 There are proud moments in homeschooling when you hear your child give the correct answer to some random question in public. Or you hear that they have been polite and remembered their manners or were compassionate and kind with their words. There are also days our kids say funny things that make us laugh until we cry. The freedom to learn together at home can be really noisy and silly or studious and serious. We are blessed, aren’t we?
But then there are those days when a child might say things that make us go straight to our knees in prayer and tears.
“Mom, you’re not a good teacher.”
“Why does our family have to be so different?”
“You don’t care about me.”
“Why can’t I go to public school like all my friends?”
“I don’t care what you’ve taught me; I will do what I want. Don’t judge me.”
Not so funny things indeed. But,
don’t base your success or failure on what comes out of your child’s mouth. They are just children (or young adults) and need to mature, and their sin nature is evident by their words.
Remember: we plant, we water, we train,
we pray … but God is in charge of the rest. Obedience is what God expects–not results. If you truly have a child gone astray, and he is choosing
not to do what is right before God, the best thing you can do is continue to be the living example of what it looks like as one who chooses to obey. You obey God by continuing to plant, water, train, and pray. They need to see that we truly believe what we say we believe and will continue to walk in it against all odds.
Colossians 3:20 says this:
Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. As a child of God, dear parent, don’t give up; continue to obey
in all things for this pleases Him!
While you’re at it, teach your children this favorite song of old and sing it loudly with them:
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
I have decided to follow Jesus
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Raising Real Men
Sometimes I think you have to have a sense of humor to homeschool. It’s either that or cry, right? Our kids have said some incredible things over the years–and so have we! Just the other day, Hal caught himself saying, “We do not howl like a dog in hotel rooms!” No, no, we don’t. Well, not anymore.
Then there was the time we had been studying World War II for several weeks when Melanie decided to take some time off and read them some books about France since their grandmother was traveling there. “Mama!” one wide-eyed child said, “Is that Omaha Beach?”
“No, it’s not.”
“Then, why are all those dead people there?” he said with alarm, pointing at a photo of the Riviera. When Melanie stopped laughing, she explained sunbathing.
The worst times are when they put their foot in your mouth. Like the time a store clerk asked, “Do you like homeschooling?” and one of our children replied, “I sure do! We don’t do anything but have fun!” I appreciate your enthusiasm, child of mine, but I do wish you’d mentioned that you think math is fun. The clerk clearly thinks you spend all day eating potato chips and watching TV.
Then there’s that awful question, “What grade are you in?” and the helpless looks from the children. No, really, they do school. They do a lot of school and they are really highly intelligent. It’s just that we do things on a lot of different levels. Somehow that never quite convinces the listener, does it?
Homeschooling just opens the door to all kinds of humorous things. “Honey, what exactly are my grandchildren doing out on the terrace table?” Mom wasn’t comforted when we told her they were dissecting a giant conch they’d found.
One of the best things about homeschooling is that school is never out. We learn all the time all over the place. As we drive along the Natchez Trace and River Road this afternoon, Hal is telling the children about succession forests. It’s an exciting way to live and learn.
One of the worst things about homeschooling is that school is never out. We don’t have to work on improving our children all the time. Sometimes we need to just relax and enjoy one another. Make sure your children know you love them not because of what they do, or how interesting they are, or how well they compare to others, but just because they are yours–a gift of God.
Sometimes that’s hard. Some ages are just really tough to parent. Probably 80% or more of the questions we get are about the preteen years. It’s a transitional time full of rollercoaster emotions, distraction, absentmindedness and spiritual doubt. Join us in a couple of weeks for the next session of Boot Camp 9-12, for the parents of nine to twelve year olds. It’s practical and encouraging! www.RaisingRealMen.com/BootCamp
Hug your children,
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The Familyman
I’m not a big country music fan, but I like dad songs, and there are a bunch of dad songs written by country singers. One of my favorites is “Watching You” by Rodney Atkins. Read these powerful words:
Driving through town just my boy and me
With a happy meal in his booster seat.
