Parenting Books

Overcoming Dyslexia

Michelle — Sun, 19 Jun 2022 15:50:42 +0000

I’ll admit that I was a little intimidated to start this book. It is supposed to be the definitive guide to understanding dyslexia, but this tome is so large and dense that I didn’t want to chicken to dip my toes into the dyslexia waters starting with this ocean of a book. While I am glad I waited a bit and approached dyslexia from a few friendlier sources instead such as The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan, The Gift of Dyslexia, and the website Homeschooling with Dyslexia, I do feel fairly confident saying this might be the only book you need. It is a wealth of information that approaches dyslexia all the way from preschool to adulthood.

Overcoming Dyslexia Details

Title: Overcoming Dyslexia
Author: Sally Shaywitz
Publication Year: 2003
Website: https://dyslexia.yale.edu/research-science/overcoming-dyslexia/
Amazon Product Page (Affiliate Link)

Review

This book is long and not always an easy read, but it really does have it all. From the brain science of dyslexia, to advocating for your child in the school system, to helpful reading resources for dyslexic and non-dyslexic children, to what to look for in a college. I found myself frequently jotting down notes as I read along. Now I am armed with a big list of common words and roots to focus on as well as a list of educational resources and apps to try with my dyslexic child. I have solid advice for helping my kindergartner learn to read as well. I checked this book out from the library, but I’m thinking about buying it on my Kindle so I can go through and highlight the sections that were particularly helpful.

The author is extremely knowledgeable about dyslexia as she has been researching this topic for several decades and currently runs the dyslexia research center at Yale. She recommends evidenced-based protocols and cautions against simply researched-based approaches. Several methods claim to help dyslexics, but unless the theory is backed up by evidence, it is not worth the dyslexic individual’s time.

The book is divided into 7 parts each with several chapters. The first part helps you to understand what dyslexia is. The author makes it abundantly clear that although many people equate slow reading to slow thinking, this is not the case. Dyslexic people often have above-average intelligence. The condition is defined by a disconnect between intelligence and ability to read. The second session focuses on the diagnosis, explaining that children can often be diagnosed as young as kindergarten. The author created the Shaywitz DyslexiaScreen test to aid in identifying at-risk children. There are typically much better outcomes for the child the earlier the diagnosis occurs.

The third and fourth parts are all about helping non-dyslexic and dyslexic children to read. This is the section with the most actionable information for me personally. Since reading this book, I have purchased a couple sets of decodable books, which are early readers that require the children to look at the text rather than use the picure to read. Since dyslexic children in particular would rather look anywhere but at the letters on the page, these books help them practice decoding skills. I am also now making a real effort to help my kindergartner grasp the concept of rhyming. The author also recommends several apps that I am planning to look into soon.

The fifth and sixth sections are all about choosing a school. Section 5 focuses on K-12 and Section 6 discusses getting admitted to and choosing a college in depth. These chapters focus on what to look for a school environment. The author recommends several specific schools across the country devoted to dyslexic education. She discusses the accommodations which children should receive to level the playing field in a traditional school.

The last section discusses dyslexia in adulthood. ADHD and anxiety frequently accompany dyslexia so the author provides a thorough discussion of these other conditions as well. She recommends certain technologies to help dyslexics turn written text into speech. She even discusses the legal rights of dyslexics. The last chapter, which discusses the stories of several highly successful dyslexics was particularly uplifting and encouraging.

After reading this book, I do feel like I have a thorough grasp of dyslexia now. I still have a few other books checked out from the library and I will probably read them, but I do feel confident in saying if you are only going to read one book on the subject, this should probably be it.

The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan

Michelle — Tue, 24 May 2022 15:14:55 +0000

If you believe your child might be dyslexic, this book is an empowering introduction to the topic. The author gently walks you through the steps required to get your child diagnosed. He helps you figure out how to get the accommodations your diagnosed child needs in the classroom. Ultimately, this book helps dyslexic people to feel proud of their diagnosis. By becoming comfortable integrating dyslexia into their sense of identity, they will be better able to take charge of their education and future.

