7 Must-Read Books for Homeschool Moms
There are so many inspiring, encouraging books out there for homeschooling families. Whether you’re brand new to the idea of homeschooling, or a seasoned homeschool parent – here are our top must-read books for homeschool moms you don’t want to miss!
Homeschool is incredible for so many reasons, one of which is freedom! The freedom to do it your way, on your own schedule, and in the way that works best for your family. But as with so many other subjects, the topic of homeschooling might also come with some ‘OPOs’ (other people’s opinions), and that’s okay. Note that those opinions are usually not from people who are actively homeschooling themselves. Usually you have to get into the room / hear from the people who are actually doing the thing, especially if you have doubts or literally just need to know what your next step is.
And sometimes it’s not even other people’s opinions, but our own selves that need support and clarification. When we had two of our kids in the public school system, it didn’t take long before the notion of homeschooling came to mind, though we knew NOTHING about it, and knew exactly ZERO people who were currently homeschooling or who had ever been homeschooled!
Hence the endless searching on the interwebs began, in addition to signing up for a course or two, and reading alllll the books that looked decently helpful. [And there are a lot of homeschooling books out there!] This list of resources are some of the best homeschool books for moms we’ve found – ones you can return to again and again throughout your homeschool journey!
This post is all about 7 Must-Read Books for Homeschool Moms.
The Homeschool Handbook
For a beautiful, printable guide that covers what you need to know to homeschool
PLUS myth-busting, goal-setting and resources, go HERE.
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7 Must-Read Books for Homeschool Moms
1. The Call of the Wild and Free: Reclaiming the Wonder in Your Child’s Education, a New Way to Homeschool, Ainsley Arment
This popular homeschooling book is one of the very best! One of the first ones I ever read, and so inspiring! It encourages a fresh perspective on homeschool life, aimed at helping parents nurture a love of learning with their kids. Relationships are #1. This book promotes that learning should be joyful, flexible, and deeply rooted in the interests and developmental needs of each child. It’s far beyond old-fashioned, outdated homeschool stigmas and institutionalized school “norms.” Instead, in reading this book, you’ll find encouragement to remember what’s beautiful and true, to follow your instincts, and to celebrate the magic of childhood.
You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin. You just have to begin.”
Ainsley Arment, the call of the wild and free
2. Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling, John Taylor Gatto
This one might shock you a little bit. For us, it clearly identified so many concerning things that we had seen first-hand, and yet they’re all so ingrained in our society that people rarely question them. This pro-homeschooling book was written by a New York ‘Teacher of the Year’ who had decades of public school experience, and was published in the early 90s. And yet it still very much applies. As the author points out, it’s the school system by design that is undermining our children’s genuine learning and personal growth, and the whole thing needs an overhaul. It claims that schools aren’t fostering creativity, critical thinking, or independence – instead, they’re typically teaching conformity, passivity, and dependence. Parents and educators are urged to rethink education as a whole. This book advocates for more freedom, more real-life learning, and more opportunities that allow children to develop their unique talents.
“Independent study, community service, adventures in the real world, large doses of privacy and solitude, a thousand different apprenticeships — these are all powerful, cheap, and effective ways to start a real reform of schooling.”
John Taylor Gatto, Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum of Compulsory Schooling
The Homeschool Handbook
For a beautiful, printable guide that covers what you need to know to homeschool
PLUS myth-busting, goal-setting and resources, go HERE.
3. Homeschooling: You’re Doing It Right Just by Doing It, Ginny Yurich
This homeschooling book for moms is another uplifting, positive one. Here you’ll get a flexible, life-based approach to learning, dispelling myths that parents need to perfectly replicate traditional school-at-home. The author also reminds parents that nurturing relationships and real-life experiences are main elements of a meaningful education—that the presence and commitment you’re providing is enough. Helping you to recognize all you’re already doing, and to find the confidence to continue, this book is super encouraging.
Related: 1000 Hours Outside: Activities to Match Screen Time with Green Time
The capacity to think critically and adapt doesn’t arise from seatwork. Ever. It emerges from facing new challenges, walking through the unknown, and learning from trial and experience.
Ginny yurich, Homeschooling: You’re Doing It Right Just by Doing It
4. Becoming Homeschoolers: Give Your Kids a Great Education, a Strong Family, and a Life They’ll Thank You for Later, Monica Swanson
This one is a like a reassuring road map for parents who feel the pull to homeschool, but just don’t know where to start. Even after homeschooling for years, I still really enjoyed the author’s perspective and stories, AND felt inspired to try some new things in our own school! It also discusses schooling considerations from the younger preschool years up to and including planning for college…very helpful! Swanson affirms that with love, prayer, and intentionality, homeschooling is not only doable, but totally worth it and deeply rewarding.
