Lifeschooling | Love in Homeschooling

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Love in homeschooling, a special Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network episode from Life as a LifeschoolerOn this very special episode of Life as a Lifeschooler, I talk about Love in Homeschooling. 

What an honor it is to recognize the work of Felice Gerwitz and 10 years in homeschool podcasting on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network!

➡️Episode Sponsored by the 10th Birthday Celebration Sponsors, CTC Math & More on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network ✔️ out the $350 giveaway, too!

Love in Homeschooling – Exploring how love plays a central role in homeschooling

Over time, love has become a central focus of my Christian walk, as I’ve realized how impactful this one concept of loving others can be. Jesus says that all the law and the prophets are summed up in “love God, love your neighbor as yourself.” If one thing can cover so much ground, it must be essential that we understand it!

In a very basic sense, when we homeschool our children, we are loving our neighbor as ourselves. We remember what school was like for us and we want better for them. We are sacrificing our own opportunities for income, self-fulfillment, and achievement in order to see our children successful and fulfilled.

But there are times we forget this motivation. Or the motivation becomes cloudy, tainted by the pressures, fears, and worldly ambitions we allow to enter our hearts.

So it’s good to be reminded of what love really is. If we want to truly love, we must know what exactly love is. And to know exactly what love is, we must turn to the Bible’s definition in 1 Corinthians 13, the “love chapter.”

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Moms, you can have the perfect homeschool curriculum and teach with eloquence and simplicity, but if you don’t have love, you will fail your kids.

You can even do it in the power of the Holy Spirit, according to this chapter, and still fail your kids! That’s how important love is to everything you do in life. In fact, love was so important to God that He sent Jesus to die for us. Love is at the very core of the Gospel!  So we need to have a full understanding of it.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Now, let’s look at what love is…

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Patient

Are you patient in teaching your children about 56 times in a day that 7×8 is 56? Are you patient in teaching them how to do their chores quickly and diligently? Or is your goal to check off the boxes and be done?

Kindness

Do your children see you as an example of kindness? When they talk back and disrespect you, do you respond “in kind” or with kindness (and discipline, of course)?

Does Not Envy or Boast

Pride is the opposite of love. Pride is all about self, not God and others.

If you are busy making yourself feel accomplished from the shiny, perfect children you have raised, then your homeschooling is not about love. It is about boastfulness in your own achievements. If you look at others whose kids graduated high school at age 13 and think, “That’s not so great. We could have done that if we had wanted to,” then you may have an envious heart that has no room for love.

Not Arrogant or Rude

This again comes back to a prideful heart that is not focused on others. If you think you don’t need the advice or opinions of others in your homeschooling journey, then first of all, why are you here? 😉 And secondly, you may be arrogant.

Arrogance often leads to rudeness. When someone gently and lovingly corrects your parenting or offers a kind word of advice, do you respond rudely? When your children respectfully correct your teaching, pointing out an error in something you say, do respond graciously, thanking them for the information, or do you speak to them rudely? Is your instant reaction, “You’re being disrespectful!”?

Does Not Insist on its Own Way

Do you insist on doing school in a way that works for you as the teacher? Or do you submit your own comfort to the needs and desires of your children in their learning?

Not Irritable or Resentful

Do you have to have your cup of coffee before you can be nice? Do you resent your children for keeping you from pursing your own career or hobbies? Or do you consider it a joy to sacrifice your own desires for the sake of their callings (and your highest calling)?

Does Not Rejoice at Wrongdoing, but Rejoices with the Truth

Are you more focused on the wrongdoing of your children than what is good and true? Are you almost happy when you finally catch them doing something you had suspected of them so you can finally dole out the punishment they deserve? Or do you focus on their good behavior and rejoice when they choose to do right and follow truth?

Bears All Things

Do you bear all the frustrated tears? The arguments? The lack of confidence? Do you encourage your children and give them a break when they are tired and burned out on school work?

Believes All Things

Do you believe the best when your children fail? Do you try to see their hearts and give grace, even thought discipline may still be required?

Hopes All Things

Do you tend to focus on the positive or the negative? Do you rest in the hope we have in Christ, that He is our strength and our “very present help in time of trouble”? Or do you allow fear to cripple you in your homeschooling and cause you to believe the enemy’s lies about your children’s future? Perfect love casts out fear! 1 John 4:18

Endures All Things

Are you in it for the long haul or are you swayed by your feelings and doubts? If you are homeschooling out of love, you will endure the hardest days because you know spending each day with your child is the best way to get to his heart. If your decision to homeschool was made because of love, you will continue to homeschool because of love and nothing will move you.