The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan Details

Title: The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan
Author: Ben Foss
Publication Year: 2013
Website: https://benfoss.com/
Amazon Product Page (Affiliate Link)

Review

The author of this book is both severely dyslexic and proud of his dyslexia. He is highly successful despite the fact that he is in the bottom one percentile of adults for letter recognition. If you have a child that you believe is dyslexic, but they have not yet been diagnosed, this might be a great book for you. This is particularly true if your child is in the school system. In the classroom, dyslexic children will need certain accommodations to level the playing field. They will likely require unique methods of instruction to ensure they are being given information in a way that works for them. The author focuses on advocating for your child in a classroom setting and getting them the accommodations they need. He helps you understand what is required by law so that you can know what assistance your child is entitled to.

My child is already diagnosed and homeschooled, so a lot of the information in this book was not particularly relevant to me. I was fortunate to belong to a charter school that did not try to stonewall me or prevent my child from receiving the services he deserves, but apparently, this is not always the case. In situations where the school system is pushing against your desire to get your child tested and accommodated, being armed with the knowledge in this book would be particularly helpful.

If you are looking for specific techniques for helping instruct your dyslexic child, this book is not for you. The author highly recommends the Orton Gillingham method of instruction but does not share specific techniques. He warns against methods that do not use the Orton Gillingham approach. He actually seems to imply the techniques endorsed by the author of The Gift of Dyslexia are a scam. Also, despite him highly recommending the Orton Gillingham approach, the author of this book is not a good reader. He advises parents to accept that their dyslexic children may never be good “eye readers.” However, the author can “ear read” at 3 or 4 times the normal speed and recommends that all dyslexic people develop this helpful skill as well.

Despite its lack of relevance in my particular circumstance, I enjoyed reading this book. The author is highly charismatic and easy to read. He is a strong advocate for getting your child what they need to succeed without guilt or fanfare. The author invented a piece of technology called the Intel reader that converts any text into speech simply by taking a picture. Overall, I am glad I read this book. I believe he succeeded in his goal of empowering people with dyslexia to take charge of their learning. Additionally, he helps them to feel proud of their unique learning style.

The Gift of Dyslexia

Michelle — Sun, 01 May 2022 03:30:07 +0000

Anyone who knows me at all will not be surprised to learn that when I found out my child had dyslexia, the first thing I did was check out a bunch of books from the library. I decided to read this one first, mainly because it was the shortest. There seems to be some controversy regarding this method. The entire recommended strategy is based on the anecdotal experience of the author rather than scientific evidence. However, the procedures recommended are intriguing and I don’t see how they could possibly hurt. I also learned a lot about the potential advantages of dyslexia and a bit about how the dyslexic mind works.

The Gift of Dyslexia Details

Title: The Gift of Dyslexia
Author: Ronald D. Davis
Publication Year: 1993
Website: www.davismethod.org
Amazon Product Page (Affiliate Link)

Review

First, I should probably mention that I was only able to get the first edition of this book from the library, not the revised and expanded second edition. However, I still found it to be enlightening, so I’m documenting my notes. After I finish the rest of the dyslexia book I check out, I might see if I can get an inexpensive, used copy of the updated version. If I do, I will try to come back and note the differentces.

This book was written by a highly dyslexic individual who ended up leading a distinguished career as an engineer, businessman, and artist. He taught himself how to eliminate his dyslexic symptoms at will and founded a center for helping other dyslexics learn to do the same. He calls the strategies and techniques he teaches the Davis Perceptual Ability Assessment, Davis Orientation Counseling, and Davis Symbol Mastery.

The work is divided into several short chapters in 4 main sections. The sections are:

Part One: What Dyslexia Really Is
Part Two: Little P.D. (Potential Dyslexic): A Developmental Theory of Dyslexia
Part Three: The Gift
Part Four: Doing Something About It

In reading this book, I learned that there are several famous dyslexics such as Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Leonardo DaVinci, Hans Christian Andersen, Walt Disney, and Winston Churchill. Dyslexics are often highly creative, insightful people with vivid imaginations.

The author describes dyslexia as a process of disorientation that a child teaches themselves beginning in infancy to make sense of situations. They are big picture, visual thinkers who are able to use their imaginations in order to intuit information that they can not directly see. People with dyslexia are able to move in three dimensions using their mind’s eye to get a better understanding of what they observe. As they grow, they find that this ability helps them to make sense of the world around them and they become better and better at this technique until they seem to have a supernatural ability to assess 3-dimensional situations.

