In comparing TOS with other magazines I receive, I noticed something interesting. When the other magazines arrive, I can sit down with my cup of coffee and read through them in an hour or so. Since receiving my latest issue of TOS (which by the way is outstanding!), I have been reading it each evening before falling asleep and I’m still not through it all yet! There is just so much to absorb. Thanks for filling your pages with “meat” rather than “fluff.”
—Angela Snodgrass,
Meridian, Idaho
www.HomeschoolBlogger.com/happyhome

I love this magazine! I’ve read a lot of different homeschool magazines to get ideas, hear about curriculum, stay on top of what’s happening, etc., but this is the first one that I’ve read cover to cover, I mean every page and I keep finding myself going back and reading it again. I went and ordered some back issues, I was so impressed. I just wanted to thank you for taking the time to do this and for your vision when you first started. On top of all that, we have Christianity throughout! Wow! Keep up the great work. I will be telling everyone about this magazine and why they absolutely must subscribe to it.
—Sonya Tebo

Dear Jenefer,
I do read your column quite often and I enjoy your sense of humor …
I am the reason that the library in North Platte Nebraska receives your magazine.
I haven’t read your winter edition all the way through because I gave my copy away almost immediately to a friend who is considering teaching her children at home. I gave your insert that likens homeschooling to cooking to another friend who is considering teaching her children at home.
God is using you and your magazine.
—Jennifer Giffin, Nebraska

Your Help for Katrina Victims

We have had a great response to a letter in our last issue from S.C. in Mississippi relating the needs associated with the recent hurricanes. Thank you, readers, for your continued support for these families that have been devastated. You have been very generous. Here is one letter we wanted to share with you about a young girl willing to help:

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Suarez,
My name is Michaela Steiner, I am 8 years old. My mom and I are making blankets for the poor but as soon as I read your letter in the Winter magazine from S.C. in Vancleave, Mississippi, I decided that I would send the blankets to her and those who need them. How can we send them to her?
—Michaela S., San Diego, CA
From Michaela’s Mom: Each blanket is made from two pieces of polar fleece, a yard each. She fringed the edges on all four sides, keeping the two pieces of fleece together, with fringes about an inch wide and 2½ inches deep. Then simply tie the fringes of the two pieces of fleece together. This is a great blanket because it’s cheap and easy to make, super warm and the fringes can be untied to make a poncho or a bigger blanket.
I hope these instructions make sense. I’m not a sewer so I don’t know if I am using the right terms. We got the idea from a friend, but I’ve seen them since in other places. It must be a new idea catching on. We call them no-sew blankets. Thank you for your encouragement and help.

