 I am so fired up about homeschooling right now! I have just refueled my convictions about Godly home education as I am preparing to speak at a conference in South Carolina--Truth for a New Generation --on a Biblical, Christian worldview of education and Why the Teacher Should be You! I am a huge believer in homeschool support groups and co-lead one myself. We need each other! Why? Because we forget why we are doing what we are doing. We forget that God asks parents to teach children about His mighty deeds and His salvation. The future of our children, and our children's children will only become morally worse if we don't take back our God-given right to educate our children in God's Word and His ways. May our children and our children's children and the generations that rise up after us all have a Godly teacher leading them into a Godly future, and may that teacher be YOU and ME! Here area a couple of TOS articles about support groups: Support Groups: Cultivating a Garden of Friendship - By Cheryl A. Bastian Homeschool Support Groups: Do You Need One? - By Pamela Greer ~Deborah dwuehler@theoldschoolhouse.com
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Announcement
Invite your friends!
Great Giveaways and Freebies!
Do you have questions about
SchoolhouseTeachers.com?
Don't miss our Facebook party,
Tomorrow night - September 4, 2014.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
This is your chance to ask questions, meet some of our teachers, and enter giveaways
for over $200 of homeschool products, including a Kindle Fire!
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Go to the
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Advertisement  If your child is struggling academically, socially or physically, been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, Autism, developmental delays or "special needs", FHC can help. We focus on the source of the issue and work from the inside out to bring about change and maximize your child's potential.
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We'll never forget the day. Melanie was concerned about our newborn. Our little one was breathing too fast when she nursed--had she been exposed to RSV?--so Melanie took her to the doctor's office. The doctor gave her a glance and said, "She looks great to me!" but when he stuck his stethoscope to her chest for a moment, he began screaming. "I can't count it! Get the EKG machine!" Soon they were rushing to our local hospital to meet the Life Flight team. On the way, Melanie texted a prayer request to a friend in our homeschool support group.
Why are we telling this story? Because many homeschool moms today think they get all the support they need from Facebook groups, Pinterest boards, blogs, and all the other great online resources you guys have that didn't exist when we were starting. Let us tell you something, though. The internet won't meet you at the hospital and hold your hand. The internet won't take your family at home a meal. The internet won't haul your children to band and history club and 4-H when you can't. Your support group can be a real and crucial source of help in times of trouble.
In a support group, you can see who is giving you advice--and there's a lot to be said for that. There was a mother on a homeschooling email loop who was very widely regarded for her knowledge of our state law--though she consistently gave bad advice! When we contacted her about a particularly bad error, she said, "Oh, I didn't know that! My oldest is three and we've haven't had to comply with the homeschool law yet." When you can watch a mom interacting with her children, it will tell you a lot about whether you want to take parenting advice from her!
Besides, your younger children don't have the internet for their friendships. At least, they shouldn't. Joining a homeschool group will give you and your children a great place to make friends who are likely to share your values. We've made lifelong friendships through our support groups. And it's great to see other moms when you're having an awful day. "My children have been wild all day. They're driving me crazy!" When another mom answers, "You know, mine, too! It's rained all week. I bet they have cabin fever," you realize that it's not your kids and it's not your parenting. Whew!
Join a support group near you. It'll be a blessing. It has been for us.
Your friends,
Hal & Melanie
We're traveling across the country in the next month. If you'd like us to stop in your area, please let us know here. You can find out more about our speaking here. AND we're planning a LIVE Boot Camp 9-12 in either Denver or Colorado Springs. Can you help us find a location? Email us and let us know!
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AdvertisementMango Languages Homeschool Edition, a fun and engaging approach to foreign-language learning. With over 60 languages to choose from, start a conversation today at mangolanguages.com/oldschoolhouse.
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The Familyman
I was about to start this article with this statement: "You need a homeschool support group." Then I thought, who am I to tell YOU what you need. You know what you need better than I do.
Actually, I was just talking to my wise wife last weekend about this exact subject. She explained to me that there are different seasons in every homeschooling mom's life. It ebbs and flows to where she needs different things, different years. Some years she needs a support group for fellowship, some years her kids need more activities, and other years she just feels too busy to add another thing. And that's OK."
Man, she's smart. She's right too. So here's my advice. If you need a support group, find one. And if you don't, don't let people 'guilt' you into joining one.
NOTE TO DADS - Your wife may not need a support group, but she does need support. In fact, she needs your support. She needs you to take ownership of your homeschool, believe in it, and then cheer her on. Don't know how to do that? Figure it out! And, buy my book Help! I'm Married to a Homeschool Mom and I'll help you.
You 'da dad!!!!
Be Real,
Todd
PS - I'm doing a webinar with The Homescholar, Lee Binz, on Critical Technology Boundaries for Children and Teens. It's going to be an amazing time. Save the date - Sept. 9th. Click here for more details.
PPS - Live in the Chicago area? On October 2nd, I'm speaking at a marriage banquet in Homer Glen, IL. It's going to be a great night with lots of fun and refreshment. More information.
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A division of The Old Schoolhouse� Magazine
Did you know? Every class is INCLUDED for members! No limits!
