We have recently had a lot of discussions with our children about television and how some shows, while seemingly "entertaining" and "socially relevant" seek to promote beliefs that aren't in line with our Biblical beliefs.

Can you relate?

What are we to do in this world that is hostile to raising Godly children?

The solution isn't to shelter our children from all of this - they have to live in the world.

One of our biggest prayers for our children is that they grow and mature in their faith through their teen and early adult years.

We spend literally YEARS trying to live as examples of God's grace, teach our children the beautiful stories of the Bible, provide them opportunities for mission and service, and surround them with Godly role models who helps us instill a deep and meaningful faith in God and his abundant mercies.

The truth is, however, the world wants to tear that faith (and all of our best efforts) down.

*I was provided a copy of Welcome to College in exchange for this review. All opinions are my own and I never promote anything our family doesn't use and believe in. This resource is one I HAPPILY endorse and it is a blessing in our home. I was not compensated for this review.

Our children are bombarded at every turn with things the world deems "acceptable", "normal" and tells them that if it feels good - go for it!

It makes my head hurt just thinking about how HARD parenting a teen is in this age of social media, tolerance, and immense social pressure.

But here is the GOOD NEWS! Sometimes you just KNOW God is moving in your child's life - doing a mighty thing. And many times, God equips us to provide our children with exactly what they need.

Raising a Teen Isn't Easy

Homeschooling our teens can helps us fight the faith war we face each and every day.

It isn't, however, a guarantee that our children won't face hard situations, cultural battles, and doubts. Homeschool kids are just as susceptible to problems as other kids.

And, I believe parenting is uniquely difficult in this generation because of the emergence of social media and the quick dissemination of anyone's ideas - which our children sometimes accept as truth.

A wise author I have recently had the joy to get to know (more on that in a minute!) was just telling me that in the teen years the "protection" phase is over. We can't protect our children from the things they will see and experience in the world. We can, however, "inoculate" our teens and equip them to defend their faith and function in a world that is increasingly hostile to Christians.

We can no longer PROTECT, but we can INOCULATE. (really think about that)

Once I heard that statement it completely changed how I thought about parenting my oldest - now 15.

My first line of defense in raising my children has always been prayer (and LOTS of it during the teen years).

I am also witnessing how God graciously provides the resources and people to help my husband and I raise strong, Godly children - to INOCULATE them.

Today I want to share one of those resources with you - and you will want to add this resources to your parenting toolbox!

Welcome to College by Jonathan Morrow

Recently, I have had the joy of getting to know the author, Dr. Jonathan Morrow.

Jonathan's family is on the homeschooling journey with us. Our children are friends. Our families are friends. We are fortunate to be in such a supportive homeschooling community.

If you have a teen, you need to become very familiar with Jonathan's website and all of the wonderful resources he is providing for parents of teens - and for teens themselves. (He offers a free download: Top 10 Biblical Worldview Resources for Teenagers.)

I first heard Jonathan speak in his role as Director of Cultural Engagement & Immersion at the Impact 360 Gap Year. As time progressed and we began to form a relationship with Jonathan's family, I discovered what a wonderful resource he is not only for my own family, but for ALL families who wish to equip their children to maintain and defend their faith in their high school and college years.

Jonathan wrote Welcome to College in 2008 and has revised it in 2017. I have been savoring every single chapter in this recent version - and also reading some chapters aloud with my 15 year old.

These topics are HARD to discuss with our kids. Sometimes we avoid them because they are hard.

But if we do that, the world will infuse our children with its beliefs. Thank goodness for Welcome to College and the dialogue it generates and the questions it answers.

The book is geared for students contemplating college, students in college, and those of us parenting them through it all. It makes a perfect graduation present, too!

“I am more convinced than ever of the importance of the high school and college years in setting the trajectory for a life of following Jesus. There are real intellectual. moral. spiritual, and relational challenges. Students need to know what they believe as Christians, why they believe it, and how to live it out. Just because a student goes to church or attends youth group doesn’t not mean they are ready to follow Christ in today’s culture”

— Dr. Jonathan Morrow / Welcome to College

Questions tackled in the book include:

How do you grow spiritually and follow Jesus on campus?
How do you manage your time to both study well and have fun?
What about peer pressure and alcohol? Dating and sex?
How do you deal with doubts and challenges to your faith?
With so many beliefs out there, how do you know Christianity is really true?

Some of the chapters include Dealing with Doubts, Trusting the Bible, Preparing for Campus Life, Christianity, Homosexuality and the Bible, Unplugged and Offline, and a Christian View of Alcohol.

There is so much goodness in this book - because our children are going to face so many of these issues as they leave the sheltered environments of their homes. We must equip them with truth and how to speak that truth into others!

So let's go back to the original question: What are we to do in this world that is hostile to raising Godly children?

I think a great place to start is reading Welcome to College with your teens - you won't be disappointed. Let's keep them firmly pointed towards their faith in our loving, gracious, and merciful God.

The Giveaway

Dr. Morrow is giving away a signed copy of his book, Welcome to College.

Please follow the instructions in the widget below to enter.

This giveaway is for residents of the continental United States only.
Entries close on April 27 and midnight EST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I used to get tired of people telling me why they can't homeschool.

Quickly, however, I began to tune that out. As my kids have gotten older I have something NEW that gets on my last nerve (well - not really, but it does kind of irritate me!).

Now, when people hear we are homeschooling all the way through high school they come up with a million reasons why they could NEVER homeschool high school.

I'm hear to tell you that you CAN homeschool high school, and that in many respects it's EASIER than homeschooling little ones. And, in many respects it is more GRATIFYING, too.

