Edmond Burke has often been credited for saying, “All that needs happen for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing.”  There is a lot of truth to this statement. Even though freedom is God given and inalienable, there are a lot of opposing forces at work to rob us of these freedoms. … Continue reading "Freedom Needs to Be Defended: Freedom (Part 7)"

We all desire to be free, even if we don’t think about it much.  We are born free, even when born in a despotic or dysfunctional society.  Freedom is a given.  It is a gift.  It is what actually defines us as human beings.  However, freedom can be taken from us, either by force or … Continue reading "Freedom Is Being Contented: Freedom (Part 6)"

Freedom is having choice and control.  If either is missing, you are not free and you are likely living in fear regarding the issue at hand.  When fear is present, there is no peace.  And we all know how peace often eludes us because life seems to provide everybody with challenges to keep peace at … Continue reading "Freedom Robbed by Ignorance: Freedom (Part 5)"

So far, we have discussed how freedom is having choice and control and that freedom only exists when there is no fear.  Today, I want to show you how being free of fear leads to being at peace with oneself and the world. Before I proceed, I want to be abundantly clear that everything being … Continue reading "Freedom Means Being at Peace: Freedom (Part 4)"

How to fail!  Now, that’s a title bound to discourage rather than help new home education families!  However, we need to discuss the pitfalls that could trick or trap you into questioning your decision to home educate, and point out what we have learned to be truly detrimental to this commitment. To start, you need … Continue reading "New to Home Education? Step Five – How to Fail!"

I trust that by now you are feeling a bit more comfortable with the choice you made to educate your children at home.  Freedom, you will remember, is having choice and control.  The choice has been made, so now we need to focus on obtaining and keeping control over your home education so you can … Continue reading "New to Home Education? Step Four – More Helpful Thoughts"

Assuming you have RELAXED by claiming your rightful place as the authority over your children and their education, and hoping you have found a simple yet thorough program to follow such as ACE or CLE, we will now proceed with a few more details to make your home education journey less disconcerting and more exciting. … Continue reading "New to Home Education? Step Three – Learning"

Undoubtedly, the first concern parents have when just starting to home educate is which program or curriculum will I follow?  This is definitely a carry-over from our school experience, but it is still a legitimate concern that must be quickly addressed.  Let me start with the best advice I can give you; then I will … Continue reading "New to Home Education? Step Two – Curriculum"

There is one word that needs to be expressed:  Relax!  I will repeat that: relax!  Once more, repeat it with me: RELAX! Deciding to do something you have never done, perhaps never even considered, is a bit daunting, to stay the least.  The immediate encouragement I can give you is that you are not alone.  … Continue reading "New to Home Education? Step One? RELAX!"

What does it mean to be free? In the last blog I said freedom requires having both choice and control.  When either is missing, freedom is but an illusion.  So how does one know they are truly free?  I believe having choice and control – being free – is demonstrated by a lack of fear … Continue reading "Freedom Means Having No Fear: Freedom (Part 3)"