I just love TOS Magazine. It is the only magazine I have ever read from front to back and to the front again. Thank you for such a great magazine. - Jennifer Arnold, IL

Dear TOS, I read Dave Ramsey's article [last issue] and am very excited about his financial program. I own a lawn mowing business at age 12. I want to learn as much financial information as possible. Sincerely yours, - Logan Willard

My husband began purchasing this magazine for me at Hastings in Richmond, Kentucky last year. The articles are a blessing to me. I doubted my ability to teach my kids at home. I have three. My son, age nine, is autistic and delightful; my middle child is a wonderful cheerful girl of seven and my youngest is a slightly developmentally-delayed, loving whirlwind that can wrap you around her finger in an instant with a wonderful smile. My husband and I are wonderfully blessed. Even though our life is a struggle financially, we are happy. We have been burdened to remove our children from the public schools in Letcher County, which is located in extreme southeast Kentucky on the Virginia border. We would appreciate any communication from homeschool families that have special needs children such as ours. We are a Christian family from a fundamental independent Baptist church and would love especially to hear from Christian families in our position. Thank you for the many blessings you have provided for our encouragement in your magazine. - West Family

To Jen Ig

I love your magazine! We homeschooled for ten years and now our children are all grown. Our daughter is a second-generation homeschooler. Over the weekend I read Pass the Prozac, or Otherwise Entitled: The Great Depression. We already often feel that doctors are too quick to prescribe all kinds of medicines that treat the "symptoms" and not what is REALLY wrong with you. (Needless to say, we rarely go to the doctor, but try to eat right and take lots of vitamins and herbs!)

As I was reading this editorial, I was reminded of my daughter-in-law. She is expecting their first baby, due in September. She went to her gynecologist because she wasn't feeling well. She thought she might have an infection and said she had had a fever and thought her blood pressure was up. Her doctor couldn't find anything wrong and told her she needed to get a handle on her stress. He told her he could give her a prescription for a low-dose Prozac! She refused the prescription, but we were really surprised he even offered it, especially since she is expecting. 

A few days later, there was an article in our local paper about the government warning doctors who prescribe antidepressants to patients to monitor these same patients for warning signs of suicide, especially when they first start or when they change a dose. The article was on depression and drugs, such as Prozac.

Thank you for getting the word out, and I would love to hear how Jenefer's doctor reacted when she told him she really did have a heart condition. We would all benefit from lifting each other up and encouraging each other in the Lord. What a blessing to hear how Jenefer's friend stepped in and helped lift the load! – Connie Par-Due, Magazine Coordinator/Answers in Genesis, Florence, KY

Dear Jenefer, I was disappointed with your editorial entitled, "Pass the Prozac" I felt the article reflected an all-too-common misconception about depression. While I realize that you meant to be encouraging, I was stung by your inflammatory words about your doctor, and by your conclusion that "...a majority-would perhaps improve dramatically if they had a faithful friend who would...point them to Jesus."  Of course, I'll admit that not every "battle of the blues" requires a regimen of Prozac. Perhaps, as your friend told you, "You are not crazy. You just need...to see Jesus." I am genuinely happy for anyone who can overcome a "down" day with such encouragement, and I praise any friend who is insightful and generous enough to provide it.  

But what do your words imply for those of us who do depend on medical help? That we are as crazy as your "nutmobile doctor"?  

True clinical depression is a physical condition, driven by chemical imbalances in the brain that can arise from a wide variety of causes. It can make a normal life virtually impossible, and it makes no rational sense. But it is not a spiritual problem. And it cannot be cured with the occasional hug or cup of wonton soup.  

I have been saddened over the years to hear well-meaning Believers say, " real Christian has no excuse for depression because there is such joy in Christ!" This attitude is not helpful. It can even drive the clinically depressed person away from much-needed medical help, and away from the church community that is supposed to offer the very help you condone.  

I believe that this is a particularly sensitive issue, because many of us who ultimately agreed to take antidepressants initially did not want to. It can be easy to see clinical depression as a failure, a weakness, or a shame - even despite our fragile understanding that it really is a medical issue. Deep inside, many of us have doubts that never stop whispering, "If I were just closer to the Lord, if I only found more time to read my Bible, if I only prayed harder, if I were just a little bit stronger, if only that sin were not in my past-if, if, if...then I would not be depressed."  