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

“Knowledge will pass away.” It is only a tool for advancing God’s Kingdom on this earth in the short time we have. Love is what really matters and what will transcend anything we can possibly teach.

“More is caught than taught.” We’ve all heard that phrase and it’s certainly true here. No matter how biblical your teaching; no matter how diligent you are with discipline; no matter how much information you manage to fill their brains with, if you are not doing it all in love, they will “catch” that and learn the lessons you are not meaning to teach. Children know whether they are being loved or controlled.

If you want to have a successful homeschool, with children who grow up to love and serve the Lord with their gifts, let Holy Spirit-empowered love be the central, guiding force in your homeschooling!

 

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!


 

 

Lifeschooling with Boys – Hal and Melanie Young | Replay

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Hal and Melanie Young - boysOn this episode of Life as a Lifeschooler, I talk with Hal and Melanie Young about their homeschooling/lifeschooling journey and about what that looked like with boys.

Homeschooling Boys = Unique Challenges

Hal & Melanie are the award-winning authors of Raising Real Men, My Beloved and My Friend: How to Be Married to Your Best Friend Without Changing Spouses, and several other books. They are publishers, writers, bloggers, and popular conference speakers internationally, known for their Christ-centered focus and practical, real-life stories. They are the parents of six real boys (four grown!) and two real girls and live in noisy, messy happiness in North Carolina.

Here are some of the questions I asked in our interview:

I’m sure many of my listeners have heard you both speak, but tell us about your background. How did you start homeschooling?

Many homeschoolers bring the school model home because we all tend to just do what we know. Is there anything in particular that helped shape your educational philosophy?

The definition of lifeschooling is “the individualized process of discovering your child’s God-given gifts and talents primarily through real life experiences that happen within the context of your family’s unique situations and missions.” In your family, I know that mission aspect plays a large part. Can you share with us how your mission in encouraging homeschoolers played a part in your homeschooling? (In particular, with regard to technical skills, etc. that were learned in that context.)

How has homeschooling strengthened your relationships with your children?

What has been one of the most difficult times of homeschooling in your family?

What are some of the gifts that you saw early on in your children and how were you able to tailor their education around the development of those gifts?

When it comes to raising boys, tell us some practical tips, especially for those of us with very active young boys who can be hard to homeschool.

Hal and Melanie Young can be found at HalAndMelanie.com and their podcast can be heard at HalAndMelanie.com/radio. You can purchase their books and also find many other wonderful homeschooling books and resources, as well as gifts especially for boys in their online store at RaisingRealMen.com/shop.  Or if you need ideas, check out their special gift guide for boys at RaisingRealMen.com/giftguideforboys. (I mentioned Christmas gifts in the podcast, as this was recorded earlier, but there’s always time to shop for next year, right?!)

And that’s Life as a Lifeschooler! Be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. Hope you’ll join us next time!


This podcast is sponsored by Route 60: The Biblical Highway

Special Replay | Best Ways To Nurture Relationships With Your Child

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Let’s Talk About the Best Ways To Nurture Relationships With Your Child

Podcast Title: best way to nurture relationships with your child

Special Replay | Podcast # 157

The experts are in the house!

We will learn about the best ways to nurture relationships with your child! S

Whether you have one child or multiple children, we all want a good relationship with our kids. We want children who grow up wonderful, happy, and settled in life – and what better way than beginning their journey at home. In this broadcast, we discuss some tips as well as some ideas.

with Felice Gerwitz and Special Guests – Israel and Brook Wayne ~ Family Renewal … and Hal and Melanie Young ~ Making Biblical Family Life Practical

Special SponsorMedia Angels, Inc. – by homeschool moms for homeschool moms

MediaAngelsAd


Show Notes: Best Ways To Nurture Relationships With Your Child

Felice Gerwitz – Tips on the Best Ways To Nurture Relationships with your child

  1. Your relationship with your spouse (single parents – your relationship with the Lord)
  2. Love your kids enough to do what you need to do
  3. Be available
  4. Threatening and repeating parent
  5. Be the type of parent you wish you had

Israel and Brook Wayne – Tips on the Best Ways To Nurture Relationships with your child

Authors of “Pitchin’ A Fit” 

  1. Bring your child close to you when you discuss issues
  2. Correct in a different environment like outdoors on swings (Brook explains this on the audio)

Hal and Melanie Young – Tips on the Best Ways To Nurture Relationships with your child

  1. Little ones are real people
  2. Listen and interact
  3. Show delight
  4. Parenting styles change as they age
  5. Teens – talk them through
  6. Authentic praise
  7. Need to be there for them
  8. God gave us these children – He’ll provide
  9. Pray, repent, and apologize when needed – we all mess up

Photo credit – DepositPhoto.com All Rights Reserved. Copyright Wavebreakmedia

Valentine’s Day on a Budget – MBFLP 288

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Like it or not, February 14 is just around the corner. Maybe you’ve got big plans, but maybe you don’t have the funds for a romantic getaway. With eight kids and a limited budget, we’ve been there! This episode we’re talking about ways to make the most of the holiday without spending a fortune!

