Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Inspiration: "Real" School


     We are wrapping up our second year as official homeschoolers. Although I've been teaching my kids since the day they were born (aren't we all?), by state records Nate has been homeschooled since he was five.

     Nate loves it now, but he didn't always want to be homeschooled. The biggest reason was that he read at a very early age, and the vast majority of books he checked out from the library boasted about the glories and splendor of elementary school.

     I'm not into bashing the public school system. I'm not saying that every family should homeschool. But it was frustrating for me when Nate wanted to go to school just because all the books he read talked about the big yellow bus like it was a one-way ticket to little-kid heaven.

     I mean, where were all the chapter books about homeschooling?

     I searched for them. I really did. And eventually -- after hours of unsuccessful internet browsing -- I discovered Do Life Right, a company that publishes books about contemporary, every-day homeschoolers. Fast-forward about two years, and guess what? I'm now a Do Life Right author!

     I was inspired by Do Life Right's passion to normalize homeschooling, which is why I sent them my first manuscript about a week after I first found them online. My boys love reading about  homeschooling families and the adventures they have. And I love that my boys are learning that homeschool is real school.

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Special Offer: What, No Sushi? is now available in discount bundles for families and teachers who want to order multiple copies for a book club. The book includes book club discussion questions, and the website has other ideas for hands-on learning.

Random Fact #12: It took 23 months from the time I wrote What, No Sushi? until it was published.

Thursday's Child Blog Hop: Share what inspires you as a writer! Link up at Rhiann Wynn-Nolet's blog.

    

17 comments:

  1. Dear Alana,

    I nominated you for a Beautiful Mama Blog Award! You can check out my post here: http://icansaymama.blogspot.de/2013/04/being-mama-is-beautiful.html

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    1. Aw, thanks to both of you!! I'll check it out once I get the boys to bed!!! :) I'm honored.

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  2. That's such a positive thing that your boys are now understanding that being homeschooled is real school - the power of books, eh? Also, what a fantastic opportunity Do Life Write has been for you as a writer.

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    1. Yeah, my oldest son especially LOVES the books and has even written a few titles himself. He's only 7, so the stories are something like, "I saw a spaceship and decided to go to Saturn. And since I'm homeschooled I just kept learning on the spaceship!" But it's super cute. :)

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  3. There are quite a few homeschoolers around here, they seem to gain a lot from combining forces so to speak. When homeschooling is done right, it's awesome.

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    1. Totally agree, Rhiann. Homeschooling can be a good option for some families, and it's so important to be done in community!

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  4. Kudos on the success of your book,"The Beloved Daughter." and good with with, "What? No Sushi." It's awesome that you write and homeschool.

    http://otherworlddiner.blogspot.com/2013/04/inspired-by-remarkable-unusual-and-true.html

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    1. Thanks for the congrats, Mia! Are you on twitter? I looked on your link and website but didn't see you. I'm @aboynamedsilas. I'd love to connect!

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  5. You know I never thought about it, but you are right. There are not any readily available books about homeschooling!

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    1. yeah, there's a huge market for it too it seems!

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  6. I hope your book sales go really well!!!

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    1. Thanks! Unfortunately I had to leave my kids for two days in a row. You should hear some of the stories they told me about what happened while I was out selling books! Aii!

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  7. I wanted to home school my boys. We live in NYC. A wonder load of resources. But my eldest had significant learning disabilities/differences and I wasn't qualified for what he needed. And in honesty, I needed a break from him and his inflexible easily frustrated nature. Woah. Now 15. He's doing alright. After being placed in the wrong school for 4/5 grades. He's back I'm public. Alas, if I had to do it again maybe things would be different. Glad to hear of yours and your child's success. :)

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    1. Hey Karen, I totally agree that sometimes non-homeschool options are best for some families. I'm sorry to hear about the rough 4/5 grade years and am glad your son is doing ok now. We have a special needs child as well who is five. I don't know if we'll end up needing "Special ed" services or not. He technically doesn't start kindergarten until this fall.

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  8. That is so cool that you were able to help fill a void that clearly need filling.

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    1. Thanks Chris! It's been fun seeing how my oldest son especially has been so positively impacted!

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