My Blog = My Life: homeschool resources

I'd like to blame it on the winter weather, but I know better. A bad case of the Grouchies seems to be ruling our home lately. It has nothing to do with being snowed in, and everything to do with the sin that lives in the hearts of our children, just as it does in mine.

The last few weeks have been particularly trying. Boredom and sickness make a good breeding ground for poor manners, foolishness, and bad attitudes. It was time to recommit to some serious character building, beginning with myself.

My friend Caroline and her husband Sean created the Character Badges program around the same time as my resolve, and I was eager to give it a try.

Previously, I've shied away from using character building programs because we want to teach our children good character without making them believe that their "righteousness" can earn something. When they fail in their attempts to "be good" and cry, "But Mommy, I can't be good!", we need to point them to the Cross and say, "I know, honey. Mommy can't be good either and that's why we both need Jesus!"

Here's how the system works.

The Character Badges program comes with three charts (the Obedience Chart, Disobedience Chart, and Consequence Chart), flashcards that reinforce biblical characteristics with a Scripture verse and a simple illustration, and a series of badges to be rewarded for good behavior.

The Obedience Chart lists several good character qualities (and leaves a few blanks so you can fill in particular areas of concern), along with a row of check boxes to mark off when you notice your child exhibiting good behavior.

Throughout the month, you can reinforce positive behavior by allowing your child to mark off a check box when you notice they have done something kind, worked hard, told the truth, or were quick to obey. Our children are not allowed to fill in or ask to fill in their own check boxes and can only do so when we pick up on something and give them permission.

Once any one of their rows have been filled, they get rewarded with badge to wear for the day. The Character Badge creators suggest accompanying the badge with a special prize, outing, or gift to help keep your child motivated.

Also included are Disobedience and Consequence charts. They are similar to the Obedience Chart in that a check box is meant to be marked off when you pick up on poor behavior (i.e. lying, laziness, hurting others, etc.).

The first day we put the program to use was interesting. The badges were a great incentive to good behavior, and my favorite moment is when our daughter announced, "You know what? It's actually more fun when we're being nice to each other!" Imagine that.

Then the first infraction happened. Instead of disciplining like I normally do, I decided to utilize the Disobedience Chart. One offence led to another and the idea of having to mark down her sin completely stressed out our child-in-training.

I realized that she didn't need a long list of offences hanging over her head. She needed to know that when we confess our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive it, and purify us from all unrighteousness. He removes our transgressions as far as the east is from the west, and we too should keep no record of wrongs. (1 John 1:9; Psalm 103:12; 1 Corinthians 13:5).

So, we decided to use the Character Badges program a little differently then recommended. The beauty of this program is its versatility. You can make it work according to your own convictions and family's needs.

We've chosen to do away with the Disobedience Chart and stick to our normal method of correction that includes an immediate discipline, repentance, forgiving and forgetting. This is a great time to use the flashcards to remind your child how they should have responded in the situation. Regularly referring to the short, simple, Biblical lessons appropriate to the offence will help them remember what godly behavior looks like.

The Consequence Chart is privately kept by me to keep my own anger in check. By writing down what kind of consequences are appropriate for particular infractions, I'm less likely to fly off the handle and assign a discipline too severe for the crime.

The kids love wearing the badges and I definitely notice an extra effort on their behalf to behave. We tell them that the Obedience Chart is merely a tool to help them get into the habit of doing what is right because it is right to do what is right, regardless of whether or not they get a reward. The eventual goal of the Character Badges is to have no use for them at all.

As with any method of character training, it can be easy to fall into the trap of Pharisaical legalism. But, with regular reminders that good character must be more than a public display for Mom and Dad, the Character Badges can be a great tool in cultivating godly habits that will hopefully become natural, even when no one is watching, because they are ultimately rooted in sincere love for the Lord and a desire to obey His commands (John 14:15).

Do you have homeschool a child between the ages of 4 and 8? You may want to snag the February Printable Packet created by Kristy Howard from Little Natural Cottage, which is on sale for $2.00!

Kristy makes a new set for every month (and sells them for far less than they're worth!) and our 4-year-old adores them. It's all "fun" to her, but she's improving her penmanship, learning how to count by two's, discovering special days and people, developing her critical thinking skills, and much more.
This month, we're learning about Ground Hog Day, Black History, Valentine’s Day, Random Acts of Kindness Day, President’s Day, Abraham Lincoln & George Washington.

Last month, with the January pack (which you can still get for $2.50), she learned how to set goals, fill in a calendar, and all about matching, opposites, gratitude, and Benjamin Franklin.
The printables are a great, inexpensive supplement to any homeschool, and the perfect solution to eager students who think "school" should happen on Saturdays when your plan is to catch up on housework. ;)
Get the February set for $2.00, the January set for $2.50, and stay tuned for the March edition which promises to be just as good!

