Homeschooling 
No doubt, one of the great benefits of the public education system and private schools is the existence of enrichment and extracurricular activities for kids. Team sports, academic clubs, marching bands, student government, and field trips have become part of the what we expect from the education system. At first glance, it would seem homeschooling doesn't offer families these benefits. If you're is interested in homeschooling but afraid your student will miss out on these experiences, what can we say to this? Consideration #1: "Homeschooling" is a misnomer. The name "homeschooling" gives the impression that ...Read More
Objections to Homeschooling: “My kids won’t respect me as their teacher.”
Homeschooling is a bit like parenting on steroids. Moms and dads who homeschool get to wear both the parent hat and the teacher hat at the same time (and the principle hat, the guidance counselor hat, the coach hat...you get the idea). Homeschooling naturally means parents and children are spending more time together, and for some families this is only a catalyst for conflict. One mom told me the other day, "I butt heads with my son enough as it is. I don't need more time to butt heads with him by being his teacher too." As a dad who has struggled quite a big with anger, I very much sympathize with this objection ...Read More
Objections to Homeschooling: “I can’t afford to homeschool.”
While I believe homeschooling isn't for every family, I also believe many of the objections people have to homeschooling can be easily addressed and answered. Below are some questions we recently received from parents who are considering homeschooling... "If I start homeschooling, won't my wife have to quit our job? We'll lose our second income." "My taxes already pay for my kid to be in school. I can't afford to pay more money so I can school them at home." "I've seen some homeschooling curricula, and it can get expensive." To the family that is concerned homeschooling is too costly, what can we say? The ...Read More
Build Your Bundle of Homeschool Curricula and Save 96%
We participate in several "bundle sales" every year, and we always look forward Build Your Bundle. We like THIS sale because you can choose from any of the pre-made bundles or build your own custom made bundle of products to get exactly what you want—for super cheap. You'll save up to 96% off of homeschool curriculum. This is the way to go when you want to re-stock your homeschool stash! Check out all the bundles on sale below! Remember, the last day of the sale is May 23, 2016! Character Bundle If we train our children to excel academically, but do not train their hearts, what have we accomplished? ...Read More
10 Essential Life Skills You Need to Teach Your Kids
When I went off to college, I was, what you might call, "life-skill-impaired." Cooking consisted of food from a can or bag, heated up in the microwave. I never really knew how much money I had or needed. I ran out of clean underwear more frequently than I care to admit. Some of the most valuable things we know as adults aren't taught in a classroom, a lecture, or a sermon. This is because the most basic life skills are better learned by watching and doing. In his book, Revolutionary Parenting, George Barna tells parents, “Own a detailed vision of what your child will blossom into as an adult.” Picture your son or ...Read More
3 Ways Every Parent Should Be Praying for Their Kids
Have you ever read a passage of Scripture and thought to yourself, "If this wasn't written in the Bible, I would wonder what the author was smoking"? In the past, one of those passages for me was James 5:16b-18: The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. Why would James prop up Elijah, of all people, as an example of how ordinary people should pray? One of the fiercest, ...Read More
3 Reasons Your Family Should Memorize Philippians 2
If I could diagnose my children's #1 character defect, I think it would probably be selfishness. Come to think of it, that's probably my greatest character defect. This isn't all that surprising, is it? If God's greatest commandments are to love Him with my whole being and to love my neighbor as myself (Mark 12:29-31)—and if love means joyfully serving others for their good, not expecting anything in return—then selfishness might rank among the greatest of sins. It's one thing to acknowledge that our kids are selfish, and its another thing to know what to do about that. It is because of this pressing sin—in myself ...Read More
Easy Science Experiment for Kids: The Crucifixion, Eclipses, and Moon Phases
Solar eclipses are marvelous events to watch. There's nothing like watching as the moon slowly blocks the light from the sun, turning daytime as dark as night. In the moments before the moon completely covers the sun—what we call totality—the world around you will begin change. Shadows start to take on an odd appearance. The sky starts to turn dark, and the temperature begins to drop. Wildlife might also start acting bizarre: birds will become very quiet; animals start move toward their sleeping areas; some spiders begin dismantling their webs. Finally, at totality, the sky will grow very dark—dark ...Read More
