Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Do you sometimes find yourself stopping to watch your kids because you’re fascinated by how different they are from each other? What makes Johnny respond to life so differently from Suzie? Today on Home School Heartbeat with host Mike Smith, popular author and speaker John Trent elaborates on the wide variety you might have under your own roof!

The Blessing Challenge

This week’s guest, Dr. John Trent, has launched the Blessing Challenge to encourage and equip families and churches to make a difference in the lives of children by blessing them. Learn more about Dr. Trent’s initiative and take part in the Blessing Challenge by clicking the link below.

Learn More Here >>

Mike Smith: John, you’ve come up with a really memorable way to describe four general personality types. Would you please tell us about them?

John Trent:
Well, you’re right. We try to help parents understand their kids’ strengths by using animals. And one of them is a lion. Lions are take-charge. When the door-bell rings, they’re the kids that run to the door and go, “Hey, great to have you here, now let’s get busy!” when their friends come over. They’re the kids that are “letting you” live at home.

Then there’s the otters. They tend to be fun-loving, enthusiastic; they know thousands of people as they grow up—they just don’t know anybody’s name, you know! But they’re the party is waiting to happen.

And then there’s the golden retrievers. Now back the energy level off a little bit, because they tend to be sensitive and caring and compassionate. And these are the kids, the golden retrievers, that’ll actually send themselves to time-out.

And then there’s that organized, detailed, precise beaver kid. And the beavers are the ones that, you know, they love a list because they can check it off. So, put all four of those in the same home, and guess what, you have four kids, that’s wild kingdom! But it’s also a great mix of traits that God can put in our kids’ lives.

Mike:
That’s fascinating! It is so helpful to understand in parenting, so thanks John for being with us. Until next time, I’m Mike Smith.