Dear JenIG,
I read your article in the recent issue of TOS Magazine and I wanted to thank you for piercing my heart. Sometimes you read things and discard them from your thoughts shortly after reading, and there are other times that something you would like to forget has a haunting way of sticking with you for days. Your article was in the latter category.
The effect this article has had on me has had some humorous consequences, as I listen to the world around me, and even the streaming self-voice in my head, with a more discerning ear for evidence of these three—Giver, Taker, Gaker. I found myself yesterday on several occasions thinking, “Is this the attitude of a Giver?” or “You’re a hopeless Gaker. Shame on you, pathetic Giver-wannabe.”
The most dangerous thought of all was the one that said rather glibly, “At least you’re not a Taker. It could be worse.” And in so thinking, I’m giving myself permission to remain a “Gaker” and complacently give up striving towards being a true “Giver.”
Late yesterday afternoon, a friend and I had taken our children bowling, and we stopped on the way home at Burger King to pick up some food for our dinners. We were running a little behind, so she dropped me off to go inside and order, while she went through the drive-through. It took what seemed like forever for anyone to even notice me, or the line that was forming behind me. There was an elderly gentleman behind me who was becoming so impatient, and invading my personal space to the point that I could probably tell you what he’d had for lunch! Eventually, I placed my order with a semi-literate cashier and moved down to wait for my food. I reminded myself how difficult it is to work in the food service industry, and settled in my heart that I would be kind, patient, and receive my food with a smile. I smiled when they handed me two very small, overstuffed bags, one of which was torn halfway down the side. As I started to walk away, I realized I had not gotten any drinks. A quick-thinking manager handed me not five drinks but five cups. As I turned to the drink center, the heart of a “Giver” I had been cultivating all day was gone! I got into the car and started to explain to my friend about why it took me so long as she had been sitting in the car waiting for me. I had been telling her about the article and the effect it had been having on me, and told her that this situation had put it to the test. I said, “Everything was going along fine, until they handed me those five cups! When I was standing there making my five drinks, I thought, I should’ve just gone home and COOKED DINNER!” I looked at her and she looked at me and we broke into hysterical laughter! How ridiculous is the human heart that thinks pushing a button five times at a soda fountain is more difficult than cooking dinner!
This morning I was watching the end of my son’s basketball game when some women came in and stood behind me to wait for seats to vacate for the next game. I couldn’t help but overhear two of them talking. The first game of the day lasts until 9:30, and each consecutive game runs for half an hour. One of the women started to complain when the clock above the scoreboard said 9:33. She was complaining over three minutes! I made a conscious decision not to turn around and find out who she was, because the truth is, that would have made me focus more on judging her. What the Lord wanted in that moment was for me to see my own contaminated heart.
As a homeschooling mom, I have developed a mindset that lies to me and says I’m a Giver, giving all my time—heart, energy, money, and love to my husband and kids. But in truth, I am keeping score. I think because I do these things, they owe me something in return, and in a hateful spirit, I can demand payment in a moment’s notice. I am ashamed to admit all of these things, but know that the Lord is attentive to this work in progress. I know only He can truly cultivate the Giver’s heart in me—and I pray that every day He will make me more and more aware of how far we have to go, so that my eyes stay focused on the path that gets me there!
—Julie (jewls2texas) Forsythe

Good morning, Jen,
Thank you for the referral of Dr. Heather Allen. You were right; she is a very lovely person and so easy to communicate with. We’ve been e-mailing the last few days and I can’t wait to meet her. I learned that she lives near Albuquerque, and as she commented, we’re really not that far from each other since we live in the Ft. Worth area.
Also, I wanted to tell you that I subscribed to two years of TOS, but I couldn’t wait to start getting a copy so I bought both the Fall and Winter issue. I must tell you that as my husband and I read your article about Givers, Takers, and Gakers we almost died laughing. It kept us in stitches. I don’t know when I have laughed so much. How true your article is, and we loved it. I keep praying that God will give me a quiet and gentle spirit (since patience is not one of my natural virtues) and I still fall short. But I keep praying. I do appreciate your honesty and total transparency in your article.
Again, thank you for referring me to Heather. She’s a wonderful lady. God bless you. I reside in Mineral Wells, Texas, with my husband and two adopted daughters from China. I love homeschooling and truly love the magazine, The Old Schoolhouse.
—Marsha

From Our Family To Yours

Dear Gena,
I have continued to read and re-read about your trip with the Answers in Genesis folks and the review now on HSB’s home page—we’ve been in “church dilemma” for some time … and I keep returning to their site, knowing we need to be in the trenches of a great Bible study; plans fell through for an opportunity for us to participate in a large group. My sons love the book of Genesis, as do I, so I bit the bullet and have ordered the Answers in Genesis curricula for both boys and myself. Thank you for continuing to share “real God-fearing” curriculum that we as families need to be focusing on. Thank you for your continued vision and dedication with TOS—I know it cannot be easy to do all that you and your husband and your family do. I hope you know how y’all have touched so many lives.
—Harriette Jacobs,
Warrenton, Georgia
www.HomesteadBlogger.com/southofthegnatline

