As you might be able to imagine after reading yesterday’s post, homeschooling has been a struggle this year. We began the year with me very pregnant, spending most of my time sitting, and of course then I had a baby. Under the best of circumstances, a homeschool year that welcomes a new baby isn’t going to be as “productive” in the traditional sense as other years might be. When you add depression to the mix, it’s easy for homeschooling to become a source of serious anxiety, and that is precisely what my year has been like.
When my friend, Sarah, sent me a copy of her new ebook, Teaching from Rest, I immediately uploaded it to my Kindle and then devoured it in a matter of days. This, this was exactly what I needed. Sarah also sent me a copy of her companion journal and an audio companion containing four podcasts that aim to encourage the weary homeschooling mama. So far I’ve been able to listen to two of the podcasts and can’t wait to listen to the others. With Sarah’s encouragement, I feel like I am starting to stand on more steady legs as we move toward another year, and I prepare to add one more “official” student (Beatrix!) to our little homeschool.
Sarah is here today (along with her beautiful photos!), offering a bit about herself and her book, along with a gift for one of you:
Well hi! I’m so grateful to Ginny for sharing her space with me today. I’m Sarah, a homeschooling mama to six and pretty much a lot like you. I’m here today to tell you about my new eBook and Companion, Teaching from Rest: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakable Peace.
I did not see this book coming. The message within it came first as a blog series, and even then the words were given to me through my incessant pleading. I write as a mother of six, three of my children under two- the smallest of them identical twin boys. It seems almost paradoxical that right now- when I am more sleep deprived than I’ve ever been- I have written a whole book about rest.
I don’t mean rest as in “sleep,” not really. See, my days very likely look a lot like yours. I homeschool my kids, wash dishes and pile laundry, trip over toys, obsess over curriculum, think too much about which book we should read next, about whether I am doing enough or doing any of it well enough. I worry. I falter. I cave in to my fears and fret about what the neighbors think. I refuse to let God have His way with my kids, our family, and our homeschool, and I cling ever tightly to my illusions of control.
But we are not the kind of teachers we have been called to be when we worry and fret and compare. This work of homeschooling and raising hearts and souls and bodies is hard. It is more than we can do in our own strength
Teaching from Rest is about trusting in the God who so desperately wants to carry us and our children through our homeschooling journey. It’s about shucking our habit of plowing through the checklist and pushing through the lessons so that we can live the beautiful days we know deep down we are meant to live.
The eBook is available as a PDF or for Kindle. The Companion contains a printable journal as well as four hours of audio- conversations I’ve had about teaching from a state of rest with some of my favorite educator mentors.
Our hearts are restless, but He offers unshakable peace. I’d love to hook arms with you for the journey.
…from Amongst Lovely Things
Sarah is offering one Small Things reader a copy of her ebook, Teaching from Rest along with the companion journal and audio companion.
This would help me too!
Want. SO. Badly. Thank you for the giveaway! 😀
Sounds like a needful book for us.
As a mama to seven, I have experienced depression, anxiety and everything in between! I would love to win this book!
I’d love this book. Thank you, Sarah and Ginny- for consistently “keeping it real” yet hope-filled for the homeschooling Mom. 🙂
fingers crossed!
Sounds like a book I could really use right now. Especially with a new year coming up ahead and a baby on the way. I admit, I’m a little nervous and anxious about homeschooling this year with a newborn in tow. Thanks for the giveaway!
Lovely, and sincerely what we all need.
This sounds like something I am truly in need of at the moment!
Sounds so wonderful and needed!
Sounds like a book I need to read! We are due with our 3rd baby in October, and I am a little concerned about how that will impact homeschooling. Thanks for the chance to win!
how amazing. This sounds like it would be immensely helpful for me! Thanks so much
Hi Ginny,
I am a Catholic homeschooling mom of four and I also deal with depression. I really enjoy your blog, it brings me a lot of joy and reaffirms me decision to homeschool . How do you deal wit your depression? Are you treating it with diet or meds and has it been effective? Thank you, Kathleen
Such a wonderful giveaway! I have a friend who would benefit from this immensely.
