Pajama School

Last Saturday, May 30th, I attended the 2009 TPA Homeschool Convention at Century II Convention Center in Wichita, KS. While in the exhibition hall there I came across a booth with just a table and a book on it. The book was Pajama School by Natalie Wickham. The lady in the booth was her mother. Since I had gone to the TPA Homeschool Convention several times in the past I was familiar with the Wickham name. The Wickhams had been involved with TPA and their conventions for many years. Natalie has been involved with the Adventures in Character (AiC) program for ten years. She is the current director. This activity is available for six to twelve year olds during much of the time that the convention is going on. It has been a blessing for parents who want to take their children along and make it a family affair going to the annual TPA Homeschool Convention.

Back to the book, Pajama School. It has just been published this year, 2009. Natalie tells of her adventures as a homeschooler. Her homeschool adventures began when she was in third grade. Her family started homeschooling in September 1990. Since that time many changes had occurred in her family. Her mother gave birth to three children. There are now six children in the family. Her paternal grandmother came to live with them until her death. Natalie family's close friends lost a mother and a son due to a car accident. Her sister and best friend, Nicole, got married while Natalie, being older and still single, lives at home. Natalie tells of how she became involved in teaching character education in the Derby grade schools. She tells of her camp experience in California. She, also, tells of her years being a piano teacher. Natalie spends several chapters on all the work and prayer that goes into the AiC program that is now part of the TPA Homeschool Convention. Since Natalie was so involved in life and various projects she did not always have time for school. But after she graduated from her family's homeschool her parents requested she take the GED test. She got a perfect score!

Natalie has a very strong faith in Jesus Christ. She is an avid Bible student, spending time daily in the Scriptures. This book is a tremendous encouragement for any homeschool family. It is a long book, 334 pages. Natalie goes into detail on how she sought the Lord for all the decisions of her life. The Lord was always faithful to help her in her struggles. I do recommend this book, Pajama School. You will enjoy the stories from the life of a homeschool graduate, Natalie Wickham. This book will be available to check out at the August 2009 S.V.H.E. homeschool meeting.