But spiritual solutions don't always work for physical problems. Yes, God heals our physical infirmities. But often He does it through physical means. 

For some of us, it was your doctor's very reasoning that finally convinced us. ("If you had diabetes, you'd take insulin, right?") We finally admit that our serotonin levels are too low, so we take meds that balance it out. And it works! Yet, the stigma is still there - within, as well as from without. So to hear another Christian berate a doctor by quoting the very words that helped us find a real solution...well...it can start those doubts voicing themselves all over again.  

Is it the "Christian" thing to medicate depression? I cannot answer for everyone. But in my own life, I have come to realize that the time I have with my children is very brief, and very precious. If I am clinically depressed, I cannot function, and the people I love the most cannot depend on me. So for me, it is Christian to do whatever I must do to be there for my family! God has a plan for each of us, and I cannot believe that it includes debilitating depression - not when a solution is so readily available. 

I do think I can see your point - a friend's comfort on a rough day can be invaluable! But please, before you discourage meds or suggest to someone who is genuinely struggling that they simply need to "get back into the Word", I encourage you to first ask yourself, "Am I professionally qualified to rule out a chemical imbalance in this person's brain?" And if not, then ask, "If she truly has a clinical illness, do I want to discourage her from finding the medical help that could make her life livable, or that might even save her life?" Respectfully, -Katherine Bell

Dear Katherine, The problem with print is that it is impossible to hear the tone of the writer and possible to "see" underlying messages that are not necessarily there. This is why I so appreciate people like you who take the time to get to the heart of a matter. 

It is true that I was rather put off by my errant doctor. I have very little patience with those who have the great responsibility of "authority" and who oversee such critical issues - including health, education, family matters, or spiritual matters - and then lead people astray (and/or treat them like twits in the process). So yes, I did intend to paint, very clearly, a picture that would upset the notion that individuals have no power over their own decisions (health or otherwise).

I meant to show in my article that it is easy to put a doctor's, or any authority figure's, opinion in a higher position than it should be. This event also brought about a new understanding (or remembrance) of the importance of "letting friends help" and "becoming a better friend to others". The misdiagnosis was a secondary issue only used to show that we, as humans, are easily influenced - and so often we second-guess ourselves when we know what is best, or what we need. This would include an individual who had been properly diagnosed and was on medication and thankful to God for finding relief. We should be encouraged to stand strong in our convictions, letting bad advice, or wrong information, "roll off" instead of preoccupying ourselves with other people's opinions. Admittedly, I did advocate that it would do us well to investigate other causes (and treatments) that might manifest symptoms of depression if we're feeling pressured to medicate ourselves (remember my doctor had said that 95 percent of the population suffered from depression and would benefit from a prescription). With new information linking suicide deaths with antidepressants (especially in children), I know that most individuals who are properly diagnosed have indeed researched their symptoms and possible causes or other treatments exhaustively, and they certainly don't take medication lightly. They also certainly should not be judged or condescended to by Christians. I did not expand on this position in the original piece.  

As I said earlier, I was aware of the possibility of being misunderstood. Please know that we did not intend to approach the issue of depression with a position for or against treatment. Thank you for taking the time to write and also to hear me out. It is refreshing to find individuals who are willing to investigate and/or debate issues in a friendly way. Do not hesitate to keep in touch! I really appreciate the feedback. - Fondly, Jen

Jen, Thank you so much for your encouragement through these pieces. I had a year of battling depression last year - we had moved to a new town to plant a church, the size of our home doubled and we had to learn to work with a team we didn't know very well - and it all became too much for this stay-at-home, no-car, homeschooling mom. But I felt God was telling me He would pull me through without medication, and He was, as always, faithful to His word. It was a hard, hard struggle, but I have learned to be proactive in some stressful areas of life and have learned to run (hard and fast sometimes), and hide under His wing, and He will always care for me.

I so desire a friend like you described, but I know I must be faithful to be one until God brings me one. Thank you for the encouragement in that area also.  

