I Love Homeschooling, But I’ll Tell You Its Flaws

June 23, 2026 by Leave a Comment
📚 Part of our guide: How to Start Homeschooling

This is one of Homeschooling IRL’s more honest, “hot potato” conversations. Fletch and Kendra interview a guest whose beliefs and choices differ from their own and from many listeners’ — not to endorse, but to model gracious, open dialogue. As they put it, when your identity is anchored in Christ, you can listen to anything without fear.

Special Replay: The Flaws and Benefits of Homeschooling
Homeschooling IRL — Episode 15 | Updated replay for 2026

From the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network. This episode is a special replay, updated for 2026. In it, veteran homeschooling parents Fletch and Kendra sit down with homeschool graduate Matthew Mason for one of their most-talked-about conversations — an honest, gracious look at the good, the hard, and the complicated of growing up in the Christian homeschool world.

Sponsor

This episode is brought to you by CTC Math.

Finding a math curriculum that works for your family can be a challenge! With CTCMath, all of your kids from K–12 can learn at their own pace with one family subscription. With a CTCMath membership, you have access to all grades and lessons, which means your children can work at whatever level is best for them — whether they need to catch up, keep up, or move ahead. CTCMath is offering listeners a half-price discount plus a bonus 6 months when you register for a 12-month membership. That means a complete online homeschool math curriculum for all your kids for 18 months! Learn more and claim the offer →

About This Episode

Matthew Mason is a homeschool graduate and a longtime friend of Fletch and Kendra’s family. Homeschooled K–12 and adopted before birth by a pro-life activist mother, Matthew grew up inside what he calls “the bubble” — a reformed, close-knit Christian homeschool community. As a young adult he came out as gay, left that community, and began searching for truth on his own terms. In this candid studio interview, he reflects on what homeschooling gave him and where it fell short.

Together they dig into the questions a lot of homeschool families are afraid to ask: What do we do when a child walks away from the faith or the lifestyle they were raised in? How do we love well when we disagree deeply? And how do we keep our hope anchored in Christ rather than in our parenting?

What Fletch & Kendra Talk About

  • The fear of raising a “prodigal” — and why hope shouldn’t rest in your parenting or results
  • “Hope shifting”: where homeschool parents quietly place their trust
  • Matthew’s story: adoption, the pro-life movement, speech competitions, and leaving the bubble
  • The pros of homeschooling — a tailored, interactive education from the person who knows the child best
  • The flaws — filtered books and music, a single worldview, and kids who never learn to think for themselves
  • How the church and homeschool community can respond with compassion instead of rejection
  • Listening to your kids — really listening — and keeping the lines of communication open

A Listener Note

This is one of Homeschooling IRL’s more honest, “hot potato” conversations. Fletch and Kendra interview a guest whose beliefs and choices differ from their own and from many listeners’ — not to endorse, but to model gracious, open dialogue. As they put it, when your identity is anchored in Christ, you can listen to anything without fear.

More From Homeschooling IRL

If this episode resonated, here are other Homeschooling IRL conversations referenced in it:

  • Love in the House — with Chris Jube, on a large homeschool family that decided to “figure out the love thing.”
  • How to Raise a Pagan Kid in a Christian Home (Ep. 13) — with Barrett & Jennifer Johnson.
  • Homeschooling Will Save Your Children — the two-part series on where our hope for our kids really belongs.
  • How Do I Talk to My Kids About Sex? (Ep. 16) — the follow-up episode, again featuring Barrett & Jennifer Johnson on their book The Talks.

More Shows on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

There’s a homeschool podcast for everyone on the network. A few you may enjoy:

Browse the full lineup at ultimateradioshow.com.

Connect With Homeschooling IRL

The Homeschooling IRL podcast is a production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network. This 2026 replay is sponsored by CTC Math.

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How to Handle Conflict With Tweens and Teens – MBFLP

January 21, 2026 by 1 Comment

Explore effective strategies for dealing with conflict with tweens and teens in your family. Learn practical and biblical responses.Dealing With Conflict With Tweens and Teens: Anger, Hormones, and Staying the Adult in the Room

Podcast: Making Biblical Family Life Practical with Hal & Melanie Young
Episode: Dealing With Conflict With Tweens and Teens (replay)

“Is it normal for a nine-year-old boy to be angry?”

