Making Biblical Family Life Practical

Halloween and the Reformation may not seem to have much in common. What does Halloween have to do with the Reformation? In this episode listen as you learn about Halloween alternatives.

Be sure to follow this episode several ways! One by subscribing to this podcast here – and another is listening on iTunes, Spotify, download or listen on this website. Look up this podcast on any podcast app! You can also share this with a friend.

Among the secular holidays, Halloween probably is the most controversial … with good reason. Is it just a festival of candy for children in costume, or a throwback to Druidic rites and demonic celebration, or something in between? This episode we talk about how we’ve chosen to mark the season, and its connection with the Reformation that swept Europe in the 1500’s – with effects to this day. In this way, our children enjoy a celebration. A celebration of something we can believe in!

Thank you to the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network Sponsors: CTC Math, True North Academy, and Math Mammoth.

5 Tips for Reformation Day Fun (from Concordia Publishing House)

Our interview with Luther biographer Danika Cooley (episode 99)

Reformation Day: A Celebration of Heroism (from our blog, Raising Real Men)

All around us, October is filled with darkness, fear, and make-believe — but for believers, this season points to something real and world-changing. Over 500 years ago, a handful of ordinary men and women took a stand on an extraordinary truth: that salvation comes by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

This month, we’re separating myth from truth in our Reformation Myth Busters series. Join us as we uncover what really happened in the Reformation, why it matters for our families today, and how we can redeem October 31st by celebrating light over darkness and truth over fear.

Follow along on Facebook and Instagram @raisingrealmen — and download our Reformation Day Celebration Guide to help your family mark the day with meaning and joy!

Get the guide here »

The post Halloween and the Reformation (Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Why do our best efforts sometimes breed resentment or even rebellion, when it’s all so well-intentioned? This episode we’re looking at the crucial balance between rules and relationship in our home!

Treasure Hunt Tip: Listen to the podcast to hear a Golden Homeschool Nuggest from fellow Ultimate Homeschool Network Podcast show host, Dr. Melanie Wilson from the Homeschool Sanity Show!

No purchase necessary — this is a free resource made possible by our generous sponsors: Media Angels, True North Academy, CTC Math, Math Mammon, BaseCampEd, Powerline Productions, Funda Funda Academy, Raising Real Men, 7 Sisters Homeschool, and Galaxy Grammar Books.

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The Ten Commandments – Exodus 20:1-17, Deuteronomy 5:1-21

Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. (Romans 14:5)

Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. (Ephesians 6:1)

So then, my beloved, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.  (James 1:19-20)

The repentance of Ahab – 1 Kings 21:17-29

The post Rules and Relationship – MBFLP 289 | Birthday Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

If God has called you to teach your children at home, that’s what you need to do! But it’s easier if everyone around you is cheering you on. What do you do if your parents or in-laws or extended family are skeptical? How do you and your family keep on the path when there are headwinds? How do you handle questions, criticisms, or other opposition? And what can you do to find the encouragement you’re not getting from the family?

Census data shows the number of families homeschooling doubled during the pandemic (from 5.4% to 11.1%) and among African-American families, increased from 3.3% to 16.1%

Census Bureau: “Survey shows significant increase in homeschooling rates in Fall 2020” – 3/22/21

Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA)

Search by ZIP code to find support groups (state and local) 

Assume concern is well-intended unless proved otherwise!

Figure out where their concern is focused, then address it with facts and experience

Go ahead and commit to a period of time, like a full school year. That gives kids a more stable educational experience, and it gives both parents and students a chance to adjust to a new way to “do school.” It reduces the temptation of constant second-guessing, too.

Go to a conference! It’s a great way to encourage yourself, and it’s an eye-opener for skeptical family. Even a small conference is likely to be much larger than your family has pictured. And invite grandparents to activities when your kids are involved – whether it’s homeschool sports, a science fair, a talent show – whatever your family is connected to.

Think ahead about “difficult” people – the ones who want to argue with your decision, or the ones who want to interrogate your kids. Coach your kids on the obvious, likely questions – “What grade are you in?” (which is really more like, “How old are you?”) – “What do you like about homeschooling?” – “Do you like to read?” – “What are you learning now?” – “What’s your favorite subject?” Kids sometimes go blank when an adult throws an unexpected question – go head, coach the witness!

