The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling

This book should have been called: 'The ultimate guide to christian homeschooling'.I have nothing against educating your children with one perspective, or another: but please, make it clear in the title when the approach is focusing in one direction only. I am offended by the lack of consideration that the author has for any religion or belief other than the christian.Just a few excerpts. Talking about science "I have not found any positions that conflict with our beliefs". Whose beliefs? If the book is directed to a precise christian sect, state so on the cover page.I found this comment in a chapter devoted to teaching history, where the author talks about the fact that christian missionaries did not get to Asia 'in time': "We also saw the dramatic repercussion from missed opportunities. [...] the emperor of China had asked Marco Polo to bring priests to explain Christianity to him [...]. But the missionaries were frightened away [...]. [...] Shortly after that Buddhism appeared, the emperor converted, and the religion spread throughout the continent." What does the author mean? That the appearance and spread of Buddhism are a "dramatic repercussion", or an unfortunate event?I wonder how tolerant of other people her children are, if every other religion is seen as a dramatic repercussion of the absence of christian missionaries. Does she wish that 'christian missionaries' had given the same fate to Asian people they gave to Native Americans and pre-Colombian civilizations: exterminating them?One last example: the author advises participating in a "Worldview Academy Leadership Camp", "designed to equip [notice the subtle term substitution for 'indoctrinate'] teens with a Christian world view. The camp focuses on three spheres: world views, apologetics (defense of faith) and evangelism, and leadership." It reminds me a lot of the merry get-togethers of the KKK. I dare wondering what the author, considering her approach to other religions, thinks of Jews, or Muslims.Ultimately, I think the title of this book is misleading, and the author's approach to the subject of homeschooling is shortsighted and ignorant (how can you consider entire civilizations "dramatic repercussions" of lack of christianity?). This book is, at best, a manual for the religious fundamentalists on how to indoctrinate their children: a crash course on how to raise intolerant children, therefore potential intolerant adults.Sebastiano Cossia Castiglioni ([...]), New York, USA

I’ve been picking this book up everyday and reading a few chapters at a time while my kids play. It’s an easy read and I like how the author is so down to earth and encouraging to new homeschool moms. I highlighted lots of useful info that I plan to go back and reference throughout my first year. I appreciate the practical tips and the biblical reassurance that home-educating is the best choice for my family. I would recommend this book to anyone who is considering homeschooling but might not know where to start.

I wish I would have found this book sooner! Great information, particularly for someone just considering home schooling. It outlines the right questions to ask yourself. It is also helpful for those of us who have already started, helping to provide direction, keep focus, and find other helpful options. Additionally, this author, who is a yrained and credentialed teacher, has written and created other great materials that I picked up after reading her book. All very worthwhile. If you are not a Christian homeschooler though, be prepared for a lot of God stuff. It does not overwhelm the material, but it is very present.

I am the president of a homeschool co-op with 45 families in attendance. I am constantly being asked "what do I do?!" of new moms ready to homeschool for the first time. This book has helped me point people in the right direction. If you want to homeschool, this book is SO good. Yes, she assumes you are a Christian. So the bad reviews are all based on that irritation where it's not stated anywhere in the description or cover that this is Christian based. However, if you aren't a Christian, I still think this book has many valid points and I have not found anything as helpful as this book.

To date I've just borrowed this book from the local Public Library, but I've come to depend on it so much that I'm here today to buy a copy to keep at home. This book is worth the next 10 homeschooling books put together. This book covers how to start and where to buy instructional material, and proceedes all the way to how to get your homeschooled child into the college you desire. Mrs. Bell's compedium of references on various topics are, alone, worth the price of the book. Those who prefer to forgo her excellent advice due to her "Christian Orientation" are foolish, at best, in ignoring the excellent information in this volume. Advice to Agnostics: Grit your teeth and buy this book; you'll be better for it.

This book was recommended to me by a friend who is successfully homeschooling 3 kids (and caring for an infant). She suggested it as a starting point as we consider if homeschooling is right for my family or not. I think it is very honest and practical. It has helped us 'count the cost' of homeschooling and understand a little more about what it takes to do it with excellence. It is written to a Christian audience, which may be better communicated on the cover, but for us, that was a huge value.

I wish someone had told me about this book a year ago. WE just finished our first year of homeschooling and I found this book at the library. It is a well organized book which I love. It is very clear and give wonderful information on every aspect of homeschooling. Very easy to skip around and get info on anything you need out of the book. It is one I would recommend to anyone considering homeschooling or veteran homeschoolers as well! The best all around homeschooling resource out there for the christian family.

Girl, you know you got it going on. This is not only a must read for prospective homeschooling parents but a must read for those experienced homeschool moms who may need to view homeschooling with fresh eyes. Thank you for the motivation to keep going as well as keeping it real with us for the changes we need to make as moms to improve the homeschooling lifestyle for our children and ourselves.

There is a wealth of info in this book. A Sprinkling of humor mixed with personal stories makes it seem like you have the ear of an experienced home schooler. There is a strong Christian theme of the text, but doesn't offend or exclude of other faiths or beliefs. She is very quick to support each person's belief sustem without any negativity that can creep into some books.