In this episode, Hal and Melanie Young respond to a parent’s honest question—with a big backstory behind it. Family stress, pressure, and emotional overload can collide with early puberty changes and create what the Youngs call the “rage monster years.” The good news: while it can feel scary and personal, this season is often normal, predictable, and shepherdable.

You’ll learn how to respond biblically and practically when your tween or teen loses control—without escalating the conflict, losing your authority, or damaging the relationship.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn

  • Why hormonal emotional changes in boys often begin before physical changes are visible

  • How to recognize when your child’s anger is developmental vs. intensified by family stress

  • What to do when your tween/teen starts making wild accusations and blaming you for how they feel

  • Why parents must avoid “jumping on the roller coaster” and instead become the steady reference point

  • A practical step-by-step approach to conflict:

    • Stay calm

    • Pray immediately

    • Separate to cool down if needed

    • Listen first

    • Bring it to God’s Word

    • Address disrespect after they’re teachable

  • Why you “can’t discipline until they are teachable” (discipline as discipleship, not payback)

  • How modeling repentance and humility can increase respect, not reduce it

  • The long-term payoff: when you shepherd this stage well, the teen years can be sweet and strong

Key Talking Points

1) “Rage Monster Years” Can Start Earlier Than You Expect

Many parents expect emotional turbulence to begin with obvious puberty markers—but the hardest emotional changes often come first. Knowing this ahead of time helps parents respond with clarity instead of fear.

2) Don’t Take the Bait: Hormonal Anger Creates False Accusations

When kids feel angry for reasons they don’t understand, they instinctively look for a “cause.” Parents become the easiest target. If you respond emotionally, you accidentally validate their narrative.

3) Parents Must Stay Calm and Stay in Charge

Hal and Melanie emphasize that you are the adult in the room. Your child may feel out of control, but they should not be allowed to run the home emotionally. You don’t need your child’s permission to parent—God gave you that responsibility.

4) Don’t Discipline Mid-Meltdown

Correcting disrespect matters—but punishment in the middle of an emotional spiral usually escalates the war. The goal is to cool the fire, remove the fuel, and wait until the child can actually receive instruction.

5) Listen First to Preserve the Relationship

Listening doesn’t mean agreeing. It means showing your child they matter and that the relationship is secure. When you listen, you remove a common weapon: “You don’t care. You never listen.”

6) Take Conflict Back to Scripture

This episode reinforces that God’s Word carries more authority and power than parental frustration. A key reminder: “The wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God.” (James)

Recommended Resources Mentioned

  • Shepherding a Child’s Heart — Ted Tripp

  • The Heart of Anger — Lou Priolo

Encouragement for Parents in This Season

This stage can be one of the hardest—especially when family stress is already high. But Hal and Melanie share hope from their own parenting journey: when you shepherd your kids through this time with steadiness, humility, and biblical clarity, you can build a stronger relationship that pays dividends through the teen years.

Listen + Connect

Find more episodes and resources at HalandMelanie.com
Follow on Facebook: Facebook.com/RaisingRealMen and Facebook/HalandMelanie

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AI Companions: The Hidden Danger for Teens

November 12, 2025 by Leave a Comment

Ai companions - the hidden danger for teens

349: AI Companions: The Hidden Danger for Teens

We explore the alarming rise of AI companion usage among teenagers and the serious risks these tools pose. While AI can be incredibly useful for education and productivity, AI companions designed to fulfill emotional and social roles present unique dangers that most parents are unaware of.

What Are AI Companions?

Chatbots are designed to serve roles traditionally filled by friends, family, or mental health professionals. Key platforms discussed include Character.AI, Grok (on X/Twitter), and general LLMs like ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, and Gemini.

