Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Today on Home School Heartbeat, Mike Smith discusses preparing your homeschooled child emotionally for an entry-level position in the workplace.

Mike Smith:
The limited scope of an entry-level job may be a frustrating experience for your self-starting homeschooler. If your child is chafing at his job's current limitations, remind him that this is just a stage of life and that entry-level work is helping him apply biblical principles.


Talk to your child about the difference between weakness and meekness. A weak employee has very few skills. A meek employee has many skills—but he doesn't feel compelled to display them all at the same time. Instead, he knows that the greatest contribution he can make is to do his assigned tasks with excellence, reserving his other skills until he is invited to use them.


Self-restraint is an invaluable asset. Remind your children of Proverbs 17:28, which says, "The man of few words and settled mind is wise; therefore, even a fool is thought to be wise when he is silent. It pays him to keep his mouth shut." A new employee who talks too much will quickly be thought of as a know-it-all rather than as an effective worker. If he speaks wisely with restraint, he will be more valued for his ability to fit into his specific role.


After a few years in the working world, his breadth of knowledge and problem-solving skills will be valuable to any employer he serves. But as a junior-level worker, humility may be the most important thing he learns. And until next time, I'm Mike Smith.