I pray that you and your family are doing well. In His love, - Cecilie Dover, Springdale, AR

Dear Jenefer, Your "Pass the Prozac" article was awesome! You hit on one of my pet peeves: the "god" complex that some doctors have; they think that they and they only have all the answers. I admit some days when the commercials tell what a wonderful new, exciting person you can be on Prozac that I get tempted. Three out of four doctors that I have seen have offered it to me because of some ongoing family stresses (a 37-year-old daughter with an ongoing cocaine addiction and all that entails). Couple that with the challenge of hormones and look out! If you think about it, you might wonder if you can really know anyone, we have become such a drugged nation. Who are these people; is everyone on drugs but you and me? I love your writing and I am grateful the Lord sent such a wonderful friend your way. You are a blessed woman! Blessings, -  Donna

Dear Jenefer, Thank you for your honesty and transparency. God is using it to speak to me and I had to let you know. My name is Pam and I am a very blessed, 38-year-old, homeschooling mother of seven wonders (ages 12 years to 10 months)!  Having said that, I completely crashed yesterday. Satan hit me full force with doubts and my inadequacies...I just crumpled and wept. I was overcome with despair that I just couldn't do any of my jobs well. My fears that I am not educating my children well and being the godly example to them engulfed me. Somewhere in my crying out to God, I was reminded to choose truth over the fears and accusations. Today I am still faced with a house that needs attention and I am a little anxious about all I have yet to cover this school year (we school year round), but I am fighting back with God's promises. -Pam

Thank you so much for your Prozac articles.  I too am a homeschooling mother, and have "suffered from depression" and been placed on meds.  I struggle with isolation and lack of support, as I have never had the kind of friend you described.  You are truly blessed with such a friendship.  Thanks for letting me know there is hope.  If you have a chance, please be a friend to me and pray that God might bless me with a friend like yours.  Thanks for your insight and encouragement. - Darlene

Dear Mrs. Igarashi, Thank you for this timely article.  I wasn't as smart as you were -- I was given an antidepressant (Zoloft) to help with PMS symptoms about 10 years ago.  I didn't know anything about antidepressants at the time.  I went on the antidepressant roller coaster.  They helped me so much at first; I felt wonderful!  After a while they didn't help so much, so I went on a different one, and then another one, etc.  I also got put on Ritalin during that time (at my request) for adult ADD.  It was wonderful too!  At first.  I was also on an anti-anxiety medication at the SAME time!  After about 4 years I was really in the pits and was praying for an answer.  A good friend of mine that I'd been emailing sensed my despair and called me.  I thought "oh no, he is going to want to sell me vitamins or something like that!"  Well, no, he had a different answer to my problems.  Following God's instructions was my answer.  My friend told me to stop all of the medication that night.  I was very afraid but I did it!  He said I had a problem with sin and that we needed to find out what it was.  We figured out that I had an anger problem and needed to deal with that.  We studied the Bible to find out what to do. He gave me exercises to do, emailing me every day for 6 - 8 weeks.  Exercises like looking up Scriptures, repenting to anyone I'd shown anger to (thankfully it was just my immediate family -- I could control it around others, which told me I could control it when I wanted to), doing thoughtful things for others, etc.  He told me that in 6 - 8 weeks I would feel better than I had and the problem would be behind me.  I blindly followed all instructions.  I was so afraid I would have a crash.  But I didn't.  It worked!  Following God's laws was the answer! 

During my time on medication (about 4 1/2 years) I told many, many people how wonderful the medication was, and encouraged others to go to the doctor for it.  I was successful at some of this.  After finding the real answer, I went to those people and told them my story.  Sadly, most did not want to hear it.  They were content with their medication, although their lives were a mess.  Some thought I was condemning them, telling them they were in sin.  It hurt some relationships.  I just tried to leave the conversation open -- that if they ever want some help, I am here for them. 

