Last week we held our New Covenant Christian Academy graduation ceremony. I love this evening, especially the part when the parents (or parent, some are single) come up on stage to join their son or daughter. After I present the diploma, I go back to my seat. Then, the mom and dad take a few minutes…
What starts out as “good advice” often morphs into this is “God’s design” or “God’s way.” At least that’s the way we hear it. In last week’s article, I suggested three “tones” you could employ when correcting your student. Before I relate a story in which a “firm tone” was employed, one that made a…
Do you have a high schooler graduating this spring? Congratulations! This is a euphoric time accompanied by a lot of choices and decisions – college, work, trade school, etc. For some graduates, the path seems clear, at least for now. If I go to this college, major in this subject, then I’ll land this job….
How do your children feel when asked to do something they’ve never done before? How do you feel for that matter? What if you’re asked to do something you’ve never done before in front of an audience? Of course, it depends on what we’re being asked to do. Our thinking may range from “You’ve…
In the 2006 movie comedy, Failure to Launch, the parents in the film are faced with an adult son who is living at home well past the time he should be. He hasn’t gone through the normal progressions that lead to healthy independence and the ability to manage life on his own. While the son…
At the end of this month, I’m back to school (literally) for some continuing education. I do this to maintain my certification as a part-time snowboard instructor at Mt. Hood Meadows. There’s a lot of similarity between the methods I use when teaching/tutoring here at Basic Skills and the way I instruct on the mountain. …
Last week I presented the third of five tips that I consider to be foundational to helping insure your success as a home school parent. This week I present the fourth. Whether we want to admit it or not, we all respond to incentives or rewards in one form or another. Even for those of us…
Below is some helpful advice from one of my favorite authors, Chad Bird. I think it’s timely as we begin a new year of home schooling. He writes, One of the best gifts we can give our children is to stop trying to be perfect parents. Don’t set out to be a hero to your…