The Happy Homeschool

Let’s begin by asking “how important is the idea of categories or subjects for any learning?” Your answer to this question will partly be affected by how you see the concept of subjects. Is it a springboard for learning, or is it a dungeon, a master to be obeyed? 

I think it can be helpful to distinguish between different types of subjects and even though I am going to do this, I think there is some overlap. Some types of subjects will fit in the different categories or types depending on how they are approached. 

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How to Think About Subjects for Homeschooling

Your children are subconsciously observing your attitude toward money from a young age. They see:

1. how you talk about it
2. how you spend it on the household
3. how you spend it on fun
4. how you spend it on them
5. how you cooperate with the other parent about it
6. how you save it
7. how you share it
8. how you guide them in using it

Soon enough, they are trying to figure out how they can access money, because it is an important step to independence. 

To read more, go to:

8 Ways Your Child is Watching You Deal with Money

Maturity is often claimed as a measure for independence, or when a person can be recognized as an adult. Yet everyone knows adults they would describe as immature. Maybe the concept of maturity is not well understood or used consistently.

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How Your Attitude Toward Maturity Affects Your Child

Why is morality a “dirty” word?

I think I know why “morality” is a dirty word to some people. Two main reasons:

1. It is confused with cultural preference
2. It is applied conveniently

Cultural preference can cover anything from dressing according to religious code to using vocabulary acceptable to political groups. Convenient application usually involves making excuses for what was going to be done anyway.

To read more, go to: How Your Attitude Toward Morality Affects Your Child

Faith versus superstition

What do you have faith in? Before you can answer that, you have to have an idea of what is meant by faith. True, words can mean different things to different people. However, a concept is a concept by any other name, to misquote Shakespeare.

The crux of the problem with agreeing about what faith is is that some people equate it with superstition while others say it is believing in something based on evidence. I am in the latter camp, so that is how I will use it in this discussion.

To read more, go to How Your Attitude Toward Faith Affects Your Child

Any religion is a system of behaviors that are considered necessary to both prove and act out a person’s real or supposed convictions about the meaning of life. At best, religion is evidence of internalized truths. At worst, religion is a way to manipulate people’s fears.

To read more, go to: How Your Attitude Toward Religion Affects Your Child

People love to laugh. The proverb “a merry heart is good like a medicine” has been understood for thousands of years. Laughter makes people feel better. Yet, human nature too often has a way of twisting what is good and using it in destructive ways. This is also true of humor.

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How Your Use of Humor Affects Your Relationship With Your Child

To read more, go to thehappyhomeschool.com

Would you be curious if I suggested to you that scientific studies on child development do more harm than good? I do suggest this, and for two main reasons: ...

To read more, go to Secrets to Understanding Child Development and How This Affects Your Relationship With Your Child

Respect is something that has to be earned. It cannot be demanded. The deepest levels of respect are based on spending time observing a person’s choices and attitudes. The potential for respect is greatest with those who see us regularly face the demands of life. Many of such demands fall in the category of work.

To read more, go to thehappyhomeschool.com How Your Work is Key to Gaining Your Child's Respect