When I started antidepressants, I became patient overnight.  I knew that with God's plan patience took work and I felt guilty for using a pill to gain patience.  But my therapist (yes, I got into that too!) told me that I WAS patient, for sticking it out with the problems I had and not leaving.  But that wasn't the patience that I needed to learn.  I'm thankful that God gave me another chance!  I have learned that He is the answer -- not antidepressants.  Antidepressants make you not care -- not hurt.  I gained about 35 pounds during that time, which I am still trying to get off.  Antidepressants made me also not care about my weight!  I have noticed that many times when someone goes on antidepressants they gain weight.

I am so glad to share my story with you.  You chose the right path by dealing with your problems and trusting in God to help you. 

Well, I will stop.  I could go on and on but I think you know what I am saying.  I was very thankful to read your article.  I hope others will see it and think twice before taking drugs to fix their problems.  You said there are some who really need them -- I truly believe that number is a very small number.   When I know someone who tries the antidepressant route, my advice is to use it for a short time to get over a hump if they think they need to, but it is not something for long-term use.

Thanks for listening and thanks for your article! - Debra Linn, Richmond, TX

From Japan

Being in Japan, it is difficult to order curriculum, etc. by e-mail. We pay so much in shipping, and we never know what will really be inside. 

I do not have access to a library with English materials. In our urban area of 11 million people, there are fewer than 13 homeschoolers. So therefore I am dependent upon the Internet and periodicals for insight and support. We buy a lot based on reviews and the "cover". Book and curriculum reviews are invaluable due to my inability to "see" and "physically hold" the materials before I buy them. This is why we are so dependent on publications that are truthful and detailed in description! And the absolute necessity of a Biblical foundation!

Invariably I run into problems with shipping overseas. So when you e-mailed me that you would be shipping your Winter issue, and then you e-mailed me again AFTER you shipped it, I was very impressed with your personal attention to my situation. I know it might only seem like a "small" act on your part, but to me it was an act of kindness that spoke volumes. Your personal service made the magazine seem like it was part of a family. This is why I went ahead and ordered my subscription before my free issue arrived.

Then after it arrived, not only was it helpful in the homeschooling arena, but it was much more than that. It was so encouraging! Not to mention opening my eyes to so many new ideas and viewpoints!

I know this was rather long-winded, but I just wanted you to know the importance of your personal correspondence to folks like me...out here in the "middle of nowhere". 

Thank you for your simple act of kindness and being "Jesus with skin on" for me!
Peace to you and yours, - Jennifer Bateman, Kobe, Japan

        I have one child, age five. She is currently enrolled in an international school here in Japan. I was interested in homeschooling before, but my greatest concern was (and is) that she is an only child. I am concerned now, however, with the mixed moral and spiritual messages she is getting from school. Please, do you know of anyone who has successfully homeschooled an only child? I have purchased a kindergarten curriculum for us to try this summer, but I admit my concern for her socialization is great. There are a couple of foreign families in my area who are homeschooling as well, though they are not Christian. I would be interested in anyone's advice. Thank you. - Susan Dils

Susan, thank you for subscribing to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine! I know you will love it. 

Your question regarding homeschooling an only child is a good one. Apparently, there are between 600 and 800 homeschool families living in Japan. You may be able to find others near your area with children the same age. There are a few homeschool organizations in Japan which can be found on the Home School Legal Defense Association's website. The address is: www.hslda.org/hs/international/Japan/default.asp. Perhaps one of these organizations can put you in touch with some Christian homeschooling families in Japan.  

I believe you are in tune with your own child's needs and will know when she really needs to be with other children. Weekly church activities can meet her need for friendship for many years. Your best bet may be to try to find a parent-led co-op or even starting one of your own. Above all, do not worry about tomorrow. Pray for the Lord's leading and guidance. He will provide as you continue to seek Him.