An Audience of One

Dear Deborah,
I just want to e-mail you and tell you how very much I enjoyed your article “An Audience of One” in TOS (Winter 2006). Although I am not a blogger yet, a lot in the article spoke to me as a homeschooling mom and as a woman after God’s heart. Thank you for your words and encouragement.
—Dixie, Evanston, Wyoming
Editor’s Note: Dixie wrote again letting us know she started a blog! Here’s what she said: “I started blogging—boy, it is fun. Just in case you are interested here is the address: www.HomeschoolBlogger.com/Mommy2fourCs

Hi. You may know the answer to my question or know someone who can help. I am a 54-year-old single mom who desires to homeschool her 13-year-old son for at least one year. Are there any monies out there that a homeschool mom can acquire to help her? When I homeschool, I won’t have any finances coming in at all. Thanks!
—Stephanie, Indiana
Hi, Stephanie!
Thanks for getting back to me about what state you live in. I’d like to give you the name of our Indiana Coordinator, Sharra Badgley. Sharra lives in central Indiana and will be able help you with more specific questions related to your state. Visit this page of our website, and you will find lots of other useful information regarding state associations and support groups:
www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com/hsn/states/indiana.php You can also visit Sharra’s personal blog at www.HomeschoolBlogger.com/SBadgley/ or the one she maintains for Indiana at www.HomeschoolBlogger.com/Indiana.
As far as your original question, I am not aware of any federal monies available for homeschoolers. Our state—Illinois— offers a $500 tax credit to use for private education, but there are specific limits on what can be deducted. Again, Sharra will be able to help you more with Indiana.
Have you checked out the “How To Homeschool” section of our website? Visit it here: www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com/how-to-homeschool/index.php You’ll definitely want to sign up for TOS’s FREE e-Newsletters (including one called Homeschooling for FREE!) here: www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com/devotional_door/subscribe.php.
And check out my blog, www.HomeschoolBlogger.com/FreeStuff-ForHomeschoolers, for money-saving tips and resources on the Internet!
One organization I would definitely recommend you join before you start homeschooling is the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). Their website is www.hslda.org. They help to protect homeschoolers’ rights and also have loads of useful information on their website. They are also strong advocates for single mothers being able to homeschool.
I hope I haven’t overwhelmed you with information. Every state is different, but rest assured there are people to help you navigate this journey! Let me know if I can be of any further assistance. Blessings,
—Julie Nott
Homeschooling for FREE! and Free Unit Study e-Newsletter Editor

I was disturbed by the letters from the readers that criticized Rebekah Anast’s herbal tincture because of the vodka the recipe calls for. I just wanted to lend my support for her and for future similar articles. When I read the article, I never for one moment thought that she was recommending that I sedate my children with a kick-back bedtime cocktail. Since when is it sinful to use natural remedies to calm an active child down for the night? Besides, people use flavorings in cooking all the time, and every one of those extracts, as far as I know, uses alcohol. I will likely not use this tincture because I don’t need it, but I like the natural section of your magazine and hope you will continue to feature authors as Ms. Anast who can show us ways we can avoid the poisonous effects of drugs. Please let her know that not all of us misunderstood her.
—Cheri B.

Dear Paul and Gena,
First I want to commend you on your magazine. I can honestly say that this is the first magazine I have enjoyed reading from cover to cover. I wish I had had this magazine 36 years ago when I was raising my kids. The idea of homeschooling never crossed my mind. I thought it was illegal to NOT send my kids to public school. Now I am a 56-year-old grandma whose precious grandbabies are being homeschooled.
I would like to respond to two letters in your current issue about Babies and Alcohol. I never gave alcohol to my babies or grandbabies; however, I did give them cough syrup when they were sick and I have always used extracts such as vanilla, almond, orange, etc., which all contain alcohol. I understand these young mothers’ concerns; however, I think they have overreacted. Alcohol has always been used to make tinctures and extracts. To suggest that people who give their babies this tincture are breaking the law is absurd, and it is not a beverage any more than vanilla extract is. And to accuse Mrs. Anast of wanting to knock her children out instead of setting rules and guidelines because she is exhausted could be considered a false accusation or slander. There are Bible verses about lies and slander too, but it is not my way to beat people up with the Word of God. I know that I will be held accountable.
I made up a batch of this tincture for myself and it has been a blessing. Many women going through the change of life have trouble sleeping at night. I put one teaspoon of this tincture in a cup of hot tea at night and it helps me get a good night’s sleep. It really works. I know for a fact that if I put one teaspoon of 80 proof vodka in my tea it would not affect me in any way, because I tried it (for those of you who are gasping, watch out for flies). Anyway, thank you, Rebecca Anast, for your article; it has been a blessing to me.
—Bonnie Baldwin, Culdesac, Idaho

