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misskatiemae 's review for:
I liked this book but I didn’t love it. As a new secular homeschooler of neurodivergent kiddos (and as a ND person myself) I found Julie’s suggestions and general stance on child-led learning helpful. What was challenging for me was that I just didn’t “see” myself or my kids in many of her examples or in her lists of interests and activities. I find that a book many books written about homeschooling come from a very “crunchy”, “we love Ann of Green Gables and Tea Time” type vibe. Me and my boys aren’t as interested in these things. Maybe we are a little more rough around the edges? It’s not a deal breaker, but it definitely helps to read tips from someone you can relate to and I found Julie hard to relate to in many ways. Also, we are definitely trying to be gentle parents and partners to each other, but the way Julie talks about raising your voice as something that could scar your relationship with your kids indefinitely was a little intense. We don’t want to yell or make that our go-to but we are a house of neurodivergent people and one or more of us is dysregulated on a regular basis and meltdowns happen. It felt like she was saying on one page that “everyone makes mistakes and it’s totally fine and everything will work out” and a few pages later being like “be careful not to get upset and lose your cool because your kids will leave home and never want to talk to you because you didn’t sing about your anger instead”. Anyway- I just couldn’t relate and find myself and my family in much of her writing but I liked the book for the guidance she gives in general. I hope this helps someone reading this who feels a little more punk than a typical homeschooling parent.