The Four-Hour School Day: How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars | 480 ratings

Price: 17.32

Last update: 12-16-2024


About this item

Giving your child a quality education experience for a life of happiness and purpose is possible - and it only takes four hours a day or less!

We want our kids to have the best education, but less-than-ideal school environments and concern about our kids' specific needs have parents uncertain about traditional schooling. A trusted homeschool expert with 25 years of experience homeschooling her own eight children, Durenda Wilson offers a better way and promises that you already have what it takes to give your child a healthy, successful future.

In The Four-Hour School Day, she unpacks the lifelong advantages of home education, both for the health of your family and your child's future. With inspiring stories about parents just like you, she demystifies homeschooling and addresses common fears like, what if I'm not qualified, how can I homeschool as a single parent, and what if I don't have enough time? Packed with encouragement and practical advice, this resource equips you with all the information you need to create a sustainable homeschooling plan customized to your child's needs.

Wilson will help you to:

  • Work with your child's interests and passions for an enjoyable learning experience
  • Cultivate independent learning in your child so you have more time and your child develops more curiosity
  • Navigate the different schooling stages your child will go through
  • Find an engaged community so that you can start this adventure with all the support you need

Explore the rich and wonderful world of homeschooling because it's not only more doable than you think, but far more beneficial than you can imagine.

Application questions are available in the audiobook companion PDF download.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.


Top reviews from the United States

Kelli
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful insight to the benefits of homeschooling and the encouragement you’ve been looking for!
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2021
The 4 Hour School Day by Durenda Wilson will be my first recommendation for anyone considering homeschool!

I haven’t posted about it yet because it was SO good, I’m afraid my words won’t articulate how incredible it was for me. Full of encouragement, thought-provoking questions, and all of the affirmations a homeschool parent needs and longs to hear, I blazed through it in a day during our beach vacay.

Two years ago, I would have laughed in your face if you told me I’d be a homeschool mom. I’d followed curiously friends’ journeys of homeschool, but always with the “I’m glad it works for you” mindset, convinced I couldn’t do it myself.

Enter: Covid. ????

Our time of school-from-home (NOT the same as homeschooling!) was awful for us and the kids, so when it came to looking ahead at the 2020-2021 school year, the pull of having control over what and how and the HEART behind homeschooling grew exponentially. We dove in with @sonlightcurriculum and after an amazing year (with overnight field trips, learning adventures, lunches with daddy, tons of hands-on/real-life learning, and vacations during slow-season on the farm…we’re loving the freedom and flexibility it offers. Watching our kids thrive and grow is all it took for me. We’re gearing up for year 2 and we absolutely LOVE it.

In this book, @durendaleewilson articulates all the things my heart and soul couldn’t. She doesn’t bash traditional school, but asks thoughtful questions about the intention and heart behind it (it’s not the teachers, bu the system!) and how the experience prepares our kids for real life…the same questions we ask about homeschooling.

I highly recommend this book - whether your kiddo is still growing in your belly or about to start school or is already years into learning and your heart has a tug you can’t ignore. I promise you’ll love this one!

“At our house, school revolved around family life, not family life around school. Education was a priority, but education wasn’t limited to reading, writing, and math. It was about learning how to live and love well. The goal was to live a balanced life with biblical priorities as a foundation.” pg. 174

Pumped for year two of homeschool! ????????
Customer image
Kelli
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful insight to the benefits of homeschooling and the encouragement you’ve been looking for!
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2021
The 4 Hour School Day by Durenda Wilson will be my first recommendation for anyone considering homeschool!

I haven’t posted about it yet because it was SO good, I’m afraid my words won’t articulate how incredible it was for me. Full of encouragement, thought-provoking questions, and all of the affirmations a homeschool parent needs and longs to hear, I blazed through it in a day during our beach vacay.

Two years ago, I would have laughed in your face if you told me I’d be a homeschool mom. I’d followed curiously friends’ journeys of homeschool, but always with the “I’m glad it works for you” mindset, convinced I couldn’t do it myself.

Enter: Covid. ????

Our time of school-from-home (NOT the same as homeschooling!) was awful for us and the kids, so when it came to looking ahead at the 2020-2021 school year, the pull of having control over what and how and the HEART behind homeschooling grew exponentially. We dove in with @sonlightcurriculum and after an amazing year (with overnight field trips, learning adventures, lunches with daddy, tons of hands-on/real-life learning, and vacations during slow-season on the farm…we’re loving the freedom and flexibility it offers. Watching our kids thrive and grow is all it took for me. We’re gearing up for year 2 and we absolutely LOVE it.

In this book, @durendaleewilson articulates all the things my heart and soul couldn’t. She doesn’t bash traditional school, but asks thoughtful questions about the intention and heart behind it (it’s not the teachers, bu the system!) and how the experience prepares our kids for real life…the same questions we ask about homeschooling.

I highly recommend this book - whether your kiddo is still growing in your belly or about to start school or is already years into learning and your heart has a tug you can’t ignore. I promise you’ll love this one!

