Tips for Successful Homeschooling: Books All Homeschool Moms Should Read

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Whether you’re brand new to homeschooling or you’ve been doing this for years, there is always more to learn. And sometimes, one good book can completely change the way you think about your homeschool.

Over the years, I’ve read books that have given me practical ideas for teaching and planning, books that have encouraged me in difficult seasons, and others that have challenged me to think more deeply about why we homeschool and what I believe about education in the first place.

That’s what you’ll find on this list.

Some of these books are practical guides that can help you with the day-to-day realities of homeschooling. Others focus more on educational philosophy, helping us think carefully about what our kids are learning, who is influencing them, and the role our faith should play in their education. And some are simply encouragement for the homeschool mom who needs to be reminded to keep going and keep the Lord at the center of it all.

You certainly don’t need to agree with every idea in every book you read. But I think there is a lot of value in reading, learning from other homeschool parents and educators, and being willing to thoughtfully consider why we do what we do.

So whether you’re looking for practical homeschool help, encouragement for your own heart, or a book that will challenge you to think more deeply about education, here are some books I think are worth adding to your reading list!

Must-Read Books for Homeschool Moms

Everyday Faithfulness: A Devotional for Homeschool Moms

I’m going to start with a book that’s especially close to my heart because it’s one I wrote specifically for homeschool moms!

Everyday Faithfulness: A Devotional for Homeschool Moms was created to encourage you in something I think can easily get lost in the busyness of homeschooling: keeping God at the center of it all.

As homeschool moms, we spend so much time thinking about curriculum, schedules, lesson plans, activities, and whether our kids are learning what they need to learn. But our own hearts need tending, too. We need time in God’s Word, reminders of His truth, and encouragement to depend on Him through both the really good homeschool days and the ones that leave us wondering what we’re doing.

That’s the heart behind Everyday Faithfulness. Each devotional includes Scripture and encouragement specifically connected to the things we face as homeschool moms, with space to reflect and apply God’s Word to your own homeschool journey. My hope is that it helps you step away from the to-do list for a few minutes, spend time with the Lord, and remember that your faithfulness in the everyday moments matters.

I also created the Everyday Faithfulness Scripture Journal as a companion for moms who want to dig even deeper into God’s Word. It gives you space to meditate on Scripture, study the passage, answer homeschool-specific reflection questions, pray, record answered prayers and praises, practice gratitude, and think about how you can live out what you’re learning.

You can use the devotional on its own or pair it with the journal for a more in-depth study. Either way, my prayer is that these resources encourage you to continually bring your homeschool back to the Lord and trust Him with the work He’s given you to do.

Dishing Up Devotions

First and foremost, covering your homeschool in prayer is truly your best strategy. I find that having a prayer guide or devotional to use (both for myself, and for my kids!) can be a great way to stay accountable and remind me to draw near to the Lord throughout the day.

The book Dishing Up Devotions by Katie J. Trent is a tool that every homeschool mama should have in her back pocket. Not only does it contain bite-sized, relatable devotions, but each lesson is tied to a recipe you can bake with your kids (a.k.a., Home Economics class).

My girls and I have already made some priceless memories baking together and making meaningful, lasting connections to God’s Word.

This unique book features thirty-six weekly devotions, faith-building activities for the whole family, and baking recipes connected to the weekly character theme. Grab your own copy – I know you’ll love it as much as we have!

Education: Does God Have an Opinion? by Israel Wayne

This is one I especially recommend if you’re a Christian homeschool parent who wants to think more intentionally about the why behind your homeschool. Education: Does God Have an Opinion? from Israel Wayne is definitely worth reading.

The title itself asks a question I think we sometimes overlook. We spend a lot of time asking which curriculum is best, which teaching method works, or what our kids need to know at each grade level. But as Christians, shouldn’t we also be asking what God says about education?

This book digs deeper into the Biblical foundation for education and challenges parents to think carefully about who God has given the responsibility of educating children, what the purpose of education should be, and how our faith should influence what and how our children learn.

