Homeschooling at the Speed of Life
Author: Marilyn Rockett
Publisher: B & H Publishing Group
For more information or to order: Homeschooling From the Heart
or visit the author's helpful site: www.marilynrockett.com

Let’s face it, being a homeschool mom can be overwhelming! I don’t know about you, but on the really good “school” days, my house gets no attention. Then on the days I get a lot done around the house, school work seems to get pushed aside, or pushed through with tears as mom hurries everyone along so I can get “something done.” Although I am making progress, I am definitely in need of assistance when it comes to organizational skills!

Thankfully, Marilyn Rockett has been there done that, and she’s written a helpful resource filled with tools and techniques she has found brought order and balance to her home. Homeschooling at the Speed of Life, is more than just another book on how to “get organized.” In fact, she begins by challenging her readers with a new definition of organization – “Organization is making your life work for you by bringing the dailiness of life under control through yielding to the Holy Spirit concerning the wise use of your time.” Working from that mindset, the reader is led through chapters filled with encouragement, inspiration and practical advice for balancing home, school and family in the very real, fast-paced world.

Homeschooling at the Speed of Life takes the reader from inspiration to action. Topics include home organization, teaching children life skills, taming clutter, hospitality, a family not a school, homeschool recordkeeping, and more. At the end of each chapter Marilyn invites interaction and reflection by asking us to “Stop, Look and Think.” Here we find several questions for reflection along with scripture references for further study . In addition to all the practical advice, there are inspirational and challenging quotes scattered liberally throughout the book. Many of these quotes have ended up in my journal or written on note cards and placed in strategic places throughout my home.

I really like the author’s tone throughout this book. She shares so many great ideas, yet I never felt like she was saying, “You must do it THIS way.” Marilyn truly wants to give overwhelmed moms like me hope - not another list or system that is supposed to be one-size fits all! Oh, don’t worry, she has included practical tips and an abundance of resources throughout the book and on the included CD; however, she reminds us that we must continue to turn to God for wisdom on how to use these tools in our individual homes.

I’ve added Homeschooling at the Speed of Life to my list of books that I turn to at the beginning of each school year for advice and encouragement. I believe it is destined to become a classic, must-have for homeschool moms everywhere.