By now, you’ve probably heard the term “microaggression”. If not, my heartiest apologies for dragging you into this brave new world, but apparently, microaggressions are here to stay, at least until the next generation finds new and more microscopic ways to be offended.

microaggression: a subtle but offensive comment or action directed at a minority or other nondominant group that is often unintentional or unconsciously reinforces a stereotype: microaggressions such as “I don’t see you as black.”. (dictionary.com)

While I realize that words can hurt, it might not be the worst idea to bring back the old adage, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” When college students demand swift action against microaggressions such as a presidential candidate’s name written in sidewalk chalk — um — Houston, we have a problem.

At Emory, Campus Totalitarianism Has Arrived

Our Children & Microaggressions – 5 Ways We Can Help – Seriously?

My wife was away last week. She went to Seattle to visit her sister who was having a baby. So, I stayed home with four kids for a week. The catch? They all started feeling sick right before my wife left. After several days of massive coughing fits and fevers that came and went, I finally got them to the doctor. To no one’s surprise, we found out they all have pneumonia! I say, to no one’s surprise, because we have friends who had the same illness go through their family the week before and two of their kids had to go to the hospital for treatment for their pneumonia. Thankfully, we avoided the hospital.

So, needless to say, our homeschooling looked a little different this week. I have to give a shout out to my daughter Abbie, who continued doing math every day, even though she felt lousy. She also read a book to her two youngest siblings to help them pass the time. My boys and I had some good bonding time watching a marathon of The Hobbit trilogy (over two nights). Katie and I played Monopoly Empire at least a half dozen times. With each of my kids, we had the opportunity for conversations that probably would not have happened during a normal week.

Have you heard of De-Schooling? Let’s talk about it…

The Truth About Deschooling That Will Blow Your Mind

NHERI

It’s easy to do this homeschool thing alone, if you’re not careful. Do you have a homeschooling community? I know homeschoolers have differing opinions about this, but here are my top five benefits of Homeschool Co-ops.

Blimey Cow

There are many different styles of homeschooling. What’s your style?

Here are some of the most common approaches to homeschooling:

Demme Learning | Guide To Homeschool Styles

Demme Learning

Are homeschool teachers just “parents playing teacher” with their “stay-at-home kids”? That’s what one Chicago public school teacher thought, until he started teaching at the college level and found that his best students were homeschoolers.

What changed this teacher’s mind about home schooling

What does a real day in the life of a homeschooling family look like? A former homeschool mom confesses what they really did every day — and it actually worked!

Confessions of a Former Homeschooling Mom

This episode is a little different. I recorded it while sitting in a Panera restaurant with my portable digital recorder, so it sounds quite a bit different than my studio-recorded episodes. Two of my kids were participating in a musical theatre camp in Dayton, Ohio, so I was killing time while they learned from the traveling Broadway cast of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. These camps are a great addition to our homeschool curriculum (and a lot of fun for the kids!), but it’s not fun driving 45 minutes one way to get there.

In addition to my kids’ educational opportunities, on this episode I talk about influence. How does someone like Franklin Graham become the go-to guy when there is a stand-off between ranchers and the federal government? It turns out that living a faithful life can lead to having great influence.

And, in the middle, I share a little about some Ohio homeschoolers facing jail time and heavy fines for not filing their paperwork properly!

Ohio homeschoolers face criminal charges for missing paperwork

Homeschooling is growing in popularity by leaps and bounds in America and around the world. It has become a trendy educational option in all sectors of society. It’s really not that hard to find information about homeschooling. A quick Google search and you’re on your way. I don’t have any data on this, but I’m guessing most Americans at least know someone who is involved in homeschooling. However, it wasn’t always like this.

Only a generation ago, home education was nearly unheard of. And, anyone daring to venture into the murky waters of homeschooling was highly unlikely to mention it to anyone. They were afraid of other people finding out that they were homeschoolers. Why?

Perhaps it’s time for a brief recent history of homeschooling…

The Busy Mom

The Familyman Show

Building Faith Families

Are you planning on sending your child to college?

I don’t know yet. Honestly, my children will be highly involved in the decision about what to do after they graduate high school, so it’s technically not up to me I suppose. However, I like to think they’ll follow my advice if for no other reason than to please me. You too? I thought so.

My question: In today’s world, is college a safe space?

Harvard Law prof.: ‘when I speak…in favor of Israel I need armed guards’

It’s a little late, but Merry Christmas! And Happy New Year!

The holidays were a little crazy at my house, but like the Whos down in Whoville, Christmas came. And it was awesome.

Now, I’m a little stressed because I have a high school junior who keeps changing her mind.

Can I get an ‘Amen’?

Have you ever wondered what all the fuss is about with Star Wars? Me neither. I know it’s awesome! But the writing is… less than stellar.

The good news for homeschooling parents is that, since they’re never going to stop making Star Wars movies, even if your children aren’t that great at writing, they could still work on a future Star Wars movie!

In addition, I took my kids to see a live theatre production of A Charlie Brown Christmas that was excellent, until…