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.
Oh. I would love this!
One year past the kind of year you ahve had, Ginny, and because there was no teaching – or learning – or living – from a state of rest, we are so exhausted. Came across Sarah’s blog and have been working to revitalize our family. Hoping to win this for a girl friend who also is very busy with twin babies the end of 5 kids….
Wow…this is a must read for me. Just when I thought our home educating/family life was sorted we were surprised with another bundle of joy in September just gone. I have felt that I have not done enough on the homeshcooling front for my other children this year and have been overwhelmed to say the least. My home ed support group, children and husband have constantly encouraged me and tried to reassure me…but I’m still feeling inadequate for the task. Thanks for the opportunity
I just bought it for my Kindle, but if I win I would love to gift it to a friend who could use encouragement. 🙂
I love this idea. Thank you both for the opportunity. off to check out the blog series!
Thank you for the opportunity
This sounds wonderful! I would love the read what wisdom she has to pass on, so wish I’d had it even earlier!
What a wonderful blessing for us all! Thank you for putting this out there.
Oh my, I need this so bad… sounds wonderful, and just what this weary homeschooling mama needs.
I’m not at the point where I’m homeschooling six, but it would be awesome to learn before I reach that point!
Oh my, this sounds lovely!
Nice timing! In reflecting about next year, I have decided to let my girls take the lead. They seem to much more in tune with what God wants us to do next. Maybe reading this would inspire me to be more like them.
I need this!!!!
I would love to win a copy of the ebook …. probably to gift to a friend, because I don’t think I can wait to see if I win! 🙂
Would love to read this. Thank you for the giveaway!
Sounds like a lovely pick-me-up.
Sarah’s e-book is exactly what I needed this year too! It’s so inspiring and practical. I’m happy to have the chance to win a copy to share with a good friend. Thanks.
This book sounds wonderful! Thank you for the giveaway!
Oh, what wonderful timing with baby #6 having just arrived and all sorts of transition coming our way. To teach from a state of rest, is that really possible?!?
This looks like exactly what my family needs me to read!
I would very much like to read this. I have been a very relaxed homeschoolers and often feel much guilt over this. I love Sarah’s comment about handing control over to a God!
Constant worry, control issues and not trusting God. Yes, that’s me.
Sounds interesting!
This sounds fantastic!
This sounds fantastic!
I wish I had had this book for myself years ago! Now, I would love to win it for a friend who is deep in the trenches and feeling the strain.
I think this would be a great book that would enrich my experience as a mother and help compliment my children’s public school education. Thank you!
Ohh! I would really love to read this book. With 6 boys and one girl I could use some rest ; )
i’m not a homeschooling mom. but my sister’s best friend is about to start homeschooling her oldest with little ones under foot and one on the way. i’d gift this to her and at the very least plan to recommend it!
Desperately need this book. Looks great.
Would love to read this book; it sounds like it offers much wisdom!
would love to win this too!
Would love, love, love this!
I’d love to win this book. I’m a list checker for sure! Very interested to see what tips I could glean from Sarah’s book. 🙂
I’m so happy to have discovered your sweet blog! This sounds like such a lovely book. I’m sure it will be a blessing to many.
Sounds beautiful!
I’d love to win!
Me! Me! Please! Me! 🙂
This is what I need! I’m in my third year of homeschooling and I vacillate from not caring at all to comparing minutely.
Bringing most of my kids back home next year, and I *so* need this book! 🙂
This sounds exactly like what I need!
I find so much inspiration from both of you, Ginny and Sarah! Thanks for that!
Looks like a lovely book!
Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity! I would very much enjoy reading Sarah’s book.
Sounds like a refreshing book to read…. thank you! Blessings to both of you mommas from Kansas!
ditto for us too, x
This would be good for me.
I also had a baby this year and am struggling to finish up the required 180 days. This book would be a God-send, I’m sure.
I really enjoyed the blog series, and can’t wait to read the book. I would love to enduldge in the companion & audio. Crossing my fingers!
Thank you Sarah & Ginny!!
Even though I don’t home school, I teach kindergarten in a private, Catholic school. At this time of year I am weary too.
Thanks for the opportunity.