In this post: Find encouragement, inspiration and practical advice in this round up of books for homeschool moms.
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Making the decision to homeschool your children can be an exciting time. Maybe you feel a calling or a strong desire to take charge of your children’s education, and you’re ready to dive right in.
But taking the road less traveled can also lead to feelings of anxiety and self-doubt. You may wonder at times if you’ve made the right choice or if you could be doing things better. Even those who have been educating their children at home for years sometimes need a reminder that they’re not alone in their homeschooling journey.
If you’re thinking about homeschooling or just getting started, or even if you’ve been teaching your children at home for years, here are 8 books that every homeschool mom should read.
Table of Contents
The Call of the Wild and Free
Who it’s for
The Call of the Wild and Free: Reclaiming the Wonder in Your Child’s Education by Ainsley Arment is essential reading for those interested in Unschooling as well as nature enthusiasts. If you want your children to see the whole world as their classroom, you’ll want to read this one!
Whether you’re new to homeschooling or have plenty of experience, there’s plenty to learn from this book. Even those who don’t homeschool but are invested in nurturing their child’s education outside of the classroom will find this to be a valuable resource.
Contents
The Call of the Wild and Free is inspiring and challenging, yet easy to read. Beautiful photographs illustrate the book’s four sections:
- The Mission
- The Myths
- The Manner
- The Method
Throughout these four sections, you’ll learn theories and beliefs about education and homeschooling as well as practical advice that you’ll be able to apply to your homeschooling.
One of the key takeaways of this book is to let kids be kids. You’ll learn how to help your child pursue their unique hobbies and interests and nurture their sense of wonder.You’ll also be inspired to challenge your child intellectually through nature and play.
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Teaching from Rest
Who it’s for
Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakable Peace by Sarah Mackenzie is perfect for homeschooling parents who may be feeling overwhelmed or stressed. This faith-based book is full of encouragement and practical tips that will help you to find peace and trust God.
If you’re a homeschooling newbie, this book can be a great way to get started with a purpose in mind. But many veteran homeschooling moms find this to be a great yearly read and an opportunity to reassess and refocus before the start of the school year.
Contents
Teaching from Rest is a quick, easy read that you may just want to re-read year after year or anytime you’re feeling burnt out. You’ll find plenty of Biblical support and easy-to-apply ideas to keep you motivated in your homeschooling journey.
In this book, you’ll learn how to have realistic expectations and focus on the big picture. You’ll be reminded to focus on restful homeschooling rather than pushing yourself or your kids too hard. If you want to slow down and do less, this book is a great choice.
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For the Children’s Sake
Who it’s for
For the Children’s Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay is in-line with the Charlotte Mason homeschooling methodology, but it can really be applied to any kind of homeschooling or even traditional education.
Unlike some of the other books on this list which are great for veterans and newbies alike, this one is highly recommended for those who are new to homeschooling. It will give you a strong foundation to get started.
Contents
For the Children’s Sake is a practical guide to homeschooling and Charlotte Mason’s philosophy and methodology. It’s a great introduction to this homeschooling method and it breaks it down into easy to understand terms.
Whether you’re a parent or educator, you’ll learn about immersive teaching and how your child’s education can be a part of every facet of their life. With this method, learning is a lifestyle.
If you’re new to homeschooling and want to learn about one of those most popular homeschooling methods, give this book a read!
The Four-Hour School Day
Who it’s for
If you’ve been homeschooling for a while, you’ve probably already learned that there’s a lot of time wasted in the traditional school day. But if you’re still finding that you could free up more time and encourage more independent learning, The Four-Hour School Day: How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life by Durenda Wilson may be a helpful read.
You can find aspects of Charlotte Mason, Unschooling, and faith-based homeschool in this book, but it’s not exactly married to any methodology. Since it covers the varying stages of a homeschool education, it’s good for long-time homeschooling moms, those who are new to homeschooling, and even those just thinking about it.
