Something I miss

When you have children in your home and choose to have them around a lot (24/7 for homeschool moms and those with young children), there is always a time to share about Who God is and what He has done. There is constant speaking into their lives and hearing their precious thoughts about God and His Word. There are the times of correction: To hold our children accountable for their actions according to God's standard.

I miss this-- but did not realize how much or why I missed it until I was speaking with a mom in this very situation.

It may be very selfish, but I miss it because it spoke so loudly into my life. When I talked with my children about God; when we memorized scripture together; related a school lesson to one of Jesus' parables; sang a favorite song together; corrected with the authority of God's Word--God spoke to me. These very conversations were transforming me. I needed to hear the truth so much throughout the day, God gave me little ones to speak the Truth to.

With an almost empty house, I can talk aloud but it just is not the same as instructing, correcting, and encouraging someone and discovering that you are in greater need of the instruction, correction and encouragement.

So, a consideration for moms--next time you converse about God and His Truth with your children listen for how God speaking to you.

For the rest of us, how do we get this same sort of constant input? I bet God has some answers.

Tis the Season for School Planning

Recently I spoke briefly to some homeschool moms who are feeling the pressure of their summer break ending but not feeling prepared for the start of schooldays. I certainly understand their plight. Normally, by March, I have a good idea of what we are doing for the next school year and start searching for materials. But, like many others, this past year has not been normal.

Most of us require some quiet hours to coincide with brain cell energy to adequately plan for school. This is an elusive collision of events for homeschool moms—whether that is because of an overloaded schedule or quiversful or chronic illness or any combination of the above.

We tentatively assign a random date to resume school with the hopes that a “deadline” will prompt a quicker aligning of the random lesson plan atoms. Of course, the deadline seems to slide as we face reality or unexpected guests.

Maybe one of these methods will help:

Find time alone: Exchange with another mom to watch children; Enlist your husband; Find a grandmother whose grandkids live far away.

Get out of the house: There are too many distractions and too many things that are easier than planning school! I think you need at least two hours once you reach your off-site destination because your brain cells need time to focus.

Start a list: Someplace prominent place start to write down your ideas as you walk along the way. If possible take a few moments and make a book marker of these ideas and place in your favorite novel or the Bible.

Pray: Off your prominent list or the bookmark, pray about these decisions. When I do this steadfastly (and I am NOT always steadfast) God directs my thoughts, corrects my direction, crosses items off my list, shows me a resource I already have and boosts my confidence.

Start the year with a few items: Accepting that I will start only a few subjects the first two weeks allows us all to adjust to the school year and gives me more time to plan for the reminder. Ah, realism sets in better with this approach because it keeps my eyes from being bigger than hours in our day.  If we honestly look at most “traditional” schools this adjustment period happens because kids need to learn the new rules, set up their desks, and find the bathroom. We also need the adjustment time because of a new baby, adding another student, and remodeling the kitchen.

Select a special project for the first two to three weeks: Scrapbook summer events, read those books you  thought you would read on vacation, evaluate what was lost over the summer, make a resource book for facts you want to remember,  use educational games for review or incorporate field trips you might consider disruptive to your regular schedule. This can also give you time to polish up preparation for other studies.

This past summer has been very intense for our family. Besides major family events I have been sick and the completion of last year took longer than I expected. I am very behind on preparation for next year. I am glad that I spoke with these other moms because it is a gentle nudge I need to tackle this task—with joy, of course.

Surprised by Math

One transition I did not expect was a change of heart towards math. My  head spins at numbers. Maybe this is why I do not care to shop or work on our budget or pay bills? I did diligently endure our mathematics lessons in our homeschooling but it was only a high priority because I knew it was important and marveled at those who found math intriguing.  Honestly, though, I always thought math was missing something important but had no clue as to what that was.

Then a friend put this little book into my hands: Beyond Numbers--A Practical Guide to Teaching Math Biblically by Katherine Loop. The author builds the case against our spiritually neutral view towards math and how we, as believers, need to use math to understand God more deeply, worship Him more thoroughly, and honor Him through service. In essence, we can use and teach math in a way that fulfills the chief purpose of man,"to glorify God and enjoy Him forever."

I love that the Miss Loop addresses the problems with just adding a Scripture verse  or the dangers of inserting "spiritual" parallels to a curriculum to make it "Christian". She instead goes to the foundation of teaching math biblically: our focus, our presentation, and our application. God's very character is displayed by math concepts and applications because it is His creation and this is how it needs to be taught.

So, if you are like me and avoid math, read this book to bring a glimmer of hope and purpose. If you delight in numbers, this book will bring a new depth to that delight. If you are teaching anyone math or thinking math is neutral, you have to read this book to protect the hearts and minds of yourself and those you love.

http://www.christianperspective.net/math.html

Food Transitions: Do "Real Men" like Tea Time?

Please do not read or comment on this if you are a huge Victorian Age/Jane Austin/Pride and Prejudice fan. You will argue with me all the way and then subject everyone to a tea time.

I am writing this in defense of our young men. I am also writing this to plead with moms who have become convinced that a weekly "tea party" with their children is a way to build a relationship with them due to a growing trend of this from the well-meaning "things were better in the Classical Times" group. Most moms love tea time because, well, they are females and God made them that way.

Though I would agree there are exceptions, I would contend that most men would prefer NOT to take part in a proper tea time.  A proper tea time is filled with proper etiquette, poem reading, sharing quiet conversation, and sitting properly. I think to subject young men to this is to tame them in a way that is contrary to their God-given traits and they will have to fight those traits to comply with the regulations surrounding this proper tea. This is NOT conducive to building relationships.

Yes, I do believe young men need manners but not straight jackets. They will volunteer to join a proper tea time when they are wooing that special girl and I promise you that they will do all that is needed to prove they have proper manners.

So, instead, do relationship building with food that fits their nature. We studied donuts, ice cream and pizza for some unit studies--and of course, that included lots of taste-testing. Following studies that allowed it, we found restaurants that served appropriately ethnic foods. Our conversation was centered around a list of general questions about our learning time, spiritual lives, home life, community life. It was a group effort to initiate and listen and participate. This list provided a framework so we didn't just delve into favorite boy discussions like world domination. One time we completed a study on The Cuban Missile Crisis and went to a Cuban restaurant. We are finishing a study on Ancient Japanese History and will go to an ethnic dining place.

Something not as elaborate is time for a milkshake, ice cream sundaes, pizza, hot chocolate, etc . . .  Or the setting can be changed. Regular mealtimes focus on nourishment.  This time the conversation is more structured and focuses on the child/parent interaction. However,, food is very important to most boys so even by food selection, we are saying I am focusing on you and want to create an atmosphere that is good for you.

Now, the problem becomes if you want to spend time with all your children and they have different preferences/needs/traits. My daughter would have definitely gone for tea with the fine china! So, what do you do?  You alternate activities between the different needs. For my daughter that would have meant that she would deal with (gracefully) doing this time in a more boy-friendly way 4 times before she got her special proper tea time. But she enjoyed their events as well. And now one of my sons is a connoisseur of tea (no help from me on this!).

Joyce Herzog said that sometimes schools are not friendly to how God has made boys; in fact they stunt their growth towards becoming the leaders and doers God intended. I have also observed that many young boys choose not to become readers because all their "required reading" is something females (Moms/Teachers) have liked them.

Special times with special foods can transition our lives and conversations from a busy time to a focus on those special people. God is preparing a banquet to share with us in heaven. I think it will be just what delights us. I would like to do the same for my children--and you, when you come to visit. Any requests?

Oops, I forgot--some memory resources

Some memory resources especially for the student who would rather not spend so much time studying (or the mom who wants to remember her list without finger counting):

The Memory Book by Harry Lorayne and Jerry Lucas (yes, the basketball star, so maybe dads will like this book as well!). All the editions are the same material.

For any student--check out www.smart.fm

This is a helpful tool for reviewing vocabulary, numbers, states, etc . . . This sets goals and is very interactive making it hard to cut corners. It also sets up time delay review. If you don't see what you want there, you can create your own list/goals to practice (and another way to review the material). And it is free!

Jonathan is using it to prepare for a Biology CLEP test. I hope to use it to learn some Hindi because I am working with people from Nepal.

Mommy Tool: Remembering

God's timing is such a blessing: Just when I am dealing with mental fog, he puts a memorization technique unit before us for academic learning (as well as many applications in real life).

But this has jogged my memory of threelittle tools I used to help my children remember the instruction I gave them. Maybe you will find them helpful as well.

1. Give them four things to do and have them use their fingers (on one hand) to go over each of the things and the fifth finger is for a hug from Mom so they can report they did the other things. You may have to start with only two instructions for younger children and build it from there. Remember, the hug and success is the goal! This technique is especially helpful for regular lists like what to do after they get up in the morning: finger 1: Change clothes; finger 2: put away pajamas; finger 3: brush teeth; finger 4: feed dog; finger 5/thumb: Hug Mom!

2. Give an instruction and link it to a silly word. "After you finish your board game, please go pick up the toys in the yard. Pumpernickel!" The child then has to repeat the silly word, after he says, "Yes, Mom," of course! Then when he claims those were not the instructions or he never heard you say that (it does happen :), you can gently remind him of the silly word. I usually just start to say it and they can finish it. Or sometimes I will just tell them that a silly word was attached to the instruction--and they will remember the word, and then the instructions. Ouch! Do not rush to give them the whole word because if they have to say it, they are accepting more responsibility and building their memory. This is also a very helpful technique for those children who struggle to wake in the morning and claim you never woke them up! I make them repeat a silly word before I leave their room and they do indeed remember the word when I remind them of it.

3. Finally, relating the known task/assignment from a known thing to an unknown is a very helpful tool. I just found out that orators of old (when written language was not as common as it is now), remembered the flow of their stories by associating it with things within a common building (as their houses). This technique has been especially helpful in our academic studies: "How is multiplication like addition" for example (answer--multiplication is rapid addition and you show this with examples, of course). I love how Joyce Herzog uses this technique in the Scaredy Cat Reading System: Vowels are scared and brave and when they are scared they make scared sounds. When they are brave, they can say their names. Now what child has problems understanding "brave" and "scared". Now they just need to learn what is scaring those vowels!

As you practice these skills, you will find yourself making new applications all the time--even to your own work around the house. Don't forget the hug when you finish your four things.

Tools for Moms

Our homeschooling resumes next week. Only one child left at home. Very strange transition. We don't really like it. But, as I am contemplating this reduction in class-size, I am also remembering the tricky parts of having many young children at home. There were times I wanted the "Take a Number" system as you see at some delis and Department of Motor Vehicles. We discovered that young children (and some adults) need to learn the correct transition to interrupt a conversation or activity. The most helpful tool was having the child gently place their hand on our arms to indicate that they wanted/needed our attention or wanted to participate in the discussion. We practiced it at home before taking it public, and it worked extremely well. I do want to warn moms that you have to be very specific with some children to place their hand, not lean or tap their hand, to get the attention! Some people are just more insistent and it can be a distraction. The parent also makes a commitment that she will close the conversation and give the child attention as soon as is reasonable. Now, in our time of training and educating, I discovered this polite interruption technique is also very helpful. For us, it took place most often during our educational hours, but we also used it doing our together work times because I might be in the middle of reading a recipe or helping another child learn a task. We also took it one step further. We placed "Mommy-Pass" cards in a pocket on our wall. Each child had at least one card with his/her name written on it (non-readers had their name plus a symbol). When I was working with someone else and another child wanted my attention, they would remove their card from the pocket and place it next to me. They were then to proceed with another activity until I was able to meet them. Thus, they continued After I met with them, I placed the card backwards in the pocket so we knew it had been used. This was wonderful! There were so many moments when a child was on the brink of that educational breakthrough and I could finish working with them without interruption. It made for a more pleasant school time for all of us. One other benefit we discovered was that children began to work out more of the problems on their own. As our children matured, they had less "Mommy Pass" cards available to them. Then as they approached me with their card, I could also most see them thinking, "Is this really worth a Mommy Pass card? Oh, now I remember how to do that exercise," or "I had a similar problem before; I will look at that," or "I will try doing that chore on my own again." They were excited and I was excited that they discovered different pathways to come up with an answer. Another reminder that transitions can be formulas for learning.

a poem for times of transformation

A friend sent me this devotional poem in a time of darkness. She did not know but my heavenly Father did and ministered to me through this sweet fragrance of His grace.

Beside my cottage door it grows, The loveliest, daintiest flower that blooms, A sweet brier rose. At dewy morn or twilight’s close, The rarest perfume from it flows, This strange wild rose. But when the raindrops on it beat, Ah, then, its odors grow more sweet, About my feet. Often with loving tenderness, Its soft green leaves I gently press, In sweet caress. A still more wondrous fragrance flows, The more my fingers close, And crush the rose. Dear Lord, oh let my life be so, Its perfume when stronger winds blow, The sweeter flow. And should it be Your blessed will, With crushing grief my soul to fill, Press harder still. And while its dying fragrance flows, I’ll whisper low, “He loves and knows His crushed brier rose.”

I always encourage my children to learn more information about subjects. This poem's author may have studied some attributes of this rose which I share with you. Now, an appropriate application and delicate reminder would be to plant a Sweet Briar Rose. Botanical: Rosa rubiginosa

The flowers of the Sweet Briar are a little smaller than those of the Dog Rose and generally of a deeper hue, though of a richer tint in some plants than in others. They are in bloom during June and July. The fruit is eggshaped, its broadest part being uppermost or farthest from the stem.

The specific name rubiginosa signifies, in Latin, 'rusty,' the plant having been thus named as both stems and leaves are often of a brownish-red tint. It delights in open copses, though is sometimes found also in old hedgerows and is more specially met with in chalk districts in the south of England.

Its fragrance of foliage is peculiarly its own and has led to it holding a cherished place in many old gardens. Under its older name of Eglantine its praises have been sung by poets.

It takes a shower to bring out the full sweetness of Sweet Briar, when its strong and refreshing fragrance will fill the air and be borne a long distance by the breeze. Though the leaves are so highly odorous, the flowers are almost entirely without scent.

Sweet Briar only obtains a place among perfumes in name, for like many other sweetscented plants, it does not repay the labour of collecting its odour, the fragrant part of the plant being destroyed more or less under treatment. An Essence under this name is, however, prepared, compounded of various floral essences so blended as to resemble the spicy fragrance of the growing plant. In olden days the Sweet Briar was used medicinally.

Information and image obtained from

http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/r/roses-18.html

poem from "Streams in the Desert", compiled by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

Warning about Togetherness

Recently I was reflecting on our son's departure to the Army. I realized that I am experiencing what many people experience when they send their children to day care or kindergarten. I am missing our togetherness. This is something you have to be willing to face at some time in a child's life. Most people do it earlier, like when the kids are 6 0r 7. Because we have homeschooled through high school and have focused togetherness and the home as the center of the spinning wheel, I have years of full day (and sometimes, night) interaction with our children before they leave home as young adults. So, I am just posting this as a warning to those "together families", and because I have encouraged that togetherness, you have to be willing to face the transition of them leaving to pursue what God is calling them to pursue and know that their absence will impact your heart and life.

Important Together Routines

My precious and very smart 4 year old granddaughter approached her mother with a very serious inquiry, "If I learn to read, will you keep reading to me?" Now that mother assured her that certainly she would continue to read to her, we suspect the 4 year old will quickly transform all those letters she knows into words she can read and stories in which she will delight in reading, even by herself. But any transition can be scary or difficult to tackle if you lose togetherness in the process. This brings forth the importance in reading in our own family. We read to our children constantly and spontaneously. But we also had certain times of the day that reading was just part of our routine. We read aloud just after breakfast and before the start of other activities. We had "reading" alone time where children would look at books quietly even before they could read them while others were reading the books for real. The end of the day was usually spent enjoying a family read aloud time. And when a child embarked on their own reading plan, they were allowed to stay up a bit later to read. We tried to change up some of these together routines for various reasons but I still remember trying to drop the morning reading time so we could use our morning energy on some serious school subjects that required that vitality. MISTAKE! Instead we felt out of sorts the rest of the day. Just last winter, I realized that our family reading time had been set aside in the midst of many transitions resulting in changing schedules. I know families change and adapt but I also noticed attitude changes and a disconnectedness occurring. So, we brought back our family read aloud time. We have read a variety of material, fiction and nonfiction, as a family. Sometimes it is the parent's choice; sometimes we allow a child to choose. Since one of our sons is joining the army soon, we are reading a military-based book. (I do miss "Blaze", "Good Night Moon", and "Make Way for Ducklings" when compared with bombs, helicopters attacks, and a list of other military jargon I would rather forget.) Our family reading time binds us not just in the time and stories but in the discussions that surround those stories. We learned about men of God, we challenged the ideas of evolution, we explored behind the scenes of the Cuban Missile Crisis, and changed our eating patterns. I know that my granddaughter will grow up in a house where reading aloud will always be a part of what they do and I am reminded to make sure it is something we continue to do, no matter the transitions. By the way, my husband and I usually do not read aloud to one another, but it is common for us to share in reading the same book. Right now, we are reading "Radical" by David Platt. I see us doing more of this type of sharing a book as our family transitions to more young adults unless the grandkids return then we will feast on "Tacky", "Go Dog Go", "Hop on Pop", and "Blueberries for Sal", followed by "Little Britches" and "Anne of Green Gables" and many more good friends we have discovered in books. We have other things we do together but reading has a special place in our family.So maybe it is not reading for your family but it is good to evaluate what are some of your unique "together routines" and to keep them going--and if attitudes are turning sour, maybe evaluate if those routines have been lost along the way.

God's Simple Preparations, Part 3

After another teary day of school frustration, we went before the Lord, asking for His wisdom in how we could redeem this school time and make it work better next year. It has been of utmost importance that academics do not destroy our relationships with our children. Our school year has also been one of transitions: only student left in our school; my health issues; curriculum choices and direction; expectations for a bright student who would rather not work hard; tried a homeschool co-op; death of a grandparent resulting in multiple out-of-start trips, required house remodeling due to some major repairs. After our realization that we could not continue on the present course for our next school year and spending time in prayer, a plan came to mind. Hesitant to call it "from the Lord", I asked Jonathan what he would think about having his eldest brother write course descriptions for Jonathan's schoolwork. Peter and Jonathan think a lot alike. Jonathan respects Peter. Peter has excelled academically. Not only would Peter write the descriptions, Jonathan would need to get Peter's approval to make changes, thus, though I would be involved, I would have an advocate in trying to educate an out-of-the-box thinker. "Yes", Jonathan replied to the idea. So, I contacted Peter and hesitantly broached the subject. As soon as he realized what I was asking, he said, "Mom, I have been thinking about doing this very thing and was wondering how to start." Not that I should be surprised that God prepared Peter's heart and mind but I was. Thank You, Lord for the ways You prepare a path before us and direct us to that path.

Is It Worth It?

This is not an easy question to answer usually because I am in a difficult situation when I ask it. I have heard many young moms ask this when they are tired (okay, probably moms of older children, as well) but I can say, "Absolutely, it is worth it." Forgiveness is worth giving. Homeschooling is worth doing. Marriage is worth protecting. Prayer is worth saying, if it is to the One True God. Evangelism is worth pursuing. Family is worth building. God's way is worth following. But then there are other things that are just not worth going through trials to achieve: I will not work at being a geek, or keeping manicured nails, or run really fast, or . . . Right now, I am believing that following the Marshall Protocol will be worth it. As I have mentioned before, I have been warned that symptoms will reappear and be even worse than before due to poisons released as the bacteria die. In fact, at our last support group meeting, some people mentioned that it felt like you had a really bad hangover--but you can just work through it. Well, I did not consider this particular comment very much maybe because I never experienced a hangover. That was until I bumped up the minocycline dosage(the first antibiotic). 24 hours later, I was a fuzzball. I could not think. I felt like I was moving through water with constant pressure around me. Everything bothered me both internally and externally. I wanted to close everything out. Nothing seemed to help except maybe time. I mused to my husband that if this is what a hangover feels like, why do people get drunk? Is it worth it? When my mind returned to me, I pondered that when in sin, I do not ask this question, "Is it worth it?" Or, if I do ask the question, I justify my actions, or make shallow responses. I do not want to or choose not to ask this question: Is it worth it? If I honestly did ask this question, I would see that the sin that so easily entangles me is not worth it--not for the immediate or earthly consequences, but also not in light of the weight of glory of my Lord Jesus Christ and His eternal plan in my life. Bitterness is not worth holding. Ignorance is not worth keeping . Division is not worth the cost. Failing to pray is not worth the time "it saves". Timid in proclaiming the gospel is not worth the life. Easily irritated is not worth the destruction. Turning from God's way is not worth the consequences. I am considering these things when my mind is clear. I pray that I will also think them when it is dulled by bacterial poison or the subtle poison of temptation. Is it worth it? Is it worth it to face the consequences of my sin? Is it worth it to negatively affect those around me? Is it worth it to turn one heart from Christ? Is it worth it to make it so God does not hear my prayer? Is it worth it to put nails through my Lord's hands?

Deadlines

Since I completed my first official week on the Marshall Protocol, I have been musing over the fact that we like DEADLINES. I don't know if this is an American trait but we like endings for events, school, jobs, church services, and medical procedures. I wanted to find a count-up gadget for this blog to record how long I have been on the Marshall Protocol, but I could only find count-downs. We like to count-down to the END of school, END of a difficult task, END of waiting for a special event or holiday. Yet, in Scripture, I find God often does not give DEADLINES or count-downs. We have no idea when a friend will come to Christ, when Christ will return, when the rapture will happen, or how long we will wander in a desert. Job did not know how long his suffering would last; Joseph did not know how long it would be until he was reunited with his brothers; Abraham did not know when God would provide a son--though it was promised. So, as I continue on this path of hopeful healing, I am needing to be content right where God has me at this moment. Though I cannot know the END, I do know He is with me and guiding me during these moments. I am reminded that He is faithful in all of His promises. Though we have wonderful plans for our children's lives (character, spiritual, physical, and mental goals), my husband often reminds me that what is important is progress otherwise our children would never graduate from our homeschool :). Did you know that in bygone eras, children completed a grade level when they had mastered the required material regardless of how long or short it took him? What an interesting concept! A friend recently told me how refreshed he felt just because he did not have a looming academic DEADLINE over his head. Yes, it is refreshing not to be staring at the calendar wondering how to fit it all in and do your best as the due date creeps towards you. My doctor tells me that this protocol may take anywhere from 3-5 years (everyone is different) to be successful. No promises, but to be encouraged if there is progress. I appreciate his honesty. It allows me to focus on what I need to be doing to help the process along and it helps me be steadfast. A friend has steadfastly persevered in physical therapy with many set backs but she sees slow progress and this is what she needs to keep going (besides the encouragement from her husband, friends, and therapists). Another person I know worked with her disabled child to learn to read. Though tempted to give-up, she continued looking for progress in little increments, several years later, the child has to be told put down the book while he is walking. Again, I am encouraged by the examples in Scripture: Some of the disciples got it right away and others were a little slow in applying the truth. God used the reluctant prophets as well as those who readily responded. God hounds the fleeing sinner and He embraces those who respond right away to the gospel. God is sanctifying me at the rate that is right for me--and the only DEADLINE I face is when I fall before His Throne. May my progress along the way be one that glorifies Him. So, if you are like me and facing a situation that you don't know if it will end or when it will end, I encourage you to be faithful today in what the Lord has placed before you. "He Who began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it." Phil. 1:6 And, by the way, if you happen to know a good count-up gadget for blogs, would you please let me know? Good novel reading to reflect on the true one deadline we all will face--Deadline by Randy Alcorn Good resource if you want to focus on what your child needs to know instead of the end of textbook or school calendar-- Luke's Lists by Joyce Herzog

Together

One necessity for sanity during any transitional time is to go through it together. God designed us this way and called people to encourage one another in love and good deeds. He taught us the strength of a cord instead of a single thread and, most beautiful of all, He reminds us He will never leave nor forsake us. When I first began homeschooling in 1987, the emphasis was on learning together. Though some people selected to segregate their own children into grade levels, it was a more common practice to learn together whatever you could learn together. Part of the reason was the best resources, at that time, were not readily age-segregated. Education publishers were still wary of homeschooling so moms turned to their favorite low-cost alternatives--Libraries and used book sales! We located wonderful books that engaged our children. Family discussions (a.k.a. tests) happened because each member had something to contribute to a subject. The other reason had to do with TIME. If a mom was having to do most of the preparation, she could consolidate that preparation by having the children learn the same subject with minor adjustments to the level appropriate to the student. Sadly, people want homeschooling to look more and more like classroom schooling. This is understandable because it is what most of us are comfortable with because it is what we experienced and, honestly, a lot of homeschooling is now done without conviction so we pursue what is "normal". Now standardized, graded curriculum is widely available to homeschooling families. Not only that, the best sellers are those that teach the child directly or allow the child to work independently. This independent work ability has now reach a glorified status among homeschoolers and it is something that people express proudly. It is essential that our children can learn independently but don't our children innately learn about their interests independently without difficulty? Do we really need to teach them independence? God designed us to learn within a relationship: Father and son; Older woman to younger woman, Mother and child; Pastor-Teacher and the church. I am challenged if this principle applied only to spiritual things or am I willing to consider that it also applies to academic challenges? Wait a minute, one of the reasons we homeschool is to keep from separating the spiritual from the academic! Ah, together, even this we can do together in a relationship and be strengthened to love and good works, become a cord that cannot be broken, and remind one another that God never leaves nor forsakes us (even when facing that hard assignment!). Suggested Resource: Multi-Level Teaching is for YOU! (mini-book) by Joyce Herzog http://www.joyceherzog.info/Joyce_Herzog/Teacher_Helps.html Get her talk of the same title--inspirational and refreshing--below is one source of this talk: http://www.oceanetwork.org/tapes/speakers.cfm?id=31