A lot of families are struggling during this economic downturn. It’s not the first time we’ve been through it, either. How do we respond in a positive, faith-directed manner to the undeniable challenges of the day? What can we learn and what can we teach our kids as we make our way through?

Podcast Episode: MBFLP 283 – What We Learned When Times Were Hard

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Connect with Hal & Melanie Young:

The post Things We Learned When Times Were Tight – MBFLP 283 (replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

“Uh oh …”

We’ve all heard the dreadful sound from the next room – or the sharp crash of breaking glass – or the muffled whump in another part of the house. All kids will have moments of clumsiness, carelessness, or foolishness, that result in something getting broken or someone getting hurt – that’s just normal childhood. But some kids seem to leave a path of destruction in their wake – what do you do about them?

Let’s say up front that we’re not talking about kids who are suffering from trauma, illness, or developmental conditions that lead to destructive behavior – that’s a different situation altogether. We have friends who deal with these things on a daily basis, and they are walking a different path.

But what about your average, healthy, otherwise normal kid who you’d think would know better? How do you deal with them?

One of our basic rules of parenting is Don’t Freak Out. We don’t respond at our best when we leap to reaction. It may help to remind ourselves that this world is not our ultimate home and all its things are passing away (1 Corinthians 7:31). All our stuff is actually God’s stuff, and we are just stewards and managers of it for Him (Psalm 24:1).

That’s not easy advice, but it’s true – right? Take a breath, and pray for perspective.

Next step, Triage the situation. Not only answering the question, “What just broke here?” but rather, “Why did something just happen?”

We find there are three basic profiles – (continued … )

Once we understand what’s motivated the incident, we can respond in a way that will be just and will protect our relationship with the child. Our children are not cookies, so a cookie-cutter approach won’t respect their individual needs, fears, weaknesses, and strengths!

If you have a middle school student and you’re wondering why they are the way they are (you know what we mean), check out our book No Longer Little: Parenting Tweens with Grace and Hope. You can find it on our website here. 

The post MBFLP 260 – Accident-Prone Kids (Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

If you’re planning on college for your homeschool grad-to-be, how do you make the choice? Is a Christian college the only acceptable alternative? Should they dive into the mission field of public universities? Or is there a middle ground in a conservative private school? For different reasons, our three graduates so far have ended up at all three alternatives, and we’ve learned some pros as well as cons for all of them. Join us for some thoughts about the choice of a college for your student!

Some Other Episodes On College Issues

No. 28, “Making College Visits Count”

This episode of Making Biblical Family Life Practical is sponsored by Judson College.

[Intro]

You’ve made the commitment. You’ve caught the vision. You want your family to serve God. But sometimes it’s hard to put feet to that vision.

Hal and Melanie:

Hal: Hello, I’m Hal.

Melanie: And I’m Melanie. Welcome to Episode 94 of Making Biblical Family Life Practical. As the school year begins, many high school seniors are thinking about choosing a college.

Hal: We’re there again! Our fourth child is a senior this year. We’ve navigated college choices with our older kids: one attended a large public university, another a small private liberal arts college, and another a historical Christian college. Each decision had unique reasons, pros, and cons.

Melanie: It’s important to keep an open mind during this process. Each option has distinct advantages and disadvantages.

Hal: Right. When you’re considering colleges, financial aid is crucial. Unlike years ago, when I applied to just one college, today students often apply to multiple colleges—sometimes as many as 8 to 12—because scholarships and financial aid vary greatly.

Melanie: Absolutely. We always advise our kids not to set their heart on one school until the financial aid offers arrive.

Hal: Exactly. Colleges put their best foot forward during visits, much like a dating scenario, highlighting the good and downplaying negatives.

Melanie: When selecting colleges, most should be a good match academically, financially, and ideologically. Students should also include a couple of dream schools and at least one or two “safety” schools.

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

Pros:

Cons:

The post MBFLP 94 – Choosing A College appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Most parents today are told to brace themselves for the teenage years. “It’s going to be tough,” they hear. “Just survive it.” But deep down, many of us suspect something different—that our teens are capable of more than the world expects.

And we’re right.

Teenagers don’t have to be reckless, self-absorbed, or lost. History proves otherwise. Some of the greatest minds, leaders, and innovators took on real responsibility as teens. What if, instead of lowering the bar, we raised our expectations? What if we equipped them to step up, take charge, and lead?

We never expected to test this theory in our own home—until we had no other choice.

The oncologist looked at Hal skeptically.

“Well,” he conceded, “if you feel up to it, you can travel. And you can speak from the platform. But you can’t stand around shaking hands afterward—your immune system is going to be completely shot.”

The biopsy results were in: advanced lymphoma. Hal was about to start chemotherapy. Travel was a concession; avoiding crowds was non-negotiable.

We barely had time to process the news before our teenagers spoke up.

“Don’t worry, Dad—we’ll take care of the book fair!”

