Mike Farris:
My guest today is Patrick Henry College student, John Anderson. John’s a homeschool graduate from Arizona. He’s a junior who is working on a degree in government. John, thanks so much for being on the program today.

John Anderson:
Thank you very much for having me, Dr. Farris.

Mike:
I wanted to ask you what you think are some of the important things your parents did to help prepare you for responsible, mature adulthood?

John:
Well, a few of the things began with faithfully teaching me about Jesus and leading me to him at an early age. Part of growing me up including lovingly correcting my mistakes when I messed up and allowing me to learn from my mistakes. Giving me responsibility either at home or through work or other extra-curricular activities, provided me with opportunities to try some of the things that they taught me growing up.

Mike:
Can you give us a specific example of how your parents gave you responsibilities?

John:
Well, it was either through leaving me at home alone since I was an only child and having to take care of the house at 14 or 15 for three days and taking care of all the animals or just any of the chores that we have. Or working at my dad’s office and working for him, just doing any of the jobs that he’d provided for me and maybe not necessarily following up with me but expecting that I would get them done and having to fulfill that at some point.

Mike:
Giving young people opportunities to exercise personal responsibility seems very important. Thanks, John. I’m Mike Farris.