Hubby listened tonight to Michael Farris, co-founder of Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) and president of Patrick Henry College, being interviewed on NPR’s Fresh Air radio program. The children and I caught the last bit, and it was worth hearing.
While we don’t necessarily agree with everything he said, Mr. Farris gave some excellent, concise answers to typical questions such as, “What about socialization?” and “Do you ever worry that homeschoolers may be depriving their children of the expertise offered by professional teachers in particular subjects?”
He also talked about worldview, transmitting our values to our children, the success of homeschool graduates in The Real World, and a rather old-fashioned view of romance.
I have to admit, it was amusing to hear the interviewer struggle with the idea that students at the college agree not pursue a romantic relationship without their parents’ approval.
Go here and click on Listen in the upper left to hear the interview.
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Oh,I missed it! I listened to a recent interview on Fresh Air in which Terry Gross discussed a lot of homeschooling issues with a rather liberal author who had studied the evangelical right. They mentioned Farris so often, I hoped someone would give him a chance to speak for himself.
Thanks for this link. I want to listen. Mr. Farris (or is it Ferris?) stepped down as Dean of Patrick Henry after some shake-ups there. Frankly, it’s a shame a Christian institution can’t find enough instructors who aren’t offended at being asked not to teach worldly philosophies!
Hello Mrs. C!
I?m 22 years old. A Canadian originally from BC but currently residing in Toronto. Me and my fianc?, are both Christians. Actually, I say fianc?, but there?s no ring yet. We?re probably going to be getting engaged in the next few weeks (so exciting!!) and married in the fall. We?re dedicated to creating a Christian marriage in every way. One of the things we?re thinking a lot about now is sex/fertility as a part of our marriage. We?re both uncomfortable with using the Pill to block fertility for a number of reasons that are rooted in both health and Spirit consciousness. And so we?re looking into Natural Family Planning.
We stopped by our friends house last night. They just had their first child who?s adorable and wonderful and sweet. And eats a lot, and poops a lot, and well, generally needs a lot. And I kind of freaked out in my head after. Don?t get me wrong, I?ve always loved babies, and I have tons of baby experience (nannying, babysitting, big sister, etc.) but it all seems so much more real now that I will be married, and having sex, and using NFP in the fall. And, well, what if I?m not ready to be a mom???
I guess it?s also a little crazy because of what God?s been calling us to do lately: namely, plant a church. Toronto needs it. There?s hundereds of thousands of unchurched people. But that?s quite a scary endeavor. I guess the enemy has just been planting a lot of fear in my heart lately…fear of church planting, fear of babies…. So I checked my attitude last night. And realized that, clearly, if God can clothe the lilies and feed the birds then He?s probably got our lives under control too, right?
I guess I?m just looking for a little perspective. What?s it like to be a wife? What?s it like to be a mom? Why did you choose to homeschool? What?s it like to be pregnant? Do you and your husband use birth control at all, or NFP, or anything?? Did you ever wonder if you would be a good wife/mother? Because I sure do?. Anyway, I know this is out of the blue from some stranger. But it sure would be nice to hear something, anything, from someone who maybe felt some of these same things…maybe?
Well, God bless you and your family regardless.
to anon,
I’m not Mrs. C but I can tell you a little pregnancy/motherhood.
I didn’t get moody or depressed when I was pregnant. Some women do. In fact, I felt great! Have you heard of a show called A Baby story? I highly recommend that show. It can show a lot of different situations. One thing I regret from my pregnancy is I don’t have any pictures of it at all. You sound like you have a lot of love for children and will probably be a wonderful parent; you just have some natural fears. All your anxiety about sex/fertility sounds normal too. You and your boyfriend should talk about your fears.
As far as NFP that is up to you and you future husband. Hopefully you two can come to an agreement. I believe that if God wants a child to be born it will be. I was watching A Baby Story today and the couple was not planning on getting pregnant but their dog ate her birth control pills. If you don’t want hormonal pills because of the side effects then their are other bc options like a cervical cap.
I couldn’t tell you about being a wife, homeschooling or planting a church though.
Anon,
Wow – that’s a lot of questions. Thank you for ideas on what to blog about. I’ll work on answering some of your questions bit by bit.
It’s natural to have doubts about stepping into something new, but this is what God has made you for. If you are living in His will, He will bless you, so don’t be afraid. Read Proverbs 3:5-6. Better yet, memorize it and say it whenever doubts strike you.
Ash, thanks for chiming in – it’s good to hear from you again!