Catholic Home Schooling

This book is a great place to start if a Catholic family is considering homeschooling for religious reasons. Dr. Clark provides excellent explanations for the reasons homeschooling is a great choice in the moral upbrining of our children. She has a great section on explaining homeschooling to Grandparents [and other people]. Dr. Clark is passionate about homeschooling and she does have strong opinions, but I am surprised at the hostile reviews I see here. She has a lot of good ideas, a lot of great spiritual advice, and a lot of experience to share - I found the book very helpful. For the record, we use attachment parenting and I didn't find this book offensive [as the previous reviewer did]. I don't remember anything demanding that we beat our children or anything like that.... Anyway, I think this book is definitely worth reading personally.

I agree that the chapter on computer technology is outdated -- but most articles written concerning computers are practically outdated by the time they go to press. The rest of the book is OUTSTANDING in its advice and helpful hints to make your homeschooling experience as positive as it can be. As far as the chapter on discipline is concerned: if I had been an attachment-parent and not followed Dr. Clark's advice, I would be in the loony bin by now. Dr. Clark has a common-sense, realistic approach to discipline that acknowledges the need for structure and order in the home. This is vital if you have a large family with children close together in age -- which I have. Certainly, my husband and I have had our share of discipline problems, but using Dr. Clark's approach has helped us through the rough spots. As for her endorsing only Seton: she is the director of Seton, so that is only natural. If she didn't endorse it, I would be surprised. I have chosen to do my own curriculum using materials from Seton, Our Lady of Victory, Our Lady of the Rosary and Kolbe Academy. But for many parents, working out their own curriculum is difficult. The "package plans" available are a huge help to many. Seton is one of them. There are many others. You still have the liberty to investigate each one and find the one that's right for you. It should surprise no one that Dr. Clark endorses the one that she directs.

In this historic first, the director of the accredited and highly successful Seton Home Study School shows parents why and how to teach their children at home, giving scores of practical examples and setting forth the spiritual, moral and academic advantages. The book includes chapters by several experts and covers Catholic curriculum, textbooks, Catholic family life, legal aspects, discipline, socialization, home management, using computers, children with learning disabilities, single-parent home schooling, the father's role, Catholic home schooling support groups, and much more. Also included are the addresses of all 50 state home schooling associations. Perfect for mothers who are considering home schooling - or who want to convince their husbands or relatives that home schooling is a good idea. Parents already know the problems in the schools (both public and Catholic). This book gives the solution! A tremendously encouraging, uplifting and practical handbook. Catholic home schooling may well be the salvation of our entire society.

I've read this book twice now. It's fantastic and uplifting. You won't find too many liberal Catholics recommending this book because this book is truely, 100 % Catholic. No fundamentalism or ecumenism involved here. Ms. Clark states the truth about Catholicism and what your responsibities as a Catholic parent are. Read this book first before you buy any others.

This is the first book I recommend to families looking for information on Catholic home education. Dr. Mary Kay Clark, Director of Seton Home Study School, has devoted much of her life to Catholic education to help her family and others. Her zeal and success, chronicled in this book, fills the reader with a confidence which has deep roots. A parent who reads this book will come away with an understanding that homeschooling does not have to be just a stop-gap measure until a "good" Catholic school is found. Catholic homeschooling can become a life for you and your family. Before embarking on the home education journey, two very important question parents should ask themselves is "Why do we want to home school?" and "How and what do we use to accomplish our goals?" Dr. Clark's book addresses both with the emphasis on the first. Unless each family develops a philosophy and goals, the "how" and "what" will have no direction, possibly leading to burnout.Reading this meaty book before others will help Catholics form a firm foundation. Be sure to have your own copy in hand with a highlighter!