Family Matters: Why Homeschooling Makes Sense

I was initially gifted this book from a family member who found it at a yard sale. I wasn't expecting the contents of it. It really gets to the heart of the reason to homeschool that I think every other author seems to miss. Family Matters. The displacement of children from their parents should be the number one among the list of reasons that public education or even private education fails children. The author and his wife are both public educators so their way of laying this argument out makes it extraordinary and unassailable. I have recently gifted this book to a friend. I will do so whenever a friend who expresses interest in homeschooling needs encouragement to take on the challenge of homeschooling. Whenever people ask what your reasons are, the number one should be that kids need parents, much more than we all suspect that they do. This book, for me, confirms that.

Gutterson is a NY school teacher who, along with his wife, homeschools his own children. This book is a really good book to read for someone who is considering homeschooling. Gutterson goes into ALL aspects of education. He sort of plays the role of "devil's advocate" in that he presents both sides of the argument about whether to homeschool or go forward with public school. In one chapter, he talks about when he presented homeschooling for a debate in one of his classes where he asked his students to research homeschooling and make a decision as to whether or not they thought it was acceptable. For that particular project, his father spoke to the class about his feelings on the matter. His father is a lawyer and against homeschooling, but he cannot argue with the fact that many homeschoolers outperform and are better prepared for life than public school educated children, which is why he has defended parents' rights to homeschool their own children. It is well written, and it is an excellent source for someone who is having trouble with the decision of whether or not to homeschool. The only downside is that he does not promote all types of homeschooling. Although he does not come right out and say it, he doesn't seem to be in favor of the unschooling method as he speaks against the child-led approach. He seems more in favor of teaching to the individual child with a gentle parent-led approach. In other words, parents need to introduce the material, but teach it in a way that each individual child will comprehend. Overall, it is a good read.

An older book, but a practical look at why some people choose this way of education for their children.

This books was not what I expected. It covers the history of homeschool and public school. It was informative but rather outdated. Okay read.

We were researching homeschooling when I found this book recommended on several different "to read" lists. It was a very interesting book, including many different topics from the history of education, legal backgrounds, philosophy, and outcomes. Mr. Guterson does an excellent job of explaining his family's decision to homeschool without being defensive (or offensive), which means that this is a good book to lend to uneasy friends or family members, who are worrying about why you want to homeschool, or how it will work. We are happily homeschooling now.

I found this book to be full of usefull and helpful information! I think that Mr. Guterson did a wonderful job of informing parents of today's schools and how important family is in making education work. I would recommend this book to any parent wether they plan on homeschooling their children or not. Since the auther is both a public school teacher and a homeschooler he can see clearly both sides of the homeschooling "debate", (for lack of a better word.) He makes it abundantly apparent that all parents everywhere need to make a decision to be a major part of their children's educational experience whether that means teaching them in the home or choosing to send them to public school. No matter what you decide is best for your child(ren) this is a book that I would suggest any parent read!

I thought this book was validating for me as a homeschooler but also somewhat boring at times. Not very engaging but some of the quotes and things I took from it helped.

Well worth reading. Again, as in all David Guterson's writings, the language is indeed beautiful, and his ideas on homeschooling are defended, analyzed, criticized with an open mind. Frankly, if this man wrote of assembling a garden tiller, I'd grab that and read it. Incredibly gifted writer.