“At our house, school revolved around family life, not family life around school. Education was a priority, but education wasn’t limited to reading, writing, and math. It was about learning how to live and love well. The goal was to live a balanced life with biblical priorities as a foundation.” pg. 174

Pumped for year two of homeschool! ????????
Images in this review
Customer image
Chris R
5.0 out of 5 stars Wisdom from an experienced mother
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2024
Durenda does an excellent job addressing the many different challenges of raising multiple kids with all different learning abilities. She is encouraging and gives hands-on ideas to put into practice.
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars BUY IT NOW, You will not be disappointed!
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2021
This book is full of Durenda’s veteran experience in homeschooling and you will be blessed and more confident after reading it. I cannot recommend this book enough as well as her other book, the unhurried homeschooler. I also listen to all her podcasts as she always sounds so relaxed and has a soft spoken voice and full of knowledge and encouragement on the podcast as well. Her books have been such a blessing to me. With her knowledge over 25 years of homeschooling- it is a priceless amount of knowledge, wisdom, and encouragement that she is sharing. If you want your homeschool to be Jesus Christ centered and want to teach your children independence and a love for learning this book is a must read. I was struggling on multiple levels and she puts a series of real life application questions at the end of each chapter and that gave me clarity how I will move forward that best suits my families needs. The questions are heart probing and makes you do some soul searching to remind yourself what is most important and why you started to homeschool in the first place. Thank you for sharing your story Durenda and pouring your heart, love and time into this book and thanks to your family for sharing you with the world( I know it takes lots of time to write a book). Your character shows that you are a Titus 2 woman for the next generation. Your books are a blessing beyond what words could say.
Customer image
Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars BUY IT NOW, You will not be disappointed!
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2021
This book is full of Durenda’s veteran experience in homeschooling and you will be blessed and more confident after reading it. I cannot recommend this book enough as well as her other book, the unhurried homeschooler. I also listen to all her podcasts as she always sounds so relaxed and has a soft spoken voice and full of knowledge and encouragement on the podcast as well. Her books have been such a blessing to me. With her knowledge over 25 years of homeschooling- it is a priceless amount of knowledge, wisdom, and encouragement that she is sharing. If you want your homeschool to be Jesus Christ centered and want to teach your children independence and a love for learning this book is a must read. I was struggling on multiple levels and she puts a series of real life application questions at the end of each chapter and that gave me clarity how I will move forward that best suits my families needs. The questions are heart probing and makes you do some soul searching to remind yourself what is most important and why you started to homeschool in the first place. Thank you for sharing your story Durenda and pouring your heart, love and time into this book and thanks to your family for sharing you with the world( I know it takes lots of time to write a book). Your character shows that you are a Titus 2 woman for the next generation. Your books are a blessing beyond what words could say.
Images in this review
Customer image Customer image Customer image
Kim
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorites!
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2024
Durenda Wilson is such an awesome author! Her books are amazing and so reassuring as a homeschool Momma! Definitely get your self a copy of each of her books, you won’t regret it! They’re so good!!
Customer image
Kim
5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorites!
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2024
Durenda Wilson is such an awesome author! Her books are amazing and so reassuring as a homeschool Momma! Definitely get your self a copy of each of her books, you won’t regret it! They’re so good!!
Images in this review
Customer image
Suz
4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2024
Really great book for any mother looking for encouragement in homeschooling. Insightful and brilliant.
Customer image
Suz
4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2024
Really great book for any mother looking for encouragement in homeschooling. Insightful and brilliant.
Images in this review
Customer image
Nancy Wiebe
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a good homeschooling book
Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2024
Bought this book for a realy good
friend she really likes this especially for homeschooling at home
Amanda
5.0 out of 5 stars An easy must read
Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2022
I’m starting my ninth year homeschooling my boys. This book gave me ideas as well as helped validate my God given instincts in regards to educating my children. I have purchased 9 of these books so far to give to mostly new to or thinking about homeschooling mommas. They’ve all been very encouraged by it. One momma after reading it, pulled her children from private school and started homeschooling. It gave her the confidence she needed to make the leap. I highly recommend this book as well as Durenda’s podcast.
M Stephen
5.0 out of 5 stars Without a doubt, the best book on homeschooling
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2021
There are two books I recommend to anyone telling me they're considering homeschooling, and both are by Durenda Wilson. The Unhurried Homeschooler, her first book, and now this book, The 4 Hour School Day are non-negotiable, must-reads. Her wisdom has been used in a profound way in my homeschooling and parenting journey. There is a such a need for this kind of simple, focus-on-what's-important approach to homeschooling in a time where there are an overwhelming amount of options, resources, and social media photos of people's beautiful, seemingly perfect homeschool day. Focusing on the basics and leaving room for children to explore their interests, learn hard work, learn skills and find their passion - that's changed our homeschool approach entirely. This book, as with anything that comes out of Durenda's mouth, is so full of wisdom and inspiration and has helped free me from the pressure of having to do ALL the things, burning myself out, and squelching my kids' love of learning.

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