God Schooling: How God Intended is YOUR Survival Guide for Homeschooling! (review)

I received a FREE copy of this product through the HOMESCHOOL REVIEW CREW in exchange for my honest review.  I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way.  All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC Regulations.


Today I have an amazing book for you, that is perfect if you are thinking about homeschooling, just starting homeschooling, or in the thick of it and need to come up for some air and great advice:

It's hard to believe we are starting our THIRD year of homeschooling already! I'd love to say it has gotten easier, but in many ways it has gotten harder, as Miss Grace is now in Junior High and we have too keep an eye on high school levels already! And not too sonn, it will be time for college prep work! EEK! So it was the perfect time to get some needed encouragement from someone who has not only been there, but lived to give some great advice in her new book,  God Schooling: How God Intended Children to Learn, the wonderful Julie Polanco. 

From the website: God Schooling: How God Intended Children to Learn :

"Every homeschooling parent asks the heart-wrenching question:

Am I doing this right?

In God Schooling, parents learn how God intended children to grow and develop at every stage. Through chapters specifically devoted to each stage of development, parents learn the true needs and best teaching methods for every child. God Schooling features anecdotes from Julie Polanco’s nearly fifteen years of homeschooling her four children, punctuated by Biblical references.  Interspersed throughout the book are quotes from more than 25 experts in child development, psychology, neuroscience, and education. Inside, parents discover:

- What is wrong with giving rewards and punishments for schoolwork

- Why grades and competitions don’t measure excellence

- The best ways to motivate kids and teach young children

- How child development mirrors walking with Jesus

- How long it really takes to learn to read and do elementary school math 

- What the true indicators of future eminence are"

Review:

Homeschooling is really a joy. There is nothing better than watching a struggling learner emerge from their coccoon and take off. Watching Miss Grace who had gotten to where she hated school, taking rabbit trails and learning, but at her own pace, has been almost the equal of watching her take her first steps when she was a baby (and she was as Miss Stubborn started walking at 9 months-she never crawled!). Julie does a great job in this book of reminding parents that this joy and send of God;s purpose should be first and foremost in our minds, when we homeschool!

Too often, even homeschoolers get caught up in proving that their children are the equivalent (or usually better) than kids in traditional schools, or exceeding state standards, and they forget WHY they are homeschooling in the first place. Julie takes your hand and urges us to see our children's educational path as really their path to understanding God, and his plan for them. When we stop making education all about status, we will see that faith is truly the KEY to your children's education. If YOU have faith that God will lead you in the right direction, and your children have FAITH that you are steering them right educationally,  the it will BE ok. You just need to breathe, relax and know that as a parent, you DO know what is right for your kids!

Each chapter has study questions after it, to reflect, and to answer questions posed within the chapter, like how you can spend timw with your child, hoe can you motivate your child, or how can you incorporate service into your homeschool. AFter the basic of raising, godliness, types of learning, Julie talks about teaching the different ages. These chapters are WONDERFUL, as they help to remind you about your child's mindset, strengths and changes. I love her idea of a traveling notebook- where the parent poses the initial thought or question and leaves for their child. They answer it and pose their own, and then pass back to parent, or to another child. It's a great way to get your kids writing and journaling, witout actually defining it as WORK! The final chapters cover record keeping and common homeschool questions and answers. 

Over all this book is a quick read at only 158 pages, but you can also pull just the chapters you need, but I would recommend reading the entire book, as she has such great info! I would recommend this book for all those wanting to homeschool, those just starting, and those who are homeschooling, but are early into the process.

Sign up for Julie's newsletter and you can read the FIRST chapter of this great book!

She has an amazing collection of books, including 100 Ways to Motivate Kids, and Music for Christmas, and you'll want to read them all!

But I'm not the only one who loved this book! Check out what my fellow reviewers thought by clicking the photo below:

Be sure to follow Julie on Social Media for some great blog posts, and specials on her books, as well as news for new items:  Facebook and Pinterest

BONUS:

Juliee wants EVERYONE to read this book and she will be offering it at
HALF PRICE  through August 22!

So hurry on over and pick up your copy!

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About Julie Polanco
Julie Polanco writes for healthcare trade journals and parenting magazines in addition to her own books and short stories. When she isn't dreaming up new stories to write, studying the latest healthcare trends, or digging into Bible truth, you might find her sipping Thai iced tea. Or, getting lost in the woods.