Some things are unquestionable, life-changing moments – an unexpected death in the family, a natural disaster, a major accident. But what about things which just show up and disrupt everything? The smaller emergencies which aren’t big enough to awaken heroism, but are big enough to bring out all our doubts, fears, frustrations, and temper? The “breaking news” which could be really unpleasant, but you can’t be sure?

We’ve dealt with this – frequently, and even recently! So this episode, we’re talking about some practical ways to meet stressful news with calmness and faith … even if it takes a few minutes to make the adjustment!

Passages We Referenced

Matthew 10:29-31 (Jesus): “Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

Philippians 4:6 – Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God

Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 

Books We Mentioned

Judith Viorst, The Tenth Good Thing About Barney. This is a great children’s book about remembering the good things in the middle of sad times. It’s easy to get overwhelmed in the stress of the moment, and forget that happiness is real just like sorrow – and life will have some of both.

Eleanor H. Porter, Pollyanna – check out the audiobook version narrated by Melanie! The book is much better than the Disney version (more clearly Biblical, for one thing), and funny as well as thought-provoking. Even our teenaged sons enjoyed it, though the main character is a young girl at the time. Important lessons about always finding a reason to rejoice, even in difficulty.

NEXT TIME

Helping your kids through stressful times …

UPDATE –

We mentioned that our van broke down on a speaking trip in July, and at the time of recording, had been in the shop for several weeks waiting on an engine replacement. We’re glad to say that the van is now repaired and back home – thank you for your prayers and support!

A Special Thank You to Our Network Sponsor:  Thanks to NOW Programs, this evidence-based program helps students learn differences.

The post Dealing with Stressful News – MBFLP Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

We’ve seen that understanding history can help us navigate the present, too! The question is, how can we help our children learn to appreciate history like we do? What can we do to spark their interest, to make it memorable, and bring it to life for them? This episode we talk about several things we’ve built into our homeschooling family life to elevate history from dry lists of names and dates to a lively narrative of people, places, and ideas – in short, a grand story!

Thanks to our sponsor CTC Math. CTC is a highly rated math curriculum for homeschooled students for grades K-12. The family math package makes it ideal for large families at a low price. Visit the website for more information.

The post Bringing History to Life! – MBFLP 296 (Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Happily Married While Homeschooling?

Happily Married and Homeschooling, podcast episode of Making Biblical Family Life Practical with Hal & Melanie Young.

Everyone tells you that homeschooling isn’t an educational choice, but a lifestyle! Should we be surprised if we discover that homeschooling has an impact on our marriage? It’s true, and if we’re not watchful, our marriage could be a weak spot in our family’s new endeavor. Hal and Melanie have been married for 27 years and homeschooling for 20, and this week they share some ideas of stumbling blocks to avoid and how you can make both your homeschool and your relationship strong!

This episode sponsored by CTC Math.

Are you looking for a new Math Curriculum?

CTCMath specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning. Favorably reviewed in Cathy Duffy’s 102 Top Picks and The Old Schoolhouse Crew Review, the lessons are short and concise to help your children break down concepts and appreciate math in a whole new way!

The lessons are taught the traditional way, not to a “test”.

Each one of the video tutorials is taught by an internationally acclaimed teacher, Pat Murray, who is renowned for teaching math concepts in a simple, easy-to-understand way (and in only a few minutes at a time). Using a multi-sensory approach having the combination of effective graphics and animation synchronized with the voice of a friendly teacher together with practical assessment. This three-pronged attack makes learning so much easier and more effective. Even students who struggled with math are getting fantastic results! And ones who were doing OK before are now doing brilliantly.

Visit c-t-c-math.com today to start your free trial.

Real. Authentic. Practical.

We’re Hal and Melanie Young. We’re not just authors and speakers, but we’re the parents of six sons (in a row!) and two daughters. The experience of raising this van-full has proved two things – you need God’s wisdom to raise a family, and you need help to make it practical!

That’s our goal and message—start with Biblical foundations, then share how to put principles into practice.

