Does the thought of high school and teenagers make you, well, nervous? Are you dreading adolescence and high school? Do you wish you knew someone a few steps further along the journey who would act as your mentor?

David and Laurie had five children in six years. That alone should qualify them for hero-hood! But they also homeschooled these children, most of whom are now adults, from the cradle through high school and beyond. They are also the authors of The Guidance Manual for the Christian Home School, previously reviewed by TOS.

This six tape conference covers many of the topics included in their book, but adds so much color and detail to their story. They are fabulous writers, but hearing them speak conveys their convictions and their confidence-building all the more powerfully. Scared about these years? Don't be. The Callihans are like a trusted friend, guiding you through a new land - teen land!

Tape one discusses parent-directed education in which they passionately present a case for homeschooling. Based on the Bible, the Callihans challenge us to think about who has the ultimate responsibility for our children, and what our response should be as Christian parents. It is a great introduction to the "Why homeschool" discussion and will leave you strengthened in your beliefs.

Inspiring your children to love learning is the topic of tape two. They talk about making wise schooling choices and show us that there is more than one way to educate our children. Offering answers to questions such as "When is my child ready for high school work?" and "How should I handle the difficult subjects?" the Callihans help us to set goals for these exciting years.

Tape three is about focusing on the heart of your child. Your child may have the potential to be a rocket scientist, but if their hearts are not focused on the Lord, these other pursuits may be in vain. The Callihans share ways they shaped their children's spiritual lives, in big and small ways, and how that training has translated into adulthood.

On tape four, the Callihans teach about guiding toward a Christian worldview. Our current climate presents many challenges to our faith. Everything from abortion to search and seizure law will touch our child's life. Are they prepared to meet the world's agenda with their Christian beliefs? Equipping them to deal with culture is a major task of these years and the Callihans share many tips and materials to do so.

High school and beyond is tape five. In this segment, the Callihans discuss options for post-secondary education. Even if your child is not college bound, this tape is full of ideas for training and careers for your soon-to-be-adult child. I especially appreciated their balanced treatment of the controversial (in some circles) issue of whether our daughters should be college educated. Full of practical ideas and helps, this segment will help you see the future more clearly.

The last tape is about homeschooling your teen. To quote their web site, "Something about the combination of puberty, secondary school, teaching advanced math and science, and diplomas combines to instill a lack of confidence that is in reality unwarranted." This tape will increase your confidence and give you practical ideas for these years. The Callihans are proponents of earning CLEP credits while in high school and they discuss this strategy in detail, as well as the community college option and many other ideas.

I love the Callihans! Their book and this tape series have helped me to make "a grand plan" for my high school aged children. I am grateful to them for their wisdom and generosity and for the great warmth and enthusiasm with which they share their experience and encouragement.