Vintage Homeschool Moms

What is a “buy-in mentality? How do you inspire your kids to cooperate with your family values, do their school work, and strive for excellence? In this podcast, we’ll discuss the idea of “buy-in” and how important it is to work together as a family.

What is a “buy-in,” and how do you incorporate this idea into your family? It’s really simple. It’s the idea of the importance of being part of a family and basically cooperating with the family ideals. How do you “inspire” your kids to cooperate? Ah, that is a bit more tough. Inspiration is a great idea if you are inspired as well. I think we need to examine our motivation and how we view our family. This would mean setting aside some time to discuss this with your spouse.  Even if you are a single parent, take some time to prayerfully jot down why family is important and how you can convey the idea of unity without sounding preachy.

Thanks to NOW Programs, this evidence-based program helps students learn differences.

I’m going to focus on two aspects. One is the idea of family and cooperation because you want to be part of a family and work together. The second is consequences: what will happen when there is a failure to follow through on the basic family requirements? What is a “buy-in mentality? How do you inspire your kids to cooperate with your family values, do their school work, and strive for excellence? In this podcast, we’ll discuss the idea of “buy-in” and how important it is to work together as a family.

Inspire Your Kids To Cooperate ~ Episode 535

What is a “buy-in,” and how do you incorporate this idea into your family? It’s really simple. It’s the idea of the importance of being part of a family and basically cooperating with the family ideals. How do you “inspire” your kids to cooperate? Ah, that is a bit more tough. Inspiration is a great idea if you are inspired as well. But I believe we can all get on board with the idea of having a family that works well together. We need to examine our motivation and how we view our family. This would mean setting aside some time to discuss this with your spouse.  Even if you are a single parent, take some time to prayerfully jot down why family is important and how you can convey the idea of unity without sounding preachy. The biggest thing to convey to your children is your love for them, and it is difficult to show love when we are constantly correcting our children.

Thanks to NOW Programs, this evidence-based program helps students learn differences.

I’m going to focus on two aspects. One is the idea of family and cooperation because we want our children to understand they are not in this alone. They are part of a family. They enjoy all the benefits of being in a family, love community, support, and care. Being in a family also means working together toward a common goal. For Christians, it is heaven. The second point I want to focus on is the idea of consequences: what will happen when there is a failure to follow through on the basic family requirements? What does cause and effect mean, and how does that factor affect your decisions?

These two parts, cooperation and consequences, work together to create a family dynamic that works.

Inspire Your Kids To Cooperate ~ Cooperation

Cooperation in a family goes along with succeeding and accomplishing. It makes me very happy to accomplish something daily, even if I do not have written goals or a list. It is a feeling of success and self-fulfillment.

This is an adult thing. Adults have many responsibilities that deal with their family, perhaps work, and managing a busy life as a homeschooling mom or dad. How do you encourage your children to feel the same way?

Kids sit back and wait for an adult to tell them what to do; interestingly, my son said something humous that brought this idea home to me. He is twenty-four, a First Lieutenant in the Army, and in charge of about 50 men. Under his command are about eight sergeants and privates under them. He recounted a situation where a private approached him with a serious request. My son answers, “Well, we need an adult for that.”  The private said, “You are an adult, sir.” He was joking of course, but what he meant was – I don’t want to handle this and I wish there was someone else to do it for me.

Often, our kids try to get out of doing what they need to do and just want someone else to handle it. In fact, some children go out of their way to be scarce, to act innocent (I didn’t know you meant that), or even worse, feel no guilt for their inaction. Some will take on a passive-aggressive strategy. They can say yes and then fail to follow through, which frustrates parents. How do we explain the importance of taking responsibility for yourself and what you must do as part of your family?

That is the goal, the “buy-in,” the cooperation.

Begin with a plan and an idea about what makes your family special. How often do you sit and have serious conversations with your family? We had family meetings in our family at least four times a year. After the first few times, the children knew that this was a place to list grievances or issues within the family dynamics in general and work on solutions. These convened when things were getting out of hand regarding discipline. Family meetings were called when we felt the children were excessively bickering and when things felt out of control.

In retrospect, this should have been done before this point! I’ve heard of families that have monthly mandatory meetings to check in and see how things are going, share progress and praise reports, and deal with issues that crop up from time to time.

Begin the meeting by calling it a Family Meeting (or whatever you want to call it.) Let your children know that you love them, are there for them, and have their backs. Explain that as a family, each of us is responsible for ourselves and being helpful to each other. That does not mean we take advantage of each other or become frustrated when someone younger needs our help. It does mean that as a family, we work together.

You can explain it like this:

Why do we work together? Because we are a family. In the same way, we go to the park, enjoy ice cream or treats at home, or do something fun. So why can’t we cooperate each day in the same way? No one has to be forced to participate in a party or the fun we have, right?

There are rules for each meeting. No one other than the parents are allowed to talk out of turn; everyone must listen politely, and each person will have a chance to respond if they wish. In addition, no finger-pointing! If we discuss an issue, that means you are involved in some way.

The discussion at these meetings centered on general topics; it was not a time to point out individual shortcomings or problems. For example, if one of your children doesn’t follow through with a chore, address that separately.

Think big picture. These are chronic issues that happen repeatedly. For example, kids leave out toys after playing, or everyone leaves the table without helping, or no one helps to bring in the groceries without being asked. Maybe the children are instigating each other to sin. I explained that fighting, arguing, and acting disrespectfully are sinful. Sin is the absence of doing good. And we don’t want to sin.

My husband and I previously discussed the issues at hand, and then he presented them. We were a united front, and the kids knew we meant business. Disrespect was also discussed at this time. Excessive complaining was not allowed. Some of you listening have the patience of a saint; this was not a trait the Lord blessed me with, and I have worked hard to overcome my hasty decisions. I have a very low tolerance for complaining, saying I’m sorry without meaning it, and saying things are an accident. (Which I address below in the section on consequences.)

Explain that when a family cooperates and gets along, it opens the door for so many opportunities. Ask them to give you examples.

Some of these can be:

Inspire Your Kids To Cooperate ~ Consequences

As adults, we are naturally required if not motivated to do chores such as grocery shopping or laundry to keep our children fed and clothed. But our kids don’t have the same level of responsibilities, and they often rely on us to orchestrate their every move. This can cause us to become weary, to say the least! In addition, it is frustrating to hound our kids to complete simple chores.

The following solutions are simplistic ideas at best—yet they work!

Consequences.