They were 16, 14, and 12. Could they really handle it? We weren’t sure. But at that moment, we didn’t have a choice. Hal was sidelined, and I would be busy counseling and praying with parents. If our teens were willing, then our teens would take the lead.

And it made all the difference.

So many parents brace for the teen years like a storm. Batten down the hatches! Duck and cover! But history tells a different story.

Laura Ingalls Wilder was teaching school before she turned 16.

The question isn’t why should we expect more from teenagers—it’s why aren’t we?

That book fair became a turning point in our family. What started as a necessity turned into a tradition. Ever since that day, our teenagers and their younger siblings have run our booth and many aspects of our travel.

They shoo us into the aisles: “Go talk with the parents that need help—we’ve got this.”

And sometimes, they challenge us.

One of our sons made it a personal mission to master driving our 15-passenger van and trailer—threading through night-time traffic in Phoenix, backing into tight spots, and maneuvering one-lane roads. Hal had to step up just to keep from calling his 16-year-old for help!

Over time, our teens became more than just helpers—they became partners in our ministry.

Because they were involved, they saw needs we hadn’t considered.

“We need something to keep younger kids occupied while you talk to their parents,” they told us.

The results?

Our 13-year-old who played the biggest role at our booth? He majored in entrepreneurship and secured venture capital before graduating college.

What made the difference?

We didn’t just give them responsibilities. We encouraged them to step up.

By the time they left for college, they weren’t starting to take on responsibility—they’d already been leading for years. The result? They were confident, capable, and unafraid to seize new opportunities.

The world will tell you that teenagers are a liability. History—and experience—prove otherwise.

If we give them the chance, they’ll take ownership, develop skills, and step into adulthood ready.

Want to see how?

Want to read more? CLICK HERE!

Judson College offers biblical and practical training wherever a student is called, equipping them to live all of life for Christ.

The post Preparing Your Teens for More – MBFLP 205 (Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Labels or Not?

Sponsored by NOW Programs.

How desperate we are to avoid labeling our kids! And with good reason … if they’re in a classroom setting, maybe. But as homeschoolers, we have a much better handle on the social side, and there are serious benefits to your struggling child when you get her tested earlier rather than later. This episode, we talk about our own struggling learner and what we discovered on the way from a late start … to a college scholarship! There’s hope!

The post Struggling Learners and When to Get Help – MBFLP 143 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Romance Once You’ve Got Kids

Valentine’s Day is on the horizon and for parents with small children, no money for a sitter, and no relatives nearby, the response might be “So what?” It can be discouraging when the world is full of ads urging dinner out, expensive jewelry, and barrels of roses, when your life is more about diapers and phonics, and your budget is more of the dollar menu and less of filet mignon. This episode, we talk about finding romance in real life, wherever it may be – and sometimes, it will surprise you where it can be found!

Sponsored by Now Programs.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner—a time traditionally associated with grand gestures, candlelit dinners, and extravagant gifts. But what happens when you’re knee-deep in diapers, laundry, and homeschooling? Is romance doomed to take a backseat?

If this sounds familiar, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Many parents of young children feel the pressure of balancing family life with maintaining a strong and loving marriage. The good news? Romance doesn’t have to disappear—it just needs to look a little different.

When you have small children, it’s easy to feel disconnected from the glittering Valentine’s Day ads showcasing fine dining and luxury gifts. Between budget constraints, finding babysitters, and the sheer exhaustion of parenting, these expectations can feel out of reach. But here’s the truth: Romance isn’t about meeting societal standards. It’s about strengthening your bond as a couple and celebrating the love God has given you.

As Hal and Melanie Young point out in their podcast Making Biblical Family Life Practical, the key is to focus on your relationship—not on what the world says it should look like. You don’t have to please anyone except each other and God.

Even with young children underfoot, you can create meaningful moments of connection. Here are a few ideas from Hal and Melanie to keep the spark alive:

True romance is about more than a single day on the calendar. It’s cultivated through small, consistent acts of love and kindness. Simple gestures like leaving a note, offering a sincere compliment, or cooking your spouse’s favorite meal can go a long way in keeping your connection strong.

Hal and Melanie emphasize the importance of trust and selflessness in marriage. As they shared, “Trust is built through a long sequence of consideration, courtesy, and self-sacrifice.” These everyday acts create a bond that’s deeper and more enduring than any store-bought gift.

It’s good for your children to see your affection and appreciation for each other. Whether it’s a quick hug in the kitchen or sharing a laugh at the dinner table, these moments show your kids that marriage is joyful, loving, and worth celebrating. You’re modeling a biblical and healthy relationship for them to aspire to in their own lives.

Parenting young children is one of the busiest, most demanding seasons of life. It’s okay to be creative and flexible with how you celebrate romance. This season will pass quickly, and there will be opportunities for grand getaways and fancy dinners in the future. For now, focus on maintaining and nurturing your relationship in the ways that matter most.

As Hal wisely advises, “Find romance where you can—whether it’s during the kids’ nap time or over coffee in the early morning.” The important thing is to stay connected and enjoy the journey together.