Help, please. “Mother-in-law” originally supported us in our decision to homeschool. Now, after being a teacher’s assistant in a public school for a year, she’s against it. I would like to give her the “Biblical” reasons to homeschool, seeing as she is a believer. I know there are several passages in the Bible that tell the parents to instruct their children but I don’t know where they are. Could you please help me out in this. Thank you in advance.
—James W., Laurel, Mississippi
Dear James,
I would like to direct you to two links in regard to your question on the Biblical reasons to homeschool. These are excellent and thorough links that have many Scriptures relating to teaching our own children:
www.brandonstaggs.com/biblicalreasons-to-home-school.html
www.winn.com/whee/21Reasons.html
Hope this helps.
—Deborah Wuehler

Dear Mrs. Price,
I just finally sat down to read the Winter issue of TOS. I was so pleasantly surprised when I opened the cover to see the article on the East Hebron Schoolhouse. I grew up in Hebron and lived there for 15 years. I attended the “Village School” for several years. I remember my teacher, Mrs. Matthews, knitting hats with names on them for all the school children. Mine was an awful shade of orange with KRIS written in white with a big orange pompom on the top. It’s one of those memories that sticks with you! Or like the one of a classmate with her tongue stuck to the front metal door of the school because of a dare!
My parents just moved from Hebron last summer, after living there for 28 years. Their house was flooded during a severe flash flood from a nearby creek. I guess it was time to say goodbye to the small town where I grew up. Over the years, my girls enjoyed several homeschool “field trips” in Hebron. We explored the very same creek several years prior to the flooding during our unit on insects. Every summer we would go to the Hebron Fair and make many visits to the Hebron beach on beautiful Newfound Lake.
I always wondered about the little white schoolhouse and have driven by it so many times. Thanks so much for portraying it and providing the history! Thanks also for the memories!
I know you have probably heard this so many times before, but I just love the magazine. I am a fast reader and can go through a magazine in a couple hours. Yours is so full of information and helpful articles that it takes me a good week to get through it! After nine years of homeschooling, your magazine seems to come right when I need that extra boost and am starting to feel burned out! Thanks so much for your ministry.
P.S. I am just starting to get hooked on HomeschoolBlogger! What a great idea!
—Kristen Powell, New Hampton, NH
Kristen,
Thanks for your note! I’m so glad that you liked the article, and I enjoyed reading about your knitted hat—the visual just made me smile! I enjoy writing about these one-room schoolhouses that are all over the US and am glad to have the opportunity to share the history of them. I hope you enjoy your future drives by the East Hebron schoolhouse a little more now that you know some of its history! —Kris Price
Assistant to the Publishers

Jen,
I just had to write and tell you how much I appreciated the article in The Old Schoolhouse (Winter 2006) by Cathy Duffy on “Homeschool Conferences: The Untold Story” and also the one by Diana Waring.
I admit I wasn’t going to go to the No. Cal. convention this year due to financial challenges, a mediocre conference last year, and an “I don’t need to hear or buy anything new this year” attitude.
But those articles convicted me and challenged me and encouraged me to not take for granted the paths the early homeschooling pioneers have painfully and sacrificially (and I pray joyfully!) carved out for us spoiled newcomers.
YES, I’m going! With a smile and a happy and excited heart!
We ALL need to continue to support each other and encourage each other and ACT on our God-given freedom to homeschool in CA.
Thank you all and may God continue to guide you and give you peace and joy as you obey His calling and bless us all!
—Jane Bailey, Cotati, CA

Your Voice

This Issue’s Question: In our area, the homeschoolers are involved in a lot of “extra” subjects, such as music lessons, dance classes, etc. Our family cannot afford such things at this point in time. I was wondering what other people do to enrich their children’s curriculum at low to no cost?
—Tanna C.