Key Topics Covered

  • Shocking statistics about teen AI companion usage and parental awareness
  • Real-world tragedies involving AI chatbots (multiple ongoing lawsuits discussed)
  • Why teens are drawn to AI companions: 24/7 availability, anonymity, agreeable responses
  • Design features that make these platforms compelling and potentially dangerous
  • How easily current platform safety measures are bypassed

What Parents Should Do

Communication Strategies

  • Talk openly about AI and its risks
  • Ask how they’re using AI in a non-judgmental way
  • Request to see chat histories
  • Discuss privacy and data concerns

Set Boundaries

  • Limit which AI apps can be used
  • Establish tech-free times and zones
  • Monitor for red flags like withdrawal or reluctance to discuss AI use

Encourage Human Connection

Find activities where your child can make friends: robotics teams, Science Olympiad, chess clubs, gaming cafes, anime clubs, or start your own interest-based group.

AI Literacy Education

Understanding how AI works helps teens use it responsibly. Very few students receive formal AI training, yet those who do find it extremely helpful.

Platform Updates Discussed

Recent policy changes from Character.AI, ChatGPT/OpenAI, and Grok regarding minor safety and content restrictions.

Resources Mentioned

  • Center for Democracy and Technology Report (survey of 1,000+ students, teachers, and parents) and slideshow (from p 28)
  • Bright Canary monitoring tool
  • NotebookLM and Claude (tools used to help prep for this episode)
  • FundaFunda Academy’s AI classes – Use code HWTAI for $10 off either class (valid through the end of 2025)

Self-paced AI Unit Study (Grades 6–12)

Semester-long AI Class for High School Credit

Take a look at show sponsor, FundaFunda Academy to see what they offer for online classes and web-based unit studies.

Join our Facebook Group especially for the listeners of this podcast! You can ask questions and get advice as you try integrating technology in your homeschool.

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the show and give a rating and maybe even a review! Subscribing will help you make sure you never miss an episode

Ai companions - the hidden danger for teens

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Teen Boys Who Hate School: Causes and Fixes – MBFLP 178

September 5, 2025 by Leave a Comment

teen boys who hate school

Teen Boys Who Hate School? Why It Happens—and What Actually Helps (MBFLP #178)

Episode Details

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

In This Episode

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

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

  • Two motivation playbooks:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Key Takeaways

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

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

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

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

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

Memorable Lines

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

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

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

Simple Action Steps This Week

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

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

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

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

Resources Mentioned

 

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Resources You Might Appreciate

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Effective Discipline for Teens – MBFLP 261

June 30, 2025 by Leave a Comment

 

A reader writes, “I need suggestions how to discipline my 14-year-old son.” She’s finding out what we all discover – if you try to discipline your 14-year-old like he was still six, you’re likely to have a fight on your hands! So what do you do with this young person who’s growing so tall, but still needs a lot of guidance and discipleship?

Thank you to our sponsor, CTC Math.

It’s more than behavior management

With younger kids, a great deal of our training is behavior – “Don’t tease the cat,” “Don’t touch the stove,” “Stop hitting your brother!” Tedd Tripp points out that Ephesians 6:1 is fundamental for the younger set: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”

And external behavior is important – that’s what hurts others and damages things! But as they move into the early teen years, our children need more coaching and discipleship to reach their deepest need – the condition of their heart. They need to be confronted with Right and Wrong in a larger sense than, “Honor your father and your mother.” When they realize their failing and sin, they are more likely to grasp their need for a Savior!

And when we recognize that their behavior is more than “You’re on my nerves!” but something rooted on their human fallenness … maybe we can be a little more compassionate and not as quick to react.

As they change, we should too

A lot of parent-teen relationships are strained or broken because parents don’t adapt to their young person’s changes. When they reach adolescence, they’re not kids any more! We need to understand they aren’t the little ones we’ve raised so far, but young adults-in-training. We can’t just continue the old discipline models and expect the same response. Appropriate correction for a four-year-old is humiliating, at best, to a 14-year-old.

More and more, we need to move our discipline to adult responses. What does that look like?

