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A Reader’s Review
By Kelly Benedict
For those of us who are in our 30s or older, I’m
sure you’ll remember the popular 1980s T.V. sitcom
called “The Facts of Life”? Do the names Blair
Warner, Jo, Tudy, Natalie and Mrs. Garrett ring a bell?
Lisa Whelchel, also known to us as Blair back when we were
younger, is the author of this book. She and her husband
Steve, a pastor, now live in Los Angeles, CA, and are the
homeschooling parents of three children named Tucker, Haven
and Clancy. What Lisa does in her book is to introduce you
to fifteen families in fifteen unique situations who have
all chosen to homeschool for different reasons, using a
variety of learning methods.
So just what does and “average” or “typical”
homeschooling family look like you might ask? That is a
very difficult question to answer. You may find some similar
features, but like a fingerprint, no two are ever the same.
There are many different philosophies, curriculum options,
and teaching styles as there are reasons for homeschooling.
A family may be passionate about the principle approach,
the Charlotte Mason method, on-line academics, unschooling,
traditional texts, classical education, eclectic homeschooling,
video schooling, curriculum on a budget, the Sonlight or
Robertson curriculums, and many, many more. As Lisa says,
“The bottom line is, you have to find what works for
your family. In order to do that, you need to find out what’s
out there.”
In this book you will have the opportunity to meet a family
who homeschool while traveling, a homeschooling father,
a family who has a child who struggles with ADHD (attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder), being a military family
who deals often with PCS (Permanent Change of Station orders),
a single homeschooling mom of two, homeschooling in a big
city, an unschooling family, and even a quiver full family
with 10 children, just to name to a few.
In his forward, Michael Farris, President of Patrick Henry
College, and Founder and Chairman of the Home School Legal
Defense Association, says this, “Lisa tells you the
truth about homeschooling. She has listened to the joys
and tribulations of more than a thousand home schooling
families, and by taking you in to the lives of several composite
families, she paints an accurate picture of the struggles
you can expect and the sacrifices which may be required.
But most importantly, Lisa is telling you the truth when
she says that whatever the struggle, the rewards make it
all worthwhile.”
The information provided on this site does
not necessarily represent the views or opinions of any of
the members of the Home Educators Network. HEN does not
endorse the viewpoints nor recommend the products represented
by any of the links from this site. These links are offered
as points which are of interest and use to many homeschoolers.
None of the information distributed by HEN, either verbal
or written, is intended as legal advice and should not take
the place of legal counsel from a qualified, informed attorney. |
