Homeschool Hacks: How to Give Your Kid a Great Education Without Losing Your Job

by Linsey Knerl

A working mother of six, who has homeschooled her own children for years, shows how any family can do it, with customized plans for every schedule, lifestyle, and educational goal.

More people are looking into homeschooling as an alternative to traditional in-person education, but many parents fear they won’t be able to juggle it on top of their own jobs and obligations. How can you create a lesson plan, manage a curriculum, and teach, all while keeping up with your own career?

Luckily, Linsey Knerl is here to help. As a mother of six and freelance journalist whose own children learn at home, she’s committed to making homeschool work for every family who wants it.

In Homeschool Hacks , she shares stories of homeschooling families with different backgrounds and motivations, dispelling the myth that it’s only for religious folks or stay-at-home parents. And she walks you through a complete plan for your child’s learning,
-Sample schedules to create a flexible framework for your own classroom
-Curriculum assessments to discern which program will best fit their needs and their schedules
-Tips for finding—and navigating—your local the homeschool community
-Online resources to continue your journey through graduation

Whether you are considering homeschooling for the long term, the short term, or the first time, this book has everything you need to become your kids’ best teacher ever.

Genres: Parenting, Education, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

Published April 6, 2021

About the author

Linsey was born and raised in Nebraska, where she still lives and homeschools her six children with her entrepreneur husband. When she's not enjoying the beautiful Missouri River bottom landscape you can find her reading weird short stories, playing the piano, and recreating the Danish recipes her grandmother made long ago.

Reviews

[Lydia Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an extremely powerful resource for anyone homeschooling or considering homeschooling their children. My children are grown now, but I always wanted to homeschool them , but thought I couldn't handle it. After reading this informative and helpful book for homeschooling I gave it to my neighbor who has three children and has stayed homeschooling. Thanks Linsey Knerl.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are curious about homeschooling or you’ve made the decision and are wondering about how to get started check out Homeschool Hacks by @lknerl. She’s compiled all of the basics in this book in an easy to read way that will motivate you to get started. In this book she covers the legal requirements, curriculum, costs, childcare, military homeschooling, college readiness, and even temporary homeschooling.

Most importantly, she stresses the fact that only you (and/or) your partner can decide what’s best for your family.
Luckily there is a variety of useful tools (like THIS BOOK) to help people get started with homeschooling.

The only reason why this was just a 3⭐️ book for me is because I have my homeschooling adventure established already and although I did glean *some* new information, or hacks, most of it is information that would be extremely useful for someone who is just getting started. It’s a great foundation book.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an informative little book on homeschooling that would probably be quite helpful for those who are new to it. We are not super experienced, at least compared to some who have been going for 20+ years, but have been homeschooling for a few years, and I really didn't come across any new information in this. She did cover much of the basics as well as addressing some niche situations, such as single parents or military families. It was a decent book overall, I just wish it had some new information to those of us who homeschooled before last year.

[Evaly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read, good info. I wish she had gone into curriculum more, I enjoy learning what others are doing and why. Definitely a very beginner’s guide, would have been more helpful in my first year of homeschooling.

[Penelope Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing really new for me here but I’ve been homeschooling for a while. Might be good for brand new homeschoolers.

[John Peragine · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are new homeschoolers who made the leap in the Fall of 2020 after realizing that remote learning wasn't getting my son anywhere. In other words - we are new and very green. I loved this book and found many validating and helpful tips and bits of information in this easy to read and understand homeschooling primer.

Linsey Knerl's book is an excellent resource for anyone thinking about homeschooling full time. She lays it out in easy to understand steps and does not miss potential problems or confusions for the reader. It is obvious that she has been through the process herself, and the many testimonials from other homeschoolers as well as her own beautifully illustrate that, I appreciate hearing that "it's okay to let it go". I think this may be the single most important advice the author gives to her readers. As a homeschooler, you are already giving so much more to your children, so if it's not working, Let it Go! Thank you Lindsey Knerl!

My only complaint was that I was reading this book in an electronic edition. This is usually my preferred mode of book reading, but this book is so packed with information and references to other important sections that it would be great to have the paper copy, or clickable links within the text so the reader can jump back and forth between sections.

[Leslie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was packed with good information. It would be great for a family who is considering homeschooling. It covers homeschooling options, how to homeschool while working and many more topics. Very informative.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good for those thinking about homeschooling, but not so much for those who have been doing it for awhile.

[Christina, but with tea · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good, general resource, but like the other homeschooling books I've come across lately, it wasn't what I needed for my particular situation.

[Gen X Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are new homeschoolers who made the leap in the Fall of 2020 after realizing that remote learning wasn't getting my son anywhere. In other words - we are new and very green. I loved this book and found many validating and helpful tips and bits of information in this easy to read and understand homeschooling primer.

Linsey Knerl's book is an excellent resource for anyone thinking about homeschooling full time. She lays it out in easy to understand steps and does not miss potential problems or confusions for the reader. It is obvious that she has been through the process herself, and the many testimonials from other homeschoolers as well as her own beautifully illustrate that, I appreciate hearing that "it's okay to let it go". I think this may be the single most important advice the author gives to her readers. As a homeschooler, you are already giving so much more to your children, so if it's not working, Let it Go! Thank you Lindsey Knerl!