Knowing that he couldn’t have the toy
Till his nuggets were gone.
A green traffic light turned straight to red.
I hit my brakes and mumbled under my breath.
His fries went a flying and his orange drink covered his lap.
Well then my four-year-old said a four letter word
That started with “s” and I was concerned.
So I said son now where did you learn to talk like that?
He said I’ve been watching you dad, ain’t that cool.
I’m your buckaroo, I wanna be like you
And eat all my food and grow as tall as you are.
We got cowboy boots and camo pants.
Yeah we’re just alike, hey ain’t we dad.
I wanna do everything you do.
So I’ve been watching you.
The point is this: oftentimes the words our children say, they learned from watching and listening to us … and somehow that surprises us. I’m definitely not saying our kids can’t pick up words from others or say things without knowing what they mean. I’m just saying, “They’re watching us!” If you don’t want them to say or do certain things, then don’t do or say them yourself.
Be real,
Todd
PS – It’s finally SPRING but time to think about FALL!!! – I’m planning my October speaking loop and want to speak to your group. We’ll start near Huntsville, AL (Oct. 3) and then stay in the south for the next couple of weeks. So if you live or around Atlanta, Macon, Savannah, Jacksonville, or anywhere down SOUTH, I’d love to come encourage your homeschool group, church, or couples’ group.
All you need to do is fill out this form and we’ll get the ball rolling.
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We can never fully control what children will say, but we can fill their minds and hearts with inspirational literature and stories that can help them grow mentally and spiritually. SchoolhouseTeachers.com has a broad selection of literature studies to help you do just that. We offer PreK Read and Play activities for little ones, Literature Kits and Lapbooking to help you explore stories in a hands-on way, Literature studies for all ages with Adam Andrews, an in-depth study of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien for high schoolers, and monthly reading lists for the whole family.
Try SchoolhouseTeachers.com for thirty days for only $1. Keep it and pay just $7.77 a month (normally $12.95/month) and lock in that rate for as long as you keep your membership, no matter how many new classes and features we add.
One membership to SchoolhouseTeachers.com serves your entire family, regardless of how many children you are homeschooling or their ages. There are no per-child fees, and courses are not live so you can start them any time.
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Announcement
Sign up now for the upcoming FREE
Schoolhouse Expo – Reading Clinic!
Thursday, May 7, 2015 – 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM CST
The Reading Clinic will feature the following speakers and topics:
Reading and Writing the Natural Way – Dr. Mary Hood
What to Do When Mothering is a Mess – Christine Field
Understanding Your Boy’s Learning Style – Hal and Melanie Young
Overcoming Obstacles – Deborah Wuehler
Why the Orton-Gillingham Approach to Reading Is So Powerful – Marie Rippel
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Click here and get your free ebook
7 Things You Should Know When Choosing Homeschool
Curriculum from Excellent Quests.
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Mom, There’s a Lion Outside!
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this page for more information. Once you are signed up, you simply share your unique affiliate link with family and friends. If anyone purchases anything from the TOS website using your affiliate link, you receive a 20% commission. There are even buttons available to help you promote your affiliate link on your website or blog.
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“I am amazed at the number of times I open The Homeschool Minute newsletter and have the opportunity to read EXACTLY what I need that day! Thank you so much for putting a real face on homeschooling.”
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Liberty Twp, OH
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Mason City, IA
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–Charlene
Brandon, FL
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“I look forward to THM every Wednesday. I really enjoy Deborah’s articles. For some reason, it must be God, she always writes about what I am needing to hear. Her ability to put scripture and God in the middle of all her articles keeps me coming back. I recently have been enjoying the Youngs’ [articles] because I have a young man (10) in my house. The encouragement of the Youngs is fabulous. I thank God for parents like them that pave the way for parents like myself and my husband.”
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Glen Burnie, Maryland
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So love reading TOS on my iPad from cover to cover every month!!!”
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Dunwoody, GA
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East Texas
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