The reality is that God gave each family a mix of parents, children, and personalities, in a particular time and circumstance. They’re all unique, so every family’s “practical” may be a little different, and still be totally Biblical. That’s why we focus on principles instead of checklists. Instead of more law, we need more grace!

And it’s grace that drives us to Jesus Christ, the one who ultimately makes our family what it ought to be. We want to help families find practical ideas, but the risen Savior as well.

The post MBFLP – How To Be Happily Married While Homeschooling (Replay appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

A reader writes, “I need suggestions how to discipline my 14-year-old son.” She’s finding out what we all discover – if you try to discipline your 14-year-old like he was still six, you’re likely to have a fight on your hands! So what do you do with this young person who’s growing so tall, but still needs a lot of guidance and discipleship?

Thank you to our sponsor, CTC Math.

It’s more than behavior management

With younger kids, a great deal of our training is behavior – “Don’t tease the cat,” “Don’t touch the stove,” “Stop hitting your brother!” Tedd Tripp points out that Ephesians 6:1 is fundamental for the younger set: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”

And external behavior is important – that’s what hurts others and damages things! But as they move into the early teen years, our children need more coaching and discipleship to reach their deepest need – the condition of their heart. They need to be confronted with Right and Wrong in a larger sense than, “Honor your father and your mother.” When they realize their failing and sin, they are more likely to grasp their need for a Savior!

And when we recognize that their behavior is more than “You’re on my nerves!” but something rooted on their human fallenness … maybe we can be a little more compassionate and not as quick to react.

As they change, we should too

A lot of parent-teen relationships are strained or broken because parents don’t adapt to their young person’s changes. When they reach adolescence, they’re not kids any more! We need to understand they aren’t the little ones we’ve raised so far, but young adults-in-training. We can’t just continue the old discipline models and expect the same response. Appropriate correction for a four-year-old is humiliating, at best, to a 14-year-old.

More and more, we need to move our discipline to adult responses. What does that look like?

Well, consider what happens when we make a mistake or cause an offense as an adult. Are we sent to stand with our nose in the corner until we say we’re sorry? Does our boss or pastor or neighbor give us a sharp swat on the hand? Of course not. Instead, we are likely to experience “natural consequences.”

Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic operetta The Mikado includes the chorus, “Let the punishment fit the crime!” Humor aside, that’s actually quite Biblical. Over and over again in Scripture, you see principles of repentance followed by restitution. We use this as a guide with our teens – if you break it, you fix it – whether it’s a broken toy or a damaged relationship. It’s a hard lesson, but we impress on them that being an adult sometimes means we accept responsibility for things that aren’t strictly our fault. Maybe something happened by accident, or someone took offense by misunderstanding – we still need to step up and try to make things right.

Occasionally the problem isn’t actual sin but rather just high spirits or too much energy. Maybe they really are on your nerves, and that’s most of the problem!

How did Coach handle it?

Sometimes the best correction is just to work it off. How did your high school coach handle it if you were goofing off during practice? What did your drill instructor do at boot camp if you weren’t putting your back into the job?

A bit of strenuous exertion can be a lifesaver here! “Drop and give me ten!” – a call for some push-ups is a good manly punishment for a minor but irritating infraction. You can have them run up and down the stairs, or laps around the back yard. Ask Dad for advice, since he’s probably received similar correction in his time! It’s not offensive or demeaning, but it can use up some energy and help your son focus again.

It’s not supposed to be easy or fun. Hebrews 12:11 says,

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

(continue …)

The most important part

But the most critical thing to remember is the foundation you’re laying for the long term. What sort of relationship are you building with your teenager?

Our relationship with God is more than just crime-and-punishment – that’s part of it and unavoidable, but it’s not the full relationship. If that’s all we know of our heavenly Father, there’s a lot that’s missing!

Likewise with our kids. Of course we’ll have times of conflict or confrontation, but the question will remain – what sort of relationship do we have now, and what sort are we building for tomorrow? … Tune in for practical applications! 

