Product Description
The Imperfect Homeschooler’s Guide to Homeschooling is packed full of Barbara Frank’s advice gleaned from over 20 years of homeschooling her four children, including one who has Down syndrome.
As an eBook, it won rave reviews since it was published last year. Now, Cardamom Publishers has expanded the book, doubling it in size, and bringing it out in a perfect-bound edition.
Readers will learn how they can:
Get past the “public school” way of… More >>
#1 by kalanamak on April 21, 2010 - 2:16 pm
I wish the product descriptions would include the fact there will be whole chapters on prayer and turning your worries over to a deity. Fine if that is your take on life, but a waste of time for those (believers included) who don’t need to be told this. Also, author has a Down’s child, and if you are in this boat, fine, but if you are not, there are several chapters (read two page spreads) on adapting your methods (e.g. incorporate more games). And, do we need a chapter on “what if your child has a special needs friend”. This isn’t homeschooling advice, and “special needs” vary so greatly, a chapter (4 pages) can’t help with what is really a situational thing.
This book may encourage a person starting out, but the “how to teach your kids, run your home and overcome the inevitable challenges of the homeschooling life” is a false statement. Spend your money on good books for your kids.
Rating: 2 / 5
#2 by Kind Bean on April 21, 2010 - 4:49 pm
This is a nice little book about homeschooling. It is more like having a conversation with a veteran homeschooler than reading a handbook on the subject. I would say that it is more encouraging than informative. It certainly does contain information, mostly in the form of experience and advice, not stats or quotes from experts. I am not saying that that is bad, because it isn’t, but if that is the kind of book you are looking for, then I wouldn’t recommend this book.
That being said, there is a lot of wonderful and useful advice to be found in here and definitely a feeling of “I am not the only one.” It also has some humorous moments. I highly recommend this book to all people looking to homeschool or parents who have been homeschooling and are looking for fresh ideas and encouragement.
Rating: 5 / 5
#3 by Brenda Thorn on April 21, 2010 - 6:06 pm
Barbara Frank seeks to reassure all homeschoolers that homeschooling is possible without perfect kids, a perfect home, or being a perfect parent and teacher. She offers realistic helps in all areas and her comforting words are very encouraging. The chapters in The Imperfect Homeschooler’s Guide to Homeschooling are short and very readable.
Rating: 5 / 5
#4 by E. Doty on April 21, 2010 - 8:15 pm
I’m a newbie and slightly timid (will I do it right?) homeschooler. This book was very reassuring and helpful to me. The author has years and children’s worth of experience to share with those of us who are contemplating homeschooling or just starting out, and I’m sure even a veteran homeschooler would gain insights from her book. I even learned a few “Heloise-type” hints for household management that I haven’t known before! The book is easy to read and rich with information. The title says it all, great title, and the right audience should find this book easily.
Rating: 5 / 5
#5 by Mom of 4 on April 21, 2010 - 10:04 pm
Have you thought about homeschooling your kids? Are you a grandparent who doesn’t want your grandkids homeschooled? Have you been homeschooling your kids, but are wondering whether or not to continue doing so? Do you wonder if you’re doing the right thing for your kids? If any of these apply to you or if you just wonder how in the world anyone could homeschool their kids……….this is the book for you.
The title of the book lives up to all it promises. The author writes in a friendly, highly positive, down-to-earth and encouraging style. Reading it is like sitting down for a cup of coffee with a good friend. A friend who knows what you’re going through. And she has. She has homeschooled her own children, including a “special needs” child with Downs Syndrome.
She covers:
*Confessions of an Imperfect Homeschooler
*Homeschooling 101
*Teaching Specific Subjects
*Teaching Techniques and Ideas
*Covering All the Bases
*Overcoming Obstacles to Homeschooling
*Coping with Changes and Challenges
*On the Home Front
She makes it clear that you don’t have to be perfect….all you have to be is what your child needs. She gives the the tools, the confidence and the pep talks to do so. I wish I had found this book when I first started homeschooling, but her help is still invaluable even now.
Homeschooling is not right for everyone. But it is right for a LOT of people. Know yourself, be honest with what you want for your kids. There is not one right way to teach your kids (and the public school system doesn’t want you to realize that). Children are not cookie cutter kids and they deserve more than a cookie cutter education. It’s not easy some days. But it is very rewarding and a wonderful option. It can be as complicated or as simple as you make it.
Do you think you must have a college degree to teach your child? Realize now that having a college degree does not automatically make someone an educator. Nor does having a college degree automatically mean someone else knows what’s best for your child. Think back to when you were in school. How many teachers did you have that were really good and really inspired you? How many guidance counselors did you have who really guided you? In my case, those outstanding people were a small minority. Knowledge is everywhere in this world…..but inspiration? That is far rarer.
Buy and read this book. Really examine yourself, question yourself, think about your kids AND…….As Barbara Frank says on page 176 “Count your blessings. Try to enjoy every stage of each child’s development. Most of all, realize that someday they will be grown and gone, and you will have ten times as many memories as other moms, because you were there with them every day”.
Rating: 5 / 5