My only complaint was that I was reading this book in an electronic edition. This is usually my preferred mode of book reading, but this book is so packed with information and references to other important sections that it would be great to have the paper copy, or clickable links within the text so the reader can jump back and forth between sections.

[Phillip Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pandemic of 2020 caused many kids to learn at home. Even if they still went to public school, lessons were done in their houses. Though many parents had to participate in a version of homeschooling, there were a number that made the decision to jump headlong into total homeschooling. This can be a scary idea, but Homeschool Hacks has answers for the most common questions.

Each chapter addresses a different topic, curriculum, schedules, teaching while still working, and more are included. This book will give you a good start on teaching your children at home, whether temporarily or throughout their school years. It has good tips and is encouraging. Whether you are just thinking about homeschooling, or have been doing it for a while, you can find useful information in the book.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Lela Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before 2020 you had to have very strong opinions about education to homeschool. Or a child with very specific education needs. All that changed with remote work and education. Knerl's book is the ideal companion for anyone considering homeschooling. Whether for the long haul or as short-term option. This books is a great resource for those with no interest in homeschooling, but whose children are learning remotely. Knerl covers the basics of where to find educational resources and navigate the legal landscape. More important, she covers how to manage the everyday logistics like how to set up an efficient work/study space. She also addresses the unique time management needs of woking/homeschool families and how leverage family and build a network. For anyone serious or merely curious about homeschooling, this is the perfect first read.

[Jorgina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent book that answered all my questions about homeschooling and more. As someone who is considering this, it was important for me to connect with someone who's done this successfully already. Linsey is clearly an expert in this area of homeschooling.

She gives practical schedules to show you exactly what you could do to set up your home school for success with the least amount of stress. She walks you through how to review curriculum assessments to best design a program for your children's specific needs. And, as you go along, she assures us it's okay to modify it was needed.

[Carol Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found Homeschool Hacks by Linsey Knerl to be an excellent and extremely informative resource for parents who homeschool their children, parents who are currently homeschooling their children (or even for parents who are helping their children with virtual learning) due to COVID-19 , or parents who are considering homeschooling their children. I appreciated Knerl providing her homeschooling stories as well as other stories from others who homeschool as they were very insightful. The online resources and FAQ section were also very helpful. Overall, well written and organized. #NetGalley

[Grace Phelps · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are an “on again, off again” homeschool family. We have done it just because and because we lived the RV life for a year. I have never been confident in my teacher abilities, but I love the idea of homeschooling my kids. This book gave some great incite. Granted I skipped parts that did not pertain to my family situation. I definitely took notes. So much of it seemed like no brainer things that I’m kicking myself for not giving homeschooling more of a try. Thank you, Linsey, for the great information.

[Cozy Book Spot]

This book has a lot of informations about homeschooling and it's a great source for beginners like me. I don't really consider it a 'hack' but it is a great and informative book. I don't have kids yet but my husband and I want to homeschool our kids. I'm looking forward to it and I'll be using this book as a reference. I received a free digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

[Melissa Scruggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the way that this book was organized and easy to read. The author did a great job providing unbiased insight into homeschooling. I wish a chapter was included with testimonies from people who have transitioned from homeschool to public school. I would be interested to know what all is to be expected so that I am not unknowingly causing future transition issues.

[Kati Higginbotham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good informative book. Most books on homeschool are preachy (public schools are social justice factories waiting to ruin your kids with scary liberalism so put your head in the sand and hope they don’t read any books you didn’t pick.) This book is about so much more. Homeschooling for secular reasons. How do deal with fundies in the HLDS. How to work. Yes yes yes.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had quite a bit of good advice for newcomers to homeschooling. Written in the era of COVID-19, I can relate with it quite a bit since that's when our daughter was headed to Kindergarten-- what an odd way to start school--and public schools haven't quite been the same since.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for this book! Lots of good info! Linsey, you’ve helped lower my stress levels some and I appreciate you for it. I’m scared that I will mess up and it will affect my kids long term. Wish me luck!

[Michelle Pulignani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative

[Ann Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book. It answers quite a few questions homeschoolers may have. Gives a lot 9f ideas to try. I love how she explains the different types of homeschooling.

[Meghan Mcmahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book had many great HS tips! I had many tabs in this! I am a first year homeschooler of a 1st grader!

[Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A basic introduction to homeschool, not packed full of anything unique. If you need the absolute basics or a beginner this could be helpful, but I was hoping for more.

[Lisa Koffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Homeschool in a Post -Covid world. This is both practical and conceptually-thoughtfully-written. Helpful for all homeschool situations.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was looking for something with more detailed information and resources, but I would still recommend this for new homeschoolers who don't know how to start.

[Ciera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read and encouraging to new homeschoolers or those on the fence.

[Corrine Poulin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy book to listen to, a few good tips and motivation to continue to homeschool.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The websites and resources in this book are truly helpful and I appreciate the friendly and conversational tone.

[Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

good info and resources in this book