Contents
In The Four-Hour School Day, you’ll find practical and encouraging advice based on author Durenda Wilson’s 25 years of experience homeschooling her eight children. You’ll learn to customize your homeschool plan based on your child’s unique needs and interests.
While the book isn’t necessarily a step-by-step guide to this process, it will show you real-life examples of what a 4-hour school day can look like, which you’ll be able to apply to your homeschooling.
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Mere Motherhood
Who it’s for
Author Cindy Rollins is the mother of nine children who she homeschooled using the Charlotte Mason approach. Mere Motherhood: Morning Times, Nursery Rhymes, and My Journey Toward Sanctification is the story of her homeschooling journey.
Whatever stage of parenthood or homeschooling you’re in right now, you’ll appreciate the reflections and find this to be an inspiring read.
Contents
Mere Motherhood isn’t a guide to homeschooling or a how-to book but more of a memoir. It’s a reflection on motherhood and homeschooling based on the Rollins’ personal experience.
In this thoughtful book, you’ll find honest stories about her failures and lessons learned along the way. If you are looking for something relatable and inspiring, you’ll want to check this one out!
The Brave Learner
Who it’s for
The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning, and Life by Julie Bogart is for those who want their children to take risks and pursue their interests. It’s about making homeschooling exciting and enchanting for kids of any age.
This book for homeschooling moms doesn’t necessarily focus on a particular homeschool style, but will help you to create an individualized approach to homeschooling. Whatever your homeschool method is, you can benefit from the advice in this book.
Contents
The Brave Learner is loaded with practical ideas, concrete examples, and personal anecdotes that will help you and your children learn to take risks in your homeschooling and everyday life.
This book isn’t faith-based like a lot of other books for homeschool moms, but it provides more of an academic perspective instead. Whatever your background or homeschool style, this one is definitely a must-read for homeschooling parents!
The Well-Trained Mind
Who it’s for
The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise is essential reading for those using the Classical method to homeschool their children. It’s perfect for those who need some straightforward guidance on how to teach their children at home.
Whether you are just getting started or want to bring more structure to your homeschooling, this is a great option for anyone interested in Classical homeschooling.
Contents
The Well-Trained Mind serves as an introduction to the philosophy of Classical homeschooling as well as a guide for planning your curriculum and lessons. It’s comprehensive and provides guidance on every stage and grade level.
This is a great option for those who are looking for a road map to guide them through years of homeschooling.
Homeschool Bravely
Who it’s for
Homeschool Bravely: How to Squash Doubt, Trust God, and Teach Your Child with Confidence by Jamie Erickson is a must-read for faith-based homeschoolers who struggle with self-doubt and question whether they’ve made the right choice.
Christian homeschooling families with children of any age will appreciate the guidance and encouragement to trust in their calling to teach their children at home. You may even want to re-read this one every year when you’re in need of some reassurance.
Contents
In Homeschool Bravely, Erickson incorporates a theological approach to homeschool while still providing a light, easy read for busy parents. It includes practical suggestions for educating children of various ages and abilities.
Overall, this is a great resource for homeschool moms who need a boost of confidence in their ability to teach their children at home and want to let go of feelings of doubt and worry.
Wherever you are in your homeschool journey, it’s never too late to introduce a foreign language to your homeschool learning. We have practical tips on how to add a foreign language to your homeschooling that make the process easy!
If you’re planning to teach your child Spanish at home, the Llamitas Spanish curriculum is a beautiful, open-and-go foreign language homeschool curriculum.
Even if you don’t speak Spanish yourself, this is a great option for learning alongside your child! It includes bilingual scripts, native speaker audio, and pronunciation guides to help you along the way.
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How to Add a Foreign Language into your Homeschool
Best Bilingual and Bicultural Parenting Books
Lydia is a freelance parenting and education writer. She previously taught English as a second language and enjoys sharing her love of language learning with her children.