Do you remember when you took your wedding vows and promised to accept children from God and raise them in the faith? You repeated that vow each time one of your children was baptized. But what does this vow require of us homeschoolers?  Today, Ginny and Mary Ellen discuss keeping that promise and training our children to be responsible and respectful adults by living according to Church teaching.  

Show Notes:

Why it's Important:

Raising virtuous children is part of our homeschooling vocation.  Along with reading, 'riting, 'rithmetic, and religion, we parents must teach our children another R -- responsibility, and yet still another R -- respect for authority, 

Responsibility – We do not raise children, we are raising adults

Two books to model on:

• Bringing up Bebe, American author Pamela Druckerman talks about French children emptying the dishwasher at 3.  
• Farmer Boy, Laura Ingalls Wilder recounts how her husband Almanzo was training a yoke of oxen at nine years old.

Yesterday – Higher Expectations

In rural areas, 75 years ago, Little boys:

• Hauled wood and water
• Cared for animals starting when they were maybe 5 or 6.  
• Worked in the fields.  

Girls didn't get off easy either: 

• They kept the fires going, 
• weeded gardens, and 
• helped with laundry before washing machines

Today - Living Up to Low Expectations

Holy Mother Church teaches that 

• Sloth – laziness – is one of the seven deadly sins.
• Diligence – applying oneself to hard work –is one of the opposing seven heavenly virtues.  
• We are required by our vows to forbid laziness and encourage hard work.

Give Your Children Real Work to Do

• Toddlers can stow their diapers and dirty clothes and pick up their toys. 
• As kids get older, they can learn to vacuum, mop, do dishes, and even handle their laundry. 
• By 15 or so, they should be capable of running the household if you get called away.

The Next R: Respect - The 4th Commandment

Train your children in the ways that God demands

It makes family life more pleasant and prepares them to take their places in the adult world.

Start right from their first words – Please and thank you, Do you mind? Would it be too much trouble?  

Mealtime manners- No negative comments about the food, ask to be excused, clear your place

Proper greetings –  Look up from the screen and ALWAYS recognize a person who has entered the room.  

Do not interrupt for anything less than a medical emergency.  If they must, they have to excuse themselves.  

Do not allow your children to speak disrespectfully to an adult.  Ever!  Including, actually especially, you!  

Books Mentioned in the episode.

Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman

Free Range Kids: How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children by Lenore Skenazy

Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Homeschooling Resources

Seton Home Study School

Seton Testing Services