Well, consider what happens when we make a mistake or cause an offense as an adult. Are we sent to stand with our nose in the corner until we say we’re sorry? Does our boss or pastor or neighbor give us a sharp swat on the hand? Of course not. Instead, we are likely to experience “natural consequences.”

Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic operetta The Mikado includes the chorus, “Let the punishment fit the crime!” Humor aside, that’s actually quite Biblical. Over and over again in Scripture, you see principles of repentance followed by restitution. We use this as a guide with our teens – if you break it, you fix it – whether it’s a broken toy or a damaged relationship. It’s a hard lesson, but we impress on them that being an adult sometimes means we accept responsibility for things that aren’t strictly our fault. Maybe something happened by accident, or someone took offense by misunderstanding – we still need to step up and try to make things right.

Occasionally the problem isn’t actual sin but rather just high spirits or too much energy. Maybe they really are on your nerves, and that’s most of the problem!

How did Coach handle it?

Sometimes the best correction is just to work it off. How did your high school coach handle it if you were goofing off during practice? What did your drill instructor do at boot camp if you weren’t putting your back into the job?

A bit of strenuous exertion can be a lifesaver here! “Drop and give me ten!” – a call for some push-ups is a good manly punishment for a minor but irritating infraction. You can have them run up and down the stairs, or laps around the back yard. Ask Dad for advice, since he’s probably received similar correction in his time! It’s not offensive or demeaning, but it can use up some energy and help your son focus again.

It’s not supposed to be easy or fun. Hebrews 12:11 says,

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

 

(continue …)

The most important part

But the most critical thing to remember is the foundation you’re laying for the long term. What sort of relationship are you building with your teenager?

Our relationship with God is more than just crime-and-punishment – that’s part of it and unavoidable, but it’s not the full relationship. If that’s all we know of our heavenly Father, there’s a lot that’s missing!

Likewise with our kids. Of course we’ll have times of conflict or confrontation, but the question will remain – what sort of relationship do we have now, and what sort are we building for tomorrow? … Tune in for practical applications! 

 

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What You Do When They’re Little … – MBFLP 311

April 25, 2025 by Leave a Comment

When the house has little children in it, parents can get tired and discouraged from the constant needs, emergencies, and repetitions of their little flock. So much effort goes into keeping everyone alive to the next day, it’s hard to think about a long-term vision! Yet we’ve found that many things we did just to keep the family safe, sane, and manageable, had great effects on the family as the kids reached teenage and adult years! This episode we look at some ideas we adopted when the family was young, and the fruit we saw when the children were older.

Some Scripture We Mentioned

   “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!  You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
   “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” (Deuteronomy 6:4-7)
For the word of God is living and powerful [or active], and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

Some Resources You Might Find Helpful

Some of our books

Our Christ-centered holiday series – for Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, and Reformation Day
Another we found helpful in our own family
For Instruction in Righteousness (Pam Forster, Doorposts)
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Is It a Dream or Just a Fantasy? Helping Kids Discern Their Future

April 23, 2025 by Leave a Comment

Is It a Dream or Just a Fantasy? Helping Kids Discern Their FutureINAM 25-16 Summary: Is It a Dream or Just a Fantasy? Helping Kids Discern Their Future


In this episode of It’s Not About Money, Matt and Charla explore a common parenting challenge: how to help your child tell the difference between a dream worth pursuing and a fantasy. While we all want to encourage our kids to aim high, it’s equally important to teach them how to assess whether their ambitions are grounded in reality—or floating in a cloud of wishful thinking.

While we all want to encourage our kids to aim high, it’s equally important to teach them how to assess whether their ambitions are grounded in reality—or floating in a cloud of wishful thinking.

Charla (jokingly called the “dream crusher,” though she prefers “fantasy crusher”) unpacks what separates a dream from a fantasy.
Hint: it has a lot to do with effort, natural talent, and whether your child is self-motivated to put in the work when no one is watching.

Using relatable stories—including one about their own son’s baseball aspirations—Matt and Charla demonstrate how to recognize the signs of real passion versus temporary whims.

Key Topics Covered:

1. The Difference Between a Dream and a Fantasy
Dreams are based on ability, passion, and a willingness to work hard. Fantasies are just nice ideas with no plan or path forward.