Our family does not participate in these “extracurricular” activities. Instead of tearing our family apart by going to so many practices, lessons, etc., we use that time to play and learn together as a family! Our children do not lack for experiences; we simply keep our experiences family-oriented. We play soccer together at the park AS A FAMILY, we play ballet games and watch ballet videos AS A FAMILY, we attend music concerts AS A FAMILY. It creates more family time, AND it is friendly on the budget!
—Kim McCormick,
Chehalis, Washington

In response to your question about enriching curriculum at low or no cost, I have two ideas to broaden your horizons. Being in the same financial boat myself, I’ve taken on the opportunity to use state money through a public charter school, an option in California at least. Our school gives us $700 to spend on lessons, sports, whatever. Of course, they do check on us once a month, but we are still able to do our Biblically based studies even though the state won’t pay for those materials. My daughter is taking piano and playing sports with this money.
Another option is a homeschool co-op, which could be as informal as a couple of families getting together to swap teaching responsibilities. If you have anything to swap with another parent (teaching a subject, babysitting, etc.) you may be able to barter.
—Erica Gapp, Coronado, California

Tanna,
We joined a homeschool co-op that offers passes to local attractions such as Northwest Trek, an animal park and a hands-on children’s museum. For a low yearly joining fee ($25), we get to take advantage of many local amenities as well as events like roller skating parties and field trips at little to no cost. We’ve also decided that family time is so much more important to us than joining the rat race and keeping up with the Joneses. Never forget what a valuable resource your lo- cal library can be. We check out “how-to” videos for things like musical instruments that we pick up cheaply at estate and garage sales. Dance lessons for us can be fun and exercise as we crank up the music and teach each other all the latest steps (as we see it, anyway). Hope that helps! Have fun!
—Jodi Erickson, Elma, Washington

We have three children, ages 6, 4, and 2. We do things a little differently than most of the families I know. We do the “extra” subjects together as a family. We’ve found it saves money and builds stronger family relationships. In the past, we have done self-defense and physical fitness. In both cases, my husband went to the library to see what books were available on the subject and came home with one book that he was going to teach through. He didn’t try to know everything about the subject ahead of time. He would read a paragraph aloud and/or show a picture and we (Mom and Dad) would demonstrate it to the kids. Then we would help the kids do it. When we needed weights for the physical fitness class, we raided the pantry using various sizes of canned goods. Music classes in our home do not include my husband. I would have loved to have taught a minisymphony in our home, but that is very expensive. So I’ve looked into less expensive instruments such as the recorder, harmonica, etc. We know of one father who is taking guitar lessons so he can teach his children at home.
—Mirelle Stevens, Idaho Falls, Idaho

Use the library—there are many videos that teach a variety of dances. Ask around—someone may have musical instruments they are not using and might be willing to let you borrow them, along with a few basic lessons. Universities sometimes have free or low-cost concerts or plays. Community theatres also are a good way to learn acting, singing, and sometimes dance.
—Cindy Whitsitt, Weaver, Alabama

Since having our children, we have lived on one income and can truly understand the need to find low to no cost curriculum enrichment. We look for what is going on in our county and state monthly that can fit into our schedule and complement our curriculum. We check with the county parks and recreation department to see what classes they are offering. They have a broad range of physical education classes, such as ballet and baseball; or various craft/art classes for a low cost per child. Various local communities have art centers offering classes—some even have scholarships available. We also look for free days at area museums. For instance, entrance to Mount Vernon is free on Presidents’ Day. We add to our curriculum with many freebies that are available online. By doing an online search we have found many of these. This past Christmas we found an online site with art patterns and directions for a puppet show nativity scene. Our fourth-grade daughter had so much fun coloring the pages, cutting out the puppets, assembling the nativity, and enjoying it during the Christmas season. The local library offers books with information on free items for homeschoolers too.
—Judith Shaffer, Ridgely, Maryland