Why Celebrate Anyway?

The Bible describes several holidays which were instituted by God for the people of Israel. When they gathered to celebrate Passover, the Feast of Weeks, or the Feast of Tabernacles, the Jews were to take the occasion to remember God’s blessings in history and the present.

The holiday of Purim was created by the people themselves, to memorialize the nation’s deliverance from genocide (as recorded in the book of Esther). Even though it’s not a pilgrimage festival like the ones God commanded, the Bible does record the celebration of Purim in favorable terms. It’s easy to draw parallels to our own holidays, like the Fourth of July to celebrate our nation’s independence, or Thanksgiving to remember God’s blessings. They’re not mandated by Scripture but they are opportunities to talk about God’s working and God’s gifts.

Valentine’s Day may be low on the priority list, as “holy days” go, but we think it’s a good time to think about our relationship with our mate and to enjoy some time to focus on one another. It’s like birthdays and anniversaries, but everyone celebrating the same day! We hope you have a good one –

(resources follow … )

Some Resources You May Find Interesting

Valentine’s resources including conversation starters (as mentioned in the program)

Our weekly email “LoveBirdSeeds”

Love poetry from the Bible

Special Replay: What To Do About Sibling Relationships?

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Sibling relationships. Sibling rivalries. Siblings fighting. We put out the question to our listeners and they responded with story after story of siblings who know how to tease, fight and use sarcasm like professionals.Special Replay:  We received a message on the HomeschoolingIRL Facebook page that said, “Please, please, please do an episode on siblings fighting. Thanks!”

Sibling relationships. Sibling rivalries. Siblings fighting. We put out the question to our listeners and they responded with story after story of siblings who know how to tease, fight and use sarcasm like professionals.

On this episode, we dig into the topic of parenting through sibling relationships in your homeschool. Fletch and Kendra open up about their own family and share practical advice for handling those tricky, sticky moments when brothers and sisters want to be anything but best friends. We also announce our coffee contest winner and we each answer the question: “What Ben/Jerry’s ice cream flavor would you create and what would you call it?”

Music clips used on this show:

“George Street Shuffle” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Three Little Birds, Ziggy Marley (Click on link to purchase)

Pick A Little/Talk A Little, The Music Man (Click on link to purchase)


Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

 

Building a Family Culture – MBFLP 278

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

You can feel it when you walk in the door – families have a particular culture or personality! Whether intentional or not, every home will develop its own manner of living and interacting. The question is – how can you encourage a healthy family culture that will strengthen as it goes on? How can you avoid a negative, or even toxic, family life that drags everyone down?

Resources We Mentioned

Sonya Shafer at Simply Charlotte Mason

Podcast Episodes:

“Potty Mouth” – A Big Deal, or Not?“What should I do about my kids’ ‘potty mouth’?” asked a young father in our church. Learning appropriate behavior and speech patterns is part of socialization, but is there a bigger issue than being “socially acceptable”?

Encouraging More Edifying SpeechThe Bible says a lot about the power of the tongue – the question for us is, how do we train and encourage our families to speak in a more gracious and edifying way, when the culture around us grows more unkind and profane every day?

Raising Kids to Love Their SiblingsIs sibling rivalry just something to expect? Is it a foregone conclusion that our kids are going to be simmering with jealousy, rivalry, and unkindness toward one another? Or is there a way to promote friendship and affection between brothers and sisters? We have eight kids, and while they’ve had their moments of conflict, we’ve been blessed to see them grow in genuine love as they’ve matured. How can we foster this sort of relationship in the home?

Name-Calling and Why It’s ImportantSticks and stones … right? We’ve all heard that, and probably told our kids that one time or another. Yet name-calling is not only a plague of childhood, it’s actually a problem throughout life … and we adults are warned by Christ Himself to be wary of the temptation! This episode, we look at what the Bible says about a deceptively simple and “harmless” practice that can trip us up when we least expect it!

 

We Joined the Thirty-Percent Club!

We recently finished three events in Alaska (Sterling, Anchorage, and Fairbanks) and recorded this episode in a cabin between Fairbanks and Anchorage. It’s an amazing state!

