity. In His kindness, He’s revealed the idol I’ve molded out of my mothering. In His kindness, He’s encouraged me to stop wondering if I’m doing enough and has given me the courage to ask, “Am I doing what’s mine to do?”
-Your identity cannot be found in your ability to meet someone else’s quota. You don’t have to set yourself on fire just to keep others warm. God constrained Himself when He took upon human flesh. He gave Himself physical limitations. If God recognized the need to do less for a time, then why shouldn’t you? Why shouldn’t I?
-But by prayerfully making a don’t-do list at the start of each school year, you are mentally preparing yourself to be able to give a hard and fast no to those things that deplete you and leave you with little to give to homeschooling. You’ll have more room for the yeses that matter most.
-We go in with guns blazing, touting homeschooling as the answer to everyone else’s problems. We see a friend’s public- schooled child falter socially, spiritually, or academically and pridefully announce that homeschooling is the answer— the quick fix that will right every wrong. We see our “perfect” curriculum and our “perfect” methods and our “perfect” well- ordered plan and begin to prescribe it to our friends and their obviously- in- need- of- change children. We place homeschooling on the throne of God and forget that change comes only through Him.
-That’s God’s way. He forecasts victory because He can see all the way to the very end. He called Abraham the “father of many nations” before he and his wife Sarah ever conceived one child. He called Gideon a “mighty warrior” before the man ever set foot on a battlefield. He dubbed David as king when the kid was nothing more than a shepherd. And Peter? Well even in the midst of Peter’s cowardly denial, Christ nicknamed him the “Rock,” and made him a leader of the fellowship of Christ- followers.
-you can’t always tack a pretty system onto spiritual transformation.
-You are like the farmer carefully planting seeds that won’t actually bear fruit until much later. The field might look fallow and dormant, but many things are happening just below the surface. Your task is to plant while the soil is rich and fertile and then have patience like the farmer, allowing the invisible, silent work to happen slowly over time.
-If you’re willing, God wants to travel some long roads with your kids. Every mile will mean something, even the wandering ways and the missteps. It will all matter.
-When your abilities seem small, when you’re surrounded by people who could do it better, when your time and finances and patience are depleted, bring your small offerings to Christ. Trust that He can take your simple loaves and fish and create a feast for you and your children. Your impossibilities will become twelve baskets full and overflowing in His hands.
-God does not require your success, my friend, only your surrender. You’re charged with simple obedience. God is in charge of the results. But you can’t have one without the other. Don’t believe me? Take a quick flip through Scripture, and you’ll find that obedience always precedes the miracle.
And the quote that made me cry...
-The best part about simply obeying in faith and trusting God’s good plans for your homeschool is that obedience and trust take the pressure off of you. You don’t have to be a math genius if you’re not. You don’t have to be impressively patient if you’re not. You don’t have to have lots of letters behind your name if you don’t. You just have to believe God can and will provide—that He will take whatever small offerings you hold out and multiply them. You don’t have to stand at the back of the line fearing the fish and bread will run out when you get to the front. They won’t. He’s got enough for you. He’s got enough for me. Trust Him and just obey. The obedience always has to come first, then the miracle. God’s in the business of turning all of our nothings into somethings. He’s good at it. After all, He’s had a lot of practice; He’s been doing it since the very beginning.
-Bravery, on the other hand, exists in the present tense. It happens right here, right now. It’s not a lack of fear, mind you. It’s just a decision to do the thing even in the midst of fear. Bravery is the courage it takes to say with boldness, “Here is my homeschool, God. Here, too, are my fears, faults, and failures. They’re Yours now to face, fix, and forgive.” In my bravery, I might never say farewell to all my fears, but I’ll face them.
Homeschool Bravely is my first 5-Star book of 2023. It will easily be a book that I come back to over and over and over again. As I'm writing this review, we are only 3 days into our homeschool journey. These three days have been challenging for sure. My commitment is still strong. But I know days will come when I waver and wonder. And I know that coming back to this book will be just what I need because Jamie Erikson addresses nearly every potential breaking point that I can imagine. There is truth to be gleaned about the Christian walk outside of homeschooling. Simply following the call God has placed in our lives and stepping out beyond fear. I will recommend this book a ton, I know. Have you read Homeschool Bravely? What did you think? Let me know!
February 26, 2023
I honestly did not want to finish reading this book. It was like sharing a cup of tea with another homeschooling mom and sharing experiences, feelings, questions that I have all the time …
What an absolute blessing and encouragement this book is. I just want to keep it on my nightstand and keep getting encouragements from it.
What an absolute blessing and encouragement this book is. I just want to keep it on my nightstand and keep getting encouragements from it.
November 8, 2023
I think this would be more helpful and encouraging to a Mom who is beginning her homeschooling journey, and is maybe wrestling with some fear and doubt and wondering where to begin.