Even if you don’t agree with every conclusion in a book like this, I think these are really important questions for Christian parents to wrestle with. It’s helped me think more intentionally about the choices we make in our homeschool and reminded me that education is never completely neutral. What our kids learn shapes the way they understand God, themselves, and the world around them.

If you’ve never really thought about the philosophy behind your homeschool before, this book will definitely give you a lot to think about.

Dumbing Us Down by John Taylor Gatto

Dumbing Us Down is a little different from some of the other books on this list, but it’s definitely one that will make you think.

John Taylor Gatto spent many years teaching in the public school system, and in this book he shares some pretty strong opinions about traditional schooling and the way our education system is structured. He challenges ideas that many of us probably never thought twice about before homeschooling, like grouping kids strictly by age, dividing learning into separate subjects and class periods, and assuming that meaningful education has to happen within a traditional school setting.

For me, books like this are helpful because they make us question some of the school habits and expectations we can easily bring home with us.

One of the biggest freedoms we have as homeschoolers is that we don’t have to recreate traditional school at home. We can think about what actually helps our individual kids learn, give them time to pursue interests, let learning happen naturally outside of a textbook, and make choices based on what’s best for our own families.

If you’ve ever found yourself doing something in your homeschool simply because “that’s how school is supposed to work,” Dumbing Us Down might challenge you to look at education a little differently.

Home Learning Year by Year

Also by Rebecca Rupp, Home Learning Year by Year gives parents a helpful overview of what children typically learn at each grade level, along with ideas and resources for teaching those skills at home.

I especially like resources like this because they can give you a general roadmap without making you feel like every child has to follow the exact same timeline. It can be a helpful reference when you’re planning your homeschool year or simply wondering what you might want to cover next.

The Brave Learner

Julie Bogart’s The Brave Learner encourages parents to make learning engaging, meaningful, and enjoyable at home. She shares lots of ideas for creating an environment where curiosity is encouraged and learning isn’t limited to textbooks and assignments.

If your homeschool has started feeling a little too much like checking boxes, this book might give you some inspiration for bringing more creativity and connection back into your days.

The Way They Learn

Cynthia Ulrich Tobias’ The Way They Learn focuses on understanding how individual children learn and using their strengths to help them succeed.

One of the benefits of homeschooling is that we actually have the flexibility to teach our kids as individuals. This book can help you recognize some of those differences and think about ways you might adjust your approach when something just isn’t clicking.

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The Well-Trained Mind

The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise is a comprehensive guide to classical education at home. It walks parents through the different stages of learning and offers recommendations for teaching subjects from the early years all the way through high school.

It’s a very thorough resource, so you certainly don’t have to implement everything in it! But if you’re interested in classical education or simply want ideas for creating a rigorous, well-rounded homeschool education, there is a lot here to explore.

The Unhurried Homeschooler

If you’re struggling with homeschool burnout, feeling behind, or putting too much pressure on yourself, The Unhurried Homeschooler by Durenda Wilson is a wonderful reminder that homeschooling doesn’t have to be complicated.

I think homeschool moms can put so much pressure on ourselves to do everything well (and sometimes just to do everything). This book encourages you to simplify, slow down, and focus on what really matters in your homeschool and family.

The Homeschool Bible

The Homeschool Bible: Everything You Need to Build a Thriving Home Education by Mandy Davis is one of the newest books on this list and a great practical resource for homeschool parents.

Mandy is a former classroom teacher turned homeschool mom, and she walks parents through many of the things we have to figure out along the way, including homeschool styles, curriculum, routines, teaching multiple kids, socialization, record keeping, and planning for the high school years.

I especially like that this isn’t just a book for families wondering whether they should homeschool. It’s designed to be something you can come back to as your kids grow and your homeschool changes. And if you’ve been homeschooling for any length of time, you know that what works wonderfully during one season might need to look completely different a few years later!