 Many times, the consequences or examples are “in kind.” Rather than a punishment, it is helpful that the consequence be effective. Explain work equity. My husband began this when our oldest two were young, and it is brilliant because it works! He would say his garage needed to be cleaned up. The children were all puzzled by the remark, but he further explained that moving forward, if the children disobeyed or did not complete what they were tasked to do, he would require help in the garage. It was hot and humid out there, and living on acreage, it is often dusty and dirty! Organizing the garage was not a fun job. Or, he would say the weeds needed to be pulled.

Some of these jobs were Saturday morning activities handled by the entire family. Yet, as a consequence, or “work equity,” it would mean the bulk of the work was done by one person. This was a major ordeal, and everyone was warned, yet it happened on rare occasions, and I’m happy to report that it was effective because the offender never had the chore twice. I remember one son saying, “That was horrible, and I’m never going to do that (offense) again because it is so not worth it!”  Work equity worked as a deterrent.

One of my very helpful children went to help the person in trouble; we allowed that to happen. It was an act of kindness, and it bonded them as brothers. It came out naturally.

In addition, understanding cause and effect shapes character. What happens if a fragile glass falls on the tile? It will shatter into many pieces. This not only breaks the glass but it creates a mess with consequences; if someone steps on the glass barefoot, it will cause injury.

Explain the idea of consequences to your children. Here are some examples that might be helpful.

Problem 1:

Let’s take laundry, for example. You don’t want a bedroom filled with dirty clothing on the floor, so typically, as a family, you have solutions, such as a laundry basket or somewhere to put soiled clothing. If a child leaves the clothing on the floor, you are most likely making your child go back into the room and pick up their clothing. But let’s say it is chronic. What can you do?

Explain there will be consequences that will require

Solution 1: Consequences that make sense.

Problem 2 Children Bickering.

This is probably one of the most irritating things a parent must deal with within the family and one thing that can tear families apart. It is my pet peeve, and I handle it differently depending on the child’s age.

Explain that it is sinful to bicker, especially when most situations are petty. At least to adults!

Solution 2:

I have an entire set of Character planners LINK HERE that can be helpful with scenarios children work out with different character emphasis.

Learning to cooperate is the groundwork needed for success in your child’s future life the topic “succeed” is next.

The post Inspire Your Kids To Cooperate appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

A boring lecture or math lesson that is not interesting will not inspire kids to learn and work hard. However, in this podcast, you will discover five key elements to encourage your children to hone their listening skills while learning.

Why would anyone listen to a boring lecture or something that does not interest them? Because it is required and because it is called “school.” What subject did you detest in grade school, middle school (called junior high in my day), and high school? The subject I didn’t like was history. All of these facts and disjointed (in my mind) events had nothing to do with my life. Or, so I thought. As an adult, I realize that not understanding history causes us to make the same mistakes as a nation over and over again. But at the time, I had no idea how important the subject was. I learned more history as a homeschool parent than I did in my time in school.

Thanks to our sponsor, CTCMath.com, this curriculum is available online for grades K-12. Your children receive the lessons and must pass to move on, and you, as the parents, receive the results. It is a win-win for busy homeschool parents.

I am inspired (pun intended) to do a series on inspiring your children. The series will include inspiring kids to listen, learn, succeed, empathize, and encourage self-esteem. This is the second of five episodes.

Five Part Series 

So, that leaves us with the million-dollar question: How do you inspire your children to learn? How do we overcome obstacles? True learning occurs when a child has a question to answer. And the second part of that question is where the child goes to find the answer. Please, please don’t say “Google.”

The saying “Knowledge is Power” is attributed to an unknown author. That statement is true. Without knowledge, we are left to the ideas, beliefs, and thoughts of other people who don’t necessarily have our best interests in mind. Explaining to your children the importance of obtaining knowledge is key! When my children struggled with a difficult subject, I would remind them, “If it’s easy, you know it, and if it is hard, you don’t know it yet.” (Example of handwriting)

Learning never stops this side of death. (Comforting thought?) We are constantly learning as we should.

Learning occurs when your child is curious and inquisitive, sees the world around them as a puzzle to solve or at least find some of the pieces, and when there is an exchange of ideas and thoughts. When my children were younger, I taught them unit studies. I felt this was the best way to incorporate that awe of learning and a dose of mystery. We didn’t have all the answers, but we were going to learn some of them at any rate!

A mystery eventually comes to a conclusion, and the previously unsolved puzzle is answered. If you can approach education with this in mind and encourage your children as well, it puts a touch of excitement into your schooling. You can set the stage at the beginning of the year. Ask the children if they know every answer in their math, history, science, or ________fill-in-the-blank book. The answer is no for now, but yes (or a lot more than I know now) by the end of the year.

Figuring out an answer is like solving a riddle or a problem (that is why they call math problems problems!). There is an answer that you figure out. The same goes for science or history. We learn why there are three forms of water (solid, liquid, and gas). We learn about the explorers who crossed the ocean into what we know now as America or the United States of America.

My homeschooling included fun. You may consider this an unnecessary element, but fun goes a long way toward getting kids to learn and remember what they have learned. I finished lessons with flashcard facts or split the children into groups and asked questions, each side getting the point. Sometimes, I’d pit them against themselves and the previous day’s score if they were in different books or different levels. I tried to teach history and science together in the younger years until upper middle school. This was a fun activity that made me feel better that they were actually learning, and it made them happy to see that they remembered. If not, they tried to do better the next day.

For teens, the struggle to learn may result from the relevance of the learning to their current lives. The question is, “But why do we learn these things, and what does it have to do with my future?”

Ask your teens what they want to learn about and if they could study anything. Discuss. One of my children studied photography, another oceanography, and another built catapults and fixed machinery. Giving your child the tools they need to help them learn something of interest encourages them to learn what is on the “requirements” for graduation.

Out of my five children, three went to college, and two went into blue-collar jobs. I now wish I had listened to my non-college-track kids about what they wanted to do instead of preparing them for the “if they decide to go to college track.” One of my college-bound children decided too late to go into engineering, and he couldn’t handle the difficult math requirements.  My son still went into an intense engineer-focused college track and graduated with honors. Exploring careers when in middle and early high school is important and will aid in their interest in learning with a possible career in mind.

You can inspire kids to learn with real-life applications. Especially for your teens, and they may actually observe you learning each day as well. We learn whether we listen to or read the news, try to look up a new tax rule, or look for the best insurance rate on our homes and cars. It requires comparison, evaluation, and, ultimately, finding the best deal for our budget. Give your children real-life examples and include them in your search whenever you can. If they have a car or are saving up for one, they can begin to research different insurance policies and coverage and the meaning of each of the terms used in insurance. Practical skills are important for anyone.

The one thing you can’t take away from someone is their knowledge. In today’s world, knowledge is important to make good decisions, face challenges figure out the best outcome, and to keep ourselves moving forward and thinking.

