Pajama School
That said, I always think it’s kinda funny when people are surprised/amazed and/or alarmed by the fact that I was home schooled growing up. Did I have any friends? Did I get an education at all? Did I LIKE being home schooled? Author Natalie Wickham addresses all of these questions in her book, and couches her answers in the form of stories about her life and the things she has been able to do as a result of being home schooled.
A crazy little secret (or not) about successfully home schooled students is that we typically have more opportunity to seek out opportunities for socialization than our public school counterparts. Our time is just more flexible. Our ability to plan our school work around different activities and opportunities also allows for sweet fellowship with people of all ages. I never thought I was lacking in the social department. (Please do note that I said “successfully” home school students. There are plenty who are not, just as there are successfully uneducated public school students. No education system is perfect in all ways and in everything.)
In Wickham’s book she talks a lot about her life experiences, from her early days of piano lessons to beginning and operating her own piano studio. She has worked in politics and implemented character curriculum into her local public school arena. She has done a lot with her time and her experience. This is certainly commendable. If you want an inspirational story about a home schooler who hasn’t completely fouled up their life, this is a great book. Natalie Wickham is an excellent writer and shares her heart and her passions very well with her reader.
For my part, in some ways, I felt like I was reading my own life story. (That sounds weird to say.) Our experiences were just so similar that they were hard to ignore as I was reading. Now, I am not of the opinion that everyone is cut out to home school (or BE home schooled). Just like every child is different, so is every parent and we shouldn’t place rules on what is best for everyone. (So my counter argument to those who don’t think that home schooling is a valid option is that public schools are not for everyone and we should have the freedom and right to home school if we so choose!) For Wickham’s family (and my own) – home schooling was the right option. It is clear to Wickham that home schooling was a naturally good fit for her. I feel the same about my own experience growing up. It was easy for me to identify with everything she shared and was saying.
I think books like Pajama School
This isn’t a “You MUST home school OR ELSE” type of book. It is a testimony of one (and only one) home school grad who has enjoyed her life and her experiences, her family and her faith, and who is pursuing the best for her life. It is inspirational and interesting – probably particularly if you are thinking of home schooling or know a family who is. This book offers hope and therefore I am glad it exists.
Want to win a copy of Pajama School? Leave a comment below.
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Smart Mama’s Green Guide: #5 Stephanie
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Carrie comes by her book obsession honestly, having descended from a long line of bibliophiles. She blogs about books regularly at Reading to Know.
I’d love to read this!
I REALLY want to read this. I would really like to homeschool my children and will probably do at least Kindergarten-Grade 3 but I’d love reading other’s experiences. I’d love to add a review of it afterwards to my book review blog as well.
callista83 AT cogeco DOT ca
We’re leaning towards homeschooling for high school; I’m curious about that age group as we’ve only met people who felt comfortable tackling elementary level materials.
I’m one of those who agree that no schooling options are right for everyone, and homeschooling would be a disaster for our family. I’m so thankful we have other options, actually! However, I’m still entering to win, because a. I like to read books and this one sounds interesting, and b. my BFF homeschools her 7, and I’d like to give it to her.
I would love to read this! I was homeschooled and plan to homeschool my children too. 🙂
I’d love to read this too – we’re a homeschooling family.
I’m not entering (I live in Australia), just commenting that I enjoyed reading Carrie’s balanced review and comments.
I was homeschooled, too – successfully homeschooled I might add, lol. I loved it, it was a great fit for me. 🙂
Sounds like a good book – I’m not entering, though. I think I’d feel just like you. When I was a kid I was fascinated with books that featured kids who went to public and private schools, haha. 😉
I’d like to read this. I’m thinking of homeschooling my children and I’d like to hear her experiences.
I was just going to get this from our library! I would love to win this! thanks. 🙂
The title alone makes me want to read this book! Homeschooling is something we discuss every year, but haven’t tried yet.
I’d love to win a copy of this! I wasn’t homeschooled, but we homeschool our four kids, and I’d love to hear about the author’s experiences.
This sounds like a great book. I love Natalie’s piano blog. She is so creative and generous with her teaching ideas. I would have loved to do homeschool as a child so I could have more times for the things I love – like piano practice… and less time wasted on waiting for teachers to explain concepts I already understand just so I can complete another assignment.
I need to read this since we’re beginning our homeschooling journey this year! 🙂
I would love to win a copy of this book! Please enter me!
I received a link to your site from a friend who we know from when we were in public school. We have been homeschooling for 2 years. I so enjoyed reading your comments. You are spot on! I look forward to reading the Pajama School and will forward your link to my other friends (homeschool, private and public) who love books.
As a homeschool Mom and homeschool graduate myself- I would love to read this book! Thanks for the review!
artandjen at juno dot com
Don’t know if I’m too late to enter this one, but if I’m not, I’d love to have it to read!
I would love to read this book!
Mariah
penguinqueen(at)hotmail(dot)com
just discovered your blog here….would LOVE to read this book!! I’ll be back for more reading later. Thanks!
I live overseas and homeschool my kids because international schools are too expensive and local schools are not an environment I want for my kids. The more I teach them, the more I see the benefit of it though, so I suspect we may homeschool for awhile. That said, I’d love to read this book because I’m always curious how it turns out for those who stick with it for the long haul!
I would LOVE an opportunity to read this book!
I’d love to hear how my kids might be thinking about being homeschooled — especially since I wasn’t.
Thanks for a chance to win!
Went to an all girl’s school myself but sometimes I think my kids might have had a better education if they had been homeschooled. Now I have a grandson, maybe I’ll home school him.
I’d love to read this book. We thought about homeschooling and I wish we had.
We are a newbie generation of homeschoolers- unlike our parents. This book would be a great addition to our library!
We’d love to be entered in this Giveaway. I think it would be a great encouragement to people in our family…
I would like to read this, I wish I could home school my kids…but I have to work instead.
I would really like to read this book. Please enter me.
I am a product of public education so I would love to learn what it was like on the other side.
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