Let us know if we can be of further help. We're here for you. - May His Face Shine on You, Deborah Wuehler, TOS Devotional & E-news Editor

From England

Hello, It is wonderful to see something written for us military homeschoolers on the web – TOS is my favorite homeschool magazine and so to see your page was a real pleasure. I am a relatively new homeschool mum. I have twin 12-year-old daughters that I have homeschooled for nearly a year. We finally realized that our daughters were not getting the kind of education we had hoped for in the DoDDs school and that the peer pressure to conform to standards that we did not consider wholesome was becoming intolerable for the girls. They were desperately unhappy, so we removed them from the environment and brought them home. Our daughters are so much happier and learning far more. We can incorporate Bible study into our daily lessons, which of course was not an option in the school system, but more importantly, the children feel secure and their love of learning has returned. We have been stationed in Europe for the last nine wonderful years - three of those in Germany and the last six in England. We have seen some amazing things and traveled to many wonderful places. In a few months, we will be heading to the Gulf Coast of Mississippi for three more years. The girls don't really remember the US; we left when they were three years old, so they are very apprehensive. However, I am looking forward to the new challenge of life and I am sure we will settle down fine. The traveling itself is an education, and being busy with the move and then moving into somewhere and making it our new home also has its educational value. Blessings, - Linda

Meeting Needs

        Hi. I was just reading over your website, which is great by the way, and noticed you said you had free used books for lower income families. I am wondering what kind of materials they are, and what would one do if one were interested in them? My husband and I are struggling this year with purchasing our curriculum for the fall. He was out of work this past year for a few months, and when he did finally get work, we ended up moving, and we had so many expenses from that, that we haven't been able to get "caught up". We normally use Abeka materials, but if we can find free used materials, what a blessing that would be! I don't know what your guidelines are for low income though. Please email me any info you could on this. It sounds like an answer to prayer! Thank you! Serving our Lord, - Cindy

Dear Cindy, Thanks for letting us know how we can help you. We at one point (when we had our Ebay business) did have some used curriculum available; unfortunately, however, we no longer have access to it.  We are able to give free subscriptions for those who are unable to afford it, though, and our publishers, Paul and Gena Suarez, will give you a free one-year subscription to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.  Regarding curriculum, I know that your local library or a homeschool support group library are good resources. Also, you can contact the advertisers in our magazine for free catalogs, and some even offer free sample lessons.

        I will be sending you a past and the present issue of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. These magazines have free art and science unit studies right inside, by way of articles and how-tos for use in your own homeschool. Also, I will send you a couple of child-training books by Michael and Debbie Pearl, and all we need from you is your mailing address and we will get these things right out to you. - May His Face Shine on You, Deborah Wuehler, TOS Devotional & E-news Editor

Hunger and the Depression

God's timing is so amazing! It had just been revealed to me two days ago that I was spiritually starved. How incredible! This article touched me to my very soul. I had just started "force-feeding" myself this morning, and the Lord used this article to confirm that I was on the right track. What an inspiration it was to read Deborah's story and come away from it knowing that I'm not alone. 

I'm so grateful for this wonderful magazine. I got a two year subscription so I could enjoy all the freebies that will be coming in over the summer. Little did I know that this one article would be worth the price of the entire subscription! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! - Donna Hull, Eastampton, New Jersey

Donna, isn't our God amazing? He anticipates our need and meets it at just the right time.

I am so pleased that the Lord confirmed to you that you were on the right track through my article and that it "touched you to your very soul". May God be glorified for the good He is performing in us! It is sometimes difficult to keep on force-feeding ourselves, but keep going! When I start really searching the Scripture and praying that His Spirit will lead me into all truth, I begin to know the breadth and width and depth of the love of God. Where else can we go for words of eternal life, but to Him?   

We are all in this together and can encourage each other and spur one another on to love and good works.  Your letter really encouraged me today and has spurred me on to continue eating at His table. To God be the glory!!  Thank you, again, Donna. - May His Face Shine on You, Deborah Wuehler, TOS Devotional & E-news Editor

Dear Deborah, I'm glad to see that you are sounding the alarm. It is true that all change begins in our own spiritual walk with the Lord. But it does seem a problem that in our culture, prosperity is seen as the natural outcome of a walk with God. It never seemed like something that Jesus was seeking and we are to follow in His footsteps. His mission was to save the lost and bring them to maturity, that they might bear fruit as well.