While most people think verbally, dyslexic people rely more heavily on images in their brains. This allows them to think and process much faster than those using verbal thought. However, they experience difficulties in reading words with which they cannot create a mental image, such as “the” or “and.” When they are experiencing confusion, they tend to allow their mind’s eye to wander since they have had so much success with this technique earlier in life. However, when analyzing two-dimensional written words, this causes their brain to distort and rearrange those words in ways that makes reading more difficult. In essence, their gift becomes a liability when it comes to reading and writing.

The author relays three procedures that I found interesting for overcoming these difficulties. The first is called the Davis Perceptual Ability Assessment. In this assessment, the person doing the assessment is trying to determine whether the individual can consciously and intentionally move their mind’s eye to view an object in their imagination from a direction other than the one their eyes directly perceive. To do this, he has the subject imagine holding a piece of cake in their non-dominant hand. Then the assessor moves the index finger of the subject’s dominant hand to see if they can imagine the cake from these alternate positions.

The second technique is called Orientation Counseling. In this strategy, the individual helping the person with dyslexia guides the subject through a number of techniques to train them to move their mind’s eye to a location 3 to 12 inches behind and slightly above the head. First, they need to picture the same cake in the palm of their hand, in front of and slightly below the center of their face. Then they draw a line from the cake through their head and place their finger at the location of this line behind their head. The person guiding the session will move their finger to the midline if it is off-center.

Once the orientation point has been found, the subject imagines drawing “anchor lines” from this point to both ears and to the top of the head. Through a series of steps in which the subject is intentionally disoriented by triggering words, the dyslexic person can practice consciously moving the mind’s eye back to this orientation point. It is important that the individual also learns to release this focused attention on this point through either breathing exercises or tightening and relaxing the fists so that they don’t develop headaches.

The third technique is Symbol Mastery. In this word, the person with dyslexia first forms all the letters of the alphabet out of clay and learns how to recite the alphabet backward and forwards by imagining the order of the letters relative to each other. It is important that they are not just singing the alphabet song, but rather know where all the letters visually belong in the alphabet. Next, the dyslexic person forms difficult, triggering words using clay to create a three-dimensional object. Then they also form a scene to help them connect the symbolic letter representation with a concrete image. For example, for the word “the,” they might form a 3-dimensional person pointing at a ball or a specific piece of fruit.

I am planning to wait to try some of these techniques with my dyslexic child until I learn more and have a chance to see if his Orton Gillingham tutoring is helpful on its own. Even though this book was written nearly 30 years ago, the Davis method is still being taught today. However, in researching it a bit, I did find that there are many who consider it to not be backed by science and unethical method for psychologists to recommend. Despite this, I am still eager to try some of these techniques with my kids in a month or two once we have time to see if the Orton-Gillingham tutor is helping on its own.

Mostly for my own reference, here is the list of words that often cause disorientation. These are the words that the author says dyslexics are likely to need to practice Symbol Mastery with.

a
about
again
ago
all
almost
also
always
an
and
another
any
anyhow
anyway
as
at
away
back
be
am
are
is
was
were
being
been
because
become
became
becoming
becomes
before
between
but
by
can
could
can’t
cannot
come
came
comes
coming
do
did
does
doing
done
don’t
doesn’t
down
each
either
else
even
ever
every
everything
for
from
front
full
get
gets
getting
got
go
goes
going
gone
went
have
had
has
having
he
he’s
her
hers
here
him
his
know
I
if
in
into
isn’t
it
its
it’s
just
last
leave
leaves
leaving
left
least
less
let
lets
let’s
letting
like
liked
likes
liking
make
made
makes
making
many
may
maybe
me
mine
more
most
much
my
neither
never
no
none
nor
not
now
of
off
on
one
onto
or
other
others
otherwise
our
ours
out
over
put
puts
putting
run
ran
running
runs
same
see
saw
seen
sees
she
she’s
shall
should
so
some
soon
stand
standing
stands
stood
such
sure
take
takes
taking
took
than
that
that’s
the
their
theirs
them
then
there
there’s
these
they
they’re
this
those
through
to
too
unless
until
up
upon
us
very
we
we’re
what
when
where
where’s
whether
which
while
who
who’s
whose
why
will
with
within
without
won’t
would
yet
you
your
you’re
yours