2. Real-Life Clues That a Dream Might Be Worth Pursuing
From independent practice to asking for lessons, Charla outlines what to look for when evaluating your child’s ambition.

3. Four Questions to Ask Your Child (and Yourself)
Help your kids self-reflect with a simple framework:

  • Do I have the ability?

  • Will I put in the effort?

  • Are there clear steps to take?

  • Has anyone else done this successfully?

4. How to Redirect Without Crushing Spirits
Even if the original dream isn’t realistic, kids can often pivot toward related paths that still align with their interests—without setting them up for future frustration or failure.

Call to Action:

→ Ask your child thoughtful questions instead of offering blind encouragement.
→ Download Charla’s Dream vs. Fantasy checklist (coming soon on the blog!).
→ Share your own stories on social and tag us—we’d love to hear how you’re guiding your kids through this process.

Connect With Us:

📚 Explore more parenting and finance resources:
https://beyondpersonalfinance.com/our-blog

📩 Subscribe for updates and new episodes:
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🎓 Learn more about our courses:
https://beyondpersonalfinance.com

Be sure to subscribe to the podcast.

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7 Things Your Teen Should Pay For

April 2, 2025 by Leave a Comment

7 Things Your Teen Should Pay For | In this episode of It’s Not About Money, Matt and Charla dive into a key topic for parents of teens—helping kids develop financial responsibility by contributing to their own expenses. While some parents might hesitate at the idea, Charla explains how strategic financial contributions help teens learn valuable money lessons before adulthood | #ItsNotAboutMoneyPodcast7 Things Your Teen Should Pay For

In this episode of It’s Not About Money, Matt and Charla dive into a key topic for parents of teens—helping kids develop financial responsibility by contributing to their own expenses. While some parents might hesitate at the idea, Charla explains how strategic financial contributions help teens learn valuable money lessons before adulthood.

Matt and Charla break down the big three expenses where teens should have skin in the game: school wardrobes, car expenses, and cell phones. These high-cost items are often a source of tension in families, but by involving teens in financial decisions, parents can teach budgeting, trade-offs, and personal responsibility.

Key Topics Covered:

  1. School Wardrobe: Giving Teens Control Over Clothing Budgets
    • Teens care deeply about their personal style, making clothing a great way to introduce budgeting.
    • Instead of parents acting as unlimited ATMs, give your teen a set amount of money for clothes each season.
    • Let them decide how to allocate their budget—if they want expensive shoes, they’ll have to compromise elsewhere.
    • Using a gift card for shopping trips reinforces the reality of limited funds. When the money runs out, they must adjust their choices.
  2. Car Expenses: Teaching the Cost of Driving
    • While families approach car ownership differently, having teens contribute to gas and insurance builds responsibility.
    • The more they drive, the more they pay—helping them connect behavior with financial consequences.
    • Teens who can’t work full-time can contribute in other ways, like running family errands in exchange for gas money.
    • Accidents and reckless driving impact insurance rates. Matt and Charla share how their kids learned this lesson the hard way.
  3. Cell Phones: Why Teens Should Help Pay
    • A phone is a necessity for safety and communication, but extras like unlimited data or the latest device should be their responsibility.
    • If a teen wants a better plan, more data, or a new phone, they should cover the cost difference.
    • Broken screens, lost phones, and upgrades should come out of their own money— teaching them to take better care of their belongings.
    • Charla shares a hilarious real-life story about how her son learned (the hard way) that removing his phone case was a bad idea!

Call to Action:

Get the Full List! Matt and Charla only covered three of the seven key expenses teens should contribute to. Grab the full list in this episode’s show notes or visit the blog for details.

Join the Conversation! What expenses do your teens contribute to? Have you seen any lessons stick? Share your experience in the comments or on social media!

