Tag Archives: teach your children

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Milktoast. Also sometimes spelled milquetoast, but only people who care about which word is proper and which one is what’s popular. But I didn’t bring up the word to share a grammar or spelling lesson. No, I actually wanna share a couple of things about communal parenting. And I realize you’re probably all for it. But hear me out.

There are some mildly important reasons not to go with communal parenting.

Certain studies show that communal parenting creates the “potential for inconsistent parenting methods and values.” And those studies also show that, “When multiple adults are involved, there can be conflicting rules, expectations, and disciplinary methods.” But worse than that is how that “inconsistency can confuse children and hinder their sense of security and stability.”

What?! Well, who could’ve ever foreseen that problem?

You know what? I think you’re gonna find this incredibly difficult to believe. But according to research, “Strong attachment bonds are essential for a child’s emotional and psychological development. So, when a child is raised by a village, the attachment between the child and their primary caregivers might get diluted. And this can negatively impact the child’s sense of trust and emotional security.”

Hey, wait a second. This information isn’t helping to build trust in communal parenting. So, maybe we should move on to more solid ground. On to something the community can really provide. Accountability.

Oops.

Turns out that “in a village-style upbringing, there might be a diffusion of responsibility, where no single adult feels fully accountable for the child’s upbringing.” Uh-oh. That sounds like potential for a “not my job” attitude. But maybe that’s just me.

OK, then. Let’s at least admit the benefit of multiculturalism.

Hmm…nope. That’s another area where communal parenting doesn’t shine (I’m seein’ a pattern form here). No, apparently “different members of a community may have varying cultural, social, and moral values.” No kidding.

And this differences can “lead to conflicting influences on the child.” And all that conflict can “make it challenging for the child to develop a clear, coherent sense of identity and values.”

Don’t tell me there are still some old-fashioned backwoods people who are still concerned about that nonsense.

Actually you don’t have to tell me. Because I KNOW there are wonderful people who still passionately care about their kids’ (yes, their kids, not the community’s kids) identities and values. And I know there are MANY Americans who are passionately opposed to so much of what the community says is “good for kids.” Especially when it comes to the health and wellness of those kids.

And, according to more data, “legal responsibilities and rights of caregivers may become complicated in a communal environment. Because without clear, accountable, legal guardianship, there can be issues regarding who makes decisions for the child’s health, education, and welfare.”

So, all of those are good reasons to oppose the village.

But there’s one reason that tops them all.

Because a family with parents and children is designed by God. One man, married to one woman. And the two of them procreate kids. And those kids are human beings who should be raised by a dad and mom who love them. Plus, they should be raised with a love that helps the kids know their gifts and talents. Raised by the ones who made them. With the kind of love those parents received from the One who made THEM.

All I’ve shared with you here is just a glimpse into why I write rhymes and reasons filled with salt and light. And why I share messages of faith, hope, and love with kids AND adults instead of dystopian darkness.

So, if you believe more of that kind of writing should be available, I’d certainly appreciate your support in my Rhyme and Reason Bookshop. It’s a little light in choices right now because I have tons of files to work on. But there’ll be more for you to download and enjoy with the kids before long.

Jump on the The TRUTH. And join the growing band of believers who are getting updates on when more books will be available. Plus, I’ll send you a free book and some music just for jumping on. Till then…

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

There’s a scene in an episode of one of those old western TV shows where some “concerned citizens” are talking to a father who doesn’t send his son to school. And the citizens tell the dad that, of course, he’s free to teach his son however he sees fit. But they insist that his son will miss out on a more complete and well-rounded education.

Good thing that father was “free to teach” his own son.

Because, as those concerned citizens found out, the man’s son knew history facts even the public schoolmarm didn’t know. Plus, the boy could add, subtract, multiply, and divide above his age level. And his learning didn’t stop with readin’, writin’, and arithmetic.

No, the boy also had hands-on experience with botany and biology. Because he had to tend to the garden and the family livestock on a daily basis. So, that meant he had real-world skills for feeding a family a solid diet of meat and vegetables.

The man and his son were able to satisfy even the silly concerned citizens’ requirements for education. But several of them still believed the man wasn’t educating his son properly.

So typical.

Here in the 21st century, you are “free” to teach your kids in your own home. And that’s true across America. Of course, some states put more regulations on homeschooling than others. But it’s not difficult to find out what those regulations are.

I saw some great comments on homeschooling this morning. Here’s a few I’ll share with you:

“The success of homeschooling is based on freedom. Freedom to pick and choose curriculum. Freedom to pick the learning environment. And freedom to take breaks when needed. Freedom to pause and discuss concepts. ⁠Even freedom to let your child explore his or her interests. Every child is different and should have the freedom to learn in a safe, loving environment at their
own pace.”