Being financially challenged also, we have had to come up with other options to our girls being involved in extracurricular activities. Our 15-year-old is a vocalist and so wanted to have lessons (not in the budget) BUT … was able to come to an agreement with the voice teacher to barter babysitting for lessons. They keep track of their time on both sides and even it out in the end (usually to the benefit of our daughter)! Voice lessons and pocket money at the end of the year … it’s a great system for all involved. She was also able to be involved in some drama productions in the summer free of charge by being an apprentice to the directors. They allowed her to participate as well as being their “right hand man.”
It is also a good idea to find moms that can do something you can’t do and vice versa and trade off kids. You teach a skill they can’t to theirs and they do the same for yours. No money involved but lots of fun and learning. I think the barter system is a lost art and would do well to be revived as much as possible.
Thank you again for a wonderful and informative magazine.
—Shawna McLaughlin,
Grand Falls, New Brunswick

I also have a similar problem. Since we have four kids it makes everything too expensive. I desire for my kids to have these extracurricular activities. The only answer I have is for both parents to share their skills and talents with the children. For instance, my husband at the age of forty started teaching himself how to play the guitar. While he learns he is able to show the children what he knows. He also was involved in martial arts before we were married. He has a lot of skill and knowledge in that area, so he spends some time teaching the kids in that area. I know that doesn’t solve the problem completely but it does help a bit. I would also suggest trying to swap teaching skills with other homeschoolers. So if you are a great cook but can’t play the piano to save your life, maybe you could find another parent who can play the piano. They could give your children some music lessons while you take some time giving their children some cooking lessons.
—Tracy Finney, Avon Park, Florida

In Washington, most county park departments offer low cost or free classes in a variety of subjects (dance, karate, tennis, banjo, etc.). Some of the local city parks also have a community building where they offer classes. A yearly membership at the zoo or museum allows you to go whenever and as often as you wish for free. My family joined the YMCA for swimming and homeschool P.E. Sometimes they go and play handball or basketball for fun (and exercise).
—Karen Lebeter, Lakewood, Washington

Readers Helping Readers

Next Issue’s Question: I’m basically feeling that I “can’t” homeschool my four little children—ages 6, 5, 3, and 2—because they are all extremely high-energy, high-strung, strong-willed types, all four of them! I pretty much envision that I would spend the morning playing and reading with them all, and then do a bit of “academic” homeschooling with the older two in the afternoons while my toddlers napped. When I would find time to cook dinner or wash laundry, I don’t know!
My oldest daughter attended a Christian school last year for kindergarten and excelled; and my son attended the same school for K4 part of the year and excelled during that time, also.
So, my children do well thus far in school, but I prefer homeschooling for so many reasons, obviously! I myself was homeschooled in junior and senior high school. I so much want to homeschool them, but I feel inferior to the task. In large part this stems from living next door to my very pro-public-school mother-in-law who is a local principal at an elementary school and has taught or administered all her life in the public system.
I am wondering, therefore, do you have any advice for someone with several little ones so close in age and all strong personality types? Has it been done, that you have ever heard of?
If perhaps you have any advice or thoughts on this topic, I would appreciate them so much.
Meanwhile I wanted to mention to you how very much I loved the first issue of your magazine that I just read which a friend gave me. It’s comprehensive and practical, such a marvelous and beautiful and encouraging resource! I plan to keep reading, because even if I am not able to homeschool this year, I just know that in a year or so, with my younger ones a bit older, I will at last be able to do so! Thank you and God bless you,
—Margaret V.

If any of you experienced homeschoolers have any advice for our next issue, please visit our website’s “Your Voice” section at www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com or write to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, Publisher’s Office, Attn: Readers Helping Readers, PO Box 8426, Gray, TN 37615.