How to Navigate the Homeschooling Highway

Have you ever read a book and felt the author just “got you”? I don’t mean you are reading and nodding your head but really got you, all of you.

I love books. I love to sink into a good story with a cup of tea and just get lost in the world of words. However, there are very few if any books about homeschooling that made me want to keep turning the pages and pull an all nighter.

Until now.

I picked up this book a few months ago and I have been dying to tell you about it.

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The Homeschool Highway: How To Navigate Your Way Without Getting Carsick

I made sure to picked up this book when it was on sale:
1. Because I am cheap
2. Because I wasn’t sure I’d like it
3. Because I wasn’t sure I’d learn anything

Needless to say, it was worth more than I paid, but let’s not tell the author ‘mk?

Amy pulls no punches in the book. In her own words, she says,

I’m also a writer with a habit of telling it like it is. So when my family started our journey down the road of homeschooling back in 2007, I knew that homeschooling was going to be added to my list of things I needed to say something about. I mean, let’s be honest: homeschooling can be pretty sweet, but there’s no need to sugarcoat it. Sugar makes such a sticky mess—and who has time to clean that up?

Since I pretty much love everything Amy has ever written and had the opportunity to chat with her about how she juggles working and homeschooling, I had a pretty good idea I’d like this book.

I was wrong.

I loved it.

3 Lessons I learned:

I’ve been homeschooling for 10 years. Sometimes this can make you pretty confident that you know what you are doing. Nothing wrong with a little confidence.

However, as a homeschooler, I feel people are always learning. That includes Mom. I want to share 3 lessons I didn’t expect to learn from reading this book.

Before I get to it this book really made me think. It made me take a good look in the mirror. And I didn’t exactly like what I saw. There are changes in my own attitude I need to fix.

Lesson Number 1: Sometimes I get caught up in sharing my bad days.

Yes, we all have them. Yes it is okay but there is more to homeschooling than a bunch of bad days where you get no housework done, chores are a battle and life just rushes by.

There are amazingly good days.

Days were I can’t believe I get to spend my time learning with my kids. Laughing at the funny things they say and do.

Boogie dancing in the kitchen to Party Rockin’ much to the horror and dismay of my teenagers.

Baking cookies and learning to draw.

People need to hear and see the good days too. I need to let the #momfail go. Appreciate the little wins more.

Lesson 2: Stop focusing on my husband’s lack of interest in homeschooling.

I’m a homeschooling mom. That means I can talk for hours about our current project, a book we are reading or area of the world we are studying. Hours people!!

My husband wants me to homeschool. He happily forks over the money for curriculum, books, and courses.

That doesn’t mean he wants to hear about it 24/7. That also doesn’t mean he doesn’t care.

Recognizing that just because he doesn’t want to eat, sleep and breathe homeschooling doesn’t mean he’s being mean or unsupportive.

He loves me and the kids. He wants the best for them just like I do.

Lesson 3: Homeschooling is my choice.

Which means it is my responsibility to step up and make sure my kids (who would rather be home every single night and go nowhere) see the world.

Sure socialization is the thing we get sick of hearing about. It is very easy to make sure the outgoing kid is socialized but what about the homebody? What about the kid that doesn’t want to be “out there in the world”?

Those kids exist. Yes I know because I have two of them. So it is my job to make sure they do get out, they try new things and see the world. Even if it means getting back in the car on after a long work day when I’d rather be home resting. Even if I have to give up on something for me. Even if… I chose this life.

So we compromise. Pick something this week that involved people. One thing.

Last week the kids were out of home 4 days in a row. Let me tell you they were so happy on day 5 to not go anywhere. And that is okay.

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Why I love this book!

For the record, Amy did not give me a book to review. She didn’t know I was going to write about it. She also didn’t know I would rant, rave and sing her praises. Which I am in case you didn’t recognize my crazy dance. You can catch the video here of other reasons why I love this book! 

I have to admit this book blew me away.

It made me laugh out loud. So much so that the kids and my husband asked me what in the world was so funny?!

When you get the chapter where husbands speak up on how they feel about the homeschooling thing, you’ll get it.

Or when the book talks about how she loves being with her kids but at the same time doesn’t. She keeps it real.

It was super nice to feel that those days I think if my kids find one new way to drive me nuts I. will. scream! And that is normal.

I was cheering when she was saying about how each person’s journey is their own. To stop comparing yours with others. And if that day comes when you need to exit before you planned on, that is okay too!

Or how we need to stop getting so caught up in how our kids reflect on us. How our homeschooling looks to others. Because really? It’s not even about us! It is about your kids. Their education. Their journey.

As much as I would love to tell you which chapter is my favorite I can’t.

I loved each of them for different reasons. Even the ones that were uncomfortable for me to read, seeing changes I needed to make. You know, the ones where you realize you are that person?! Ugh.

If you are in need of a down to earth, funny, REAL look into homeschooling that leaves you both encouraged, inspired and empowered to know you can do this-this is the book for you.

The Homeschool Highway: How to Navigate Your Way Without Getting Carsick

Available on Kindle and in paperback.

So grab your copy, coffee and blankets snuggle in to learn more about:

• How homeschooling might impact your husband
• Why it’s okay to sometimes not want to be around your kids
• Why doubt and guilt are such huge potholes, and how we can learn to swerve around them,
• What you are actually responsible for as a homeschooling parent, and what isn’t your job,
• How to deal with people who appear to be anti-homeschooling,
• The pointlessness of comparing your homeschool to anyone else’s,
• …and so much more!

So go ahead and get your book, soon you will be saying, “Whew! It’s NOT just me!” There is power in knowing you’re not alone in the journey!

Learn more about Amy Dingman here:

Amy Dingmann lives in Minnesota with her husband where they have been homeschooling their two sons since 2007. Her hobbies include filling up her sons’ bottomless pits, drinking a lot of strong coffee, and smiling. Her least favorite subject is math. Her favorite subjects are everything else.

She likes talking to other homeschooling parents and assuring them that even though they worry they’re totally screwing things up, they actually totally and completely rock.

Amy blogs at The Hmmmschooling Mom, and works as an author/speaker on homeschooling and parenting/family topics. You can connect with Amy on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.