Locals told us that only 30% of visitors actually get a clear view of Denali – but we did! We took this picture from Talkeetna, about sixty miles away. The day before, you couldn’t see any mountains whatsoever – the weather just covered that whole 20,000-foot peak. We consider ourselves blessed to get a sighting on our first trip – some people visit for years and never see it.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

We’ll be speaking at three major conferences in the coming weeks:

Be sure to stop by our booth and say hi!

Finding a Mate – MBFLP 232

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Finding a Mate

Does the Bible give us guidance on finding a mate? Of course – but it’s not as detailed as some of the more recent advice we’ve all heard. This episode we’re talking about some unmistakable – and non-negotiable – things the Scriptures tell us about guys and girls in relationship … but keeping in mind some things the Bible doesn’t say, too!

What’s non-negotiable?

Here are a few principles we think are clear:

Respect for parents – The Fifth Commandment is to “Honor your father and your mother,” and it’s repeated in both Testaments (Exodus 20:12 and Matthew 15:4, for example). Parents have experience and wisdom, and a young lover is well-advised to seek that wisdom out! Besides, they are probably a little more objective about the object of their child’s affection and may be able to raise an issue that’s being overlooked. (We do make a distinction, though, between the commandment to honor parents – aimed at all of us, at any age – versus commandments to obey parents, which are aimed specifically at children. Note the apostle Paul uses both words in Ephesians 6:1-3 but only to children in Colossians 3:20)

(more following …)

Some thoughts and advice about finding a mate ...

Sexual holinessFor this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; … For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. (1 Thessalonians 4:3, 7) The New Testament is full of warnings against sexual immorality, and specifically against fornication in many places. The ancient world thought it wasn’t a big deal and much of our own world thinks the same – but the Bible says they’re wrong.

Friendship with honor
– When the apostle Paul counseled the young pastor Timothy, he told him to threat younger women in the church “as sisters, with all purity.” (1 Timothy 6:2) There is space for friendship between unmarried singles, with that proviso – to be careful of virtue and reputation, just like you would toward a beloved sibling.

For believers – Don’t date unbelievers. Marriage was created by God for all of humanity, and it is open for all, but the Bible warns against becoming too intimate with someone who doesn’t share your faith (2 Corinthians 6:14-18). This passage is not talking about when one spouse becomes a Christian after the marriage – look at 1 Corinthians 7:10-16 for that situation. But we shouldn’t start out with that sort of uneven spiritual relationship.

As for the rest of the advice …

So much of the other advice we hear has to be balanced against clear Scripture, culture, circumstance, and practical application. Much family life teaching comes from Old Testament examples and illustrations – wisdom that isn’t expressed as commandment. Regulations about marrying a captive of war, official recommendations for elopement, and examples of marrying two sisters – at the same time – are there in the narrative. They have to be understood in context!

So in all seriousness, we do encourage our young people to find friendships with the opposite sex, in all purity, and consider the question of deeper relationships and marriage with both godly caution and godly cheerfulness!


Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor -Overcomer Movie

Life changes overnight for coach John Harrison when his high school basketball team’s state championship dreams are crushed under the weight of unexpected news. When the largest manufacturing plant in town suddenly shuts down and hundreds of families begin moving away, John must come to grips with the challenges facing his family and his team. Urged by the school’s principal to fill-in and coach a sport he doesn’t know or like, John is frustrated and questioning his worth… until he crosses paths with a student struggling with her own journey.
Filled with a powerful mix of faith, a twist of humor, and a ton of heart, the Kendrick Brothers return to theaters with OVERCOMER, their newest feature following FACING THE GIANTS, FIREPROOF, COURAGEOUS, and the #1 box-office hit, WAR ROOM. The inspiring family film stars Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer, Shari Rigby, Cameron Arnett, and introduces Aryn Wright-Thompson.

Opening nationwide on August 23, OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you?

Click here to learn more!


Help! My Daughter is Getting Married

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Finish Well Radio Show, Podcast #088, Help! My Daughter’s Getting Married, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network

Help! My Daughter’s Getting Married

In “Help! My Daughter’s Getting Married,” episode #088, Meredith Curtis talks to Moms of newly engaged couples who wonder what on earth they need to do next and over the next
few months to help their daughter pull off a wedding, since most wedding coordinators are
mothers of the bride. From the practical to the relational, you will receive wisdom from a
Mom whose coordinated two weddings so far.

 

 

 


Powerline Productions Bible Studies

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Being World Changers, Raising World Changers!

We offer books and ebooks to help you homeschool to the Glory of God!

 

 

 

 


Show Notes

You just found out!

