I’m starting something new. I will write, at least a weekly newsletter, but probably daily or thrice-weekly blog posts. I’m thinking I’ll have a podcast, too. I’ve had a few of my own solo podcasts in the past (The Mastermind Podcast, The Call of Men podcast, and Unsocialized: The Homeschool Podcast). I’m not sure what this new thing will be, though, and I’d like your help. I may be considering cohost candidates for the podcast. I don’t really want to do a solo thing again. But, I’d like your help figuring out what this will become. So, I’m asking, what would you like me to write and/or talk about?

If you think I should just forget the whole business and go sell used refrigerators, I probably won’t like you very much, but, as Bobby Brown said, that’s my prerogative. So, what do you think? What would you like to hear from me?

Here’s what I’m thinking so far. They say, write what you know, but the Fat, Broke, and Old Guy podcast doesn’t feel like it would be very good for my self-esteem. I like movies a lot. Recently, my son and I discussed the possibility of doing a movie podcast. I even ranked the top 150 movies of all time, according to me. I also love music and writing/recording my own songs, but I’m not sure I want to write/talk about music (or movies) all the time. I like talking about faith, culture, and politics, but I’m not sure there’s a strong market for my opinions on all that. I like encouraging families/dads/husbands, especially of the Christian homeschool persuasion. I also like entrepreneur stuff. So, maybe some combination of movies, music, family, faith, homeschooling, and entrepreneur stuff that’s, you know, inspiring and encouraging?

Btw, stand-up comedy is not out of the realm of possibility either.

Again I ask, what do you think? I love you guys and value your opinion. What would you like to hear from me? Thanks!

Sincerely,
Scott

P.S. If you’re such a big fan/friend that you want to be on my email list no matter what I’m doing, then please send me an email at: [email protected] and I’ll make sure to keep in touch! Thanks again.

We have some new theme music for the show! It’s by my friends, Trent and Siobhan. You can find them at rvworshipleader.com. Along with the new music, I want to tweak the show a little. It’s still about homeschooling, but it occurs to me that this is about so much more than homeschooling. It’s about purposely trying to create the family that we want. Now, it’s never the Norman Rockwell painting we’d like it to be, but we’re working on it, right?

What do you think? I really want to know.

In other news:

So, the election happened.

And now, it’s Thanksgiving, which means, CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!

And, Happy Thanksgiving!!!

50 Side Jobs to Help You Make an Extra $500 or More This Month

Perhaps like you, I’m dreading the election. By the time you read/listen to this, we may already know the results. For what it’s worth, I think we’re pretty well sunk as a nation no matter who wins. Don’t get me wrong. I believe the results should be markedly better one way, but I believe the character of the American people has become so degraded that we need a dramatic change to right the course of this ship.

“It has been frequently remarked that it seems to have been reserved to the people of this country, by their conduct and example, to decide the important question, whether the societies of men are really capable or not of establishing good government from reflection and choice, or whether they are forever destined to depend for their political constitutions on accident and force. If there be any truth in the remark, the crisis at which we are arrived may with propriety be regarded as the era in which that decision is to be made; and a wrong election of the part we shall act may, in this view, deserve to be considered as the general misfortune of mankind.”
– Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 1

Mr. Hamilton’s words are no less true today. Even before this presidential election, it can be said that we are incapable of good government.

“The obstacles to usurpation and the facilities of resistance increase with the increased extent of the state, provided the citizens understand their rights and are disposed to defend them.” – Hamilton, Federalist No. 28

Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived at this point. Many of the citizens have no idea what rights are, much less their rights, and wouldn’t be able to defend them anyway.

“It will be of little avail to the people that the laws are made by men of their own choice if the laws be so voluminous that they cannot be read, or so incoherent that they cannot be understood.” – James Madison, Federalist No. 62

That sounds like just about every law passed by our government: Obamacare, the tax code, you name it.

“No government, any more than an individual, will long be respected without being truly respectable; nor be truly respectable without possessing a certain portion of order and stability.” – Madison, Federalist No. 62

If we are to have any hope of reestablishing the honor of the United States of America as a true champion of liberty, where truth and justice are paramount, we must take back the education of our children from the state. I read recently that many American students believe that America invented slavery and George Bush killed more people than Stalin. That is what our public schools have taught our children – or at least allowed them to believe by not correcting the lies and distortions of Hollywood and the mainstream media.

Homeschoolers, do not grow weary and give up. If we don’t teach our children the truth, who will?

Are you just starting out on this homeschooling journey? Here are 10 things I wish I’d known when I was a new homeschooling dad:

1. We can do this.
2. Our kids will be different – and that’s good!
3. It’s not about getting them into Harvard.
4. My wife is going to need cheerleading. And lots of help.
5. Scratch number 4. These are my kids, too. My wife doesn’t just need help. We are homeschooling. It’s not her job to homeschool the kids.
6. The house is never going to be clean. Maybe when the kids are grown. But then I’ll be sad.
7. This is going to be expensive, but worth it.
8. Our parents, friends, relatives, etc., may or may not understand or support what we’re doing. In fact, they may actively oppose what we’re doing.
9. We’re going to feel like quitting. Don’t!
10. I love my kids!!!