So, in lieu of screaming "Stop Telling Me Why You Can't Homeschool High School!", I would say, "Have faith, not fear" and then I would also share the following:

Stop Telling Me Why You Can't Homeschool (High School Edition)

High School is THE Most Important Time to Homeschool

High School is probably THE most important time to homeschool. By educating our children at home during their high school years we are allowing the time and space to think deeply, develop lasting relationships, and practice valuable life skills.

Safety - From a purely practical standpoint, our kids are exposed to less drugs, violence and bullying when they are homeschooled. This last week alone I have heard horror stories of kids selling Oxy at school, kids having sex in the bathrooms, and one girl not wanting to go to school because other girls are bullying her. These are stories from people I know PERSONALLY.

Stop Telling Me Why You Can't Homeschool (High School)

Influence - Who do you want to exert the most influence over your child - peers or parents. I have heard the argument "Well, they need to be in the REAL world at some time.". That time is NOT high school. The homeschool high school kids I know are kind, grounded, and hard working. Many of them have jobs and dual enroll. They are involved in their churches and with volunteer groups. They have good relationships with their parents and siblings.Their parents are working hard to make sure they have the BEST influences so that when they DO go into the real world they are prepared to make a difference.

Teaching them to THINK - Living in this social media age has created teens that are incapable of thinking deeply. They rely on a media snippet for information and sometimes jump on the latest bandwagon and adopt the latest hashtag. I would like to believe that by homeschooling our children we can teach them to think DEEPLY. We can give them time and space and we can have CONVERSATIONS with them about the big things in life.

What About Socialization in Homeschool High School?

This question is laughable.

Here is the answer you can give whenever anyone asks you if you are worried about your kids being "socialized" because you homeschool them for high school.

"I thought school was for learning, NOT for socializing."

The kind of "socializing" our children will get in school is one that often breeds disrespect, shallow thinking, and a focus on things that kids just shouldn't be focusing on at this age.

Many parents asked me, "Aren't you worried your kids will miss the prom, football games, and all of that FUN STUFF that comes with high school?" It's all a matter of what you know and what you promote. Sometimes I think all of these things are more for the PARENTS than for the kids. I'm also wondering if it's good to teach our children to spend literally HUNDREDS of dollars on the prom and to get so whipped up about a football game?

And, as a Classical homeschooler I'm always asking myself if what we are doing holds to the ideals of TRUTH, BEAUTY, and GOODNESS.

(For example, our Classical Conversations Challenge students have an event - Protocol. The students go to a nice dinner (often hosted in someone's home), are encouraged to use and are taught appropriate etiquette, and then attend a cultural performance. Students all go as friends and there is no pressure of having a "date".)

Of course, if you don't seek out activities for your high schoolers, they will get lonely. Kids do need friends and positive peer influences at this age, which is why there is an abundance of groups, clubs, and opportunities for homeschool high schoolers.

My high schooler has been in Classical Conversations, which provides a good friendship base for her. She also is very connected with her church youth group.

You will find that the more entrenched you become in homeschooling, the more amazing opportunities you will find for your child to be "socialized" (whatever that means).

How Will I Teach The "Hard Stuff" in Homeschool High School?

I get this question. I really do.

Our Homeschool Room:  Lots of Homeschool High School Happens Here!

Calculus, Physics, Latin - those make my head spin.

Thank goodness there are WONDERFUL online and in person resources we can avail ourselves of as homeschoolers. Here is a list for you (not exhaustive, I am sure - just ones we have had positive experiences with that you might want to investigate):

Memoria Press Academy
HSLDA Academy -- use code PTYY589 to receive a $30 discount on any course (discount for HGL readers only)
Veritas Press Academy
Mr. D Math

I love that we have a quiet place in our basement for my high schooler to take online classes, research, and spend her days learning and creating - and I'd like to think it's more inviting than sitting at a desk looking at the same four walls each day.

We have also taken high school classes through Classical Conversations (in person) and are taking advantage of our state's dual enrollment program for homeschoolers.

Also, keep your ears open in your area, seek connections with others just ahead of you on the high school path, and you will find many great opportunities for learning.

I've found that HSLDA is a great resource for homeschool.

What About College and Homeschool High School?

First, most colleges and universities are now homeschool friendly - many even have their own admissions counselor for homeschoolers. You will find, when you visit a college website, that there are application instructions for homeschoolers specifically.

Second, after you've been homeschooling any length of time you will start to think outside the box. This includes thinking outside the box for college as well. Maybe your child wants to learn a trade instead of go to college. Maybe they want to attend a junior college while they live at home and then transfer into a 4 year institution. Maybe they want to start their own business instead of going to college.

I believe (for my own children) that a college education will serve them well, but I don't believe in a college education that costs upwards of $40K/year and puts a child into sometimes lifelong debt. Surely there are better ways to steward our time and money.

Third, your child will be uniquely marketable to colleges BECAUSE they are homeschooled. Keep good records, encourage them to have unique experiences, and help them cultivate their God given potential - then have FAITH everything will work out!

I've found these resources and articles to be very helpful in this area:

Helpful Books for Homeschool High School

Please don't be afraid to homeschool high school. I'm right there with you and it's really not that bad - in fact, I think it's a lot of fun!

The next time you tell someone you're homeschooling high school and they say they could NEVER do that, just smile sweetly and say, "Oh, I think you might surprise yourself. If I can do it, I know YOU can do it, too."

Talk to me about homeschooling high school. What are your fears? What are your success stories? I'd love for the comments below to be an encouragement to all who read this post!

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