I was recently given an e-book to review that was published by The Old Schoolhouse. Now, let me start by saying that I own and have read a ton of e-books. I’m just one of those people that love to read. I have read Pride and Prejudice, Emma and Sense and Sensibility all on my ipod’s 3” x 2” screen. I’m serious about my reading. Give me a bottle of lotion and I’ll read every last word on it – down to the ‘question and comments’ phone number printed in the most miniscule print the company can get away with.
So when this e-book called Homework came up in my pdf reader, I thought I was in for the same old song and dance about managing a household while homeschooling a slew of kids. Boy was I wrong! …And right. It certainly wasn’t the ‘same old song and dance’. This particular e-book is about families homeschooling a slew of kids, running a successful home and home-based business.
Intrigued? Oh come on, you know you’ve got your e-commerce website all laid out in your head thought about it. Fine, I’ll say it. I’ve thought about it. But my scattered brain quickly moves on to other shiny things dangling in the distance and I never get farther than an “I bet I could make that”. But something happened this Sunday on the drive home from church. My husband said, “I bet we could make that”. To which I replied, “and then we could sell them online!” What? I actually said that to him? He already thinks I’ve flipped my lid because I like making my own cleaning products and I think green candy tastes like ammonia. Now he probably thinks I’ve been inhaling ammonia!
But you know what? He just raised his eyebrows and got a pensive look on his face. “Oh my word, he’s taking me seriously!” was all I could think. Maybe I’ve been reading too much “Homework”. Well, this e-book has my gears turning, I’ll freely admit. But can we really do it? Can we actually make it work – running a home-based business AND homeschooling?
Page after page in this e-book, I’ve read histories of real families not making it work. But they’re still doing it! Inspiring tales of God’s grace, perseverance, trials, pitfalls, blessings. Home business at all levels is represented in this e-book by families at a variety of stages in their homeschooling and completely different seasons in life. Also, the final chapters and appendix are devoted to tips and resources for anyone running or thinking about starting a home-based business.
Two things stuck out in my head as I read through every chapter. First, these are families I’ve purchased materials from! How cool is that? I know their stories and now I want to support them even more than before! Second, these families are willing to lay it all on the line and confess that they aren’t responsible for their success – God is. He’s orchestrated their lives, their successes and their failures. And you know what? They all seem to realize this and are completely thankful for the experiences God has so graciously given. I was surprised to read again and again how many wrote, “I never would have done it this way”, “Only God could’ve made this venture succeed” and “He was almost verbally telling me what to do.” How amazing.
All in all, I’d say Homework is a great read for any homeschooling mama and a must for any homeschooling mama wanting to start her own business. I promise you will gain information and inspiration far surpassing, in value, the meager price of the e-book itself.
The most important thing I gained from this e-book is remembering that God is the author of all things. Any success is His success.
And honestly, I find much comfort in that as I ask myself, “can we really do it?” Of course we can! But only with God’s blessing and by His grace.
So look out homeschoolers! You just may see the O’shea thingamajig available for purchase in the near future. : )
dreaming in His will,
Sara O’