Making Biblical Family Life Practical

It's inevitable that we will have conflicts with the ones we love - the simple fact of fallen people living in a fallen world means accidents, misunderstandings, expectations - and yes, downright sin sometimes. When they happen, though, how do we turn the unavoidable conflict into something constructive? Can we argue in a way the honors God and leaves our relationship stronger? Is it all about the win, or is there a bigger goal in mind?  This week, we talk about choosing your battles carefully and aiming to fight so we both win!

Kids need discipline, and in fact, God tells us that a child who doesn't receive discipline has been rejected by his parents! (Hebrews 12) Discipline, after all, is discipleship - it's meant to teach, not just punish. But there are good and very bad ideas for administering the needed correction to our kids. How can you discipline your child without breaking their spirit? That's what we're talking about this episode.

"My son shows me disrespect." "How can I deal with the disrespect from our kids?" "What can I do to teach my children to be more respectful?" It's something we all have to deal with as parents, and yet it's hard - and some of us struggle more than we expected! This episode, we look at the very real question of respect - teaching our kids to show it, dealing with them when they don't, where this may be coming from, and what God expects from all of us!

What can you do when Mom and Dad have different perspectives on parenting? We get this question a lot, and it's a concern - but in many cases, it may be a feature, not a bug! "There is unity of spirit, but diversity of gifts - just like in the church," we think - listen in and see why!

References

Abigail Shrier, "'Knock it Off' and 'Shake it Off': The Case for Dad-Style Parenting"

Wall Street Journal, 3/12/18 - online (subscription)

The commentary on Albert Mohler's podcast, "The Briefing," may be helpful - 3/16/18, segment 3

 

We've traveled about 150,000 miles for ministry and business the past several years, so we've learned a few things about taking a big family on big trips for small budgets. This year, we have several new tips, trick, hacks, and advice on budget travel, discount lodging, and cheap food along the way - it's our annual "Cheap Family Travel" update, and it may change the way you look at vacation or business trips forever!

Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor!

 

We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor, The Miracle Season!

Based on the inspiring true story of West High School girl's volleyball team. After the tragic death of the school's star player Caroline "Line" Found, the remaining team players must band together under the guidance of their tough-love coach in hope of winning the state championship.

Visit here to learn more.

 

 

This page may contain affiliate links which earn us a small commission while not costing you anything extra.

Have you ever thought about "coming home" from the corporate world and running a family business? A lot of homeschooling families dream about that day ... but we found there are some surprising discoveries when your mate is now your business partner and co-worker!

This episode, Hal and Melanie sit down with their friends Larry and Sue Pruett of Side-by-Side Business, to talk about work-life balance, homeschooling while running a business, and what all four of us learned in the transition from 9-t0-5 life to working from home with our spouses!

LINKS AND RESOURCES

Learn more about Larry and Sue Pruett's family business journey at Side-By-Side Business

Ancient Paths Christian Bookstore

The Kanban work management tool, TRELLO - trello.com 

Take the Proven Amazon Course and learn how to become an Amazon Seller from home! This course is chock-full of information for selling online. We took it ourselves!

Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor!

 

We’d like to thank our Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network sponsor, The Miracle Season!

Based on the inspiring true story of West High School girl's volleyball team. After the tragic death of the school's star player Caroline "Line" Found, the remaining team players must band together under the guidance of their tough-love coach in hope of winning the state championship.

Visit here to learn more.

Studies are showing that high school seniors are less prepared for independent adult life than their parents and grandparents were, and psychologists are saying "Twenty-five is the new fifteen." Does it have to be that way? Can't we raise teens who are ready to step into grown up life? What are some practical steps for teaching adult skills? This episode, we look at "adulting" and how to get kids on track for responsibility - and success - as grownups!

 

Interested in the books we mentioned? These affiliate links take you to Amazon but also support this program at no cost to you!

Escaping the Endless Adolescence (Joseph and Claudia Allen)

The Vanishing American Adult (Ben Sasse)

 

Special Thanks to our Network Sponsor!

 

The animated feature, ‘ICE DRAGON: LEGEND OF THE BLUE DAISIES,’ blooms on big screens nationwide for a two-day family-friendly Adventure. Take an amazing journey to an enchanted world that holds a secret…where hope is in a song! In select cinemas nationwide March 24 and 26 only. If you missed the live event, purchase a copy for your home library on Blue Ray, Digital or DVD.

Visit here to learn more.

 

 

To love and to cherish ... in sickness and in health

For most of us, getting married at our healthy young-adult peak, the thought of life-rattling sickness is just a theoretical thing ... most of us haven't suffered more than an annual flu or a sprained ankle. Yet living in a fallen world, we can count on encountering an injury, a serious illness, or some other medical issue that calls us to account for that promise. How do we show love in sickness - whether our mate's the one under the weather, or we are?

We've been there (both of us) so join us for a full episode of reasons to show extra love - and ideas how to make it work - when there's sickness in the family!

 

Just when you thought the rise in sexual abuse of kids couldn't get more horrifying, recent news has been full of the trials and convictions of Dr. Larry Nassar, the former team physician for Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics - the oversight organization for the U.S. Olympic gymnastics program. Over 150 women and girls have testified how he molested them in the context of sports medical treatment - for over twenty years, in spite of reports and appeals to supervisors and authorities. It's horrific ... but we need to learn from the revelations how we can better protect our own children from this sort of abuse. Warning about "stranger danger" and us simply being there are not enough in today's climate of rampant abuse. This episode, we talk about important practical steps we can take to combat the new wave of abuse ... even from persons in positions of trust.

RESOURCES WE MENTIONED

Get our package of articles, workshops, and podcasts to teach and protect your children's sexual purity

Check out our book for single guys!

Love, Honor, and Virtue - Gaining or Regaining a Biblical Attitude Toward Sexuality

(this affiliate link helps support Hal and Melanie's ministry at no cost to you)

"Is midlife crisis even a real thing?"

The question arose in a Christian forum recently, and it's a valid concern. Should we just expect something to go bad when we turn 40, and brace ourselves for a time of existential grief and self-searching? Or is it just a worldly excuse for a spin of self-indulgence once the kids are in high school? We'd say no to both ideas - that there are normal times of transition and reflection in our lives, but they're times of opportunity and advance. This episode, we'll talk about how to make the most of your midlife transition without making a fool of yourself!