The post Inspire Kids To Learn appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Teaching kids to listen is a challenge, but it’s not impossible. In this episode, you will discover practical and effective ways to inspire kids to listen each and every time, empowering you to make a difference in their learning journey.

I’ve been inspired (pun intended) to do a series on inspiring your children. The series will include inspiring kids to listen, learn, succeed, empathize, and encourage self-esteem. This is the first of five episodes.

Good listening skills are the basis for order, disciplined children, eager learners, and all-around peace within your home. If your child knows what you expect and has a routine for accomplishing the goals for the day, your work gets easier. One effective tool to be sure your child understands expectations is to ask the child:

Effective listening is a tool for ensuring that your child understands and has the information they need. It is effective because when children express their thoughts in their own works, you know they’ve processed the information enough to tell you back. As educators, we were taught this procedure in class management. We also used it in class discipline. (More on this later)

In middle school, a teacher did a simple exercise with our class that encouraged us to listen to her every word from then on. I still remember it to this day. Try this with your children and see if it works. She said, “Today, I have a pop quiz that is going to represent 70% of your grade. I know that you did not prepare, and I know that you may or may not know the information on this quiz. But this is very important. I need you to listen to what I am telling you. This is a multiple-choice test, and you can mark answers A, B, C, or D. But, before you begin, put your name on the paper and read the instructions carefully. There will be no talking. After you complete your test, turn your paper over and wait quietly for further instruction.

She then passed out the papers, and we began taking the test. I wish I could say I was one of the kids that followed her instructions. But it took me two or three questions (I did not know as she purposely made the quiz difficult) to return to the top and read the instructions.

The instructions said, “Write your name at the top of the page. DO NOT ANSWER any of the questions. Turn your paper over, put your head down on the desk, and wait for further instructions.” I erased my answers, filled in my name, turned the paper over, and put my head down on the desk. Slowly, the rest of the class caught wind that half of us had our heads down and could not possibly have finished the test! They did what the rest of us did, went back and read the instructions, and groaned as they erased their answers and wrote names at the top of the page.

The teacher called “times up,” then asked us to pass our papers up front, where she collected them, and then spent the remainder of class explaining the importance of listening and following instructions and comparing that to the basis of learning.

What does failure to listen bring us? Basically, it’s heartache, right? Unruly kids, unfinished school work, chores left undone or haphazardly finished, and a lack of control within our homes.  If your kids are looking for a textbook or workbook that they didn’t put away after the class the previous day or can’t find their pencil or one of the other things they’ve lost, it goes to reason that they did not listen and follow through when it comes to putting away the previous day’s classwork.

Failure to follow instructions costs us time.

How much time is wasted looking for something that is lost? What about the time it takes you to explain once again a lesson you explained earlier? Learning challenges aside, many kids just don’t listen when we talk.

Failure to listen causes us frustration.

We have to explain things again and again or remind the children to do their chores or schoolwork again and again.

When I talk about listening, I don’t mean that the children are parking their brains at the door. We must encourage our children to think for themselves when it comes to faith, morals, or behavior. We don’t want regimented Zoomies who follow in a row and don’t think for themselves. What I am talking about is making sure the children understand the importance of following instructions when it pertains to their school work and what you, as a mom, dad, or homeschool parent, expect.

What do you expect out of your children? Do they know? Do you know? If you are unsure, take a few minutes (or more) and think about it. Don’t become overwhelmed by just one day or even one subject. Sometimes, kids don’t know what to do because they are sure of the instructions. Other times, kids know what is expected but choose not to do the work or the chores that are expected for the day.

Encourage your children with praise when they do what is asked. I do this with my now adult children and when my grandchildren come to visit. Everyone wants to be praised and affirmed, and we should catch them being helpful, or listening to what we say, etc., whenever we can.

One way to encourage listening is to ask your child to recap at the end of a lesson or read a book. There are many other ways to encourage listening that also encourage learning. Drills, games, or even a pop-quiz will hone your child’s listening skills.

Let’s discuss the idea of “later.”

I have one son in particular who would do what I said but on his own time. For a season, (explain on air) this was fine until it was not. I felt it was a form of passive aggression, and it was easy for him to feel in charge, disobedient, and disruptive when doing his work later. His response was always, “I’ll do it, Mom.” But he never did. His response was correct, but the actions didn’t follow. This was more than a listening issue it was a behavior issue.

I explained how this idea of later was not going to work and why the chore, activity, or school work needed to be completed on time. We had daily class schedules that included a space for specific chores, so he was aware of his obligations.

My daughter has marker boards posted in her school area that have the days of the week and each child’s responsibility, chore zone, and other important information, such as a calendar with appointments, activities, and more.

Allowing the children a written reminder when necessary is important, but so are the consequences for failure to do what is expected. Sometimes, it is missing out on a family activity or a treat. It does not take too many times for a child to realize it is easier to listen than to rebel. I know you have one of those, a strong-willed child. Let me share a secret with you.

There have been books and books on the topic of children with strong wills who will wait for a parent until the parent relents or changes their mind. Here is the secret: They don’t want to be told; they want to be persuaded. Yet, they have to know YOU are in charge. So explain this to them as clearly as you can.

Strong-willed children perceive their way as being right. However, they want to see if they can stand up to the challenge. Pick your battles, but do set lines not to cross. Prepare to be tested.

Listening Basis for Good Communication

The last point I want to make is how important listening is to communication. Being a good listener means hearing the other person out, even when you can think of ten points of rebuttal. You will get your chance (jot notes if you think you will forget), yet truly listen. Put away the cell phone or anything else that is distracting, and focus on the person speaking to you. Explain to your children, do you see how I am listening to you right now? That is a respectful way to listen, and that is what I expect when I talk to you. If a child tries to interrupt, gently remind them to wait until you are finished.

Or ask, “Can I finish?” Then proceed. Explain that without listening; you can’t answer a person’s question fully or give an opinion without knowing what the other person is trying to say.  Practice good listening and communication with your child. (Give example, “You know. You know. The thing.)

The key to listening is to encourage your children when they are doing well, follow up assignments with oral activities such as asking for a recap or summation of what the child learned, and explore ways to actively teach listening skills through good communication.

Thanks to our sponsor, CTCMath.com, this curriculum is available online for grades K-12. Your children receive the lessons and must pass to move on, and you, as the parents, receive the results. It is a win-win for busy homeschool parents.

The post Inspire Kids To Listen appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Please don’t listen to all the voices that say you can’t do it. Moms, you are enough! Many times, we doubt our abilities. Should we homeschool? Should we put our children in a co-op? Should we put our child in a private school or public school? In this podcast, Felice Gerwitz breaks down the critical concerns of homeschool moms and gives you the tools to thrive in your home.

