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.
Katie says
Would love a copy of this!!
Mellie says
After 16 years I am feeling a little burnout!
Sherlyn says
This sounds like just what I need! Thank you for the chance to win : )
Alison says
Thank you! I would live to read Sarah’s reflections on homeschooling and rest as I embark on homeschooling this year. My oldest will be starting kindergarten and I will also have a 3 yr old, 1 yr old and newborn! It’s going to be great but I could use all the wisdom you ladies are willing to share.
Michelle says
Thanks!
Samantha says
Thank you for sharing your lives and beautiful words and images. I needed this encouragement and would love to read the book.
Amy Caroline says
I need this more than you know! Thank you!!
Tara says
I would love to check this book out. It looks as though it would hit fairly close to home to some things I’ve been wrestling with lately.
Bree says
This looks absolutely wonderful, something I would truly love to read…
Liz says
I have been trying to find ways to keep from making schooling all about checking off the list if things to do. To live with a peace that only god can provide is amazing if only I could slow down long enough to find it.
Shauna says
Wow! This sounds wonderful.
Karen K says
I encourage mothers in the homeschool journey and this would give me help in that area.
I have been homeschooling for 25 years and still need these lessons.
Jenn Scott says
Would love to win this and learn… and rest! 🙂
Christine says
I would love to read this as I think about planning next year’s homeschooling journey.
Thanks Ginny and Sarah!
Rachel Marie says
that sounds fantastic- i’d love to read it!
Dawn says
Sounds like such a wonderful resource for mamas everywhere! Thank you for the introduction to your friend’s work.
Karen C says
What a wonderful way to support all of us homeschoolers!
Renee says
I’d love to win this! It looks wonderful!
chantelle says
This looks like a really thoughtful read. Thank you for your generousity.
Teresa says
Well , looks like I am in good company! Would love to win this too 🙂
Margie says
I would love to win.
Jamie says
Love Sarah’s blog!
Melissa N says
What a lovely resource! As we wrap up another school year and think about planning a fresh one, this sounds like the encouragement that we need. Thank you for the chance.
Eileen says
I could cry from reading this I am a homeschooling mama of 5. My two youngest are internationally adopted special needs children. Everywhere I look right now I see a mess and nothing getting done. I need this book! I
Will be purchasing!
Jeni G says
I’d love to win this set! This summer will hopefully be a time to recharge and rest. The book will fit right in!
Anne in Saskatchewan says
Oh, I so need this right now. What a great title.
Meghan says
This sounds so good, and I would really like to read it. The bonus materials sound wonderful as well.
Sue says
Would love this.
Sue says
Would love this!
Stephanie says
I would love a chance to win! Sarah’s writing is delightful!
Jenn B says
wow, this sounds like just the sort of thing I need! I have been so frustrated and overwhelmed with homeschooling lately. I think so very often of giving up and putting the kids in school but I know deep down that that isn’t going to solve anything and will more then likely just make more issues.
Thank you for an amazing giveaway and encouragement in this post!
Many Adventures says
Yes please. I had a baby (#6) in December. This school year has been full of challenges.
Angie says
Oh wow, I am there!
This year I have really struggled homeschooling my two oldest while also keeping an eye on my
super destructive toddler. Anything with “rest” in the title is welcome, anyway!
Kelly says
What a wonderful idea! I love the idea of resting and letting God do the heavy lifting; oftentimes it’s easy to forget that He’s there for us — especially in our home/whole-life/schooling realm!
Mrs. Mallard says
Thanks Ginny and Sarah! I would love to win the book and supplements!
Helen says
I’d love a chance to win! Thanks!
Emily says
Thanks for a chance at a lovely book!
pamela says
Wow. This seems like an inspiring idea. I definitely celebrated simplicity in homeschooling during my “baby year” with each new one. Thanks for the chance.
Nancy M says
What a great sounded book that many of us, whether small or large homeschooling families, need from time to time. We will all endure “seasons” that will keep us on a different path that we set out to be on but one that God ordained for us. But having a little bit of encouragement along the way to remind us that there are other mommas that share in our struggles sounds great. Thanks for the chance to win!
Cassidy says
Okay, this sounds heaven-sent. Thank you Sarah and Ginny both!
Danielle says
I’d love to read Sarah’s new book. Her website is a treasure, as is Small Things!
Alisha says
This sounds so helpful…I have been doing this for years and, many days, still worry whether I am doing enough, well enough.
Kathy says
Thanks for hosting the giveaway! 😀
RMann says
Thank you for this generous opportunity!
Blessings,
RMann
patty bl says
I have 5 under 5. 3 of whom are adopted and require extra love and attention. I’m about to embark on my first year of homeschooling living far from family. I think this book would be hugely relevant to my life at the moment! I hope I win!
Rebecca S. says
I’ve been seeing this all over, and would LOVE a chance to win! Thanks for the opportunity!
Cristina says
I would love this!
Alyshia says
This is just what I need to share with another homeschooling friend: with so many questions about schooling for this upcoming year and yearning for peace in these decisions! Would love to share this!
Julie says
It sounds like a wonderful book!
Rhonda says
I feel a bit guilty putting in a comment to win this one since I was the lucky winner of another giveaway on your blog last year. But, since I’m having baby #6 in July, I bet this would be super helpful for me as we head towards another home school year with a new baby in tow…
Thank you Sarah and Ginny!