Unschooled

Michelle — Sun, 18 Oct 2020 18:35:00 +0000

I have wondered for a long time whether or not to call ourselves unschoolers when describing how we homeschool. I definitely educate my kids, but most of what we do is so fun (games, books, projects, outdoor activities, etc.) that it doesn’t seem right to call it school. This book answered a lot of my questions about unschooling. I thought it was fascinating, informative, and persuasive regarding the benefits of this educational style. The main takeaway for me personally was that unschooling has less to do with WHAT a child is doing and more to do with their choice in the matter.

Unschooling Details

Title: Unschooling: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom
Author: Kerry McDonald
Publication Year: 2016
Website: https://micheleborba.com/category/unselfie/
Amazon Product Page (Affiliate Link)

Review

According to the author, other names for unschooling are interest-based learning, child-led learning, natural learning, and non-coercive learning. By giving kids autonomy and choice in their education, they are able to maintain their natural curiosity and inquisitiveness. Forced schooling robs children of their natural love or learning. Also, by giving kids more autonomy, they are more invested in their education and will retail more of what they learn.

This book is jam-packed with real-life examples, studies, and advice regarding unschooling. For example, studies have shown that when young children are directly shown how to use a toy, they are more likely to only use the toy in the way shown. Conversely, if kids are not given any instruction and allowed to explore, they discover the same patterns and functions as the direct instruction group, but they also learn more about the toy through exploration.

Also, studies suggest that forcing mathematics instruction in young children can decrease their reasoning faculties. In one study, a group of children was delayed arithmetic instruction until 6th grade. By the end of the year, they caught up to the kids who had received mathematics instruction since Kindergarten. In fact, according to one person cited, the entire K-6 math curriculum can be learned in 20 hours when a child is motivated to learn the material.

I was also reassured to learn that studies have shown that when unschooled kids go to college, on average they do at least as well as their more traditionally school counterparts. As someone who does not give my children tests or grades, this was a relief to hear.

The book also discusses a wide variety of examples of learning that unschooled children do. I like the idea of being an unschooler, but I plan so many activities with my kids that I feel like there’s no way I can call myself an unschooler. However, the book details the lives of unschoolers who actually go to special schools. The main feature of these schools is choice. Kids are given a plethora of opportunities and then they are free to decide what they want to partake in and what they would rather skip.

After reading this book, I feel like more of an unschooler. I want my kids to be exposed to everything. I want them to know all the amazing topics that there are to learn about. I present them with lots of opportunities to do hands-on art and science and history. I never ask my kids if they want to participate, but I know at least at their young ages, right now they would say yes.

After reading this book, I told my kids I was going to try to give them more freedom. If I have a desire for them, such as having neat handwriting, and they don’t like the method I’ve choosen for them to reach this goal, such as copywork, we can talk about it. I let my daughter skip her copywork this week, and instead she is going to choose what she would like to practice writing.

There are still some areas where there is coercion in our homeschool. Piano is the main one. Unschoolers would probably not require their children to take music lessons unless they were interested, but at the moment, piano is a non-negotiable for me. I also require my kids to complete their minimalist math curriculum that I made for them. 10 problems per week is a not a lot to ask, but it is a requirement. Therefore, we are not all-the-way-unschoolers. However, after reading this book, I plan to incorporate unschooling philosophies as much as I can. I am planning to look for more ways in which I can give my kids more choices and freedom in their educations.

Unselfie

Michelle — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 05:21:19 +0000

It is really important to me that I raise empathetic kids. From my standpoint, if my kids are able to put themselves in other people’s shoes, then there will be less fighting in our house. I’m all for anything that brings about peace. It has always been my parenting philosophy that rather than punish, it is far more effective to help kids understand the consequences of their decisions. If we help kids want to behave, then it just makes like easier for everyone. After reading Unselfie, I see how important empathy is, not just to make family life more enjoyable, but to help my kids lead all around better lives.

