I write as a mother of a 15-month-old boy, and am already finding his education to be a point of discussion! I was educated in a Christian School, my husband in a private grammar school, so neither of us have experience of home education (HE) – though we know a few families who have embarked on the journey.
So it was with interest that I read Making the right impression, a compilation of testimonies from 21 Christian families who have completed or who are still home-schooling their children.
The introductory chapter gives a useful overview of the HE scene, and highlights recurring themes from the testimonies. For example, the variety in approaches tailored to each family and child, and how experience has refuted common objections to HE, such as problems with socialising and academic rigour. In particular, I was inspired by the goal of all the families to give their children a God-centred understanding of the world so that they are well equipped to live in a secular society.
Each testimony chapter is easily accessible and stands alone, so can be dipped into as suits the reader. The parents who write (there are chapters by dads as well as mums) all obviously share the desire to give readers an honest taste of their experience, including life context, practical HE details and both positive and negative reflections. I particularly enjoyed the chapter which included quotes from the children about their experience of HE.
The book acknowledges that every reader will not agree with everything, but I can wholeheartedly affirm that it gives readily digestible food for thought. This book will encourage you to consider afresh your own approach to education and parenting.