I’m working on an “Inspire Series.” This is a blueprint for encouraging excellence in our children and our homes. But before I release that series, I really felt the need to encourage you. If you are a mom or dad or even a caregiver, welcome. This episode is geared toward those trying to navigate a hostile world where we are told we need experts for everything. We are also told that we don’t know enough or can’t think for ourselves and need those outside voices, whether it is social media, the news, your favorite app, or even worse, your parents, inlaws, or spouse.

The good news is that I believe, even without meeting you, that you are more than enough and that you have the tools you need. I mean, somehow, you found this podcast, perhaps the entire Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network, and in particular, Vintage Homeschool Moms. You found me somewhere in the midst of the noise and the naysayers. That tells me you are incredibly resourceful, open, and willing to learn all you can to be the best you can be at this point in time. You can fill in the blanks.

Moms You Are Enough:

I am a  ____________ (Christian, spouse, mom, dad, grandparent, caregiver) to my children. I am enough.

What’s the difference between being enough and being the best? First, being enough means being comfortable with who we are and our mistakes. I am not the most graceful person. If there is a step, I will trip over it. That doesn’t mean I will avoid steps, but it does mean I am aware of my shortcomings and failure to notice details, and I am extremely careful when navigating steps. My husband and I were walking along a sidewalk, and I tripped on a crack. He actually went back to look because neither of us saw it, and sure enough, there was a tiny elevation along one side. But again, that doesn’t keep me from walking or trying or thinking, “Oh my gosh, I’m such a clutz!” (Okay, so I am, but I’m okay with that.)

What area are you concerned about?

In the near future, we will, God willing, offer a call with some of the podcasters on this network and me who are willing to participate. This is in celebration of our 11 years on the air as a homeschool podcast network. This is because I see such a need for a one-to-one discussion about the greatest needs homeschool parents have today. I’ve learned that many of us struggle not so much thinking we are covering enough information with our children, or hoping our children will fit in socially, or praying that we don’t mess up our kids in some way.

I believe that we can overcome this way of thinking. Homeschool Moms are resilient and strong. If you don’t think you are, that is what we are here for today!

While I believe in all of the things above, what do you believe? Our minds are powerful, and we have the creativity and drive to do great things in our families if we give ourselves some credit.

Try it, what do you believe? How about believing that you are enough? Start your sentence with: “I am enough because…” and list all of your beliefs. What are you finding? If you are stuck, pray about it and see what pops into your head that is positive, not negative.

Some podcasts you might enjoy

We can take authority over our minds by focusing on the good and starting each day in giving thanks. When I wake up I immediately focus on thanking God for another day and praising Him. We can be thankful for the little things. Years ago, during a really difficult time in my life, I started keeping a praise journal. I was thankful for the sky, and the beautiful clouds. I was thankful for the weather, even when it rained. I focused on being thankful, and my outlook changed dramatically.

When you praise God, when you are grateful for the little things, and when you focus on positivity in your life, the outcome is so much different. Does that mean we can’t have a pity-party on occasion? Of course, we can. (Share Deacon David’s story.)

Do you have any “if onlys” in your life? Do you have any of these thoughts? If only we didn’t rent an apartment. If only we had a house. If only our car wasn’t in the shop. If only we had enough money to do the things we’d like to do. If only______ fill in the blank.

The if-onlys are buzzkills; they are detrimental to our health, our mind, and our spirit. (More on air.)

Getting another car is not going to make me happy. If it does, it is fleeting. How do I cope? I thank God my car runs, even with the check engine light a few days ago that indicated low oil. I thank God that I have a car. I pray, “Lord, I am happy with this car and don’t need another one.” Truthfully, I don’t, but in my mind, I wanted to give it to a family member who could use it.

Sometimes, we have to die to ourselves to our wants, focus on what is important, and continue on. We are thankful for what we have, and believe me, the if-onlys never make us happy in the long run. (Tell Sanibel lady story.)

What makes us happy? Our spouses, family, friends, and groups online encourage us as mothers, spouses, fathers, grandparents, and caregivers to remember that bringing up our children is the most important thing we do. Maybe your list is different, but think about this and list all the things that make you happy.

You are enough because you are giving your time, your talents, and your resources to raise children who I pray love and serve our Lord and are wonderful adults someday. The Inspire series coming up next is my way of helping you with some key points in parenting, in education, and in our lives to focus on what is truly important.

Do you believe you are enough now? I pray you do!

The post Moms, Your Are Enough appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Are you aware that the minds and hearts of our children are being undermined? In the past, this happened quietly without our notice; however, now, it is out in the open. In this podcast, we discuss a way to counter the enemy of the family.

Thanks to our sponsor, CTCMath.com – check out their amazing software for K-12. Math that works!

This was not the topic or theme I wanted to discuss today, but unfortunately, it became a topic of grave importance when I stumbled upon a post by what I would call insidious and created by an evil person who is out to undermine parents everywhere.  I was shocked to learn that many are out in the open, unapologetic, and right under the nose of most parents. More on this in a bit.

In the past, we worried about subliminal messages on records and music, whether or not a painting had things drawn in that were not age-appropriate or if a movie had a character that was not of our liking or against a religious or moral belief. One time, as an adult watching a movie, I gasped in shock, and when my husband asked why, I said that one character had her upper half exposed for a brief second! We could not believe it and warned our daughter about this popular “family-friendly” princess film at the time.

At one point, it was just a little here and there, and while it was present in children’s television and movies, most parents were warned and could make informed decisions. In fact, if you were like me, you would research and preview films before you allow the children to view them. Even those sites are lacking at times. I, for one, do not like Common Sense Media; why? I looked up a movie rated “R,” and when I read the reviews on this “family-friendly” rating site, it was given three stars instead of the minus one it deserved. It contained nudity, smoking pot, and profanity. Is that all? (My go-to for ratings are Plugged In or Christian Answers with a review of Harold and The Purple Crayon. (I wanted to take the kids to this one, but we will sit it out.)

Yet, while all of this is valid and of concern, what if I told you there is a known (said on air) out there, applauded by some people in our society, that is (said on air) children to disobey their parents? I heard a brief montage with the overall theme of disobeying and disrespecting your parents! I was reading the news, which, truthfully, I try to avoid, and this was shared on my X Feed. I didn’t want to watch it and normally would have scrolled over it. However, I’ve been praying about starting a podcast that talks specifically to children. I have done several “Just For Kids” episodes that speak to the heart of a child. These episodes are within the context of Vintage Homeschool Mom, and I encourage the parents to listen with their children. The content focuses on good behavior, being a member of a family, and honoring your parents. And, now, I will take it to prayer and consider a stand-alone episode.