               In Colossians 3 it talks about the greed of men bringing about the wrath of God. The church seems mired down in acquisition. I had been hopeful about Christian homeschoolers raising up a new generation of believers and still have some hope. But if they get mired down in materialism, they could be a terrible witness. Just some thoughts, In Christ, - Joan Moy

Dear Joan, Thank you for writing! Very insightful observations! I agree that the church in America is often "mired down in acquisition" If only we would purpose to be acquiring true treasures - the kind we store up in heaven. If only we would purpose to be acquiring the riches of the knowledge of God and to make His Person our highest acquisition. For then we would make our way prosperous and then we would have good success for those things that He has called us to be and to do. I believe homeschoolers have not only shown their willingness to sacrifice material things to fulfill this call from God (the vast majority are one-income families), but are also training their children in that area. The sacrifice our children see us making now of these worthless material possessions is helping to raise up a generation of young people ready to put aside earthly things and pursue God's calling and direction on their own lives, thereby benefiting their society with those true heavenly riches. That's what it's all about - imparting Christ and His Word to our children, that they may impart Christ to theirs.

        Thank you again for writing, Joan, and for reminding us to walk worthy of this calling. - May His Face Shine on You, Deborah Wuehler, TOSDevotional & E-news Editor

Our Child's Voice

Hello, I just found your site and I saw the request for devotional/encouragement for other homeschooling parents. I'd like to offer the following.

I have often asked myself the question that so many others have voiced in skepticism:  If God is omniscient and knows what we are going to say before we say it, then why do we need to ask him for anything in prayer? Having been a believer for many years, I know the legal answers. God commands that we ask whatever we desire. Jesus taught us to ask in His Name. It's the basic "because God said so" answer. We all know what our children do when we answer their whining, "Why?" with, "Because I said so." Just "because" is not all the answer we need.

I have a seven-year-old son who has forever tried to speak to me but I would not always listen. As his mother, I think it's my job to know what my son likes and what he wants. I should always anticipate his desires and needs and meet them before he asks. Right? But being a mother is not only about anticipation of desires and meeting needs. Being a mother is about loving your child and cherishing every moment you have with him, all the while training him in the way he should go. In such love, he learns to love and be loved. From that he learns and grows and builds brick by brick the next generation of believers. So in the earthly example of the Godhead, parents are the authority over children. Children are like believers. When they come to make a request or hear some command, should we not be an example of God himself by taking time to hear what their maturing voices have to say?

I have at times listened intently to my son as he has grown. I recall a time when all he could say was "juice" To him it meant lots of things, to me it meant the world. I loved to hear him say it and I loved to tell others what he could say. I remember when he wanted to go to "kurger bing" and he was "free" years old. I still hear him tell us about the "aminals" he saw out on the river. One of my favorites was when he told me he was "frusteratedid" And I must remember the time we learned about "callerpitters" Having listened to his voice for these seven years, he has learned many things. Now he's growing so fast I can't keep up with what he is learning and doing. Now more than ever I want to listen to him learn. I want to watch him grow. Most of all, I want him to know that there is a God who cares enough to sit with him and patiently listen as he struggles to find the right words to say what he is feeling.

Now back to the question of the ages, why do we have to "make our requests known to God?" I'm convinced that God is watching us grow and He loves to hear what we have to say. And always, in our asking, He is right with us even if only to let us know His presence.

The Scripture tells us in Malachi 3:16, Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

While it is still called today, take the time to listen to the voice of your child. Hear the words they have to say. Even write them down. Sincerely, -Kanani Johnson, Tallahassee, FL

Kanani, That is such a heartening and important reminder that our God desires to hear from us, and that our children desire us to really take the time to hear them! I need to make more of an effort to stop putting them off for another more convenient time - as that time may never come. "Now" is the best time to listen. I especially appreciated the thought of writing down what is said. I have done that a little in the past and enjoy looking back and reading those precious things. We truly need to be the example of what God is like to our children. Let's ever listen to His voice as we seek to rear our children to be just like Him. Thank you, Kanani, for listening to Him and sending us that word. - May His Face Shine on You, Deborah Wuehler, TOS Devotional & E-news Editor

Product Review

I just finished reading the online review on The Violin Books from Ebaru Publishing. What an excellent find! My daughter is a first year Suzuki student and I sometimes find it difficult to write down everything her teacher wants me to help her with at home. These books will be a great help. Thank you for finding such a wonderful product. Sincerely, - Brenda Schroeder, Doyline, Louisiana