What do you think?

This week, in the words of Dean Martin, “I’m just trying to have a little fun, folks.” Enjoy.

We took an awesome field trip with our son last week. It was a bit more than a normal field trip, at least the way I remember them from my school days. Those usually involved a bus ride downtown to the art museum or the zoo or something like that. Not this field trip! We drove five hours to Nashville, TN so my son could meet his favorite author who was doing a book signing event there.

On the way, we stopped at the Corvette Museum to see some of the coolest cars ever made and learn a little about the greatness of America and the American muscle car. And, before coming home, we went to the Nashville Parthenon (a full scale replica of the original Greek Parthenon, complete with a statue of Athena inside).

We don’t do many field trips on this scale, and we had to scrimp and pinch to make this one work, but it was worth every penny.

So, what field trips have you done or are planning to do?

How much authority does a local superintendent have over your homeschool? Well, that depends on how much they think they have and how much you’ll let them take. We’ll talk a little about that today and about the upcoming election as it relates to homeschooling.

In addition, I have a question for you. Are you struggling with the wealth of opportunities available for your homeschool student after graduation? Me, too! I’m working on a resource to help homeschool parents and their students to “homeschool college”. What do you think? Would you be interested in such a resource? And, what questions would you like answered? Do you want help getting your homeschooler into a good college? SAT prep? Guidance for creating their own education post-high school? Leave a comment or send me an email. I’d love to know your questions/thoughts. Thanks!

Supreme Court faces historic transformation after election

OH superintendent: ‘I will question homeschoolers as I see fit’

On today’s episode, a listener asks:

I just listened to your latest “Unsocialized” podcast where you discussed how difficult homeschooling is. You also referenced an article about things homeschooling will not necessarily prevent.  I agree with you completely.  However, your kids seem to be fully on board with homeschooling, making your difficulties bearable. What about kids like mine who hate homeschooling–and I do mean HATE?  My 13-year-old son doesn’t care that public school is terrible and private school is outrageously expensive (and filled with several who were kicked out of public school); he is only concerned with not being different from all his friends.  I can easily see him rebelling if we continue to homeschool, and I can also see him being part of the wrong crowd if he were to go to public school.  Any thoughts?

What do you think?

I said: Thank you for your question. That’s a tough situation. I’m just a dad trying to figure this stuff out myself, but I’m happy to share my thoughts. The first thing I would do is pray, asking Jesus what He thinks we should do. If you get a clear answer, go with that.

Now for my thoughts. It’s really hard when your kids see homeschooling as optional. I mean, when I was a kid, I hated school, but I went because I didn’t have a choice. If I couldn’t see a better way to handle this and I really didn’t see public or private school as options, I would tell my son (not in these words) to, “suck it up and deal. You don’t have a choice. It’s our job as your parents to raise you the best way we can and this is our decision. Now, we love you and we don’t want you to be miserable. How can we find a way to work together to make homeschooling better?”

Now, I realize that’s probably the toughest way to go and not likely to produce the happiest response. I assume you’ve laid a strong foundation of love and trust with your son. Without it, the ‘suck it up and deal’ approach will almost certainly backfire. Even with a firm foundation of love and trust, it’s a hard sell. Are there any options you may not have thought of? For instance, is it just that he wants to be in school or is he an extrovert that needs to be around people? Perhaps a homeschool co-op or other groups would provide enough social interaction. If there isn’t a co-op near you, you could consider starting one. Since he’s 13, he may be ready to take a more active role in his life. Even if you don’t really give him any authority or power, it may help if he feels that he’s involved in the process of deciding what to do. I would definitely try to talk through it with him and see if we could come to a solution together first. Maybe there’s another option besides the way it’s been or school. Don’t be afraid to get creative. I’d try everything possible before I either put him in school or tried the ‘suck it up and deal’ approach.

Have you tried throwing out the curriculum you’re using and looking for a new strategy for home education? Maybe a change of style would be enough of a difference without dumping homeschooling altogether.

Another idea would be to try public school for a semester. He may decide he hates it pretty quickly. On the other hand, it may turn out to be a better option than you had thought (There are days I’d really like to stick my kids on the bus and have some time to myself ;). I personally tend to demonize all public schools, but they’re not all evil.

I’m not sure I’m helping much. As you already knew, this is your decision. If it were me, I’d be agonizing over how to guard his heart in this process without letting him take advantage of and manipulate me. I’d also be looking for options we hadn’t considered yet. Does that help at all?

Education Secretary King: Homeschoolers Have Limited Options

It’s been a long summer. I honestly wasn’t sure if I’d return, but here we are. The kids are back at co-op and I’m back behind the microphone.

There are lots of changes this year for my homeschool. My oldest is a senior! From top to bottom, we now have a senior, an 8th grader, a 5th grader, and a Kindergartner.

The senior year thing is really freaking me out. Do you have any seniors? How are you dealing with this?