Related: Monica Swanson Home School Blog
You are giving your children so much more than an academic education.[Think] experiences, adventures, and windows into brand-new worlds… You are helping them to develop character and passion…a lifetime of memories.
Monica Swanson, Becoming Homeschoolers: Give Your Kids a Great Education, a Strong Family, and a Life They’ll Thank You for Later
5. The Four-Hour School Day: How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life, Durenda Wilson
If you’ve been doing any homeschool reading at all, you’ve probably come across this book in your path — it comes highly recommended. This one encourages families to move away from rigid, traditional education structures and focus on a more flexible, relationship-based learning approach. Wilson is a homeschooling mom of eight who says the long hours of school most people are used to does not necessarily equal a meaningful education.
Even if you don’t agree with her methods entirely, at the very least it is encouraging to see how others approach schooling. You’ll find curiosity, life skills, and character development through everyday experiences as a main focus here vs. a “one-size-fits-all.” The book provides lots of encouragement, practical tips, and insights on how shorter, focused learning periods can be highly effective. And with this refocusing of time, families can enjoy more connection and real-life learning.
“Since God wants to give our kids and us a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11), it stands to reason that he intends for us to raise and educate our kids not just for graduation but for life. Life is complex and unpredictable, and kids need an education that equips them to handle that.
durenda wilson, the four-hour school day: how you and your kids can thrive in the homeschool life
6. Rethinking School: How to Take Charge of Your Child’s Education, Susan Bauer
This must-read book for homeschool moms (or any parent really) gives you so much to think about. In a good way though. The author identifies ways in which the traditional K–12 schooling model actually does. not. work. for most children. It challenges how most people have been taught to think about school, and gives a bit of a history lesson, too. You can also find practical advice + helpful suggestions for how to cope and improve your situation if your kids are attending traditional school, as the entire book doesn’t revolve around homeschool alone. If you feel your child is being underserved, overlooked, or even harmed by conventional school, as we did, make sure this one is on your list!
Some children respond to our educational matrix with ‘This is my natural home.’ But there’s a whole range of mismatches between that matrix and the rest of the actual human beings who are funneled into it.
susan bauer, rethinking school: how to take charge of your child’s education
7. Modern Miss Mason, Leah Boden
This one’s recommended for parents and caregivers new to the homeschool world, and helps to ease uncertainty about homeschooling in the first place. Modern Miss Mason is a loose guide following Charlotte Mason’s famous methods and principles. Find even more details about this style HERE, but think along the lines of nature, ‘living books,’ and honoring childhood as important themes.
If you’re interested in pivoting from strict, traditional school ideas and feel called towards something different… if a focus on your family intentionally claiming wonder, restfulness, and learning via relationships sounds like a dream… you may want to pick this one up! This book on home education reminds you that you can live classic, timeless principles today…but in a way that fits your own family’s unique rhythm and values.
I would love to value connection over curriculum every time. Let’s build a life and rhythm that leaves room for conversation, disruption, and questions.
leah boden, Modern Miss mason
8. BONUS Parenting Book: Hunt, Gather, Parent, Michaeleen Doucleff, PhD
This one I’ve picked up again and again on some frustrating parenting days, which is why it’s made the homeschool book list here. This one stands out with a compelling call to harness some ancient parenting wisdom, and in the process, raise emotionally balanced, confident, and cooperative kids. All this comes naturally for some cultures, without yelling and hostility, negotiating, or being overly strict. You’ll get lots of stories and examples here about how other people live in various places, and it’s not so much about copying the described lifestyles, but about learning their mindset instead: calmness, connection, and cooperation.
“Togetherness is easy. It’s relaxing. It flows. It’s what happens when we all stop trying to control each other’s actions and simply let each other be.”
michaeleen doucleff, phd, hunt, gather, parent
7 Must-Read Books for Homeschool Moms | Conclusion
There are so many homeschool books available, so don’t forget to tap in and get some inspiration when you need encouragement! Whether you’re just starting out or a few years in – it can be hard to navigate homeschool life at times – no matter what stage you’re at. Obviously new stuff is going to come up as everyone grows! But truly, there are so many people who have paved the way and are doing this thing along side of you. Thanks for checking out the list of our faves and you may just want to return to them again and again throughout your homeschool journey. Let us know which one is your favorite!