Looking for more tips on rekindling romance during the busy parenting years? Download Hal and Melanie’s workshop Romance for the Exhausted at raisingrealmen.com/valentines-day-freebie. You’ll also find a special Valentine’s Day deal featuring their book My Beloved, My Friend and other marriage-strengthening resources.

The post MBFLP – Romance Once You’ve Got Kids (Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This week we’re talking about gift giving – it’s Biblical, you know!  But how do you manage it without being immersed in the commercialism of a secular holiday, while glorifying God and having fun together? We’ve found that being more intentional and deliberate in choosing gifts and even in how we open them together, and encouraging our children to think of people rather than stuff at Christmas, has great benefits!

The wise men who brought gifts to Jesus – Matthew 2:1-11

We described how our family keeps up with everyone’s “wish list” – not just at Christmas, but all year long! Here’s the basic framework – each person’s section of the family list is divided into price brackets, and it’s the responsibility of each person to keep their list up to date. And when the shopping happens, gift-givers quietly delete items so others don’t duplicate their gift!

Updated: (be sure to make a note here when you make changes to your list!) 

Thank you to the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network sponsor, NOW Programs.

The post Gift Giving in a Big Family – MBFLP 273 (Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

The holidays are upon us and we are looking forward to having our college students home again! But to be realistic, there’s always a transition to bringing our young adults back into the household – and often both the student and the family ends up frustrated. This episode we’re talking about things you can do – on both sides – to make the visit as smooth and pleasant as possible for everyone!

Parent Understanding

If you went to college, you remember the rush of exam week – and the mental and physical exhaustion at the end of it! Especially at Christmas and the end of the spring semester, your student will be arriving after a really tough week or two. We try to keep that in mind for their first several days home.

Expectations

Our unspoken hopes and preferences can set us up for disappointment and conflict. Maybe we parents look forward to seeing our young adult, but we’re also looking forward having his help around the house again! For his side, maybe he’s hoping for some relaxation from the stress of college — or possibly, he has projects or homework to finish during his holiday. Maybe the younger siblings want a lot of attention from their big sister, when she really needs some peace and personal space – at least at first.

The best way to deal with these issues is to communicate ahead of time – gently, in love – and be willing to listen to one other and seek to accommodate everyone. All of those expectations are common and valid – the difficulty is how to address them all. If we cultivate patience and understanding together, we can probably find a mutually agreeable pathway.

Changing Channels

When Hal was working a corporate job, he had to remind himself on the commute home, “I have to leave the office door closed behind me and put on my family hat now.” No matter what stress or disaster he’d left at work, when he came in the door, he knew the kids would be excited to see him, Melanie would be tired and need compassion, and he’d have to be ready to show love and concern to everyone at home.

Our college students need to think about that, too. While they’re making the trip home, they need to consciously prepare themselves to be part of the family culture at the end of their trip. The way they live or even just survive on campus is a separate issue to what happens at home — and they need to change gears before they get here.

In both cases there will be time and opportunity to share their struggles and disappointments, to seek advice and sympathy, but that will come after the initial rush of returning. Everyone will be happier at the end if the wanderer is ready to greet and be greeted first, and then seek the serious conversations after!

We dig deeper into the questions in our blog post here

Thanks to our sponsor! NowPrograms.com – visit the website for more information.

The post Surviving the Break with Your College Students – MBFLP 287 (Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

We’ve all been there – trying to enjoy a museum, historic site, or some other exhibition, but the visit is distracted – or ruined – by children running amok. What can we do about our own kids, so they get the benefit of a field trip, and not become spoilers for other visitors?

Recently we read about a young boy who accidentally broke an ancient jar in an Israeli museum. He wasn’t being disrespectful or even disruptive – just curious. But his natural curiousity had awful results …

So how can we prepare our children to visit grown-up-oriented events and learn from the experience, while behaving in a respectful and quiet manner that’s courteous toward others?

We’ve got eight children, and as much as possible, we’ve taken them wherever we go. We’ve been everywhere from the Gettysburg battlefield to art museums in China with kids of all ages – but the key is preparation! This episode we’re talking about positive steps we’ve done ahead of time, and some parenting hacks while we’re on site, that have made this possible. It can be done!

You May Find Interesting

Boy accidentally smashes 3500-year-old jar on museum visit

Boy … welcomed back to museum

Children in “Big Church”

The post Getting Your Kids Field Trip-Ready! – MBFLP 309 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

We’ve seen that understanding history can help us navigate the present, too! The question is, how can we help our children learn to appreciate history like we do? What can we do to spark their interest, to make it memorable, and bring it to life for them? This episode we talk about several things we’ve built into our homeschooling family life to elevate history from dry lists of names and dates to a lively narrative of people, places, and ideas – in short, a grand story!

Thanks to our sponsor CTC Math. CTC is a highly rated math curriculum for homeschooled students for grades K-12. The family math package makes it ideal for large families at a low price. Visit the website for more information.

The post Bringing History to Life! – MBFLP 296 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.