Empowering Education

At first the book talks about how great it is to read aloud to your children and I was going…right!, right!, and as I kept reading and got into the sections talking about discipline and I was SHOCKED. The authors actually suggest telling your child to bend over a bed while you hit them with a WOODEN SPOON. I am enclosing some direct quotes from the book to give you all an idea what this book is like:

Page #136:

“I use a good long-handled wooden (oak) spoon to serve up the swats, and I reserve the right to do it as hard as I feel is appropriate…Sometimes I have to hold court in my bedroom or the downstairs bathroom in order to get all of the facts straight. I either call in the suspects at different times or allow each to speak in turn with no interruptions. If that doesn’t give me a clear picture of who did what, I call in witnesses. I am the only one who examines the witnesses…For example: Daniel kept opening the bedroom door when David asked him to leave it shut (one swat). When Daniel stuck his head in the door, David slammed it on his head (three swats). Daniel called David a dummy and kicked him (2+2=5 swats). David called Daniel a brat and pushed him down (five swats). At this point I arrive on the scene…Final Score: Daniel 6, David 8. Conclusion: Daniel was asking for it, but David should have called me to take care of Daniel rather than resorting to violence.”

((ISN’T SHE RESORTING TO VIOLENCE???))

They actually give you the break down for how many swats:

Page #135

“CAUSING TROUBLE – 1 SWAT.

AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR – 3 SWATS.

NAME CALLING -2 SWATS.

BAD LANGUAGE – 10 SWATS.

DISRESPECT OR DISOBEDIENCE – 5 SWATS”.

“Direct disobedience needs to be dealt with firmly.”

This book is so TROUBLING, on so many different levels. I wouldn’t even give this book away or donate it b/c I would hate to think of some young mother actually getting advise from this abusive, uneducated, monster/s. How horrible. The worst part is she/they keep coming back to bible verses that they have twisted to fit this behavior. As a Christian who has read the bible repeatedly I always come away with the emphasis being on LOVING our children. Guiding our children. Did Jesus beat the children or did he teach through parables and stories.

I can’t verbalize how stunningly awful this book is. This did not help me or my family in our journey in homeschooling. I strongly suggest not buying this book new. If you do find it at a used book sale or yard sale please buy it and get it out of the system and throw it away.

Rating: 1 / 5

When I was a teen my mother attended church with Mrs. Shackleford. From her I first learned that it was possible to homeschool. Since that day it has always been my dream to homeschool.

My husband bought me this as a gift before we were married and I have enjoyed it ever since. I often loan it out to my friends who either homeschool or are thinking of homeschooling.

It is a little dated, as one reviewer pointed out, but so is Aristotle. In other words, it is still a worthy read. It offers some particularly helpful advice for those of us who struggle with being caught between the demands of home and the demands of teaching.

I suggest that every COUPLE who homeschools read this together. It’s not just for moms since it gives great advice on how to be a homeschooling FAMILY.

And, just in case she ever reads this…thanks so much, Mrs. Shackleford, you showed me that this is a way of life that is not only possible but also enjoyable and fulfilling.
Rating: 5 / 5

I love this book. I’ve had it for several years now, but originally bought it when I’d been homeschooling for 3 or 4 years. I’d hit a slump in the “inspiration” of it all…the day to day life was getting me down. I had one toddler and one newborn and my oldest child was not SUPER excited to do school every day which seemed to mean I must be doing something wrong.

This book is #1 an encouragement to moms like me, who need to remember that every day is not going to be perfect…that NO mother has the best day EVERY day. The authors lay out the realities of home school in a humorous and touching way, and bring honesty back to the table. Sometimes in home school books it sounds like if you home school everything will be perfect, all the dishes will be done by smiling, happy children dressed in matching, hand made clothes who have already finished their very advanced curriculum. It just ain’t so. And this book really helps to ground those of us who need reminding.
Rating: 5 / 5