As a mom of a 5 yo boy, sitting on the verge of a big decision about homeschooling or conventional schooling, I would really love to read this book… Fingers crossed!
We’re expecting #5 sometime in the next couple of weeks. This book, audio, and journal set sounds like a great encouragement, as we have high hopes of homeschooling this fall. Thank you for the chance to win.
What a wonderful book! Thank you for offering a reader a copy Sarah! Sounds like a valuable addition to any homeschooler’s library.
I can’t wait to read Sarah’s book! Winning it would be such a treat!
Throw this weary homeschooling mama’s name in the hat!
As of last week, my husband and I decided to homeschool our one school-aged daughter. As a flighty perfectionist, I already see the roots of the stress and anxiety you’re talking about. I can’t wait to link arms with you and the rest of the sisterhood of mothers who teach from home. Thanks for providing a great jumping off point for my heart!
this looks beautiful- I’ll be sharing the link to this
I’m not commenting to win, but rather to say how incredibly transformational this book is! I devoured it as soon as it came out and know I’ll go back over and over for Sarah’s encouraging words. Thank you Ginny and Sarah for continuing to fuel our homeschooling journey. I have gained so much from what you have given in your blogs!
I sooo need this book! It’s been THAT kind of year!
Thank you for this giveaway! I will likely buy the book regardless, it looks and sounds wonderful.
This sounds like every homeschooler’s dream for re-centering!
Dearest Ginny ~ I stand right where you are. I have struggled with depression and anxiety disorder for the last five years. This past fall and winter saw me at one of my lowest points. I literally pushed myself to get out of bed and teach my children only the bare minimum. But God has proven faithful even through that dark time of depression. My children have somehow learned more than I could have ever expected through this trial, and it such a testimony to His provisions when we are weak. This book from your friend sounds wonderful. I would love to read it.
I’ve been homeschooling a while and have a while yet to go. This would be a good summer read.
Sounds like a great read! A perfect follow up for yesterday:)
Wow! This looks like something I could use a heavy dose of right now. Thank you for the giveaway!
Oh my! This sounds like something that would encourage me so much. I am a homeschooling mama to 5 little ones. My girls are twin and in “first grade”. Our 5th was born in Nov. and it has been so hard to find my rythmn. Our state requires a lot out of parents for proof of what they learns, and I feel so inadaquate right now.
This would be awesome. I’ve been loving the few things I’ve read/heard from her blog.
This sounds like just what I need while trying to plan for next year. I struggle with finding balance during the school year. This book sounds like it may help.
This looks like exactly what I need! Thanks for sharing, and for the chance to win a copy. 🙂
Yes, could definitely be reminded of this truth.
Would love to win this one. Thank you a lot. ~xxx~
I would love to win a copy of this! Thanks for the chance!
I love it and would love to win a copy for my friend!
I would love this!
I have been so encouraged by Sarah’s blog series on this topic. Thank you for sharing!
I need this… Struggling with chronic migraines…just spent a week in the hospital …
Wow! Thanks for the chance.
I would love to read her book. We are (hopefully soon) adopting 3 into our family – doubling the number of precious kids that I get to lead and homeschool! I’m sure I will need the lessons she is sharing! : )
I love Sarah’s blog! And what a wonderful topic for a book. Thank you for the opportunity to win! 🙂
I’ll be adding a third student to our homeschool next year. I would love to read Sarah’s book.
Wow, sounds like a great read, I could certainly do with some peace round here with my lot! Xx
I love Sarah’s blog. It would be really neat to check her book out.
I hope you all have a great weekend! Thanks for sharing about this book.
I would love to win this. I am a homeschooling mama of five boys and things get a little crazy around here. 🙂
It’s always nice to know I am not the only homeschool mom that is a little “frazzled”.