Unselfie Details

Title: Unselfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World
Author: Michele Borba
Publication Year: 2016
Website: https://micheleborba.com/category/unselfie/
Amazon Product Page (Affiliate Link)

Review

One of the points in this book that stuck out to me the most was the discussion of moral courage. I feel like for the most part, my kids are empathetic. Sometimes it takes some encouragement, but they are usually able to see things from someone else’s point of view. They might not always make good decisions, but they are well aware of the distinction between right and wrong.

However, I am not sure if I am currently raising them to be morally courageous. The book describes a study done where an adolescent is unknowingly put in a situation where actors are playing out a bullying scene. The vast majority of kids, do not step in. I don’t think my kids would necessarily step in. I’m very non-confrontational. I’m not even sure I would step in!

The book describes the rare girl who stood up for the person being bullied. Her dad was so sure she would intervene and he was right. He said in their family they specifically discussed the importance of speaking up against injustice. Since reading this book, I have made an effort to start these discussions with my kids. I want them to feel confident using their voice, even in situations where they might feel uncomfortable.

As a research scientist, I love all the science and data that went into writing this book. The concrete benefits of empathy are discussed in depth. We all want our kids to lead happy, successful, fulfilling lives. Fostering empathy is a way to give our kids a leg up at achieving their goals. Unfortunately, compared to previous generations, children today are significantly less empathetic. Thankfully, empathy is a skill that can be nurtured. The author fills the books with several concrete suggestions for raising empathetic kids.

I would definitely recommend this book to any parent. The world could use more kindness and understanding. If we all raise kids who are compassionate and thoughtful, just imagine how bright all their futures would be.

Balanced and Barefoot

Michelle — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 02:50:24 +0000

I am basically the choir when it comes to the subject matter of this book. I am all about giving my kids as much outdoor time in nature as possible. I don’t need convincing that it is beneficial to children’s physical and emotional development. However, for those times when I start to think that maybe they should be completing more worksheets, Balanced and Barefoot is a persuasive, evidence-based reminder of the reasons why outdoor time is so important.

Title: Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident, and Capable Children
Author: Angela J. Hanscom
Publication Year: 2016
Website: https://www.timbernook.com/blog/
Amazon Product Page (Affiliate Link)

Review

I learned in this book that one in six children now have a developmental disability. This is a huge increase compared to previous decades. Far more children are suffering from problems related to “attention, balance, strength, coordination, or sensory processing.” There has also been a significant rise in cases of ADHD. Many kids are weaker than in previous generations and have decreased stamina. Colds are more common. Many kids have trouble reading due to problems with visual tracking. Posture is poor. Kids have trouble regulating their emotions and suffer from more anxiety.

The author makes the case that increased time spent in nature can improve many of these problem areas. Kids that spend time outdoors and in nature frequently have better find motor control and gross motor skills. They are physically stronger and have better stamina. Time spent doing unstructured activities improves kids focus and ability to self regulate. Time in nature improves people mood and leads to happier kids.

Once the author convinces parents of the importance of time in nature, she lists realistic and helpful strategies to make this time actually happen. She advocates giving kids “loose parts” for outdoor play like old crates and hoses. Over time, kids imaginations will develop to the point that they will be able to have fun even without props such as these.

She makes the case that parents today are over-concerned with safety both in terms of play equipment as well as child freedom. Parks that are considered more dangerous actually give children valuable practice learning how to conduct themselves appropriately. Allowing kids who are 9 years or older to bike to a neighbors house to play is developmentally appropriate. Also, practices such as these will improve a child’s self-confidence, maturity, and emotional development. Even babies and toddlers benefit from being allowed to play in the mud and dirt.

Personally, I did not learn a ton from reading this book, as I already believed in the importance of time spent outdoors. However, if I were to even run into a parent who questioned the value of unstructured time in nature, I would gladly point him or her to this evidenced-based book.

Helping Children Succeed

Michelle — Sat, 30 May 2020 01:27:07 +0000

This succinct book is packed full of science-based information. The first half focuses mainly on children who are growing up with trauma and adversity and is therefore probably not directly relevant to parents who would read a book like this. The second half focuses mainly on how to help children succeed both academically and in life. He does not propose specific strategies but overall ways of thinking about education. I think everyone who is interested in the welfare of children should read this book.

