Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

"What am I going to do? My child doesn't like school-and we're homeschooling." If you've ever struggled to motivate your students, you'll want to tune in to this week's programs with Debra Bell, Director of the Home School Resource Center. She joins Chairman and General Counsel of Home School Legal Defense Association Michael Farris to talk about the reluctant learner, on today's edition of Home School Heartbeat.

Michael Farris:

Debra, welcome to the program.

Debra Bell:

Thank you, I'm glad to be here.

Michael Farris:

What do you think causes kids to lose their motivation to learn?

Debra Bell:

What I've found is that kids can be affected in two ways: attitudes and abilities�and they usually appear in combination. Kids can have sinful attitudes coming to the surface, and we parents need to take time to address them, Mike. Or perhaps we parents are pushing them beyond their God-given abilities at the moment. My husband Kermit's the objective member of our homeschool education. I know my natural tendency is to let my insecurities drive my kids forward with pressure and frustration. He seems particularly gifted at discerning the heart issues, not just in my kids, but me as well.

Michael Farris:

So what does he do, Debra?

Debra Bell:

Usually, I explain to him what's going on and he's good at asking good questions that kind of pinpoint more attitude then the actual events of our frustrating homeschool day. Then usually he suggests ideas that I might want to explore with them in terms of possible wrong reactions on both of our parts. That usually involves going back and sitting down with our kids, talking about what's happening, and asking forgiveness.

Michael Farris:

We'll continue our conversation with Debra Bell tomorrow on Home School Heartbeat. I'm Mike Farris.