(And that’s the way ALL education should be.)

Here’s another quote:

“Archery and Muy Thai for PE today. My helo squadron motto was: ‘Protect the Innocent, Punish the Guilty.’ I’m raising my boys to do just that. #raisingmen and #homeschooling”

I particularly like that one. Because it’s a dad who understands how important it is to raise MEN.

Someone else had this insightful recommendation:

“If you’re on the fence about homeschooling because you think you’ll mess up your kids, you should take a cursory look at what public school is doing: failing academics, confused biology, social justice…You can provide a completely different education and a better childhood.”

Yeah, if you believe your kid(s) will be better off learning how to feel than how to think, then, by all means, send them to your favorite government indoctrination camp.

Here’s a quote from Kevin Sorbos, the actor:

“Because of their grit, a potential revolution in U.S. public education is underway. Taking responsibility for their children’s education, parents across America are starting to turn away from Secularism’s indoctrinational teaching of fabricated principles.”

And I think many parents have “woke” up because of what’s described in this next quote:

“THINGS I NEVER LEARNED IN SCHOOL

  • How to do taxes
  • What taxes are
  • How to manage money
  • Anything to do with banking
  • How to grow food
  • How to handle rejection
  • How to handle interviews
  • How to buy my first home
  • How to survive in the wild
  • How to handle myself in dangerous situations

But I sure am glad I know the Pythagorean Theorem.”

That last part is funny. And I linked it to something I wrote about that theorem. There’s a little something more I said about it below, too.

Anyway…

Naturally, if it’s not important to you that your kid knows how to handle those essential parts of life, then, by all means, send them to your favorite government indoctrination camp. But if it IS important to you, and I believe most of my readers and listeners would say it is, then homeschool.

That’s the best way to follow God’s word when He says, “Train up a child in the way he should go.” And do it while you’re still free to teach your own kids. And here’s the theorem rhyme I mentioned:

Geometric shapes and angles
Help you understand triangles.
But they can show you even more,
Like what we’ve all been put here for.
Unless, of course, you’d rather not
Go where math leads and change your thought.
If that’s your choice, you’ve cooked your goose
And burned up your hypotenuse.

Before you go, jump on the The TRUTH. And join the growing band of believers who enjoy my books, daily rhymes, songs, and videos about the Rhyme and Reason and power of God’s love.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

It’s Saturday evening. And I meant to post this and send it out early this morning. Because I wanted to illustrate how homeschooling can carry on through the weekend. AND, when it’s done with love, kids will actually LUV that.

Here are some homeschooling social media posts that talk about this.

This first post appeals to my sense of Rhyme and Reason:

“Homeschooling enables parents to preserve and prolong their child’s natural sense of wonder and adventure.”

And I love this post that addresses the socialization nonsense anti homeschool dufuses (or is the plural of dufus, dufi? Not sure) love to bring up:

“Homeschooling gets criticized for not socializing the kids And after having 5 , 2 of my own and 3 step, I know how hard the peer pressure and social anxiety was and is for my kids. But now add drugs, sex, and crazy teachers to the mix. No thanks, kids are better at home in a safe sane environment. So, don’t let people tell you public school is better, it’s worse.”

And probably my favorite reason for teaching your kids is found in this post I see some form of all the time:

~ It is written: “train up a child in the way that they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it.” ~

Yeah, that one comes directly from the bestselling book of all time.

Notice how it did NOT say “put your child into a government school so THEY can train up your child?

If you haven’t homeschooled your kids, don’t beat yourself up about it. Because that’s not why I’m writing about this. Heck, I went to “public schools.” Wait, that might be the best reason of all to keep kids out.

Anyway…

Just remember this one point, if nothing else. Homeschooling means kids are taught by someone who actually loves them and wants them to succeed and prosper in life. And there’s almost zero chance kids will find that in 13 years of government school indoctrination.

Most kids LUV when you make all of life an opportunity to learn. And all of life is filled with opportunities to increase that LUV.

So start with true love.

Remember that God gave you a spirit of power. Not fear. And I bet this rhyme won’t help you a bit:

So, addition and subtraction
Show the truth of liquefaction
When your preconceived refraction
Turns to well-designed attraction.

Before you go, jump on the The TRUTH. And join the growing band of believers who enjoy my books, daily rhymes, songs, and videos about the Rhyme and Reason and power of God’s love.

Stay tuned,

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