Title: Helping Children Succeed: What Works and Why
Author: Paul Tough
Publication Year: 2016
Website: https://paultough.com/helping/
Amazon Product Page (Affiliate Link)

Review

I read Paul Tough’s original book, How Children Succeed, many years ago. I couldn’t remember exactly what it was about, but I knew I liked it. I decided to check out his followup. Much shorter than his original book, I read this book cover to cover in a couple of hours.

As someone who cares a lot about the welfare of children in society and not just my own kids, I found the first sections on brain development fascinating. Tough very clearly and convincingly describes how disadvantaged kids who lived in poverty and other difficult situations are when it comes to academic settings. He discusses issues such as trauma, neglect, attachment issues, and constant stress. If I were an educator in a classroom setting, I would find this information highly relevant to how I thought about the kids in my class.

By studying what measures are effective at improving the outcomes for these kids facing adversity, there is useful information to be gleaned by anyone interested in the education of any child. For example, several studies show that incentivizing learning is unhelpful and maybe even counter-productive. In another study, students performance improved significantly when teachers put a post-it note on their paper saying, “I’m giving you these comments because I have very high expectations and I know that you can reach them,” instead of, “I’m giving you these comments so that you’ll have feedback.”

There are other chapters that promote self-directed, project-based learning, open-ended discussions, and child autonomy. These are all key parts of the homeschooling philosophy I use with my own children, so it was nice to learn about supporting evidence.

I’m not sure how relevant this book would be to the average parent. However, if you care a lot about the welfare of children as a whole or are a homeschooling parent looking for strategies, I highly recommend this book.

The Call of the Wild and Free

Michelle — Thu, 21 May 2020 05:12:20 +0000

I. LOVE. This book. The Call of the Wild and Free is absolutely my new favorite homeschooling book. Maybe even my favorite parenting book. I am definitely a Wild and Free homeschooling mama, but until yesterday, I had no idea there was a group of people whose philosophy aligned so perfectly with mine. This book is all about filling your children’s lives with nature, great books, and time to play. It’s about giving your kids a beautiful childhood. From now on, if anyone wants to know the guiding principles of my homeschool, I can just hand them this book. The author has eloquently explained everything I believe about homeschooling in a more articulate and convincing manner than I could ever hope to achieve.

Title: The Call of the Wild and Free: Reclaiming Wonder in Your Child’s Education
Author: Ainsley Arment
Publication Year: 2019
Website: https://www.bewildandfree.org/
Amazon Product Page (Affiliate Link)

Review

I thoroughly enjoyed this book cover to cover (figuratively speaking). I actually listened to the audiobook, but I enjoyed it so much that I am tempted to buy the hardcover. It looks like it is gorgeous. If I weren’t so frugal, I would have ordered it already, but I will probably wait and keep this one on my birthday wish list.

I resonated so completely with everything the author said. We even had similar experiences of sending our firstborns to preschool and loving the child-centered, gentle environments. We both have spent a lot of time researching the many different homeschooling styles. Ultimately, we both opted to bring our kids home, not because we had a problem with public school, but because we wanted our kids to have time to enjoy their childhoods.

Before reading this book, if someone would have asked me how we structured our day, I probably would have said something like, “Well, we read A LOT of books, and I make sure we spend at least an hour or two outside every day. We play games and enjoy life as a family learning about subjects like art, music, literature, science, and history together. It’s important to me that my kids have a lot of unstructured free time to pursue their own interests. On top of that, I try to squeeze in a little school work once in awhile.”

Even hearing myself say it, I know it sounds pretty weak. Even though I have given a lot of thought to how I homeschool and my approach is much more intentional than I’m sure it appears to an outsider, I feel completely validated after reading this book. Not only does it explain my philosophy so perfectly, but it has the science to back up these choices. It debunks many of the myths that surround homeschooling with solid evidence.

At some point, I will definitely own this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking about homeschooling and even those that are deep in the trenches.

A Gracious Space

Michelle — Sun, 17 May 2020 00:48:56 +0000

This book should be required reading for every new homeschooling parent. I own all three volumes and have purchased the Fall volume for at least 3 of my friends when they either began homeschooling or were going through a challenging time. Presented as a series of daily reflections, this book reminds parents why they began homeschooling in the first place and helps them focus on what matters most.