We're spotlighting two of our classes on SchoolhouseTeachers.com today. Check out these course preview videos all about Animal Science and the new Creative Writing class with Carrie Daws. All of their course material from prior weeks remains posted, so you can jump into either course at any time, all on your own schedule. Animal Science 
Click on image to go to the video.
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Creative Writing
 Click on image to go to the video. |
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Vote for the 2014
The Old Schoolhouse�
Excellence Awards.
Take a short survey and let us know which
homeschool materials are your favorites.
Receive a free 2014-15 Schoolhouse
Digital Planner just for voting!
Voting closes September 15,
so vote today!
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Announcement
"I knew something had to give.
Life was getting out of balance."
The Old Schoolhouse� Magazine.
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Advertisement
Get your copy of the
2014 Annual Print Book
Be encouraged, enlightened, and educated with the 2014 Annual Print Book published by The Old Schoolhouse� Magazine.
You'll get a year's worth of homeschool support in over
280 pages in this full color one-of-a-kind print magazine for homeschoolers, by homeschoolers.
This is a magazine you'll refer to again and again.
Get your copy of the TOS 2014 Print
Annual Edition today and pay just $15.
Or you can buy both the 2014 and the
2013 Annual Print issues for $25!
Free shipping to U.S. only.
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Announcement
Now you can be a TOS affiliate and earn some extra cash!
Would you like to earn 20% commission on TOS items that family and friends purchase through an affiliate website? It's easy, check out this page for more information. Once you are signed up, you simply share your unique affiliate link with family and friends. If anyone purchases anything from the TOS website using your affiliate link, you receive a 20% commission. There are even buttons available to help you promote your affiliate link on your website or blog.
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Contest Corner
For the month of September, 2014
Raising Bearded Dragons: The Ultimate
Care Guide to Raising a Healthy Bearded Dragon
From Raising Bearded Dragons
R aising Bearded Dragons: The Ultimate Care Guide to Raising a Healthy Bearded Dragon, is a complete care course for Beardie owners. This comprehensive course is an 11 module video series created by Abigail Kessler and Gabriel Valo, and is presented by Bay Guthrie. The course teaches you all of the do's and don'ts of raising a healthy Beardie. Also included are a Bearded Dragon Food list PDF, Care Sheet PDF and access to the Raising Bearded Dragons exclusive Facebook community. If you prefer to read through the course rather than watch the videos an E-Book version is included as well. You get all of this for just $27.00. And the course even comes with a money back guarantee. (. . . )
We adopted a Beardie from a friend and really had no clue what we were getting into. My initial thought was, "It's a lizard, how hard can it be"? Well boy was that an incorrect thought. Beardies are great pets, but they require lots of care and there is tons of misinformation out there. When we first got our Beardie, Spike, we checked out some books from the library and talked with a pet store employee. We thought we were prepared and ready to care for Spike. That was until Spike got sick. After a countless hours of research we discovered the problem! But had I watched these video months ago when we brought him home, I would have known what we were doing wrong and could have prevented the problems. Every mistake we were making was covered in the Raising Bearded Dragons videos. (. . . )
There are three very thorough reviews of this resource. Click here to read them!
YOU can WIN this!
TO ENTER: Email Heather with your name, mailing address, and phone number for contact purposes, with the subject line, "Raising Bearded Dragons" for a chance to win* the complete online program for your family!
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Read
in the NEW Sept./Oct. issue of
The Old Schoolhouse�
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has MORE for you!
Check out these resources:
Who We Are:
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"I am amazed at the number of times I open The Homeschool Minute newsletter and have the opportunity to read EXACTLY what I need that day! Thank you so much for putting a real face on homeschooling."
--Michelle Sager
Liberty Twp, OH
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"I really appreciate all the information and the many uplifting articles in your magazines. Invaluable. Thanks for all you're doing to help us homeschoolers.
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"Only just this past week have I seriously checked into the content of the SchoolhouseTeachers.com site ... May I just say wow?!"
--Janelle Chille
Mason City, IA
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"I really enjoy reading all the THM articles. I learn a lot from Todd Wilson's column. [He's a] funny guy who speaks the simple truth! Thank you very much!"
--Charlene
Brandon, FL
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"I look forward to THM every Wednesday. I really enjoy Deborah's articles. For some reason, it must be God, she always writes about what I am needing to hear. Her ability to put scripture and God in the middle of all her articles keeps me coming back. I recently have been enjoying the Youngs' [articles] because I have a young man (10) in my house. The encouragement of the Youngs is fabulous. I thank God for parents like them that pave the way for parents like myself and my husband."
--Racheal Fowler
Glen Burnie, Maryland
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"So love reading TOS on my iPad from cover to cover every month!!!"
--Leigh Anne McGrady
Dunwoody, GA
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"I love the new TOS app! So convenient. So quick. All the encouragement I need at my fingertips ... any place at any time."
--SpunkyHomeschool
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"I absolutely love Todd's column. He always seems to put things in the proper perspective, and it keeps me from getting all stressed and anxious. Thanks Todd, and thanks TOS!!"
--Johnne Orelchikov
East Texas
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