Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

As homeschool parents become grandparents, what advice will they give to their children? Today on Home School Heartbeat, Michael Farris, Chairman and General Counsel of Home School Legal Defense Association, asks homeschool veteran and grandmother Bettie Ethell to share some of her wisdom with the next generation of homeschoolers.

Michael Farris:
Bettie, you were homeschooled yourself on the mission field, and you have completed the homeschooling of your own children, all three of whom are now grown. As you watch your children begin families of their own, what mistakes have you seen made and what good things have you learned about homeschooling?

Bettie Ethell:
Well, as a homeschooling mom in the early days of home education, I often bit off more than I could chew. I spent too much time during school hours on the telephone, mostly answering questions from people wanting to teach at home. At one point, I even had the office for our state home education association in my home. The phone really rang off the wall then. It wasn't till my youngest daughter cried because I was neglecting her in favor of non-family members that I saw the light. My children were my first priority.

One of the good things I did that I would recommend to parents is to read, read, read to your children. Even teens enjoy a good story read aloud. Another good thing was memorizing Scripture and acting out Bible stories. Education is not all academics—it is training in righteousness, that the children of God may be completely equipped for good works.

Mike:
Bettie, that's really sound advice for your children and for all homeschoolers—veterans and first-timers alike. Thanks so much for joining us today. I'm Michael Farris.