The post Effective Discipline for Teens – MBFLP 261 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

One of the hallmarks of adolescent behavior is social awkwardness, often to the point of anxiety. That’s true in the best of times! Yet here we are after a year of pandemic alarms, mandates, and “abundance of caution,” and you may be finding your young people are not eager to begin seeing people outside the family again. What can we do to help our teens and preteens resume normal, healthy interactions?

Teens and Navigating Adolescence

Navigating adolescence is challenging in the best of times, with social awkwardness often leading to anxiety. For many young people, this awkwardness is a natural part of growing up, but it can become overwhelming, especially after extended periods of social isolation. The past year has been particularly tough, marked by pandemic-related alarms, mandates, and an overwhelming emphasis on “abundance of caution.” As we begin to emerge from this period, you might notice that your teens and preteens are hesitant, if not outright resistant, to reengage with the world beyond the family. The question now is: how can we help our young people regain their social confidence and return to normal, healthy interactions?

First, it’s important to recognize that your child’s reluctance is not unusual. The social disruptions caused by the pandemic have impacted many adolescents’ mental health. According to the Mott Poll Report from March 15, 2021, titled “How the Pandemic has Impacted Teen Mental Health,” there’s been a notable increase in anxiety and stress among teens. This makes the need for supportive interventions even more critical.

Teen Resources

One useful resource to understand this challenge is Dr. Jean Twenge’s book iGen, which explores the characteristics of today’s young generation. Our recent podcast episode delves into this book, highlighting how these traits have been further shaped by the pandemic’s unique pressures. By understanding the broader context of what our teens are experiencing, we can better support them.

In addition to these insights, there are practical ways to ease your child back into social settings. Consider engaging them in creative activities that also involve social interaction, such as those offered by Craftsman Crate. Whether through a subscription, individual boxes, or party packs, Craftsman Crate provides hands-on projects that can help your teens rebuild their confidence while fostering social connections in a low-pressure environment.

By understanding the challenges and offering supportive resources, we can help our teens and preteens navigate this transition and resume healthy social interactions.

Resources We Reference

Our episode reviewing Dr. Jean Twenge’s book iGen about characteristics of our children’s generation

“How the Pandemic has Impacted Teen Mental Health,” Mott Poll Report, 3/15/21

Craftsman Crate by subscription, individual boxes, or party packs

Thank you to our sponsor, CTCMath.com

The post Teens, Preteens, and Social Anxiety – MBFLP 263 (Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

“What makes you think you’re qualified to homeschool?”

That’s one of the frequently asked questions, isn’t it? And if nobody in your family, church, or neighborhood asks — you’ll probably ask yourself. Don’t you have to have a teacher’s certificate to really be a teacher? Shouldn’t you go to college and get an education degree first? Or is the credential less important for a homeschool than a classroom?

This episode, we’re taking a listener’s question and talking about homeschooling with confidence – without specialized training or professional certification. We did it, and you can too!

Do you have a question or a suggestion to share?

We’d love to hear from you! Call our Listener Response Line and leave a message, and maybe we can answer your questions in a future episode!

Visit our sponsor:

Are you looking for a new Math Curriculum?

CTCMath specializes in providing online video tutorials that take a multi-sensory approach to learning. Favorably reviewed in Cathy Duffy’s 102 Top Picks and The Old Schoolhouse Crew Review, the lessons are short and concise to help your children break down concepts and appreciate math in a whole new way!

The lessons are taught the traditional way, not to a “test”.

Each one of the video tutorials is taught by an internationally acclaimed teacher, Pat Murray, who is renowned for teaching math concepts in a simple, easy-to-understand way (and in only a few minutes at a time). Using a multi-sensory approach having the combination of effective graphics and animation synchronized with the voice of a friendly teacher together with practical assessment. This three-pronged attack makes learning so much easier and more effective. Even students who struggled with math are getting fantastic results! And ones who were doing OK before are now doing brilliantly.

Visit ctcmath.com today to start your free trial.

The post Qualified to Homeschool – MBFLP 266 (Special Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Jews and Christians are known in many cultures as “The People of the Book.” Our faith is grounded on the truth of God’s word! But there is a definite history of how that word was given, recorded, and distributed over the centuries. This episode, recorded at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., we’re talking about teaching your family about that history and the reliability of the text we have today!

