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Benevolent Dictators or Trusted Advisors?
A mom came up after our session on raising boys, “My son is so frustrated and angry. He can’t understand why we won’t let him get his driver’s license, but he’s so immature still!” “How old is he?” I...
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Intergenerational Fun
One of the things I like best about homeschooling is the socialization. We went to institutional schools and remember how isolating it is – you hardly even know anyone who isn’t your exact age, except...
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Making College Visits Count
“We’re off to spend a week tramping from college to college,” Melanie was telling an old friend. “Why would you do that?” she said. “Seems like a big waste of time and money.” But then, Melanie...
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Overcoming Shyness
This is Melanie. I am very shy. Okay, stop laughing! I’m serious! It’s pretty hard to imagine, I’m sure, how someone who speaks every year to thousands of people, does radio interviews and web...
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Bring Back Work Week: The Pleasure of Accomplishment
A few weeks ago, our son Matt came in and said, “Mom, you know it makes a guy feel good to take responsibility – to meet a need, to do something that matters. I had no idea how much fun it could be to...
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Something’s Changed!
“I just don’t understand! My sweet son is so temperamental lately.” “It’s like he’s a different kid.” “I don’t understand the anger. What’s that about?” “School used to be fun, but now it takes...
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Try To Act Your Age …
We had an interesting discussion with one of our elders after church on Sunday. We’re all concerned about understanding and strengthening the relationship between parents and their young adult...
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A Christian’s Parrot
There’s an old saying that it takes a real Christian to leave his parrot with the town gossip. A test of real virtue is what we do when no one’s looking. And evidence of our true self is left behind in...
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Preparing for College
When we were thinking about high school and preparing for college with our first, we were worried about academics, but now that we’re graduating our third, we’ve realized there are other things,...
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When Boys Want to Be Scientists…
Most boys at some time or another think they want a career in science or technology. Sometimes that’s what God’s calling them to, but other times, it’s what they think that kind of career would bring....
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Teaching Languages
This weekend we were at the HINTS Conference in Charlotte and I happened to have the most interesting conversation with Caryn Hommel of Excelerate Language. I thought I’d come back over and interview...
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How to Talk to Your Children When Christian Leaders Fall
This has been a pretty sobering week for many homeschool families. A very prominent leader and speaker in Christian homeschool circles confessed to an inappropriate relationship with a woman and...
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What in the World is Courtship?
Nearly thirty years ago, we had what was in many ways a courting relationship rather than a dating relationship, though we hadn’t come to a conviction that this was the best or the only way to pursue a...
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Oh Murder! What Parents Need to Know About Teen Brains and the New Games
The first night of Boot Camp 9-12 is always so entertaining. We start off by describing the early signs that your child is entering puberty (and no, peach fuzz and a cracking voice are actually late...
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Passing on the Faith: Mere Christianity Literary Analysis Journal
To enter these giveaways, join us for our free LIVE webinar, Ballistic Parenting: Surviving and Appreciating Boys on Monday, January 27th at 3pm Eastern OR download the workshop and listen any time...
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What’s Your Son Got to Say Tonight?
Recently we asked our Facebook page what people wanted us to write about. Several asked “How can mothers have a good relationship with their sons?” Our friends Marilyn and Rick Boyer helped us a lot...
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Courtship: It’s Just Coffee
“Hey, I’ve got some unexpected time free. Want to meet for coffee?” an adult young man texts an adult female friend. “I’m not comfortable meeting guys like that. You need to talk to my father,” is the...
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Teaching Diligence to Boys
Hal often says that boys seem especially tempted by anger, lust, and laziness. And if you think about it, it makes sense–those sins are connected to some of the most important roles men have as...
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Launching Family Business Greenhouse
People often ask us how they can start a family business like we did. The problem is that they need to start a family business like only they can! One day we were visiting with some dear friends and...
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Awkward! How (and Why) to Have a Conversation About Sexting with Your Kids
It came up on Facebook again today. What do you do when you find your child has been sexting? It’s nauseating to even think about it, isn’t it? Awhile back, I was shocked when one of my friends told me...
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