If you’re looking for a current, practical guide that can help you think through both the big picture and the everyday details of homeschooling, this is a great one to have on your shelf.

Everything You Need to Know About Homeschooling

Everything You Need to Know About Homeschooling by Lea Ann Garfias is a comprehensive guide that covers many of the questions parents have about homeschooling, from getting started and choosing curriculum to managing your home and teaching through different stages.

This would be an especially helpful book for a new homeschool mom who feels like there are a million things she doesn’t know yet. Rather than trying to figure everything out at once, you can use it as a resource to come back to as new questions come up.

The Call of the Wild and Free

Ainsley Arment’s The Call of the Wild + Free encourages families to embrace a homeschool education filled with curiosity, creativity, nature, and plenty of opportunities for children to explore.

This one will especially appeal to families drawn to a more relaxed, interest-led style of homeschooling. Even if that’s not exactly how you homeschool, there are some great reminders here about making room for wonder and recognizing that meaningful learning happens in many different ways.

Better Together

Pam Barnhill’s Better Together focuses on using Morning Time as a way to simplify your homeschool while bringing your family together for shared learning.

This can be especially helpful if you’re homeschooling multiple ages and wondering how in the world you’re supposed to teach everyone separately all day long. The book offers practical ideas for gathering your kids together for things like read-alouds, Bible, history, memory work, and other subjects you can enjoy as a family.

The Homeschool Experiment

The Homeschool Experiment by Charity Hawkins is a fun change of pace from the other books on this list because it’s actually a novel about a mom beginning her homeschool journey.

The story doesn’t pretend homeschooling is always picture-perfect. There are struggles, doubts, funny moments, and plenty of things that don’t go according to plan, which makes it an especially relatable read for homeschool moms who could use some encouragement (and a few laughs).

Teaching From Rest

Sarah Mackenzie’s Teaching From Rest is a faith-based book about letting go of some of the anxiety and pressure we can carry into homeschooling and learning to approach our days from a place of peace and trust in God.

This doesn’t mean we stop planning or caring about academics. Instead, it’s an encouragement to remember that we aren’t ultimately in control of every outcome. It’s a short book, but there is a lot of encouragement packed into it for the homeschool mom who feels overwhelmed by everything she thinks she needs to accomplish.

Becoming Homeschoolers

In Becoming Homeschoolers, homeschool mom Monica Swanson combines practical advice with encouragement for families who are homeschooling or considering taking the leap. She covers many of the questions homeschool parents actually have, from choosing curriculum and finding social opportunities to preparing kids for college, while also encouraging families to build their homeschool on a foundation of faith.

I especially appreciate that this book looks beyond academics and considers the kind of family life we’re building along the way. It’s a great choice for newer homeschool families, but there’s plenty of encouragement here for those of us who have been homeschooling for a while, too.

Hope for Your Homeschool

September McCarthy is a homeschool mom of ten, and Hope for Your Homeschool draws from her many years of experience to encourage moms through both the joys and challenges of homeschooling.

She addresses so many of the questions and doubts that can creep in along the way: Am I doing enough? Are my kids going to be okay? How do I keep doing this when I’m exhausted? With Biblical encouragement, personal stories, and practical advice, this is a wonderful book to pick up when you need some perspective and encouragement to stay the course.

Homegrown

Homegrown: Guidance and Inspiration for Navigating Your Homeschooling Journey, by Amber O’Neal Johnston, is a little different because it brings together essays from 30 different contributors rather than offering one person’s approach to homeschooling.

The book explores why families choose to homeschool and how things like relationships, community, family culture, heritage, and our bigger vision for our kids shape the education we give them. I like the idea of hearing from a variety of homeschool voices, especially because there isn’t one “right” way to homeschool. It can be helpful to learn from other families while figuring out what works best in your own home.

I’d love to hear from you in the comments: what book would you recommend all homeschool moms read for tips for successful homeschooling?

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