Lessons We Learned From CBS

FANTASTIC, EXCELLENT article! A true weapon to combat the horrible show...I am so happy to have a well-written, well-researched, FACT-filled, common-sense-filled article to hand out to those who even casually mention that idea or that show! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! - Maria Fitton

Dear Maria, Thank you for your words of encouragement about the CBS article. I really enjoy writing pieces that can benefit others, and letters like yours help me know that my words are not wasted. I hope that you continue to enjoy more articles in the future. I also pray that you are seriously considering homeschooling. We need more enthusiastic people like you in the ranks! - Amelia Harper, TOS Media Editor


The Passion

Dear Editors, I'd like to begin by saying that I thoroughly enjoy your magazine. I ALWAYS take something positive away from every issue. You all do a wonderful job of putting out a diverse, meaty publication. In your last issue, I loved your articles on the Depression and shared them with my husband. They were real "keepers".  

However, I would like to voice a concern. I'm just wondering if your desire to spend so many pages on a film not appropriate for children really has a place in a homeschooling magazine. I'm also hoping that future reviews will reflect multiple viewpoints and that this does not reflect a trend where you plan to give space to lengthy reviews of movies.

Yes, we believe that the suffering and shed blood of Christ is central to all of history and the way we believe, but this film did not have a place in our lives this year. The advertisements on television were upsetting to my young children, and we chose to shield them from this in every way possible. It will be many years before we would even consider letting them see this film, if we ever do. We've endeavored to avoid scenes of violence in their young lives to the point that we avoid watching CNN and most newscasts when they're around. Yes, the time will come when such violence will need to be discussed, but not now when they struggle with childish fears based on a lack of experience and maturity. So I was saddened when a family-oriented magazine spent so many pages, complete with pictures, on The Passion.   

Thanks so much for considering our comments. Sincerely, -I style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">G.V.

Dear Reader, I am glad that you are enjoying the magazine and hope that you will plan to do so for a long time in the future.
     I truly appreciate the concerns that you expressed and the time you took to share them with me. I realize that this is a controversial issue for some families, which is why I concluded with an admonition to follow your own convictions in the area.
     The article was intended to show some positive aspects of the media and to acquaint parents with how the film could affect their child - negatively and positively. We were careful to consult experts in the field regarding this. I am not sure how old your children are. However, many of our readers have teens that may benefit from the experience and the areas of discussion that it may offer. Other readers have also commented that they appreciate having culturally relevant material in the magazine.
    We are not planning for movie reviews to be a regular feature, though we may do it again someday. We do have some really exciting media articles planned, dealing with areas other than Hollywood films. If you come across a good idea for the column, I would appreciate your sharing it with me.
     Thanks again for your comments and may God bless you and your family. - Amelia Harper, Media Editor, TOS Magazine

Readers Helping Readers

            The Old Schoolhouse Magazine desires to hear your take on a variety of subjects for the purpose of bringing education, encouragement, and support to our magazine/website readers. Each issue, a problem is presented and your solutions are featured below it. Please help us with next issue's problem, which can be found on our website under the tab "Your Voice".

Here is my dilemma: I don't cover every single subject every day. I have a friend who told me that I am supposed to be teaching all major learning areas on a daily basis: history, geography, Bible, science, math, language arts, music, art, penmanship, and on top of that, I should be teaching some electives like home ec, Latin or woodworking. My kids are all elementary age except for one, who is in the eighth grade this year. I am a new homeschooling parent and while my kids seem to be thriving, I'm extremely overwhelmed. I have toddlers and lately, my older ones are only getting about four subjects done per day (about 4.5 hours)! And what about PE?! I am sinking-help! - Florida Mom