Connect With Us:

Read more on Charla’s blog: Beyond Personal Finance

Subscribe to our email list: Get episode updates and financial tips for teens! Subscribe Here

Explore our courses: Give your teen the financial head start they deserve! Beyond Personal Finance Courses

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How Homeschool Teens Can Build Future Career Skills, with Wendy Baird Packard

March 10, 2025 by Leave a Comment

Future Career Skills | Future Career Skills for homeschool teens is a focus of today's podcast with special guest Wendy Baird Packard and your host Crystal Niehoff! | #homeschool podcast #homeschoolmilitarymoms #homeschoolmilitary #homeschool #careerskillsEpisode #33 – On this episode, guest Wendy Baird Packard talks about how military homeschooled teens can start now being intentional about activities that build skills for their future career plans. 

Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor – Judson College Judson College offers biblical and practical training wherever a student is called, equipping them to live all of life for Christ.

Middle school and high school homeschoolers, and even younger students, can begin being intentional about activities that build skills for their future career plans. Even if your teen has yet to decide what career path they wish to take, many soft skills and life skills are universal for all education levels and job positions. Additionally, Wendy shares specific ways military teens can find skill-building opportunities wherever the military sends their family.

Vital Soft Skills to Develop:

  • Reliable – on time, show up to work
  • Dependable – do the job you are asked to do, do it well
  • Communication – correct, cooperative, communication with team members,
  • managers, and customers
  • Interpersonal skills – how do you build relationships or interact with people at
  • all levels of your job
  • Adaptability – easily dealing with change

Wendy also goes into detail about ways military homeschool teens can be intentional about finding and utilizing activities for skill and resume building, even while still in school, as well as pitfalls to avoid.

 . . . . . .

Wendy met her spouse when he was in the Navy; per her request, he ended his Navy career after eight years. They settled into normal life, had their son, bought a house, and were civilians for nine years. However, her husband never really lost the call of the military, and after a strong sign from God, he reenlisted in the Army. Stationed at Fort Carson, she became very involved in spouse programs mentoring spouses in the expectations of military life, career, and family. She followed a long-time dream and completed her associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in communication. Wendy will begin her master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology this year at the University of Maryland. 

Seeing the difficulty service members and family members who may move often have, Wendy, found her niche in helping service members and spouses to find employment. She jumped in with every move and studied employment every step of the way. Taking a job with the Department of Labor Working with thousands of service members by teaching the mandatory Department of Labor employment readiness classes, then also providing training to staff and service members of the Wounded Warrior Army and Airforce programs, assisting as a subject matter expert for the USO employment office and Hiring Our Heroes Job fair in Hawaii, and volunteering with the Army Community Services employment office. When her family moved again, she became the Military Spouse Liaison for the Workforce Solutions office in San Angelo and the volunteer lead for the Military Spouse Professional Network chapter for Goodfellow Airforce Base.

In May 2022, Wendy launched her own consulting business that assists clients in the art of communication, potentially focusing on career change or development, public speaking, and small business employee retention. She works one-on-one with clients, facilitates group classes, and speaks at events on these topics. Wendy has developed an exceptional understanding of employment from both the job seeker’s perspective and the employer’s. She provides clients with a detailed process in career development and change. She continues to work with businesses to bring awareness to the talent pool of potential employees, military spouses, and family members can be. She loves to recreate resumes and get people on the correct path to a wonderful career despite frequent moves or job changes.

Wendy has been married to her spouse for 21 years and has a 20-year-old son. She can often be found on an adventure with her two fur babies, Rocket and Carl.  

Connect with Wendy:

Resources:

Join Crystal and her guests each week as they bring relevant information to equip you, stories to encourage you, and content to inspire you. You don’t have to go it alone; tune in to the Military Homeschool Podcast and be energized in your military homeschooling journey!

How to listen:

  1. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or Stitcher
  2. Subscribe on your favorite podcast listening app
  3. Or listen right here (just scroll down)

Got questions, comments, or have show topic ideas? Contact Crystal via email at militaryhomeschoolpodcast@gmail.com or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Please subscribe, follow, and share with all of your military homeschooling friends!

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Preparing Your Teens for Life After Homeschool – MBFLP 205 (Replay)

March 10, 2025 by Leave a Comment

Most parents are told to brace for the teen years—but what if we’ve been underestimating them? Discover how responsibility unlocks confidence, leadership, and success in teenagers. Learn why real-world responsibility prepares them for adulthood like nothing else.