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***UPDATE: the comments have been closed on this post***

The implied rule that college is the key to success is being broken. More and more people are finding the courage to battle the ivory tower with story after story of evidence that proves success has little to do with a piece of paper and everything to do with good character, a hard work ethic, the ability to self-educate, and God's blessing on the hands He's given, applied to the jobs He's provided, with the knowledge He's blessed us with.

Proponents of the college experience often say things like, "You need college to get a job," and, "We need more Christians in higher positions."

The first statement is false. How many famous, rich, and successful high school and college dropouts besides Winston Churchill, Benjamin Franklin, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Patrick Henry, Abraham Lincoln and Mark Zuckerberg will it take to debunk this myth?

I look around and see "uneducated" high school dropouts running successful, twenty-five year businesses that support larger-than-average, single income families who send their children to private school. I see college and university grads employed in jobs outside of their field of study. I see college and university grads entering marriage with massive amounts of debt, or putting off marriage and having a family until they can "afford" it. I see mothers working outside the home to ensure that the time and money invested into their diploma is not wasted.

I see all kinds of things that ought to make us pause and consider whether college is as essential as we've come to believe. (Notice I said college, not higher education, or even degrees.)

The second statement, while certainly a noble aspiration, is degrading and constructs a demoralizing and falsified method of rating people's value to society based on their position. Though never spoken outright, the professor is revered as more honorable than the plumber, the lawyer more important than the mechanic, the twenty-three-year-old graduate from teacher's college as more knowledgeable than the veteran homeschool mom of seven. Schooling trumps skills; degrees trump diligence and discipline; education trumps experience.

Should we encourage Christians to pursue "top positions?" Absolutely! But we must not forget that societal reform doesn't need to start at the top. Is the impact of one Christian president more valuable than millions of honest, diligent, hardworking Christian men and women who serve and interact with their local communities every day?

Melanie Ellison addresses all these concerns and many more, including faith and fidelity, in her outrageously honest, eye-opening book, Chucking College.

Birthed from her own experience at a supposedly conservative Christian college, Melanie was determined to achieve a higher education and success without the corruption she encountered there. She dropped out of college and at twenty-three, she is a published author, doula, birth photographer, and runs her own business sewing and selling professionally made, high-quality linens.

Chucking College exposes several dangers we'd do well to assess. Among them:

• A peer-rich environment. "College living promotes a habit of relating almost exclusively with peers. No real-world families with children and/or the elderly are present on campus. Consequently, it is easy for students to forget about lifetime priorities in a four-year bubble of unreality. The absence of wise elders in young people's lives is sadly felt as they aim more and more toward the lowest common denominator instead of growing through the prudent counsel of those who have gone before." pg. 103
• Liberal professors. "In 2003, the Center for the Study of Popular Culture conducted a study of thirty-two elite colleges, and found that of the faculties represented, 'the overall ratio of registered Democrats to registered Republicans was more than 10 to 1.' Compare that to the rest of America's population where closer to half of the people have conservative voter registrations. 'The ratios themselves are impossible to understand in the absence of a political bias.'" pg. 50
• Academic deficiency. "College courses are dumbed down to what used to be a high school level, so that students who do not excel in academics can pass. Yes, people who are not academically inclined go to college (trade schools would be a much better fit for many of them). They don't really belong in a university, but many administrations want to falsely encourage them to continue their studies as long as possible to collect tuition from them." pg. 53
• Astronomical debt. "The seemingly insurmountable debt burden of college makes many young people suicidal and hopeless rather than excited about flourishing in their future vocations... Debt rules a person's life, causing them to make decisions they might not make if they were not under the burden of creditors (such as delaying having children, or having to stick with an hourly wage job instead of seeking to become entrepreneurial, etc.)." pg. 85
• Valuing degrees over skills. "... think creatively to find some way way outside the mainstream "degree-first" mentality. Remember that a degree is an arbitrary measure that may or may not prove a person's expertise as a worker. In the workplace, skills get people hired." pg. 151

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Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, A Wise Woman., Walking Redeemed,, The Modest Mom, A Mama's Story, We ARE That Family, Raising Mighty Arrows, Time Warp Wife, The Prairie Homestead,

20 weeks of bed-rest gave me plenty of time to do something I really enjoy but find hard to make time for during "normal" seasons of my life - reading. I haven't read this much since studying for my counselling certificates from CCEF over five years ago!

Apart from the Bible (especially the Psalms), by far the most encouraging, uplifting, and spiritually rewarding book I've read over the past few months was Kelly Crawford's Devotions, Advice, and Renewal for when Motherhood Feels Too Hard.

With 31 chapters (and 10 ingenious survival tips), it's meant to be read as inspiration for each day of the month. However, things didn't quite work out that way for me. I was so caught up in the message of the book, I finished the whole thing in two days! Ooopsies. No matter though. I know I'll refer back to it many times throughout this motherhood journey!

Kelly's blog, Generation Cedar, was one of the very first blogs I started reading regularly after we heard of it during her interview with Kevin Swanson on Generations With Vision. I immediately fell in love with her writing style and the content of her message. She's been a well-spring of encouragement and her thought-provoking articles have initiated many a conversation between my husband and I.

As busy homeschooling Mom who is also "in the trenches" with her own brood of blessings (#10 on the way!), Kelly's message of encouragement is real. Chances are she's been there and done that. When Motherhood Feels Too Hard provides an honest look at the challenges mothers face in the raising of their children and reminds us why it's all worth it. We are called to our glorious work by the Lord and through Him, we can receive sustaining grace and tremendous reward!

If you're struggling with your lot in life as a mother, question your usefulness, or simply need to be reminded that this is all worth it, you need to get a copy of Kelly's book. At just $8.99 for a paperback ($4.97 for an eBook), Devotions, Advice, and Renewal for When Motherhood Feels Too Hard is available for an affordable price that can't be passed up.

Harry S. Truman said,
"Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers. "In a world of Sheeple who are content follow where the culture leads, a good Christian book is our favorite gift to give. They're relatively inexpensive, easy to wrap or mail, can be read again and again, and best of all, a good book can make an eternal impact on someone's life.

Books are the perfect gifts, and if you're on our list this Season... well, you know what to expect! Here's a list of 100 titles we've loved and recommend:

Motherhood

1. Large Family Logistics by Kim Brenneman

2. Passionate Housewives Desperate for God by Jennie Chancey and Stacy McDonald

3. Raising Godly Tomatoes by L. Elizabeth Krueger

4. Parenting On God's Promises by Joel Beeke

5. Loving the Little Years by Rachel Jankovic

6. The Mother At Home by John S.C. Abbott

7. A Mother's Heart by Jean Flemming

8. Be Fruitful and Multiply by Nancy Campbell

9. A Full Quiver by Rick and Jan Hess

10. Fit To Burst by Rachel Jankovic

11. The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson

12. Proverbs for Parenting by Barbara Decker

13. Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney

14. Desperate by Sarah Mae and Sally Clarkson
Homemaking

1. Large Family Logistics by Kim Brenneman

2. The Hidden Heart of Homemaking by Edith Schaffer

3. The Christian Homemaker's Handbook by Pat Ennis

4. From Mother to Daughter by Vivienne Bolton

5. Homespun Gifts from the Heart by Karen Ehman

6. Homespun Memories from the Heart by Karen Ehman

7. Mrs. Dunwoodey's Excellent Instructions for Homekeeping by Miriam Lukken

8. Home Ec 101 by Heather Solos

9. How To Sew A Button by Erin Bried

10. Home Economics: Vintage Advice and Practical Science for the 21st Century by Jennifer Trontz
Education

1. Upgrade | 10 Secrets To The Best Education For Your Child by Kevin Swanson

2. Teaching the Trivium by Harvey and Laurie Bluedorn

3. When You Rise Up by R. C. Sproul Jr.

4. Dumbing Us Down by John Taylor Gatto

5. Weapons of Mass Instruction by John Taylor Gatto

6. Indoctrination by Colin Gunn

7. The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer

8. Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe by Todd Wilson

9. Educating The Whole-Hearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson

10. Hand That Rocks The Cradle: 400 Classics for Children by Nathaniel Bluedorn

Culture

1. The Second Mayflower by Kevin Swanson

2. Folks, This Ain't Normal by Joel Salatin

3. Apostate by Kevin Swanson

Finances/Economics

1. Biblical Economics by R. C. Sproul Jr.

2. Whatever Happened to Penny Candy by Richard Maybury

3. The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn

4. Calvin and Commerce by David Hall

Marriage/Family
1. When Sinners Say "I do" by Dave Harvey

2. What Did You Expect? by Paul David Tripp

3. The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace

4. Reforming Marriage by Douglas Wilson

5. Family Driven Faith by Voddie Baucham

6. Family Shepherds by Voddie Baucham

7. What He Must Be by Voddie Baucham

8. I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris

9. Of Knights and Fair Maidens by Jeff and Danielle Myers

Food / Health
1. Trim Healthy Mama by Pearl Barrett and Serene Allison

2. Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon

3. Making Babies by Shoshanna Easling

Boys

1. Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson

2. Created to Work by Bob Schultz

3. Future Men by Douglas Wilson

4. Boyhood and Beyond by Bob Schultz

5. Plants Grown Up by Pam Forster

6. Practical Happiness by Bob Schultz

7. Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris
Single Daughters
1. So Much More by Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin

2. It's Not That Complicated by Anna Sofia and Elizabeth Botkin

3. Joyfully At Home by Jasmine Baucham

4. Feminine By Design by Scott Brown

5. Beautiful Girlhood by Karen Andreola

6. Let Me Be A Woman by Elisabeth Elliott

Novels/Biographies

1. End Of The Spear by Steve Saint

2. Safely Home by Randy Alcorn

3. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

4. Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss

5. Lord Foulgrin's Letters by Randy Alcorn

6. Deadline by Randy Alcorn

7. Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

Children (Read-A-Louds)

1. Wisdom and the Millers by Mildred Martin

2. Storytime with the Millers by Mildred Martin

3. Missionary Stories with the Millers by Mildred Martin

4. The Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder

5. The Railway Children by Edith Nesbit

6. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

7. The Christopher Churchmouse Treasury by Barbara Davoll

8. The Bronze Bow by Elisabeth George Speare

9. The Door In The Wall by Margaret De Angeli

10. The Tanglewood's Secret by Patricia St. John

11. Treasures of the Snow by Patricia St. John

12. Huguenot Garden by Douglas Jones

13. The Minstrel in The Tower by Gloria Skurzynski

14. The Hawk That Dare Not Hunt by Day by Scott O'Dell

15. Ink On His Fingers by Louise Vernon

16. The Answers Books for Kids by Ken Ham

17. The Way of the Master: Teaching Kids to Share Their Faith by Kirk Cameron
Christian Living/Spiritual Growth

1. The Bible

2. Calvin's Commentaries by John Calvin

3. The Christian's Reasonable Service by Wilhemus Brakel

4. Running Scared by Ed Welch

5. War of Words by Paul Tripp

6. Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges

7. Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper

8. Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

9. The Answers Book by Ken Ham

10. Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible by Matthew Henry

If you enjoyed this post, you may wish to follow Growing Home for updates via Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, or have them emailed directly to your inbox. This post contains affiliate links. Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, A Wise Woman.,Walking Redeemed,, The Modest Mom, A Mama's Story, We ARE That Family, Raising Mighty Arrows, Hearts For Home, Frugal Homeschool Family Time Warp Wife

{... or their birthday, or anniversary, or just because you really love them... }

From a second-generation homeschooler who grew up reading several different homeschool magazines, there is only one I subscribe to; Home School Enrichment is hands down the best magazine for homeschoolers and my favorite piece of mail to receive.

I get giddy when I see it lying in the mailbox in all its packaged glory. Of course, the wrapper never stays on for more then 5 seconds, but you get my drift.

I suppose I like Home School Enrichment better than some of the other magazines in its genre because these editors have the vision!

Home School Enrichment is not just a curriculum catalog (although it contains plenty of textbook and method reviews).

Home School Enrichment is not just a collection of tutorials (although it often contains some fantastic projects and instructions on how to do them with your own children).

Home School Enrichment is the boost you need when you feel like giving up. It ignites the fire when it's almost out.

It gives confidence to new homeschoolers...

... and reminds seasoned ones why they do what they do.

Home School Enrichment keeps you informed about our brothers and sisters around the world,

provides you with practical help and real life application,

reminds us of our history lest we forget it, and the battles that were fought on our behalf.
Home School Enrichment is a Bible-based, Christian magazine I guarantee will uplift, encourage, inspire, and inform every family it reaches.

For $17.97 a year (that's 50% off!) , you can't afford not to get it. It's a gift the whole family (yours or your homeschooling friends) will benefit from.

Best of all, the quality of Home School Enrichment is so fantastic, they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you don't like it for whatever reason, you get every penny back, no questions asked.

It's that good.

I am an affiliate for Home School Enrichment because it truly is my favorite magazine and I want to get it in the hands of everyone I meet!
If you enjoyed this post, you may wish to follow Growing Home for updates via Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +, or have them emailed directly to your inbox.
Linking to: Raising Homemakers, Deep Roots At Home, Raising Arrows, A Wise Woman.,Walking Redeemed, The Better Mom, The Modest Mom, A Mama's Story, We ARE That Family, Raising Mighty Arrows, Hearts For Home, Frugal Homeschool Family Time Warp Wife