Remember, you don’t have to argue and convince everybody (whether homeschool skeptics, or homeschoolers who are taking a different path than you!). Smile, be polite, but be confident. It’s your family, and your kids – not theirs!

More content …

Upcoming Events

May 7-9 – Pigeon Forge, TN – Teach Them Diligently

May 14-16 – Branson, MO – Teach Them Diligently

June 4-6 – Richmond, VA – Virginia Homeschool Convention (HEAV)

The post Homeschooling with Unsupportive Family – MBFLP 276 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Podcast: Making Biblical Family Life Practical with Hal & Melanie Young

Sponsor: NOW Programs

Hal (former military) and Melanie talk candidly about the tension some believers feel around “God and country.” As Christians, our first allegiance is to Christ and His Kingdom—yet Scripture also calls us to seek the peace and good of the place where God has planted us (Jeremiah 29). The conversation explores our dual citizenship (Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 12:28), how the Apostle Paul lawfully claimed his Roman rights for gospel purposes (Acts 16; 22), and why a government of laws—not personalities—protects liberty for everyone.

You’ll hear practical ideas for passing along the principles of liberty to your kids—reading primary sources, celebrating national holidays as teachable moments, and studying heroic examples (from the American founding and beyond) who modeled courage, self-government, and virtue.

Jeremiah 29:7 – Seek the peace of the city where I have sent you.

Philippians 3:20 – Our citizenship is in heaven.

Hebrews 12:28 – We are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken.

Acts 16; 21–22 – Paul lawfully asserts his Roman citizenship.

Dual Citizenship: Christians belong to an unshakeable Kingdom while still bearing real responsibilities on earth.

Law Over Leaders: “Lex rex” (the law is king) restrains sinful people—including those in authority—and preserves liberty.

Use Lawful Rights Wisely: Like Paul, believers may appeal to lawful rights to advance the gospel and protect justice.

Teach with Primary Sources: Read the Declaration of Independence and other original documents; talk through what they meant then and why they matter now.

Hero Formation: Boys (and girls!) will choose heroes—guide them toward men and women whose courage and virtue are worth imitating.

Global Perspective: Patriotism isn’t chauvinism. Honor what God has done in your nation without despising others; celebrate your own country’s worthy stories, wherever you live.

Read Aloud: The Declaration of Independence; discuss “law vs. man” and the duty to resist tyranny lawfully.

Primary-Source Night: Rotate short readings (Federalist Papers excerpts, founder letters, state constitutions) and ask, “What problem were they solving?”

Holiday as Catechism: Treat national celebrations like family catechism—retell the story, remember God’s providence, and connect past to present.

Hero Studies: Choose biographies (U.S. and international) that highlight virtue under pressure; ask, “What did this cost them?”

Civics Walk-Through: Show teens how to contact representatives, read a bill, and attend a local meeting with respect and purpose.

Independence Day Celebration Guide – Recipes, music, links to founding documents, and more: raisingrealmen.com 

Hero Tales from American History – Dramatized stories by Theodore Roosevelt & Henry Cabot Lodge (including “Battle of Trenton” and “Kings Mountain” tracks).

Note: This is a replay. Time-bound announcements, travel notes, and event dates reflect the original show broadcast date.

Q1: Is patriotism biblical for Christians?

Q2: How do we avoid confusing faith with nationalism?

Q3: What are simple ways to teach civics at home?

Q4: Why emphasize “law is king” with kids?

Q5: What heroes should we study?

Original Show Notes:With the Independence Day holiday just on the horizon, do we have a Biblical understanding of our “dual citizenship” – where we enjoy a citizenship in the Kingdom of God, shared with all believers from all ages, but also an earthly citizenship in a particular time of history? Do we recognize the blessings of our earthly liberty?  Do we teach them to our children, but avoid the trap of creating a red-white-and-blue version of Christianity? Join us as we open these questions “live” from rural Pelahatchie, Mississippi!