Celebrate, invest emotionally, make a plan with the couple

Money

Make a Budget

Avoid Debt

Priorities (What matters most? What do you want to remember?)

Venue

Choose, Reserve, Downpayment for

Venues/Choose Date

Ceremony—Church, Garden, Other?

Reception—Fellowship Hall,

More Things to Line Up

Pastor/Premarital Counseling

Caterer or Do Food Self

Photographer

Clothing: Wedding Gown, Girl’s Dresses, Guys Tuxes

Bride & Groom Choose Support Team (wedding party)

Mom, you choose your support team because usually the wedding coordinator is you!

Decorations

What “feel” do you want?

Start a Pinterest

Details

Plan Ceremony/Itinerary

Plan Reception/Itinerary

Emcee

Music

Invitations

Photographer

Bridal Registry

Shower

Bridesmaid Luncheon

Resources

Ultimate Christian Wedding Planner by Meredith CurtisBefore the Vows are Made - Premarital Counseling Workbook for Engaged Couples by Pastor Mike and Meredith CurtisReal Men 102: Freedom, Courtship, Marriage, & FamilyGod's Girls 103: Courship, Marriage, and the Christian Family High School Class

How to Care for Aging Parents

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Finish Well Radio Show, Podcast #086, How to Care for Aging Parents with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Radio NetworkHow to Care for Aging Parents

In “How to Care for Aging Parents,” episode #086, Meredith Curtis encourages homeschooling parents whose parents are aging and needing their help and care. Sharing her own story, Meredith explains how to make wise choices, deal with the emotional turmoil, and make the most of a challenging time in your homeschool adventure. God has a plan! He also has enough grace to meet every need!

 

 

 

 


High School Curriculum by Powerline Productions

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Being World Changers, Raising World Changers!

We offer books and ebooks to help you homeschool to the Glory of God!

 

 


Show Notes

The arm of the Lord to protect Mom

Long years of sickness/Arriving at Hospital to see Dad, Grandmother in ER

Vacation at Ron Jon

Caught Between Two Worlds

Older woman caring for parents vs. young mom homeschooling children

Needing Momma & Daddy

Our Experience

What are the majors? Bare bones homeschooling, Seven R’s

Read, math, write, then add rest

Teachable moments at hospital

Greatest lesson—honoring parents

Unable to do it on own, learning to rely on the Lord

Grace, Always need Him, but can be self-sufficient

Receive forgiveness

Example of God’s Protection: Windshield I-95

Encouragement

Youcan’t do everything

Find God’s Priorities

Stay Cheerful—Glad Game

Perfusely Thank Children

Receive Help

Have Folks Pray for You

Major on Majors/Minor on Minors

 

Resources

Seven R's of Homeschooling by Meredith CurtisLovely to BeholdJesus Fill My Heart and Home by Meredith CurtisA Wise Woman Builds by Meredith Curtis

 

Don’t Waste Your Life

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Finish Well Radio Show, Podcast #085, Don't Waste Your Life with Meredith Curtis, on the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network

Don’t Waste Your Life

 

In “Don’t Waste Your Life,” episode #085, Meredith Curtis challenges teens to drop out the dull and routine to live a life worth living. She addresses lies that keep us from living joy-filled lives and how to exchange half-hearted hanging on for abundant zeal and passion. A life worth living is possible at 15 and at 50 if the desire is in your heart. So, shake off the dust, and let’s move on to the adventure God has for us!

 

 

 

 


PLP Ad - Galatians 5:22-23

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Being World Changers, Raising World Changers!

We offer books and ebooks to help you homeschool to the Glory of God!

 

 


Show Notes

Dull, Drudgery, Naps, & Video Games vs. A Life Worth Living!

My Story

Rebellion

Repentance

Rebirth

Real Living

Drawing Close to God

Pressing In

Pressing On

With All Your Heart

Overcoming Obstacles

Internet

The Opposite Sex

Gossip, Negative Talk

Self-Pity

Wrong Friends

Battle Ready

Spiritual Weapons

The Battle in the Mind

Standing Firm in Who You are in Christ

You are LOVED!

A Life Worth Living

Tell People about Jesus

Challenge Friends to Grow in the Lord

Serve

Healthy Relationships

Zeal/Passion/Energy

Outlets for Emotion: Music/Art/Poetry

HARD WORK:  Projects/Chores/Home Business

Family Ministry

J.O.Y.

 

Resources

Real Men 101: Godly ManhoodGod's Girls Brand New Life Bible StudyJoyful and Successful Homeschooling by Meredith CurtisReal Men 103: Leadership