May 8, 2023
So many great take aways; I feel like I underlined and starred most of the book. Love her perspective on homeschooling. It includes encouraging quotes from many well known homeschoolers. If you have doubts about your ability to homeschool, definitely read this book. It's not about OUR strength or abilities...it is all about HIS ❤️
May 24, 2023
As someone who has little ones (not school age yet), this book helped me to really sort out some of my ideas about homeschooling. I certainly feel more confident in choosing to home school after reading it. Encouraging and easy to read.
May 12, 2022
This book was so good and so incredibly encouraging to me as a homeschool mom! It’s written from a Biblical point of view, which I was so grateful for. Definitely a must read for all homeschool moms!
February 22, 2023
Such an encouragement to me on this homeschooling journey. I’m so incredibly grateful that God uses authors like this to speak into my life when and where I need it. Highly recommend for moms, wherever they may be in homeschooling.
January 15, 2020
A fantastic book that every homeschool parent should read. It was very encouraging.
March 29, 2019
The first third of this book had me scared I was wasting my time, thought it was just a list of platitudes and Bible verses... I was pleasantly surprised and excited when the book became what I needed.
I'm a public school teacher (college-level Physics and writing), but have been thinking of homeschooling my daughters for awhile now. This isn't an attack on public schools, my family has reasons for debating keeping our girls home, at least for the near future. But this isn't a pressing need so while I'm thinking about it, I haven't committed either way yet.
This book got my attention, and I was disappointed in the first third; it was about the emotions and fears of teaching your own child. Lots of platitudes and Bible verses about following God's plan for your family. Good advice for some, but not what I need. While I know this is a big deal for many people, its not something I'm worried about. If I commit to educate my kids at home, I'm confident I can succeed, so fear of starting isn't a concern. I was concerned with the daily "nuts-and-bolts" of teaching, and when my Kindle showed 35% through the book, Jamie Erickson delivered in spades.
Lists of what how to work with your little kids, how to start the school year with multiple children, logistics of home education, separating "home" and "school" supplies, this is what I needed and hoped for, and Jamie, thank you. I'm sure much of this is in your blog ( https://www.theunlikelyhomeschool.com ) but having the information organized in the book was helpful. I've also never read the blog, so this was a practical introduction to homeschooling that got into the logistical problems of keeping children productive during the learning curve of starting something new.
The religious aspect of the book is fairly concentrated into blocs, so if you're not looking for a sermon, there are still large sections of this book that can be helpful. I didn't like being preached at, but my religious background is different from the author, so it didn't offend me... I knew what I was getting into with this book, and I enjoyed it.
If you're looking for a justification for homeschooling your children or you're scared or confused, the first several chapters are what you need to hear.
If you're confident and just need to see how someone else got started, this book has several ideas to get started with.
**I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a public school teacher (college-level Physics and writing), but have been thinking of homeschooling my daughters for awhile now. This isn't an attack on public schools, my family has reasons for debating keeping our girls home, at least for the near future. But this isn't a pressing need so while I'm thinking about it, I haven't committed either way yet.
This book got my attention, and I was disappointed in the first third; it was about the emotions and fears of teaching your own child. Lots of platitudes and Bible verses about following God's plan for your family. Good advice for some, but not what I need. While I know this is a big deal for many people, its not something I'm worried about. If I commit to educate my kids at home, I'm confident I can succeed, so fear of starting isn't a concern. I was concerned with the daily "nuts-and-bolts" of teaching, and when my Kindle showed 35% through the book, Jamie Erickson delivered in spades.
Lists of what how to work with your little kids, how to start the school year with multiple children, logistics of home education, separating "home" and "school" supplies, this is what I needed and hoped for, and Jamie, thank you. I'm sure much of this is in your blog ( https://www.theunlikelyhomeschool.com ) but having the information organized in the book was helpful. I've also never read the blog, so this was a practical introduction to homeschooling that got into the logistical problems of keeping children productive during the learning curve of starting something new.
The religious aspect of the book is fairly concentrated into blocs, so if you're not looking for a sermon, there are still large sections of this book that can be helpful. I didn't like being preached at, but my religious background is different from the author, so it didn't offend me... I knew what I was getting into with this book, and I enjoyed it.
If you're looking for a justification for homeschooling your children or you're scared or confused, the first several chapters are what you need to hear.
If you're confident and just need to see how someone else got started, this book has several ideas to get started with.
**I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 28, 2019
WHY I CHOOSE THIS BOOK
Despite the fact that I've read a lot of parenting books, I've never read any homeschooling books. That seemed like a fact I should remedy, and this book caught my eye, partly because of the title, partly because the cover is black.
Disclaimer: I'm not a parent, I don't think I have the answers to parenting, homeschooling, or raising kids. I simply enjoy studying the subject and seeing how I can (very, very loosely) apply the principles I learn to myself, kids in my life, and maybe in the far distant future my own kids. Plus, it's pretty fun to learn when there's no pressure. But, as always this review will, therefore, be quite subjective, but will hopefully provide a unique point-of-view compared to the reviews written by parents who actually know what they're doing.
WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS BOOK
I found it surprisingly interesting. The author is a blogger and a lot of times a blogger-turned-book-author is a hit or miss for me when it comes to style - there's no middle ground. This one was, thankfully, a total hit. Her writing style was engaging, her tone honest, encouraging, and at times funny, and her stories were ones I could relate to from the perspective of an adult who grew up being homeschooled.
The author used to be an elementary school teacher, which felt like it gave her added credentials while talking about homeschooling vs. public schooling.
There were some things in the book I didn't fully agree with (more related to her views on various things, rather than what she actually did), but those things were minor enough that they didn't take away from the book for me.
For me, the most interesting part of the book was when she gave different suggestions of things to do with kids. It's so intriguing to hear about things little kids can do for fun that are actually educational as well.
CONCLUSION
If y'all are interested in this book, you should check out her website (The Unlikely Homeschool) or look her up on Instagram. I watched some of her Instagram stories as I was reading the book and that really helped her to feel more relatable and alive to me.
I generally don't recommend parenting books as a non-parent on my blog (because that's weird), and the same goes for homeschooling books. But, I did enjoy reading this book.
RATING
I’m giving Homeschool Bravely four out of five stars – Moody Publishers was very kind to send me a copy of this book so I could review it.
Despite the fact that I've read a lot of parenting books, I've never read any homeschooling books. That seemed like a fact I should remedy, and this book caught my eye, partly because of the title, partly because the cover is black.
Disclaimer: I'm not a parent, I don't think I have the answers to parenting, homeschooling, or raising kids. I simply enjoy studying the subject and seeing how I can (very, very loosely) apply the principles I learn to myself, kids in my life, and maybe in the far distant future my own kids. Plus, it's pretty fun to learn when there's no pressure. But, as always this review will, therefore, be quite subjective, but will hopefully provide a unique point-of-view compared to the reviews written by parents who actually know what they're doing.
WHAT I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS BOOK
I found it surprisingly interesting. The author is a blogger and a lot of times a blogger-turned-book-author is a hit or miss for me when it comes to style - there's no middle ground. This one was, thankfully, a total hit. Her writing style was engaging, her tone honest, encouraging, and at times funny, and her stories were ones I could relate to from the perspective of an adult who grew up being homeschooled.
The author used to be an elementary school teacher, which felt like it gave her added credentials while talking about homeschooling vs. public schooling.
There were some things in the book I didn't fully agree with (more related to her views on various things, rather than what she actually did), but those things were minor enough that they didn't take away from the book for me.
For me, the most interesting part of the book was when she gave different suggestions of things to do with kids. It's so intriguing to hear about things little kids can do for fun that are actually educational as well.
CONCLUSION
If y'all are interested in this book, you should check out her website (The Unlikely Homeschool) or look her up on Instagram. I watched some of her Instagram stories as I was reading the book and that really helped her to feel more relatable and alive to me.
I generally don't recommend parenting books as a non-parent on my blog (because that's weird), and the same goes for homeschooling books. But, I did enjoy reading this book.
RATING
I’m giving Homeschool Bravely four out of five stars – Moody Publishers was very kind to send me a copy of this book so I could review it.
August 24, 2023
Absolutely amazing book. By about a chapter in, I had ordered my own copy. Loved it. Phenomenal book full of nuggets and important questions to ask, like what would success look like to you, for your children? Has sparked many convos with my husband and me. Definitely recommend.
September 9, 2022
I’m sure this is a lovely book for those who need it. I just didn’t need it. To me, it seemed like a pep rally for homeschooling and Christianity. While there’s nothing wrong with either, I was looking for a book with a little more …something else? To be honest, I’ve seen this book shared so often among (Christian) homeschoolers online that I decided to read it, not because I really wanted to read it, but I wanted to know what the fuss was about. I think it is similar to any self-improvement book. You find one that works for you. I loved and gained so much from the Introverted Mom, while someone else may not. I think this is the same. While I am Christian, and a homeschooler, it’s just not the message I need right now. So, I gave it up and will not finish. There are plenty of other books on my TBR list and I don’t have time for nonfiction that still bores me three chapters in.
April 17, 2019
As a veteran homeschool mom, I found this so encouraging for me. I wish I had found this when I started our journey. For those just starting and for those in the middle, there is so many nuggets of wisdom hidden. This isn't a how to guide. Jame dives into the heart of why many of us homeschool. We know that God called us on this journey. There will be fears, hardships and struggles. Homeschool Bravely will walk through those struggles with you. In the end, if you are doing what you are called by God to do, you are doing a great job. That's the message. It will not help you with curriculum or routines, but help you succeed in what works for you. This is a book that I plan to give moms who are thinking about homeschooling.
February 27, 2023
Read #2: didn't love it as much as the first time simply because I'm in my 3rd year of homeschooling, so the panic of being a beginner has subsided. But I still appreciate how well-written and encouraging this is!
I'll have to come back and write a decent review later, but this was absolutely beautiful. A definite reread.
I'll have to come back and write a decent review later, but this was absolutely beautiful. A definite reread.
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