Choosing Good Behavior – Just For Kids

50 Summer Projects – Just for Kids

Now, back to my initial concern after listening to the person telling children to disobey.

The overall advice was how to subvert your parents. Here is the nutshell version: (Details are on air.)

Sickening. Disturbing. Heartbreaking.

Sure, some kids may be confused for a season, and this person is the reason. He is encouraging children to be disobedient to the people who care and feed them, to those who love and nurture, and to those who truly have a stake in their well-being. As this man teaches children how to disobey their parents, he is conversely telling them to obey him as if this person, whose sanity is perhaps in question (sorry for being judgmental here), has all the answers. He has no moral answers, that is for darn sure!

We teach our children to ask questions if they do not understand what we are asking, but not as a way to stonewall us or make us angry. In this situation, he is asking children to be combative, purposely disobedient, and hurtful.

Secondly, “Feel no guilt?” So, he is teaching that if you feel bad for being a disobedient child, you should ignore this feeling. Friends, God gives us all a built-in moral compass that we, as parents, should nurture in our children. The way we do this is to praise good behavior, encourage our children to make wise choices, and give our children the ability to explore the world around them in wholesome ways. Yet, to purposely tell a child not to be morally bound to listen to their parents is offensive and hurtful; it is downright evil.

And lastly, limit contact. If your child has pulled away from you, examine the reason why. There are people out there who tell our children that limiting contact with their parents is the best way to keep from getting swayed from a bad way of thinking to a good way of thinking. This makes perfect sense in the world of moral decay. If you avoid contact with what is good and holy, you become good and holy, but if you surround yourself with what is evil, then the outcome is as expected.

This person used terms like “bully” and “narcissistic” to describe parents in general. He said we (parents) only talk about ourselves and care about ourselves (in response to our children’s needs.) Typical responses from parents, he claims, are as follows:

You, dear parent, are so overwhelmed with homeschooling, parenting, finding enough money for groceries and other bills (and trying not to stress). Never mind the extra time to think! I get it; I’ve been there! But, this is so important. The people trying to influence our children are out there and ready.

Define Yourself and Your Kids:

Ask your children – who are you? (A child of God? A member of this family? A brother, a sister, or a son or daughter? Then, define yourself to your children. I am your mom (or dad), love you, and want what is best for you. If you ever need to talk to me, I am here for you. We are a family; we love God, go to church, and/or … fill in the blank with what defines you and your family. Be sure to let your children know how much you love and respect them, and encourage them whenever you can.

Family First:

We are a team! We spend time together because we are a family. Explain that your family comes first. The needs and wants of each person in the family are equally important.

Sure, someone may be sick from time to time or need extra attention, but parents should be sure that their children are not falling through the cracks. I heard a term “glass children” and I will podcast about this on a future episode, these are children who feel that no one sees them because others in the family are in such dire need. Perhaps there is another need in the family, but you are a family together. Care for each other and protect each other–we are there for each other, no matter what!

Fundamental Option:

What is most important in your family? What is the most important decision(s) you make? Make sure the kids are aware. Is it a set of rules (respect) for you and for each other, faith (church on Sunday, no matter what), family meals, or no phones at the table? Whatever the rule or importance to your family, be sure it is made clear.

Good Morals

Do we teach our children good character traits and morals and do this by example? The best way to teach is by example, but it is also through role-playing and working through character activities as a family. I’ve created two 12-pack Character Counts Workbooks (Links here: Character Counts –12 Pack and Character Counts, Two- 12 pack), but there are many ways you can do this in real-time. If you forget to pay for an item, bring it back and take the kids. (Yes! I know.) If you run into a car backing up (tell a story), leave a note on the windshield. These things have a bigger impact on your child’s character than you realize.

(Share story)

Get Unplugged

Be sure you have control over your child’s devices, but realize this is not enough. Even the library app isn’t safe. If you can pay for the extra protections on your internet service plan and your cell phone plan. Or put protections and a password on your kid’s phone and iPad, computers that only you know and can access.

If our children are not exposed to the filth while under our care, the odds are that they will grow up to be well-adjusted adults. In our family, prayer and God were a big part of our homeschool journey. We had days when we fasted from television or sweets as a family. We practiced the 40 days leading up to Easter (Lent) as a family; the kids even joined us while in college. We have a family cell phone loop where we post prayers for each other or celebrate Holy Days and remembrances.

This could only happen because I began it when we homeschooled. Look at your homeschool curriculum and be sure to add part or all of these things over the year. Celebrate things with just your family—friends are great, but family time is often limited and so precious!

I have much more to say on this topic, especially on how we can use our words to encourage our children to seek their own answers that have a moral foundation. One way to do this is to use short teaching lessons as we live our lives. Next week’s podcast will focus on the four questions to ask your children about the future, dignity, relationships, and accountability. In fact, it will be an ongoing series covering each of these points because it is so necessary!

I will pray for you as you navigate a society that prays upon the hearts and minds of our children!

The post Fighting For The Minds and Hearts of Our Children appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

There is hope! Are you ready for time management that will help you to reclaim your day and feel good at the end? Is this too good to be true? No, it is a reality, and if I can do it, you can as well. How does it happen? Well, very easily with one sheet of paper and four squares. Today I will help you figure out the main issues that steal your time and the hope on how to reclaim it.

Thanks to our sponsor CTCMath, a wonderful Math curriculum for the entire family of school-aged children. This one-stop shop has grades K-12; check it out. Homeschoolers can save 50%!

Does your day lack focus? Are you overwhelmed with the shuffling of papers, trying to get school “done,” and keeping up with the household chores? You can see why there is such burnout among moms, especially moms who homeschool. Even at the beginning of the year! I have to say I struggled with this for many years, and it left me feeling tired, defeated, and like I wasn’t getting anything accomplished each day. I felt like a young mom with little children. If I kept everyone safe by the end of the day, it was a win!

However, I wanted so much more. Especially for those who are new to homeschooling or even if you are a pro, you need the help that comes from getting all of your ducks in a row. Let me cut to the chase here. I was out of time because my time was managing me instead of the other way around. What was interrupting my day? What’s getting in the way of time management?

I had a defeatist attitude and could not wait until my husband came home so I could dump all of my daily woes on him, and guess what? That didn’t work out too well. My husband ran his own business and often needed my help to do the payroll or help with management and the details of filing payroll taxes, filling out forms, and so much more.

Fast forward, and we raised five kids and have not one but three businesses that we run out of our homes successfully. How did this happen? Believe me, it was not overnight, but now I can share those tips and techniques with you, and these are even better than what I had in my toolbox at the time.