Title: A Gracious Space: Fall Edition
Author: Julie Bogart
Publication Year: 2015
Website: bravewriter.com
Amazon Product Page (Affiliate Link)

Review

We all want to enjoy our children and our homeschool. Julie Bogart gives us permission to do that. She takes the pressure off when we feel like we are not doing enough. She reminds us to slow down and appreciate our children as they are, not as we want them to be. Most of all, she let’s us know that everything is going to be okay.

I seriously need to read these books on a loop schedule just to keep my sanity sometimes. Time slips by and our kids grow, but above all, the relationship between parent and child is what is most important. This book provides ideas for fostering that connection while reassuring us that time is not being wasted.

The daily readings are short. They never take more than 10 minutes to read, frequently much less. This book is not a time commitment. It is not another checklist of things to do to provide your kids with the ultimate homeschool experience. It is the sort of book that you read in your pajamas with a cup of tea before your kids wake up. Then afterwards, you hang on to that unhurried, present, calm state of mind for as long as possible.

I highly recommend these books to any homeschool mom, regardless of the state of homeschooling she is in.

Mitten Strings for God

Michelle — Sun, 19 Apr 2020 02:06:26 +0000

Mitten Strings for God is the absolute perfect read for mothers at home with their kids during quarantine. All of our family’s activities are canceled. We can’t go out with friends. We can’t visit extended family. Our days have been spent entirely in each others company. I think I would have enjoyed the slower pace of life anyway, but this book has helped me to appreciate it even more deeply.

Title: Mitten Strings for God
Author: Katrina Kenison
Publication Year: 2000
Website: www.katrinakenison.com
Amazon Product Page (Affiliate Link)

Review: Honestly, I heard about this book and tried to read it years ago. I was probably in a stage of my life when one of my four kids was an infant. This book is about living at slow pace, avoiding business, and appreciate all of our precious moments with our children. How was I supposed to appreciate doing the dishes when I was so sleep deprived I was basically a living zombie?

The ideal this book presented felt so unattainable at that moment that, ironically, I couldn’t sit still long enough to learn about how to be still.

Now we are in the middle of a global pandemic and our family has nothing if not time. We have each other and we have to learn how to live together and appreciate all this unlimited time we get to spend together. In an optimal situation, we would do this without ever wanting to rip each other’s throats out. With 6 people social distancing in a confined space, this is not always easy.

And yet. For the first time, I REALLY hear what the author is saying. I appreciate these moments. I have time to sit and observe my children play. I have time to snap pictures of them creating fantasy worlds and giggling with each other. I can read one-on-one with my kids cuddled beneath a blanket. I can bake bread with them and prepare their food lovingly not having to rush off to soccer practice. I want to savor these moments. I will cherish them forever even as I feel them slipping away.

This book begins with a letter the author found written by a woman who passed away from cancer. The woman reminds us all to appreciate the “dailiness” of our lives. I am so thankful to the author of this book for really helping this lesson sink in while my kids are still young. I finally understand. I can wash the dishes and really hear the birds singing outside and my children laughing in the next room and I feel the contentment that I was born to feel.

Even though time feels like it is standing still in this moment in which our lives are all on pause, the author reminds me that it is still moving. My kids are getting older and changing every day. I can’t stop the progression of time, but I can learn to take the time to appreciate each moment of my day. I can only hope that I remember these lessons even after quarantine ends. (Personal Rating: 8/10)

Click here for more Parenting Book reviews.

Parenting Books

Overcoming Dyslexia

Overcoming Dyslexia Details

Review

Related Links

The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan

The Dyslexia Empowerment Plan Details

Review

Related Links

The Gift of Dyslexia

The Gift of Dyslexia Details

Review

Related Links

Unschooled

Unschooling Details

Review

Related Links

Unselfie

Unselfie Details

Review

Related Links

Balanced and Barefoot

Review

Related Links

Helping Children Succeed

Review

Related Links

The Call of the Wild and Free

Review

Related Links

A Gracious Space

Review

Related Links

Mitten Strings for God

Related Links: