Good Job, Mama

Taken from http://www.itakejoy.com/good-job-mama/?utm_content=buffer5a1b9&utm_source=buffer&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=Buffer

 

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Pregnant Mama with little boy

I watched my kids weave through the pumpkins, enjoying the sun on my face and the brisk autumn air. From the corner of my eye I caught a glimpse of a mama, belly ready to burst, buying pumpkins with her little one. He was near 3 years old and a cute little button of energy. I observed as she maneuvered around pumpkins with her pumpkin-sized belly, hand holding her sweet, lively boy.

He asked for something, she told him no, and two seconds later he was on the ground flailing in the dirt, letting her know *exactly* what he thought.

I saw the exasperated look in her face, the desperation, the exhaustion, the overwhelmed feelings sweep over her.

And, quick as that, the Lord whispered to me, “Joy, go over there and put your hand on her shoulder. Whisper to her, tell her she is a great mom, encourage her heart right now.

My immediate response came just a fast, “Lord, she and everyone else here will think I’m nuts! This is America! You don’t just walk over to someone stranger and put your hand on their shoulder!” (more…)

Exposing Major Blind Spots of Homeschoolers

 by Reb Bradley

girl covering eyes ffound-1.jpeg

In the last couple of years, I have heard from multitudes of troubled homeschool parents around the country, a good many of whom were leaders. These parents have graduated their first batch of kids, only to discover that their children didn’t turn out the way they thought they would. Many of these children were model homeschoolers while growing up, but sometime after their 18th birthday they began to reveal that they didn’t hold to their parents’ values.

Some of these young people grew up and left home in defiance of their parents. Others got married against their parents’ wishes, and still others got involved with drugs, alcohol, and immorality. I have even heard of several exemplary young men who no longer even believe in God. My own adult children have gone through struggles I never guessed they would face.

Most of these parents remain stunned by their children’s choices, because they were fully confident their approach to parenting was going to prevent any such rebellion.

After several years of examining what went wrong in our own home and in the homes of so many conscientious parents, God has opened our eyes to a number of critical blind spots common to homeschoolers and other family-minded people. (more…)

Am I Qualified To Teach My Children?

by Cindy Short and Sue Welch, co-editors
Taken from Newsletter #375
www.teachinghome.com

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart.

You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.”  Deuteronomy 6:5-7

You have the most direct and long-term responsibility for your children before God, who commands parents to teach their children His Word, the most important thing they will learn.

Parental and Tutorial Advantages

You know your children better than anyone else and have the deepest love and concern for them.

You do not need to know everything in order to teach.  Your example and enthusiasm in learning with your children will motivate and encourage them.

Dr. Brian Ray, president of the National Home Education Research Institute, says:

“The tutorial method of teaching has always been the superior method.  Home education epitomizes this method, providing essentials for success – a close student/teacher relationship, family-consistent values, motivation, flexibility, and individualization.”
Research Findings

Dr. Ray has listed the following findings in regards to the academic performance of home school students:

•  Home-educated students typically score 15 to 30 percentile points above public-school students on standardized academic achievement tests.

•  Homeschool students score above average on achievement tests regardless of their parents’ level of formal education or their family’s household income.

•  Whether homeschool parents were ever certified teachers, is not related to their children’s academic achievement.

•  Home-educated students typically score above average on the SAT and ACT tests that colleges consider for admissions.

•  Homeschool students are increasingly being actively recruited by colleges.

Read the complete Research Facts on Homeschooling online.
National Home Education Research Institute

Dr. Brian Ray founded NHERI in 1990 and has compiled statistics from his own and others’ research that has been used in court cases and legislatures worldwide to promote and defend homeschooling.

Check out the NHERI website at www.nheri.org to see more information, sign up for their mailing list, order NHERI products, and make a tax-deductible donation.