The post Christianity, Homeschooling, and Patriotism: A Biblical View – MBFLP appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Show: Making Biblical Family Life Practical

Episode: #178

Title: Teen Boys Who Hate School? Why It Happens—and What Actually Helps

Hosts: Hal & Melanie Young

Do you have a teen boy who drags his feet, loses focus, or declares he’s “just not a school person”? You’re not alone. In this episode of Making Biblical Family Life Practical, Hal & Melanie explain what’s going on under the hood (hello, brain remodeling and hormone surges), why the middle-school “whitewater” years are uniquely bumpy, and how to protect your son’s academic confidence while you guide him toward maturity.

Why middle school feels like rapids: emotional swings, social changes, and literal brain remodeling that affect attention, memory, and motivation.

Don’t panic (or pivot too fast): why changing schooling methods mid-rapids often doesn’t fix the root causes.

Two motivation playbooks:

Delight-directed learning (leverage obsessions: raptors, hockey, Minecraft—yes, really)

Future-back planning (connect today’s algebra to tomorrow’s career goals)

Guard his confidence: how to spot and counter the “I’m stupid” narrative.

Adjust your parenting for pre/early teens: new responses for a new developmental stage.

Trim to the basics when needed: keep history/science fun while you stabilize the core.

Look ahead with hope: boys often hit a mental growth spurt in mid-to-late teens—don’t make permanent decisions at 13.

Your son isn’t “broken”—he’s remodeling. Expect distractibility and slower recall for a season.

Relationship first: show genuine interest in his interests to rebuild trust and buy-in.

Make learning relevant: tie daily work to his stated future (college admissions, skilled trades, entrepreneurship, etc.).

Preserve confidence at all costs—supervise more, sit beside him, and normalize the struggle.

Hope is warranted: what looks impossible at 13 can look remarkable at 17.

“This isn’t forever—it’s the whitewater stretch in an otherwise smooth river.”

“I already know algebra; I’m not doing this for me. You need this tool for your future.”

“Don’t set permanent plans in temporary seasons.”

Pick one passion (raptors/Minecraft/skating) and assign a short write-up or mini-project around it.

Future-back: look up program requirements for a dream path and map the math/reading steps backward.

Sit-along math: work with him for a few sessions to steady recall and confidence.

Trim + win: pare to essentials for 1–2 weeks and stack small, quick wins.

Boot Camp 9–12 (Hal & Melanie’s online series for parents of preteen/early teen boys—recordings available; live Q&A when in session)

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RaisingRealMen.com – blog + store

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The post Teen Boys Who Hate School: Causes and Fixes – MBFLP 178 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

You spend years teaching your sons right from wrong, good manners instead of bad, and all the right social skills. Yet in a super-sensitive time, even a hint of misbehavior toward a female – sometimes just an accusation – can affect the rest of their lives! When you’ve worked hard to keep your son’s conscience clear and his life innocent … how can you keep him from stumbling into trouble he didn’t deserve? This episode, we’re talking about training your son how to keep his life above reproach – and sometimes, making hard choices because they’re not only right, but safer.

Sponsored by CTCMath.com

The best way to stay out of trouble is simply, don’t do it! Paul asked in Romans 6:2, “How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” Jesus said, “If you love me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15) If we claim the name of “Christian” we have a responsibility to live like it. If you don’t chase after sin, then you’re not earning the trouble that comes with it. Easy, right?

We need to be careful about the “hidden” sins we permit ourselves, too. Pornography is a trap that many young men fall into. When Jesus warned in the Sermon on the Mount, “Whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery in his heart” (Matthew 5:28), He put His finger right on the use of porn–what else could you call it? Sadly, young men who dive into porn sometimes try to imitate it, but always receive harmful, false ideas of how to relate to women. It’s poison.

One thing that seems common to so many of the accusations that emerged with #MeToo is alcohol use. How often to we hear protests or explanations that start, “We were at a party and we’d been drinking …” This is not about the morality of alcohol per se, but a simple observation to our sons–it’s best not to partake when you’re young, single, and need to be alert!

