The Brave Learner
by Julie Bogart
A few months ago, I remember wishing I had a veteran homeschool mother to talk to. Someone who had made it through the journey and could offer me the comfort and wisdom that all of this really would work. That we hadn’t ruined our children by not teaching the standards and keeping to the schedule. That we would be ok, even if we didn’t ever quite perfect the housecleaning schedule or meal plan. That even if we broke down into not-so-great versions of ourselves in a ludicrous effort to “help” our kids be forced into better versions of THEMselves, that we would still be ok.
Granted, we are at the beginning of this homeschooling journey and this book only just came out recently. But, I feel like it’s what I’ve been searching for all along. I come away from reading it feeling more peaceful about homeschooling, but also about our whole parenting and adult journey. I almost feel like if I do little else with my kid for the next few weeks but really take in this book, it would be time well spent. But, of course, learning is always happening, and that’s part of what I love about this book. It’s almost like it’s giving me permission to do what I’ve felt in my gut is right all along. The lengthy conversations and explanations our daughter begs for. Storytelling and asking questions together. Playing and reading and supporting the kids in following through with their ideas. Even though I feel like a very relaxed, flexible homeschool mama, my former life as a teacher, and, frankly (as much as I say it doesn’t) societal expectations, often get in the way of me just following my gut.
The Brave Learner will be a touchstone during this homeschool journey. And I am overjoyed to discover all the other resources Ms. Bogart offers. Her Brave Writer program, her podcast, her poetry teatime, for goodness sake. I cannot recommend this book highly enough!