Book Review~'How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. For Your Kids'

The first product I received to review for The Old Schoolhouse Crew this year was 'How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. for Your Kids' by Rachael Carman of Apologia Educational Ministries. Let me just say-PERFECT timing!  This beautiful hardcover book was just what I needed to begin my homeschooling year!  Most homeschoolers relate Apologia to science curriculum (as I did), but they have science and so much more to offer!

Rachael Carman is a wife and homeschooling mom to seven children.  She begins the book by telling her story of how she reluctantly (yelling and screaming, she says) came to homeschool her children. She referred to her homeschooling journey as 'Mr. Toad's Wild Ride', which I can very much relate to.  The book is based on the word 'heart':

H-Have a heart for the things of God
E-Enrich your marriage
A-Accept your kids
R-Release them to God
T-Teach them the truth

Each letter of the word heart has its own chapter in the book, and at the end of each chapter is a 'Heart Check-up'-questions to reflect on where your own heart is at relating to the topic of that chapter.   Although all the chapters were impacting, chapters 3 (A) and 4 (R) impacted me the most.  Having teenagers, I really needed to be reminded to accept my children as uniquely designed by God for His purpose. Also to continually point my children toward God and ask them what they think God's directions for their lives are-  not just the typical "What do you want to do after you graduate?" 

Rachael Carman's writing style made me feel as if I was an old friend sitting down visiting with her.  She pours out her heart and communicates with such genuineness and transparency, the book is hard to put down.  I didn't plan to take notes-maybe put post-its here and there on things to come back to.  Well, I ended up with two full pages of notes, AND the post-its!!  'How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. For Your Kids' has already enriched my relationship with my children.  I believe non-homeschooling parents would enjoy and learn from it as well. 

How to Have a H.E.A.R.T. for Your Kids is available for $13 from Apologia Educational Ministries. You can also have a peek at a sample chapter here.  Be sure to check out their website for more great information and products.  You can read other TOS crew member's reviews of this product at The Old Schoolhouse Crew's website.

Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review.