As you debating whether to homeschool your kids? If so, this book will address most of your concerns.

The book, authored by Jessica Solis Carpinelli and Mandi McArthur, is a guide for parents considering homeschooling.
It addresses 20 common concerns, including socialization, curriculum, and learning environments.
The text provides parents with practical tools, such as "Can Do Assessment" checklists, while maintaining an encouraging, conversational tone.

Valuable takeaways:
Public schools offer Independent Study Programs (ISP), which allow students to take AP, honors, IB, and other courses.
- California leads in public charter school offerings.
- Many community colleges accept minors as "special admits" and offer dual enrollment programs (high school and college).
- "It doesn't matter what you're trying to accomplish. It's all a matter of discipline." - Wilma Rudolph
- Homeschooling results in less bullying and negative peer influences.
- The following sites review homeschooling curriculums: Cathyduffyreviews.com, homeschoolcurriculumreview.com, rainbowresource.com
Consider an educational subscription box, such as Kiwi Co's Kiwi Crate, Bitsbox, Universal Yums, Raddish Kids, or Crunch Labs.
- Roadschooling: Homeschooling while in an RV or boat, focusing on wandering and learning.

The book's strength lies in its approachable nature and inclusive approach, particularly regarding neurodivergent learners and rural families.

It's an outstanding, practical guide for parents who are considering homeschooling.

This is not your book if you're looking for a balanced (pro vs. con) analysis. The authors are cheerleaders for homeschooling. And this book may make you one, too.

I am considering homeschooling my child, but I had a lot of questions and doubts. I am really grateful to have come across this book, which had all the answers in one place. This book is very empowering and contains a wealth of useful information, great insights, and perspectives. I highly recommend checking out this book if you are interested in learning more about homeschooling!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

Thank you NetGalley for this arc!

"Hesitant to Homeschool" is just what I need to get me out of my slump. This is my first-year homeschooling, and I found some of the tips in here to be very encouraging. This book is really good for those on the fence about homeschooling and those who are just now starting.

Thank you NetGalley! Such an informative book. Perfect for parents who are contemplating homeschooling. It will provide so many things to think about when determine the schooling choice. As a parent myself, I had been thinking about homeschooling and was happy to find such insight in this book

Listen, I’m a homeschool mom. I love reading more and more about homeschooling as it becomes less stigmatized and it becomes maybe a little bit trendy! My daughter does a bunch of cool shit and we have a great time learning together. This book…..this book does a lot of disservice. Yes, it’s meant to be this pep talk in homeschooling and its benefits…but there’s a REASON PEOPLE USE AUTHORS FOR THIS. The women writing this book in tandem do not have a relatable feather in their pens and it shows. It feels performative, anecdotal and very much “yay you, you can do it too!” When really the people picking this book up is looking for logistical help, assistance with the right resources (like the HSLDA WOULD BE GOOD) and differences in curriculum, and the way we meet up in certain areas. Basically, this should be a blog. I’m not hesitant to homeschool but I am hesitant to recommend this book.

Hesitant to Homeschool is a wonderfully informative and realistic book that answers twenty common concerns and questions related directly to homeschooling, with a huge variety of contributors, including many veteran homeschoolers.

Some of the common concerns addressed include – socialization; homeschooling with a gifted or neurodivergent learner; concerns about the children or homeschooling parent missing out; possibility of working while homeschooling; and having the patience/space/resources/knowledge necessary to homeschool.

This book is packed with a huge variety of encouraging advice, various ideas, checklists, practical strategies and other resources to support the journey to homeschooling. It also offers many topics, that you might not even have thought about before embarking on the journey to homeschool.

I wish this book had been available before I had started the homeschooling journey with my own children!

With thanks to Free Spirit Publishing and NetGalley for the digital review copy, for review consideration with an honest review.

This book was thoughtful and well-researched and discusses parents' concerns and questions about homeschooling in an informative, straightforward way. I think it did a nice job dispelling some of the myths surrounding homeschool, and weighed the pros and cons of a variety of factors, including curriculum, rigor, and costs. They also touch on neurodivergence and disabilities when homeschooling, but having not had experience with this, the authors make some fine suggestions for knowledgeable resources.

Parents who homeschool or would like to homeschool would do well to read this book. I recommend this book for public libraries and parents.

Hesitant to Homeschool? is a great primer for any homeschooling family. Addressing common questions and concerns, Jessica Solis Carpinelli and Mandi McArthur shed light on what it's really like to homeschool. Packed with encouraging advice and practical tips, Hesitant to Homeschool? encourages families that they can achieve a life with their children that works for them (versus against them!).

I found this book easy to pick up and read short tidbits of. I enjoyed that at the end of each chapter there were 'Can Do Assessment' checklists that could help you feel more empowered to take on the homeschooling task. One thing that I think was overlooking and may be helpful to point out for a lot of families is depending on how rural of an area you live in, social media may be a "requirement" to homeschool if you want to be a part of a local community. I know I have found this to be the case for myself. As someone who intentionally deleted social media almost 10 years ago, I found that I needed to have at least a basic profile if I wanted to be privy to local events and groups, as they are not run on traditional websites and don't always exist in brick and mortar buildings. I have also found that travel is something you will want to consider with homeschooling. Again, living somewhere a bit more rural, joining most nearby co-ops would require a 45 min drive - which is something I don't want to spend my day doing.

Some of the topics that I thought could provide great value to families thinking about homeschooling included - "What If I Don't Know How to Teach?" "What If I Don't Have the Space?" " Will My Child Miss Out on the School Experience?" and "What About Socialization?" I think these are great questions that can really feel overwhelming in the current era of social media photos and reels that idealize a certain lifestyle. Homeschooling is not a one-size fits all approach and the more you embrace the flexibility and stop comparing yourself and your family to others the happier you will be! Carpinelli and McArthur really drive this point home.

Thank you to NetGalley, Teacher Created Materials, Free Spirit Publishing, and the authors Jessica Solis Carpinelli and Mandi McArthur for an ARC of Hesitant to Homeschool? in exchange for an honest review!

As a homeschooling mom of four years, I found Hesitant to Homeschool? to be a relatable resource. This book addresses so many of the fears and anxieties I experienced before starting my own homeschooling journey. The authors tackle common concerns, offering practical advice and encouragement throughout.
The conversational tone makes it an easy and enjoyable read, perfect for busy parents who may feel overwhelmed by the idea of homeschooling. The authors' approachable writing style feels like a supportive conversation with seasoned friends.
I will happily recommend this book to anyone considering homeschooling. It's an excellent guide for navigating the uncertainties and gaining the confidence to embark on this rewarding journey.

As a former early childhood educator, preschool & pre-k teacher, nanny and tutor -- with a toddler -- who has been interested in homeschooling, I found this book to be informative, easy to digest, well organized and super helpful! I feel much more confident and prepared to tackle homeschooling when the time comes. I appreciated the anecdotes, the authors sharing mistakes they've made, the perspectives from the children, and the realistic approaches. I would highly suggest anyone who is curious in homeschooling to check this book out!

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

My husband and I always have homeschool on the back of our mind. This book was so incredibly helpful and had so many great tips. It was wonderful! Highly recommend.