I think that is important to note that many times we think an issue is one problem when it is really something else. Another issue with time management is that we have false expectations or, perhaps, no expectations at all! So first, it is homework time. I am going to encourage you to stop this recording and write out your most pressing need and what you hope to accomplish. What is your main expectation? Is it a peaceful home? Does happiness that surpasses all understanding? Is it kids that get along, laundry washed, dried and folded, and put away in one day? Is it meals planned? What is that? What is important to you?

So the first thing to do is look at your expectations, hopes, and dreams and break them down into a day, week, month or even a year. Remember the old saying, “Rome wasn’t built in one day.” But I am going to add my Felice twist here –  “But the fires that destroyed Rome were set on purpose.”

What fires are you setting for yourself? I’ve looked at my expectations and goals and realized that they were so grandiose and my expectation so unattainable that I was setting myself up for failure. It wasn’t going to happen even with a household of full-time employees! So, let’s get realistic. I’m not going to tell you the platitudes I’ve read like, “make every minute count,” or “delegate,” or “make easy-to-serve meals.” This is a duh, duh, and double duh. We are talking about surviving the day here. But what I will tell you is that you need to use what you have on hand.

I’m an author, which I do believe most of you know, and years ago, my daughter wanted to write a novel. I told her, “Christina, I don’t know how to write a novel,” and she said, “Mom, we are homeschoolers. We will figure it out.”

Moms and Dads, if you are listening. You may or may not be homeschoolers – but if there is something you want to do, you can figure it out. The one novel turned out to be three and sold in catalogs such as Christian Book Distributors, currently on Amazon and my website, MediaAngels.com, and have been around the world. We figured it out.

Kids always seem to be number one when they should not hold that revered position. As a Christian, the first thing that should be on the list is a time of prayer. I’ve talked about this before, but the days I did not wake up, grab a cup of coffee, my Bible and have a short prayer session with the Lord was the day that all heck broke loose.

So, we need to rearrange the list and have it look something like this.

Lastly, the key here – how to do it how to get organized. Fast Track.

Whatever you use make it work for you! Make it your own. I really do believe you can figure this out and reclaim your time. Time management is you managing time and making an effort to not allow it to manage you!

Resources: Past Vintage Homeschool Moms Podcasts and Show notes to help you!

The post Time Management For Parents | Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

There are many educational philosophies in general but not many for homeschooling. Homeschooling for excellence is a way to encourage your children to grow and excel in the homeschool environment. In this podcast, Felice shares tips on successful outcomes in your homeschool journey.

How do you homeschool for excellence when you can barely get your teen kids up in the morning, and yet the younger kids are up before dawn? It can and will happen, but it takes a homeschool-for-excellence mindset. It is the way we think about homeschooling. Listen, no one wants to be told how to homeschool their kids; I get that. As homeschool parents and families, we are very strong-willed and independent people. We are, in essence, swimming against the current, and it would be easier in a sense to send our children off in the morning and let someone else deal with their education. But at what cost? In the society in which we live, many of us are shocked when we find out what is being taught in our schools, especially public schools. This curtain was drawn back during the 2020-2021 school year, and many parents have not recovered from the shock.

Thanks to our sponsor, CTCMath.com, It is due to our sponsors that we are able to bring quality homeschool-focused podcasts and great curriculum providers to your attention. Check them out.

Homeschooling for excellence involves how we regard our homeschooling journey. Here is a short list of reasons why people homeschool.

There are so many other reasons why people homeschool. I started because my educational background was in special needs, with an elementary and early childhood education degree. My struggling learner did not fit into the private school mold. Public education was not an option for me; having spent two years teaching in a broken system, I saw firsthand how children were left behind. Over the years, it has changed to a focus on our Catholic/Christian faith, values, and an emphasis on excellence.

Ask Yourself:

Excellence is a state of mind. It is how we see our homeschool journey going, and it is how we expect our children to succeed.

Years ago, a family came out of nowhere and wrote a book, Homeschooling For Excellence-here. The book highlighted their four children and how they went to Ivy League colleges. This set off a firestorm among homeschoolers. Everyone wanted to be like this family, and this family was put on a pedestal. I watched interviews with this family at the time, and they were surprised by all the attention. Why was this so amazing? Because excellence and success in the outcome results were unheard of at the time. Now, homeschoolers have a track record. Homeschooling is mainstream, many young people in sports homeschool and many young people excel in the flexibility of the homeschool schedule.

I was a conference speaker during this time and was approached by countless parents about my homeschool philosophy and one of the questions they asked, “Do you want your children to attend an Ivy League school?” The answer will surprise you.

“No.”

That was not my goal; my goal for success was well-rounded children who had a good educational foundation, who loved the Lord and their family, and who demonstrated good character and a virtuous life. I wasn’t 100% successful, but I am happy to report that three of my children graduated from college, with their faith intact and strong, with Magnum Sum Laude and Cum Laude honors. Two of these children were struggling learners at one time. One of my sons is an entrepreneur who is highly successful, and the other is a Lyft Driver (currently) who is kind and courteous to his customers and has a five-star rating.

Here is what I’ve found in my own homeschool journey, as well as those I’ve talked to throughout my ten years on this podcast and thirty-two years of homeschooling. It all starts with us. The parents, the caregivers, and those who want our children to be successful. How do you approach your homeschool? What do you expect out of your children? Do we expect our kids to be the best they can be, or do we just want to get through the day so we can throw in a load of laundry in peace?

The solution is to expect that your children will excel and have the goals explained to each of them. The best way I can explain this is to give you an example of my own homeschooling. I realized early on that my kids were super bright but struggling with reading, spelling or retention of math. Yet, I didn’t throw up my hands and make accommodations for them; I expected them to learn and do it well. Did we take things slower at times? Yes–but progress was still made.

I found a curriculum that worked; when it didn’t, I used something else. I used a hands-on approach, and we had many, many field trips that reinforced what we were studying and learning. My children excelled and looked forward (at times) to homeschooling. They knew what was expected.

I know I’m being repetitive, but it works. My grandchildren can be a handful at times. I love having them spend the night and recently had four of them, ages 11 to 5, three boys and one girl, for an evening and an entire day. The first thing I do is explain my expectations, often talking about myself in the third person! “Grandma expects you to listen when I talk and to follow the rules. You must ask me before you go outside, and if you want to go swimming, I need to be with you. I also expect you to be kind to each other with no yelling and talking mean.” Then, I ask them to tell me what my expectations are and ask questions. I then ask the children what will happen if they do not do what is asked. (The threat–which I’ve never had to follow through with is to call their parents to pick them up so that they could go home.)

