I have recommended this book more often than any other, so today I thought I would give you my review which is posted on The Old Schoolhouse Magazine website: Reviews. 

Broadman & Holman Publishers

Homeschooling the Challenging Child

By Christine M. Field

Website: www.HomeFieldAdvantage.org

Email: FieldFamily@HomeFieldAdvantage.org

Do you struggle with a challenging child, or do you have a child who struggles in your homeschool?  Do you feel like you’ve tried everything and have no where else to turn? Christine Field has written an excellent resource for those parents who have children with varying disabilities, from the strong-willed to the learning disabled, this book covers it all – and covers it thoroughly.  There is so much practical working knowledge here, this will probably be the only resource guide you will need in determining your child’s behavioral and/or learning problems and what to do to help them.

Christine clearly defines the differences between disabilities and discipline issues, between personality types and learning styles.  She talks about managing stress, grief and discouragement as well as sections on siblings, and planning programs to help the challenging learner. The book is full of hard earned wisdom and advice and a ton of encouragement as she relates the struggles and successes of teaching her own “challenging child.”   She also includes stories and quotes from around the nation by homeschooling moms of challenging children.

I have a “challenging child” of my own and I felt like a complete failure in homeschooling her, to the point of considering sending her to a private school. However, after reading Christine’s book, I was able to put my finger on areas I had not considered before. Things such as what type of personality she has (and how that clashes with mine), what type of attention/processing disorder she tends toward, and what to do to help her learn and relate to the world in the least stressful way possible.  It also helped me see her in a new light. Instead of seeing a strong-willed, rebellious child, I now see her as a child who processes things differently and I have found ways to teach her more effectively. It has given me more grace towards her and allowed her to be the person God has designed her to be.

I was lost as to what to do about my challenging child until I read this book. Now, I have eyes to see, a heart to understand, and a clear path to follow. Where there was only defeat in the past, I am confident we will soon be able to declare victory! Thank you, thank you Christine Field!

Reviewed by Deborah Wuehler, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine