Hi Folks,

Steve Walden here, guest blogging for Gena. She gave me the great opportunity to interview Scott Somerville, blogger here at HSB, conference speaker, and lawyer with HSLDA -- a.k.a. one of the good guys. He's also a homeschooling father and I took the chance to ask him about fatherhood, homeschooling, and the recent marriage of his son...

Comments

Jul. 24, 2006 - How nice!

Posted by UndertheSky

It is always nice to get to know a homeschool leader like Scott! Did you prepare your daughters differently than your sons? Also, what is your view on secular colleges and how do you prepare your children for college, period?

Thanks!
Kate

Jul. 24, 2006 - Oh yes...

Posted by UndertheSky

Also, how important is science in the homeschool and how did your family handle that?

Thanks!
Kate

Jul. 24, 2006 - So glad to have Mr. Somerville here!

Posted by devdoordeborah

Thank you, Steve, and Thank you Mr. Somerville for being here. We are a blessed community to have you share your time and wisdom with us.

I am so refreshed to hear you say to "Seek first the Kingdom of God..." as it relates to homeschooling our children. This is where wisdom lies and it is what I have been telling homeschool moms whereever I go. And to hear that you have successfully graduated some of your children does my heart and my faith good.

I also loved the part about telling your son to be a prince if he wants to marry a princess! I have four boys and I had to stop reading this and go and tell one of them right away. That is something I will be saying now for, oh, say, the next 20 years or so.....

P.S. If I could only have one homeschooling resource, it would be a membership with HSLDA (Oh yeah, if I could have two resources, I would have to have The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, too... :) Thank you for your work for homeschoolers across the nation.

I look forward to reading more from you two.

Deborah

Jul. 24, 2006 - Oh, yes, Science...

Posted by devdoordeborah

Kate reminded me of something I have been wanting to ask. I have a son who wants to be a Marine Biologist. Obviously, the science departments in our colleges and junior colleges are run by staunch evolutionists. How do we handle this? We do not want them to take the required courses only to fail because they stand up for truth. What would you suggest? He is a high school student at this point, but will be taking some junior college courses this year. We want to help prepare him towards this major, but don't know the wisest course - there are few to zero young earth biblical creation colleges that we could find. Even some well known Christian colleges we've checked into state that they teach science from a "scientific view, not a biblical view". Frustrating. any ideas?

Jul. 24, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by drewsfamilytx

Great job, Steve! I can't wait to read what Mr. Somerville has to say next!

Marsha

Jul. 24, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by JenIG

thanks Steve and Scott! this is an interesting read

Jul. 24, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by jayfromcleveland

--why we have them read Marx and Nietzsche in high school--so they know more about what an unbeliever thinks than the unbeliever himself does--

This is great stuff. Our kids are still young, but we always agreed with the Shearers at Greenleaf Press who teach about "inoculating" kids against non-Christian ideas rather than "insulating" them. I hear of way too many Christian mommies who think they are doing right by keeping their kids in some little warm, fuzzy "Jesus bubble" where the world can't get in. Part of parenting is to equip our kids, especially our sons. I'd rather our kids be exposed to ideas from the world in a controlled manner, under my supervision.

For example, we read the Greek myths with our kids. We even watched the Disney "Hercules" movie. (I know some mommies are appalled at the notion.) In both instances, I gave a running commentary of the subject matter, comparing the Greek gods to the God of the Bible. I asked the kids, "who would you rather believe in -- the arbitrary, capricious Zeus who toyed with humans, or the loving Father God?" We did the same thing with Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism, with the hopes of studying all of the above in greater detail when the kids are older. One can read into Homer and Plato the sheer hopelessnees and emptiness of a Christ-less, rationalistic worldview.

Anyway, this is another reason why the father's role is so paramount in homeschooling: it's the mother's loving nature to protect and insulate their babies from every bad thing in the world; it's the father's pragmatic nature to equip his children by allowing them to learn from experience under his loving supervision, to give controlled exposure to the bad things that await the kids when they reach adulthood, so that they will have wisdom and discernment. Hands-off homeschool daddies are depriving their kids (especially their sons) of that teaching.

Jul. 24, 2006 - Good Stuff!

Posted by julie

I absolutely love the saying "If you want to marry a princess, you've got to be a prince" ... gotta tell the boys that one!

Jul. 24, 2006 - Boys vs. Girls

Posted by Alabama

I am also interested in the expectations of the boys vs. the girls. Having a little girl that is almost 7, we can't imagine her "going out into the world". Going to college doesn't seem like such a big deal, not that education isn't a big deal. But campus life and such, I just don't know.

I would love to know your thoughts and ideas.

Karen White
HSN Alabama

Jul. 24, 2006 - Terrific Interview!

Posted by military

I can't believe Scott is old enough to have a married son! His photo makes him look about 30 years old! It's really nice to hear the "guy" point of view on homeschool issues. And jayincleveland...I loved your comments. Everyone asked some great questions...be back tomorrow for the rest of the story!

Visit the Home Front

Jul. 24, 2006 - Great so far

Posted by homeiscool

Just dropping by to say great job, Steve. I'm waiting anxiously for part 2 now...

I also loved the teaching of our sons to be princes if they expect to marry a princess, I'm going to steal that one and use it as my own.

Those of you wondering about creation science should check out the Answers in Genesis website, www.answersingenesis.org, they have wonderful teaching materials, advice on colleges, free downloads, plus many examples of successful scientists who believe the Bible and creation, etc.

Jay, I'm sorry, I've gotta tell you I'm busting your stereotype. I'm a mommy, but I firmly believe in the phrase, "Know Your Enemy". I will teach our sons the ways of the world, and how to combat them right alongside my hubby. :-)

Lisa

Jul. 24, 2006 - Thanks

Posted by LoneStarMama

Looking forward to part 2.

Jul. 24, 2006 - Great Encouragment!

Posted by HarvestChristian

Thanks so much for sharing with us!!

Jul. 24, 2006 - Have I been under a rock?

Posted by tn3jcarter

I haven't heard anyone else mention setting aside a portion of your income for fun. I love that idea and have truly seen how much special activities or trips with our kids mean so much to them.

And the Seek first verse is such a great affirmation for me. I had a friend really pushing the college prep stuff the other day. This reminds me to share that verse for our first homeschool meeting.

Thanks guys!

Jul. 25, 2006 - Art classes

Posted by Anonymous

Are students allowed to take an art class through the local public schools if the parents provide transportation?

Jul. 25, 2006 - Untitled Comment

Posted by ccmmum

Really interesting-can't wait to read the rest!

To read Part II of the interview with Scott Somerville,

CLICK HERE!