Pajama School: Stories From the Life of a Homeschool Graduate
As a homeschooling mom to three boys, Pajama School brought me both sighs of relief and smiles. The author's recollection of her homeschooling days gave me much needed encouragement. After all, don't we sometimes wonder if we are doing the right thing, educating our children at home? What about socialization, team sports, band, the "prom" and high school requirements? Are they missing out? Of course my answer to those questions is a big no, but every once in a while I wonder….And then a book like this comes along, proof that homeschooling is successful! The author was homeschooled through high school, and is now the owner of her own piano studio, is the director of Adventures in Character, and a gifted writer. Her testimony reminds me homeschooling is a vital and outstanding form of education.
In Pajama School, Natalie tells of her early school years developing her relationship with her siblings, gently maturing from schoolmates to best friends. She then progresses through the years, telling us about the structure of her learning, what she did in her free time, her character development, her participation in grassroots politics, her babysitting "career", volunteering - she shows in many ways how exciting and adventurous her homeschooling days were.
Most importantly, Natalie credits God for her success and for being the one who gave direction to the many paths her life has taken. In this excerpt she discusses the importance of carving out time for seeking God.
One of the beauties of homeschooling during these years was that I could dedicate such large chunks of time to Bible study and prayer. I was constantly challenged by the things that I read, and as I grew closer to the Lord and began to apply the things I read in my life, I sensed that the Lord was transforming me and molding me into a different person. I wanted more than anything to please Him, to serve Him, to go anywhere and do anything for Him. Just as the psalmist wrote many years before, I experienced personally that God was showing me the path of life; in His presence was fullness of joy and at His right hand were pleasures for evermore (see Psalm 16:11)
As Natalie looks back over her homeschooling years, readers will come away blessed.
She had a well-rounded education and came out a successful and godly woman. Need reassurance? How about inspiration? Yearning for a worthy role model? I bet you'll find it all in the pages of Pajama School.
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