Your Guidance

               When dealing with subjects such as science, history, and geography, I think it's important to remember that you can NEVER teach everything in the short 13 years that you spend teaching your children. I consider my job to be to teach my children HOW to learn. I want them to be able to find the information they need when they need it. As we study history and science in our home, the children join me in looking up information. And when you feel like you need to do those things you listed every day, you lose many opportunities to take advantage of real life learning opportunities - gardening, cooking and working together. If you allow yourself to feel pressured by doing every subject every day, I'm afraid you will burn out and lose the joy of homeschooling. Here at our house, we make math and language arts a priority every day. We do the other subjects a few times each week, along with talking about and discussing various subjects morning, noon and night. I hope that you will consider your goals in homeschooling (i.e. raising children who love the Lord, teaching them HOW to learn, teaching them to be responsible, etc.) and remember to school from that, rather than from an outside source saying what you should and shouldn't do. - Leslie Allebach, Palmyra, PA

               You don't always need to be covering every subject every day. Some children do best when ingesting small amounts of instruction in all major learning areas on a daily basis, but others do just as well studying some areas more thoroughly for a while then moving on to others (math and language arts are probably best done every day). Especially when they are younger, children do not need to spend most of their day doing seat work. If your children are thriving, you must be doing something right - just keep

on doing it. You are the parent and know what is best. Don't worry about what others say. Do what you believe is right. - Wayne S. Walker, Affton, Missouri

               Oh, my. Of course you're overwhelmed! I've been doing this several years and I'm overwhelmed at that long list of subjects too! And yes, all of those things sound very important. BUT...you do not have to do them all as separate subjects every day. Can you imagine how exhausting that would be, not only for you, but for your kids? Set some priorities. Our priorities are this: Everyone reads something (or is read to) every day, and writes something every day, and we try to do math every day. We do devotionals every day too. Everything else is up for grabs. Try having a science project on Tuesday, working on spelling on Wednesday, do music and art on Friday, for example. Find your FIRST priorities and try and work those in every day. Make some secondary priorities and slot them with a day, whether weekly or even less often. Combine things when you can - for example, we combine Bible or history with writing, penmanship and grammar by using copywork to teach all those things at once! We take long walks or hikes for nature study, science AND PE! Combine students - we do NOT all do different things for history and science; we all

learn the same topics at the same time, just at different levels. I know this all seems overwhelming when you are new with several children. But you can find your own style. Petition your Father - these are His children as well - and ask Him to help you set priorities. Then follow that and ignore all the "supermoms" everywhere who seem to teach twenty-three subjects a day. I'll bet they are leaving out SOMETHING that

is important to your family – like stress-free relaxing and enjoying being together. - Michelle Duker, Ottumwa, IA 

               You're doing very well covering four subjects a day. I have been homeschooling since 1986. Four graduated, three of whom are in college and five are ages 2-11.Daily I remind myself that the basics are Bible, reading, writing and arithmetic. We try to cover those first. Anything else is gravy, and we often have time for the extras. But if we didn't, due to sickness, pregnancy, and other unforeseen events, I know we stuck to the most important. Reading skills can be practiced while reading a history book, handwriting by writing your memory verses, arithmetic can go beyond your textbook to include figuring number problems that come up, and character issues can be talked about as a part of daily life. I found that my older children may have finished their workbooks and checked off their assignments in all the subjects we covered, but they didn't necessarily comprehend what they were reading in every area because I was so busy trying to plan lessons, keep records and tally hours that I didn't have time to discuss their lessons. I have begun to cry out to God more for daily wisdom. I am now trying to read aloud from interesting books, stop to look up words in the dictionary, spell unfamiliar ones out loud, discuss issues presented as they come up and ask for input while reading. Seek for approval from God, and you can be confident when questioned by your fellow man. - Lisa Pizana, King George, VA

               You do not need to cover each major subject every day, nor should you do this. I have 4 boys, ages ten to two years old. I try to have three days of doing the major subjects (math, language arts, spelling, reading and handwriting) and two down days. One day is a trip to the library. They are learning library skills and are usually reading the books as soon as they get in the car and for a while when we get home. I try to encourage them to check out books on different subjects and types of literature, along with just for fun books. The other day I do electives like science, music, writing, arts, etc. I try to have them read every day and most importantly, I try to read aloud as much as possible. One of the most important things you can do for your children is to expose them to good literature. By doing this, you will be helping them excel more than you realize without opening a textbook. - Lisa Welling, Goshen, IN