Tag: Family & Education

Homeschool: Preparing for the High School Years

Many homeschooling parents are not only in the process of wrapping up their family’s homeschooling year, if they follow a traditional school year schedule, but also preparing for next year’s school year. The most frightened of them—besides perhaps those preparing for their first homeschooling year—are very likely those about to begin the high school years….


How to Raise Kids Who Don’t Have ‘Daddy Issues’

“She’s got daddy issues.” You’ve probably heard the phrase before. Usually said with a roll of the eyes or a heavy sigh, the phrase “daddy issues” signals that an adult—often a female but sometimes a male—has trouble forming solid relationships. This problem is attributable to the fact that a person didn’t have a great relationship…


4 Riveting Reads to Help Your Child Understand Communism’s Evils

With the American Library Association’s recent announcement of a Marxist as its next president, there’s never been a better time to hunker down and educate your children on the evils of communism. While there’s a wealth of exceptional non-fiction works (meant for adults) taking communism to task, there remains much less out there for young readers….


The Value of Frugality: Tips for Spending Wisely

Children of the Great Depression were friends with frugality. My dad, who grew up poor, but who became a physician thanks to the G.I. Bill—he served in the infantry in Italy—used to hound us kids about leaving lights on in the house. My wife’s parents packed food for their vacations, so they rarely ate in…


6 Easy Ways to Instill Love of Country in Our Young People

My Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary defines patriotism as “love for or devotion to one’s country.” Note that this short definition says nothing about the government of a country. As Mark Twain so well stated, “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” Nor is patriotism identical to…


How Hybrid Schools Are Reshaping Education

They’re not exactly schools, but they’re not homeschools either. They have elements of structured curriculum and institutional learning, while offering maximum educational freedom and flexibility. They provide a consistent, off-site community of teachers and learners, and prioritize abundant time at home with family. They are not cheap but they are also not exorbitant, with annual…


The Power of Sound: The Mozart Effect

Apart from entertainment, could there be more to Mozart’s music? Scientists around the world have claimed that his music makes people more intelligent and improves health. Even cows and plants like it. Now, a German company says you should play Mozart’s music to sewage! Let’s take a look at various studies and research into the…


From Homeschooler to MIT Professor

Matthew Shoulders grew up in the Appalachian Mountains on a small Virginia farm where he and his five siblings were homeschooled. His father was an accounting professor at Virginia Tech, and his grandfather was a chemistry professor, inspiring Matt’s interest in the subject to which he would dedicate his career. Matt attended Virginia Tech as…


Mother’s Day: Moms Remembering Moms

For me, Mother’s Day often brings to mind an old poem by Rudyard Kipling: If I were hanged on the highest hill, Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine! I know whose love would follow me still, Mother o’ mine, O mother o’ mine! If I were drowned in the deepest sea, Mother o’ mine,…


A Masterpiece of Love

I always wanted to be an artist. With the loving help of my parents, I worked to become one. After studying diligently in the United States, I moved to Europe for years in pursuit of realism at the highest levels. My mom supported me. We talked on the phone long distance almost every day. When…