In honor of Father’s Day, we’re taking a twist on the Living Life at Home podcast and looking at homeschooling, parenting, and the role of a wife from a father’s point of view.
For the last couple months I’ve had the honor of working with Scott wrapping up some of the final details for his new book, and have come to really respect the message Scott brings as a dad and a person to empower others to live life with passion and purpose and to make family a priority.
I invite you to listen in on our conversation, as we discuss:
homeschooling and embracing our children’s gifts
raising special needs kids,
the lessons he has learned from his son Gabe, who has both down syndrome and autism,
the powerful role fathers have in a child’s life,
the importance of leaving a legacy, and
how we as wives can support our husbands through the challenges and life changes that arise.
To listen in, simply click the play button below. To download the recording to your computer, right click on download link below and choose ‘Save Target As’.
Catalogs are beginning to arrive in the mail again. They call to me, asking for time to sit and read, and dream about what could be done, if I had the funds to part with… Actually it’s a double doozy. Because catalogs on my two favorite spending categories are coming in – Gardening and Curriculum.
In the last few days, I’ve received at least 5 different seed catalogs. Oh they call to me. I spent a few hours on Sunday flipping through and dreaming up what could be growing in my garden this year. Then finally I realized what I was doing and sat down and actually wrote up a list of what I wanted to grow in the garden and compared that to what seeds I already have. …Okay, I don’t need to order as many seeds as my wish list originally said. But boy, what a garden it would be if I could really grow all that calls my attention.
Gardening is much like parenting and homeschooling. You plant seeds, give them water, nutrients, love, and space to grow, and wait to see what happens. Periodically I make mistakes, forget to water on a hot day, over water during rainy week. But eventually I watch the plants grow and produce. Very much like parenting a child, only a whole lot faster to see the results.
I am struck again today on how much I like my kids. Not because they are my kids, but because they are interesting people, unique in their own way. Sometimes I make mistakes, and sometimes they make mistakes. But you know, I really enjoy the journey of watching them grow.
Earlier this week as I worked from my recliner, suffering from a sinus cold, I was struck again how blessed I am to be surrounded by these wonderful kids in this awesome lifestyle of being a work-at-home, homeschooling mom. I’m there for all the little moments, for the skinned knees and hurt feelings, and for the beauty that comes with friendship, fellowship, and family.
Yesterday, as I headed out for bible study, I just had to grab my 11 year old and tell her how blessed I am to have her for a daughter. She’s growing up so fast, and is so capable, but still she’s my little girl. She does so much for her siblings and I, and yet she has all this time to be a girl and get silly, and muddy, and run through the rain.
Each of her siblings brings a special piece to my life, and each holds their own weight (according to ability) in our household. They are affected by our debt load; they are affected by our successes. They step up pitch in, and do what needs to be done. We live life together, good and bad. We have to remember to celebrate our successes; and be thankful, and show appreciation for each other. How thankful I am for this lifestyle, but also for each of these four children who are growing up so fast and who are such blessings.
I really must make a concerted effort to tell the kids in their own special moments, what a blessing they are and how thankful I am for them.
I was not happy today with how my children were treating each other. And their daddy was very unhappy over a violation of his privacy. While the children lost computer and Netflix privileges for the breach of privacy, it was time to regroup and have a chat on how we are supposed to treat each other.
So the kids piled into the car and I headed toward Arby’s. Why?
The kids like going to Arby’s. It’s a special treat, saved for special occasions and important family discussions.
It’s relatively quiet, so we can hear each other.
It’s free of electronic distractions – no tv monitors or video games. We can actually use the time together to chat.
Today’s discussion was on the most important commandment: Love each other (John 15:12, 17). And, how we show love to others. Then we discussed privacy and secrets, and when to keep secrets and when it’s okay to tell secrets. Followed up by a discussion of the values printed on the kids meal bag, and what they mean:
Arby’s Values (from the Arby’s Kids Meal bag)
If you can dream it, you can do it!
Do the best you can, in all that you do.
Set high goals and make them happen!
Always treat each other with respect and fairness
Make the most of every day. Life is meant to be enjoyed.
Help make life better for those around you.
Here in this fast food resturant, free of distractions of home, glowing from a special outing, the kids and I discussed these heavy topics, went through scenarios, and acted out examples of love and serving. It’s an unlikely place, but effective, for a reminder on the most important thing I can teach the kids. Afterall it doesn’t matter how well we homeschool academics if the kids’ attitude and behavior towards others is wrong.
So next time you need a good heart-to-heart talk, I highly recommend finding your local equivelent of Arby’s - a quiet place, free of distractions and full of special memories.
A friend’s son has jumped ship. At fifteen he has decided he would rather live on his own, than live by his parent’s rules. It breaks my heart. And terrifies me. My sons (and daughters) are precious, and I love the people they are and who they are becoming. But,am I doing what I need to do to build them up, train them, and encourage them? I pray so, and pray often for guidance. My friend’s situation speaks to my heart but it also reminded me that there is a tool out there to help prevent this from happening.
A few months ago, hubby and I attended a seminar on Homeschooling the High School years. Here, the speaker shared her heart about a time in their lives when one of their sons “jumped ship”. She highly recommended reading the article series that help her and her husband to gain perspective and rebuild their relationship with their son.
The series is called Jumping Ship by Michael Pearl. It’s a five part series, long but definitely worth the read. But I have also found it challenging. Sometimes realizing our mistakes and our humanity is difficult; but providing our children with the best environment to grow and mature in is essential. Here are the direct links to the article (I’m not familar with any other content on the site, but I know these articles are worth a visit.):
A Father's View on Homeschooling, Parenting, and Midlife Crisis [1:04m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
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