But even if we’re careful to avoid sin ourselves, we need to be very cautious about who we associate with. Proverbs 13:20 says, “The companion of fools will be destroyed.” Peter, again, says in 1 Peter 4:3-4,

“We have spent enough of our past lifetime [before we became believers] in doing the will of the Gentiles–when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties … In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.”

Did you catch that? He not only warns against drunkenness–unquestionably sinful–but also drinking parties. Just hanging out with people who are pursuing sin is risky behavior, and it can damage our reputation even if we weren’t deep in the sin with the others.

(continued …)

In fact, that’s a good place to wrap up. It’s important to avoid a negative reputation, where people are willing to believe an accusation because it would be consistent with your past behavior. But even better is to build such a positive reputation for the right sort of behavior that even when the accusations come, those who know you will come to your defense. The culture is pushing us to believe that men and women are interchangeable, that there’s no difference in their thinking and feeling, that everyone wants to live out the same lascivious fantasies–yet the Bible tells us differently, and experience proves it!

Our calling is to walk in the Spirit and not the flesh (Galatians 5:1), and our lives should be marked by the fruit of the Spirit–which includes things like kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). When our sons walk in that spirit, they may not avoid every accusation, but they’ll steer clear of trouble they can avoid, and they’ll find it easier to deflect the falsehoods others may fling!

The post Raising Boys in a #MeToo World – MBFLP 227 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

When you’ve got more than one child, you are going to have challenges. How can you teach them to play together and enjoy games without the older ones overrunning the younger? We had six boys over a twelve-year span, so we had to figure this out! This episode, we’re talking about some practical ways to make family competition helpful, not harmful.

Games, sports, and competition are Biblical. Remember the Bible often describes our Christian lives as a race (Acts 20:24, 2 Timothy 4:7, Hebrews 12:1). The apostle Paul points out that you only win when you play by the rules and discipline yourself by training (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). We wrote a whole chapter about this in our book Raising Real Men, but we agree with the old theologians – games can be a great way to learn skills and exercise our minds and bodies, if they’re done in the right attitude.

Recognize that older siblings and younger siblings may not appreciate how different they are. Depending on the child and the range of ages and development, you will have to coach your older, bigger, stronger kids to take it easy on the little siblings. Teenagers can’t react to their five-year-old brother like he was another teen. We made it a matter of honor for our boys to restrain their impulse to hit back when a little one hurt them. On the other hand, younger ones need to be reminded that bigger kids are bigger, and it’s not wise to treat them like they were elementary-age peers, either. The idea that “We’re all equals in the eyes of God and our parents,” is good, but you have to remember that equality of status and equality of value do not mean equal capability or strength!

“Compete against the clock and your own best time.” We found our boys of all ages like to race the clock on math worksheets. The fact that one is doing third-grade work for the first time, and older brother is doing the same practice sheets he did five years ago, doesn’t matter when each one is racing himself.

Give younger kids a handicap. Let the older kids start further back, or give the younger ones a head start. Or let the younger ones choose or answer first, so the older ones don’t jump ahead every turn. Even up the playing field a bit.

Create teams across the ages. This is really effective with board games. The oldest child is paired with the youngest, and the next oldest with the next youngest – for example, the 15-year-old with the 5-year-old, playing against the 12-year-old and 9-year-old. You can also make the rule that the older team member can’t touch the board; he has to talk with his younger teammate and persuade him to move the pieces or play the cards strategically. Often, the youngest children just want to move the pieces, anyway – it’s the older kids who get the grand design of the game!

The post Raising Siblings Without Rivalry – Part 2 – MBFLP 253-2 (Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Hosts: Hal and Melanie Young

Sibling rivalry. If you’ve got more than one child, you’ve likely seen it – the teasing, bickering, pestering, and outright conflict. But what if your kids could become lifelong friends instead of rivals?

In this episode of Making Biblical Family Life Practical, Hal and Melanie answer one of the most frequently asked parenting questions:

As parents of eight, including six boys in a row, Hal and Melanie have seen firsthand the challenge—and the blessing—of nurturing friendship between siblings. From toxic family examples to biblical discipleship and discipline, they share the guiding principles and practical rules they used to cultivate a peaceful, loving home.

