Book Review ~ Love in a Time of Homeschooling Chapters 1 & 2

I was asked to review Love in a Time of Homeschooling by Laura Brodie. A lot of Laura's reasons for homeschooling Julia were the same reasons I had for choosing to homeschool my boys. The only difference was while Julia returned to public school  after a year we were hooked and continued homeschooling until the boys started college.

Julia reminding me so much of my youngest son. I laughed when Laura was describing Julia's exploits.

She mentions the monotonous pile of worksheets the public schools send home with the students, and the burden it created for Julia. This certainly resonated with me. When my children were in public school they were overwhelmed with  homework, usually on nights when we had somewhere to go. This lead to us having to choose between attending the event;  church, scouts, soccer practice and keeping the kids up past their bedtime so they could do their homework or missing the event in order to get the homework done. Homework that was often boring and repetitive.

"Some people imagine homeschoolig moms as ultra clingy zealots who refuse to relinquish control of their children but that's not me."

This is one of the homeschooling stereotypes that infuriates me the most, it's so not ME! In fact the whole time I was reading the book I found myself nodding in agreement with something Laura Brodie wrote. I felt as if I was meeting a kindred homeschooling spirit.

"The public schools aren't for everyone"

True! so true. My eldest son's fourth grade teacher was the one who suggested I homeschool as he was ahead of his class. 

"In our small town there are few alternatives to the public system. For most families in our area, private education means homeschooling."

That was the same situation we faced.

"The Standards of Learning are the monster that is devouring our public schools. In the end one local principal explained, the SOLs make great teachers good and good teachers bad"

I believe this too. Which is one reason I get so upset when anti-homeschoolers suggest holding homeschoolers to the same standards as the public schools.

The 1930s and 1940s witnessed a growing movement for the abolition of homework, as doctors and educators emphasized the need for healthy joyful children who spent plenty of time playing outside.

What a novel idea. I honestly believe to much pressure to preform is put on children today. I am so happy I was able to homeschool and give my children time to enjoy their childhoods.

I am really enjoying this book and encourage all parents to read it. I'll pick up my book review with Chapter 3.