Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This book was recommended for a local Homeschool group's monthly book discussion. It is very short (which is a good thing), and I really wanted to like it. Unfortunately, I found it tedious and unhelpful. I was expecting some "tips" on homeschooling and easing the burden on the homeschooling mother. Instead, what I got was more of a "dear diary" (which should always remain private) and something that sounded like a desperate attempt to keep up with appearances. The one star is for the only useful part of the book, a brief story about her husband's hiking hobby. Not only did she finally sound like a writer, but it was her first (and only) example of sincerity. She uses the phrase/variations of the phrase "teach your child to love that which is lovely" in excess. And I mean EXCESS. This book is less than 100 pages long. I read that phrase, oh my goodness, it felt like every other page. It sounds inspired the first time, but after the fifth time it begins to lose its flavor, and after the tenth time it sounds downright irritating. Small thing, but I am not Catholic, and she quotes Catholic saints possible more than she quotes scripture. I found this disturbing, but that may be because I am not Catholic. Those sections were especially unuseful to me. But if you are a Catholic homeschooling mom, you might find them inspiring! The foreward starts with "I am not worthy to write a book like this . . .". Really? Well then maybe you shouldn't. I am a registered nurse, and I am telling you right now no patient on earth is going to take on a doctor that says "I am not worthy to be your doctor, I don't have the qualifications . . .". Not a good move Ms Mackenzie. After such a forward, anything written in the way of advice sounds nothing less than arrogant and presumptuous. Overall, easily the worst book I've read on homeschooling. Her thoughts are scattered, disorganized, and full of feigned humility. She had no useful tips for me (certainly nothing I hadn't already employed in my homeschooling experience), and I felt that she was very pretentious. If you made it through my review, I would recommend Teri Maxwell's "Homeschooling with a Meek and Quiet Spirit" (that was next in our groups book read). I found it AMAZING! Not to mention totally honest and refreshingly sincere.