The Remarkable Potential of Teenagers

Most parents today are told to brace themselves for the teenage years. “It’s going to be tough,” they hear. “Just survive it.” But deep down, many of us suspect something different—that our teens are capable of more than the world expects.

And we’re right.

Teenagers don’t have to be reckless, self-absorbed, or lost. History proves otherwise. Some of the greatest minds, leaders, and innovators took on real responsibility as teens. What if, instead of lowering the bar, we raised our expectations? What if we equipped them to step up, take charge, and lead?

We never expected to test this theory in our own home—until we had no other choice.

When Teens Take the Lead

The oncologist looked at Hal skeptically.

“Well,” he conceded, “if you feel up to it, you can travel. And you can speak from the platform. But you can’t stand around shaking hands afterward—your immune system is going to be completely shot.”

The biopsy results were in: advanced lymphoma. Hal was about to start chemotherapy. Travel was a concession; avoiding crowds was non-negotiable.

We barely had time to process the news before our teenagers spoke up.

“Don’t worry, Dad—we’ll take care of the book fair!”

They were 16, 14, and 12. Could they really handle it? We weren’t sure. But at that moment, we didn’t have a choice. Hal was sidelined, and I would be busy counseling and praying with parents. If our teens were willing, then our teens would take the lead.

And it made all the difference.

Don’t Underestimate Teenagers

So many parents brace for the teen years like a storm. Batten down the hatches! Duck and cover! But history tells a different story.

📌 Laura Ingalls Wilder was teaching school before she turned 16.
📌 John Quincy Adams became the sole translator for America’s embassy in Russia at age 14.
📌 Paul Tripp calls it “The Age of Opportunity.”

The question isn’t why should we expect more from teenagers—it’s why aren’t we?

That book fair became a turning point in our family. What started as a necessity turned into a tradition. Ever since that day, our teenagers and their younger siblings have run our booth and many aspects of our travel.

👉 They shoo us into the aisles: “Go talk with the parents that need help—we’ve got this.”
👉 They load, unload, set up, and manage.
👉 They interact with customers of all ages—whether polite or combative.
👉 They take turns overseeing the booth and younger siblings, passing down skills as they go.

And sometimes, they challenge us.

One of our sons made it a personal mission to master driving our 15-passenger van and trailer—threading through night-time traffic in Phoenix, backing into tight spots, and maneuvering one-lane roads. Hal had to step up just to keep from calling his 16-year-old for help!

Over time, our teens became more than just helpers—they became partners in our ministry.

From Responsibility to Remarkable Futures

Because they were involved, they saw needs we hadn’t considered.

🛠️ “We need something to keep younger kids occupied while you talk to their parents,” they told us.
🛠️ We challenged them to brainstorm ideas—and they did. They researched suppliers, found products, and expanded our offerings.

The results?

✔ Our 13-year-old who played the biggest role at our booth? He majored in entrepreneurship and secured venture capital before graduating college.
✔ Another teen became a freelance journalist at 17, writing investigative pieces for a statewide magazine.
✔ One taught himself guitar and mandolin, joined a bluegrass band, and played alongside musicians decades older than him. His bandmates teased, “I’ve got blue jeans older than you, Curly.” He’d grin and reply, “But I’ve got more hair than all of you combined.”

What made the difference?

We didn’t just give them responsibilities. We encouraged them to step up.

By the time they left for college, they weren’t starting to take on responsibility—they’d already been leading for years. The result? They were confident, capable, and unafraid to seize new opportunities.

Expect More from Your Teen

The world will tell you that teenagers are a liability. History—and experience—prove otherwise.

If we give them the chance, they’ll take ownership, develop skills, and step into adulthood ready.

Want to see how?

Want to read more? CLICK HERE!

Special Thanks to Our Network Sponsor – Judson College

Judson College offers biblical and practical training wherever a student is called, equipping them to live all of life for Christ.

Judson College at Southeastern

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