Three Easy Steps That Will Simplify High School

1. Build a solid, growing relationship with your teen.
This one is first because when you analyze your priorities, your relationship with your teen is more long lasting and significant than his schooling.

Decide what you want your relationship with your high school student to look like after high school, and make sure that what you’re doing today is taking you in that direction!

You have to be real with your teen. He knows you already, and will therefore be able to tell if you’re trying to be something you aren’t.

The best way to achieve this healthy relationship with your teen is to follow Cary Schmidt’s advice in his book Passionate Parenting: “Have the relationship with God that you want your kids to have with you.”

2. Begin high school with the end in mind.
Ask yourself what you want the “end” of high school (transcript, subjects mastered, etc.) to look like. Write that down and formulate a plan to take you there. Then from today forward work toward that goal.

Knowing where you’re headed and that the path you are on will get you there, will help you relax and enjoy home schooling your teen, instead of constantly revisiting the question of “Am I doing it right?”

Always remember to be open to the possibility of God leading you to make changes along the way. Make them and then keep carrying out your plan.

3. Be an example of consistency.
Now that you’ve decided where you’re headed both in relationships and in school, and you’ve developed the plan to get there: live it consistently.

Develop your relationship with your teen daily.

Keep your family’s schedule open enough to give school sufficient attention.

Demonstrate to your teen that school is a top priority by making sure it happens every morning.

Now, let’s all go get busy enjoying the next four years of consistently deepening family relationships and working together towards a specific goal!