Resources We Recommend

Josh McDowell, More Than A Carpenter
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ

The post The Bible is Reliable – MBFLP 204 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

It’s summertime, and like many families, we’re on vacation! Our annual trip to the lake is a tremendous encouragement after all the travel and work of conference season. You know what else is encouraging? To realize the Bible supports the idea!

God established a pattern of work and rest from the very beginning – creating the world in six days and ceasing His work on the seventh. It was a matter of civil law in the Old Testament, but Jesus explained that the day of rest was a blessing given to man.

In the Gospels, Jesus took His disciples aside for a time of rest after a strenuous period of ministry. (Not unlike our vacation!) And sometimes special occasions would call for a pause in the daily routine – like a wedding.

So there are examples in the Bible of doing just this – taking time off work and doing something different. It’s meant to restore our strength and courage for the tasks we return to. It may be a time to relax, or a time to do something active – but a change from our regular work.

WHAT SHOULD IT LOOK LIKE?

“Vacation” doesn’t have to be a multi-thousand-dollar cruise or resort stay. We’ve done all kinds of things on a tight budget (raising eight kids on one income, and part of that time in ministry!).

• “Daycations” – go visit nearby museums, state parks, or other places you might have overlooked
• Camping – We have literally camped across the U.S., in tents – no RVs! National Forest campgrounds are inexpensive and they’ve always been well-maintained. And you don’t need a lot of fancy equipment – we found when we camped often while traveling, we got to be minimalists with our gear. (It’s not cheating for Mom and Dad to have an air mattress, though)
• Business trips – Often our whole family went with Dad on training and meeting travel. While he was in class, the rest of the family visited historic sites, museums, and natural attractions.  Often, the company would cover the cost of gas instead of the airfare they expected!
• Add a few days to a college trip – We often did this when moving a student into or out of the dorms. You’re already going there, why not enjoy the local places together?

SCRIPTURES WE REFERENCE

The pattern of work and rest was established before the Fall! 

Thus the heavens and the earth, and all the host of them, were finished. And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day … Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it … (Genesis 2:1-3)

A weekly time of rest is a blessing to mankind

“The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” (Jesus, in Mark 2:27)

There are seasons when it is appropriate to set aside regular work

“When a man has taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war or be charged with any business; he shall be free at home one year, and bring happiness to his wife whom he has taken.” (Deuteronomy 24:5)

Jesus saw the need for recuperation after extended work

Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. (Mark 6:30-32)

You Might Find Helpful …

Long Distances with Little Ones

Family Travel Hacks

The post Time Off – Vacation, the Bible, and Your Budget – MBFLP 307 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

“My son shows me disrespect.” “How can I deal with the disrespect from our kids?” “What can I do to teach my children to be more respectful?” It’s something we all have to deal with as parents, and yet it’s hard – and some of us struggle more than we expected! This episode, we look at the very real question of respect – teaching our kids to show it, dealing with them when they don’t, where this may be coming from, and what God expects from all of us!

Thank you to our episode sponsor, CTC Math.

The post Dealing with Disrespect – MBFLP 201 (replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

 Are they ready for college?There’s more than academics at stake!

This episode is Sponsored by CTC Math.

If your student is heading for college – next year or several years from now – of course you’re going to pay attention to class work, transcripts, resumes and such. But as we’re preparing our seventh student  this fall, we’re thinking about a lot of things which never make it to a report card or CV – things like emotional maturity, spiritual development, and more.  This episode we’re talking about those critically import matter which will be remembered long after the tassel is moved!

Other episodes to enjoy:

• Top Skills for College
• Best of Homschooling IRL: Affording College | Special Replay

The post Are They Ready for College? – MBFLP 305 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

A lot of Christian homes don’t have experience with family devotions. Where do you even start? What’s appropriate for our kids at their ages? This episode, we’re following up our previous show about why to have devotions – now, we’re looking at how!  Join us for some ideas that we’ve found really useful with our family of ten.

The post Family Devotions – What Does This Look Like? – MBFLP 303 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.