It should be known that my husband turns into a bit of a squirrel after extended periods of time in our home. Additionally, it should also be known that we live near the Michigan lakeshore: [read] our winters are akin to the Pilgrim’s first winter at Jamestown, leaving us cloistered in our house like moles underground, scratching at the walls for want of sunlight and blue sky.
One such evening, years ago, he clapped his hands in freakish excitement and exclaimed to the family, “Kids!–get your shoes on! We’re having a Family Challenge!” I stared back with equal parts concern and attraction. What has happened to my husband? I thought. He is either totally brilliant…or has completely lost it.
Thankfully, as it turns out, he’s brilliant. But he could have told you that.
This blog is intended to expand on this concept of a “Family Challenge”, which we define as any sort of planned, intentional activity with your kids that creates a teachable moment. Or at least a fun one. Hopefully, a Family Challenge will also truly challenge your kids to learn something new or strive for something once thought to be beyond reach.
This blog is also intended to offer ideas that encourage parents to return to the basic calling to be their child’s first, best teacher–spiritually, emotionally, socially, and beyond. Because that’s our goal, I’ve tongue-in-cheek dubbed myself an “unofficial homeschooler.” We don’t homeschool in the way that you think of when you hear that word, but I do believe that teaching your children…in your home…is a way of life. And we’re trying to do just that.
I think God got it right when he offered this flash of genius:
“These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” ~ Deut. 6:6-7
Apparently, God’s expecting this “parenting thing” to be a full time job–and one that we give thought to purposefully and often–because we all know that doing anything well won’t happen on accident. [If exceptional things did happen on accident, my abs would be ripped and I'd be writing books with Shauna Niequist..."on accident."]
So parents, if you find anything pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy here, I hope you’ll first give God the glory. Then tell all your friends to find me!
Hi Jane! I am a recent follower on your other blog and am thankful to have found this one. I began homeschooling my 7th grade daughter this year. What makes me different is that I work full time. My job is flexible, but we are having to be very creative in our studies. Looking forward to what you have to offer here.
Hi Jane! Wow, I didn’t know I was talking to such a celebrity at target a few weeks ago!
I love your heart in this blog, I strive to be a very intentional mom. I’ll be staying tuned.
See you in a few weeks…
Chellie (kamarah’s friend, fellow bsf-er)
Oh my, Chellie! I’m the farthest thing from a celebrity! *Your* reputation preceeds you, I must say. Kam always has the nicest things to say about you and your mothering. Thanks for finding me! I’ll look forward to connecting at BSF
Jane,
I just wanted to thank you for coming to speak with our MOPS group on Thursday. You have great ideas that I can not wait to try at home with both of my children. You were very insightful, comedic and very encouraging to the mothers in our group. I apologize that one of the moms may disagree. I hope that this mother can come to one of our Steering Team members about their concern about our speakers vs. attacking you. Thank you again!!!
You should not assume that you are the only parent who believes in raising your children in an enriching manner, you come off offensively. Additionally you should use reliable sources if you want to appear valid. I think I am going to leave MOPS after sitting through your dim lecture.
I couldn’t disagree more with Anon’s comment!! Jane–I thought you seemed very warm and sincere. you were very clear that we shouldn’t assume that you have all the answers or are doing everything perfectly and I appreciated that. I filled my handout with your fun ideas and the verses that you listed and am really looking forward to putting some to use in my home. Thank you so much for taking time from your own business to speak at the MOPS group this morning.
As far as reliable sources goes…is the Bible not reliable enough for you Anon?
Thanks again Jane
SK, Thank you for your kind words. As with anything in life, there is always room for improvement, but the encouragement means a lot!
Anon,
I’m sorry that you found my speech to be so disheartening that you’d consider leaving MOPS. I hope you’ll reconsider; having a community of moms who are there to support you is such a gift.
As far as your comments, I’m not sure if you took issue with the statistics I shared, but if you follow the sources I listed and link to the footnotes, you’ll see that the first two originate with the AC Nielsen Co [Nielsen ratings; see report here], and the final one with Barna Research Group, a well-respected research firm referenced by many organizations. I feel that these two groups can be quoted as reliable sources.
Lastly, I apologize if I came off as anything but wanting to encourage or help. I do *not* assume that I am the only one doing these things, and as I mentioned twice, two of my ideas were “borrowed.” I’m happy to give credit to others and acknowledge that the world is full of great parents. My only aim was to share some concrete ideas with others who were interested and open to that.
Jane