The kids are young, but they are smart enough to know that they will have a wonderful time here, and being on their best behavior is a small price to pay for having fun.

Kids are smart, and as my husband says, they are gamblers. They are betting that you will not follow through, but I have a track record for following through with their mother and they have all heard the story. It only takes one time of following through to get the results we would like to see and the results are well worth it.

While expectation is key, surrounding yourself with like-minded families is important as well. We encourage each other, and we work together for common goals. But that, too, can be a bit much. I participated in homeschool co-ops only when my children were younger. These were parent-taught and led; we all took turns teaching a specific topic or unit. But, I pulled out of them with all of my children in the high school years. This seems counterproductive and against what I see many parents doing. The reason is that I wanted my children to learn independently and to research without being told what is right and what is wrong, with me available to help, to discuss, and to direct the learning. This independence and direction helped my college-bound children when they found their classmates were sheep wanting to “know” the right answer without challenging the professor. (Yes, this can backfire–but it is important that your children are independent thinkers).

How can we have independent thinkers who are good, wholesome, and honorable? It takes a good foundation. For our family, this foundation is strong in the Bible and in examples of godly men and women who lived virtuous lives. I read my children so many books that emphasized this type of behavior. We had open discussions, and my children challenged me, and I challenged them. My husband and I were available for our children.

Friends, excellence is whatever you make it, stay strong, join our homeschool podcast family and share your thoughts with me!

The post Homeschooling For Excellence appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

This episode sponsored by CTC Math.

There are secrets, and then there are homeschooling secrets that you should know. This podcast is not for the faint-hearted! Here we will discuss the truth that, as the Scriptures say, will set you free! This podcast is brought to you by Felice Gerwitz, who will share her top tips for her thirty-two years of homeschooling. Buckle up!

Would you like an open-it-and-go unit study for the entire family? Try Media Angels, unit studies, and great planners to get organized. These can be found on the store page at MediaAngels.com

As a young married woman with my first child on the way, I didn’t consider homeschooling, nor was it on my radar. Many years later, I found myself at playgroups with a toddler and hearing people discuss the possibility, so I did what any sane person would do and talked them out of the idea. After all, did they have teaching degrees or certifications as I did? I wasn’t planning on homeschooling but returning to teaching once my school-aged children were enrolled.

What happened instead was after some frustrating meetings with the school system, it turned out my oldest child had mild learning issues and was speech delayed. I placed him in a private school and my daughter in a high-end-high-dollar preschool. I began to research and met a friend whose husband was a doctor, and she herself had a master’s in education and began homeschooling her daughter. She helped me put things in perspective.

After my first frustrating year, I found that I had to make my own decisions and what worked best for my family. Other than following whatever the laws are in your state (and I would have moved if our laws were like some states which mandate what books you can use), we were free to learn in a way that was best for my kids.

I’ve broken these secrets down into various categories. The first is just general information about how to look at homeschooling, the second regards parenting, the third is practical, regarding curriculum, and the last is important in regard to household chores and meals.

So here you go some top-secret tips to help you in your homeschool planning:

Overall the secret to homeschooling is to be true to yourself and your goals and vision. Once I lost that, I floundered. With my oldest two, I had more energy being younger, more resources, and more time overall. When I had my next three after a gap of some years (My story is here), my oldest daughter reminded me to make learning fun for my youngest kids. I did this by adding some hands-on activities like science fair projects and history fairs, giving them time to think and delve into their interests. I also added extracurricular activities like sports; my children, the youngest three, were very good athletes and played competitively and in college. This focus and motivation helped tremendously in their school work.

My homeschool journey felt never-ending at times, but I was committed and all in – the result is we have a family that is very close to each other. My youngest kids even roomed together for a year in college. I have kids who love the Lord and are faithful and, best of all, who know that we are there for them no matter what lies ahead. We are a family, and we are there for each other. And that is the best outcome I could hope for, and I pray that for all of you as well.

The post Homeschooling Secrets appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Do your children exhibit good character and values? What is the difference? We struggle occasionally to instill good behavior in our children; in this podcast, we will discuss how you can demonstrate and discuss good behavior in a way that sticks.

Many families are planning for back-to-school. Even though summer is still in full swing, there is an eye to school in the near future. For homeschoolers, it is important to teach academics, but many of us focus on virtues and good character as well. When my two little ones fought (it seemed 24/7), it alerted me to a problem that needed to be addressed. One time, I stopped school, placed them each in a chair facing the other, and said, “You two need to work out your problem. You are the only ones in your “class,” and if you don’t get along, this is going to be a miserable year.” I appealed to them to work together instead of against each other. I also told them that while “school” and “academics” are essential, their getting along was more important to me, and things needed to change.

I then walked away (within hearing distance) and listened to them work it out. Sure, voices were raised, and tears flowed, but eventually, they agreed to stop fighting. One of my children said, “If you just listened to me, things would be easier.” Insert head smack here!

That sounded like something I would say, and it brought home the truth. My children modeled my behavior and mirrored my words to them.

We all want our children to exhibit good values, and if you are like me, you’ve spent many dollars on books on character qualities. While we are told good character is to be caught and not taught, a balance must happen in this thought process.

Which are important to you and your family?

I once heard a sermon on values and the ones most important to leading a good life. Values are the building blocks of the Christian moral life, but there is more. Values are habits that help us choose what is right and good, basically doing the right thing. Being good. Easier said than done!

What are good habits? These are things that are demonstrated and exhibited.

First, character qualities are core values instilled in our children through example or lack of example and reinforced. Character is then exhibited in actionable traits or values that manifest in different life incidents. Sometimes, we look at our children (I know I do) and are amazed that they exhibit qualities we didn’t know they had — for example, I have a son who is very quiet. He doesn’t say much in a family of talkers unless it is really important to him. Yet, recently, at my daughter’s wedding rehearsal, he asked the person in charge (at the church) if they could practice processing down the aisle again. It was haphazard the first time; the wedding coordinator provided by the church was not in the back of the church telling people when to process down and when to wait, and it was disorganized.

He took charge, and truly, it was a good thing. He did this not because of a sense of righteousness, or I know better than you, but more so for a sense of justice, determination, and competency. He felt the entire first trial was a mess. What surprised me was his determination and fearlessness about what others might think. My husband and I chuckled slightly to see this in our son, who is 28 now.

Our children have watched my husband and I start our own businesses and watched good times and struggles. They have watched us budget and work around obstacles that happen from time to time. Once, the three youngest wanted a dog, and when I told them there was no money in the budget to buy one, they pooled their resources, looked online, and found a rescue. It still cost them $100 combined, but they pooled their money, lots of it loose change, and raised the money for the dog we had for over sixteen years.

