Things We Wish We'd Known

Who better to learn from than those who've already been there? That's the theory behind Things We Wish We'd Known, a collection of essays by 50 homeschool veterans about pretty much every aspect of home education. There are recognizable names here—Karen Andreola, Valerie Bendt, David and Shirley Quine all contribute—as well as many lesser-knowns whose wisdom, advice and insights are just as helpful.

There are emphases on making sure Bible teaching remains a focus, character building, and the spiritual blessings that come from teaching your children at home. But practical concerns are not forgotten; these authors address issues as diverse as choosing the right curriculum, aiming for achievable (and valuable) goals, and raising kids who listen.

Because the author's picture is included at the beginning of each article (and, more often than not, the author's entire family), readers are able to see these are real people who've actually implemented and attempted what they advise. As if the personal writing styles aren't enough for that—each essay is unique yet relatable, resulting in a collection that is human and not merely cold theory and philosophy.

You won't find much of either of those, in fact. Things We Wish We'd Known is written by parents who have successfully homeschooled and realize what most parents need is practical advice. Raising your kids, teaching them and managing the house can seem daunting or even impossible, but with the encouragement and ideas found in these essays, you'll at least have more guidance than these pioneer families did.

Review by C. Hollis Crossman
C. Hollis Crossman used to be a child. Now he's a husband and father who loves church, good food, and weird stuff. He might be a mythical creature, but he's definitely not a centaur. Read more of his reviews here.