Why creating a safe home is the first step to reducing sibling conflict

The difference between normal competitiveness and destructive rivalry

How boys and girls experience relational struggles differently

Why rules like “knock it off” and “no bullying” helped their large family thrive

The importance of shepherding your child’s heart, not just correcting behavior

Strategies for stopping provocation—no matter who starts it

“God made boys aggressive and competitive for a reason—but they need to learn to submit that to Christ.”

“Your home should be a haven, not a battlefield.”

Sponsor Spotlight: CTCMath

Website: RaisingRealMen.com

Facebook & Instagram: @RaisingRealMen

Podcast Archive: Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

How do you keep sibling competition positive and productive rather than destructive? We’ll tackle that next time with more real-world tips for large (and small!) families alike.

One of the questions we hear most often is, “How do you deal with sibling rivalry?” 

We had eight children, and six boys in a row, so we had plenty of competition and challenge to work with! A certain amount is normal and can be accommodated even within the family, but it has to be guided and supervised to keep it from becoming bullying or persecution.

Girls have their own temptations too, especially in emotional and relationship areas; we’ve known women who grew up as “mean girls” in their own family, and struggled with broken relationships decades after they left home.

We didn’t want that in our own family – we wanted our children to grow up to be friends – so we tried to take positive steps to build and protect relationships between our kids. And like Tedd Tripp says, we trained behaviors in the youngest, in the process of teaching the hearts and attitudes of all!

Home Should Be Safe – Nobody should feel like they have to keep their guard up when they cross the family threshold. That goes for spouses, too.

Zero Tolerance for Bullying – or Provoking – Bigger kids can tyrannize young kids, but younger kids can cause lots of trouble for older siblings, too. Proverbs 6:16 says God hates one who causes discord among brothers – so bickering and arguing are important, not just kid stuff.

See the Family as A Team – You won’t score together, if you are fighting one another instead of your enemy or opponent. Encourage your kids to pull together and support each other, especially in front of the rest of the world.

Enjoy Teasing and Wrestling but Don’t Cross the Line! – It’s fun until it’s not, for somebody. If you continue after someone calls “stop” then you’ve become a bully – see “zero tolerance” above.

Recognize How Different Your Kids May Be – and Keep an Eye on Them – Some kids can tolerate teasing and rough-housing, and some can’t. Don’t let either set the tone for everybody, but guide their interaction to head off offenses and hurts. That also goes for the child who’s quick to take offense — that’s no help either.

The post Summer Replay: Raising Siblings Without Rivalry – Part 1 – MBFLP 253-1 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Earlier this year we talked about books and authors the two of us enjoy together (episode 245, “What Are You Reading Right Now?”) and we mentioned that each of us has genres we like personally but separately. A caller on our Listener Response Line reminded us that we hadn’t returned to those books – “You teased us a little bit!” she said – so this week, Hal is sharing some books of history and biography which he’s been reading.

Over half the Bible is historical narrative, and God tells His people to remember the past and talk about it with their children. In Deuteronomy, Moses tells the people:

Remember the days of old, 

(Deuteronomy 32:7-8)

The reference to “nations” and “peoples” says this is more than the history of Israel – it’s all of us as “sons of Adam.” When we learn about history, we’re learning how God has guided people and nations over the centuries, with and without their cooperation or consciousness, and we can learn or take warning by their example.

Our own Benjamin Franklin, whatever his personal theology, observed to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, “I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth – that God Governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?” (here’s a transcript) … and we know this to be true because it’s in Scripture:

(Daniel 5:21)

That’s a good thing to remember during this election year! And it’s a good reason to take a look at history, too.

If you’d like to know more about books Hal mentioned, here are links to all of them … 

If you’d like to leave a comment, question, or request, our Listener Response Line is (919) 295-0321

The post History for Book Lovers – MBFLP 254-1 (replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

“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!

Thank you to our episode sponsor, CTC Math.

The post Dealing with Disrespect – MBFLP 201 (replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.