Simply put, children learn values by observing what you do and drawing conclusions about what you think is important in life. Regardless of what you consciously teach them, your children will emerge from childhood with clear views of their parent’s values and a well-developed value system.

Many adjectives describe values, and I will probably use the words value and character interchangeably. Still, my shortlist, for the sake of focussing on behavior, includes the following alphabetically—this is not the order of importance, just how my list looks.

*Take some time to research a list of values and character traits that you would love to see your children exhibit, and make your own top 10 or 20.

So, how will this be implemented? Kids learn values by watching those around them; they draw conclusions. What are these conclusions? We won’t know unless we talk to them and learn how they process the information. A child’s idea of righteousness typically surrounds how things affect them. It doesn’t matter how you purposely teach them. They will form their own ideas of what is right and what is wrong. If you demonstrate your values in a clear way, it will have an impact on them as well.

For example, have you walked out of the grocery store only to find a jar of jam stuck in the corner that was not charged on your receipt? How difficult is it to load everyone back out of the car, and walk in the store, and go to customer service and pay for the jar of jam? Very. Yet, if a parent does this, it will set an example of how important it is to be honest, even when it is highly inconvenient. I remember one incident where I was leaving the bank, and a car was parked incorrectly, and when I backed up, I nicked the number. No one was in the parked car, yet I pulled over and left a note on the windshield with my name and phone number to exchange insurance information. Again, while it was difficult and upsetting (my SUV tank had no damage), I had to show my children that even when something happens and it is wrong and “no one sees,” doing the right thing is so important.

I watched a friend do a similar thing. I saw them run into another car, look around–apparently to see if anyone was looking, and take off from the parking lot. My estimation of this person and my respect went downhill. Why didn’t I report it to the car owner? Because the car was mine. There was a small dent, and again I was driving a seven-year-old large SUV, yet whether or not my car was old or new it was not right to take off and leave without letting me know. I never had the dent fixed; only my children knew about it.

What do you think? Should I have approached this “former friend?” That is something, perhaps, I should have done.

Or what about learning that my curriculum had been used verbatim in another science textbook without obtaining my permission? I contacted the large company, whose answer was, “We put a link to purchase your book on your website.” Yes, they did in the footnotes at the back of the book, where no one looks. At the time, I didn’t have the money or resources to hire an attorney and fight it. However, I did ask them to take it out of future reprints, and they did unless they wanted to obtain my permission and give me a footnote within the body of the text. They declined and removed it from future printings. This was a Christian company.

Sadly, as a Christian, I’ve noticed that that alone does not mean the person is honorable or just. Does Judeo/Christian faith increase a person’s chance of having good values? Yes. Unfortunately, we all know people who break that rule, and sadly, some of them are former close friends or, even tragically, within our own family.

We can “preach” without words, and I will be the first to admit that it is not easy. Truthfully, it is a painful lesson for all of us to be the main people our children look toward for what is good, righteous, honest, and just! You can buy the best curriculum in the world; demonstration is still the best. I created a 24-book series of activities for parents to use with their children (and I’m working on 12 more for the future) that include a list of questions you ask your children and have them answer or demonstrate in a small group. These are activities I did with my own family as a homeschooler. Check them out! Character 12 pack here and another 12-pack here.

The goal is to have enjoyable children who we enjoy having around us. Are all five of my children enjoyable? No, and from time to time, even as young adults, we share our displeasure over behavior, but it is minimal. They are now adults, and I am very proud of the people they have become.

Don’t lose heart if you feel it is an uphill battle. Keep at it. Demonstrate to your children, and have them demonstrate to you the ways they can improve their character. Role-playing works! Even with older teens. Ask them questions or discuss real scenarios. Situations happen all the time, especially if your children are involved in outside activities, sports, and lessons. These situations are perfect for discussing justice and injustice.

My young son and I traveled out of town while he played on a travel baseball team. He was a pitcher, and one of the coaches who was a dad also had a son who was a pitcher. My friends kept coming up to me and asking why they were not putting Mike in as he was a better pitcher, and I shrugged and didn’t have a good answer. Yet, another mom approached me and commented, “I’m amazed at your son’s character; look at him!” I had not noticed, but he was rooting on his team, pulling waters out of the cooler for players coming in, and encouraging those who sat there discouraged. Ultimately, we lost the game, and the team was disheartened walking to our cars.

I hugged my son and suggested we go to Cracker Barrel on the way home for dinner as a celebration. He was surprised, but I shared what I noticed (after it was pointed out – because this was behavior I had come to expect from him, caring for others). We had a great time. We purchased a mini checker set and a triangle puzzle and played while we waited for our dinner. It took longer to get home, but when we arrived, my husband, who had taken our daughter and another son to games in town that weekend, applauded him for his good sportsmanship. This son is currently a First Luitenant serving in the Army.

Friends, we can only do our part, and it isn’t easy. Demonstrating values, good character, and good sportsmanship, especially when we feel our children have been slighted or wrong, is not easy. We have taken drastic steps when necessary. My daughter played softball on a team at a college in Missouri, where she received a full academic scholarship. After her home run on her birthday, she rarely played again. There were too many girls on the team, and there were favorites, and she was not one of them. It happens. But that, combined with the toxic anti-Christian atmosphere on campus, caused us to encourage her to try out at another school (a university where my youngest son attended). She made the team and received a much lesser scholarship, but it was a fabulous move for her in the long run. She graduated Summa Cum Laude with a master’s degree, all the while playing softball, a game she enjoyed.

I could share so many other stories. We are not a perfect family. My Italian temper came out more times than I am proud to admit, but I want to encourage you in this podcast as you plan a strategy for your homeschool year. We keep moving toward the goal of kids who listen at home because they will listen outside the house and be responsible citizens and valued members of our society. We desperately need this, and our homeschool community is the hope I see for our humanity!

The post Values and Children appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

In this episode of the Vintage Homeschool Moms podcast, Felice Gerwitz is joined by special guest Terra Jenner to look into the critical role of auditory training in education. Terra shares invaluable insights on how auditory processing can significantly impact reading, spelling, and comprehension skills.

This episode sponsored by CTC Math.

Special Guest: Terra Jenner

Host: Felice Gerwitz

Episode Highlights:

Do you have a child who struggles academically?

This episode is packed with practical tips and insights that can help improve your child’s learning experience through auditory processing training. Terra Jenner’s expertise will provide you with new strategies to support your child’s academic journey.

Tune in to this episode to unlock the potential of auditory processing in your homeschool curriculum.

The post Sound Strategies: Boosting Academic Success with Auditory Processing appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.