This post is from contributor, Kasey Norton
We gather curriculum that covers the basics. We want our children to be able to communicate intelligently, compute effectively, and have reasonable knowledge of world history. And these are all important. But there are a few “subjects” that seem often to be overlooked.
Chivalry
This begins in the home where a boy with both a mother and sisters is afforded ample opportunities for training.
It has become the norm to expect brothers and sisters to squabble rather than learn to communicate respectfully. A young boy can be trained to give preference to the ladies, young and not-so-young, in his home.
Gentleman are fashioned through careful attention. Teach them to hold the door, serve girls and women first, and speak with courtesy and kindness. No, it’s not popular today and many brush the notion off as old-fashioned and outdated. However, I have yet to meet a woman who doesn’t blossom under such treatment.
Feminine Virtue
The gender lines have become muddied. We’ve gotten so caught up in equalizing the roles that we’ve overlooked the manner in which God created us…unique and different. We are to complement each other, not compete for dominance.
Young girls should be educated to embrace the beautiful girlhood that leads up to womanhood. They should be encouraged in the feminine virtues of grace, gentleness, chastity, purity, etc. A young lady instructed in such a manner will not find herself in shackles of restraint…rather, she’ll be free to pursue the life He intended for her, in her rightful role.
Spiritual Preparedness
Our children need more than simple Bible knowledge; they need to be guided into a personal relationship with Jesus.
We must intentionally walk alongside them as they find their spiritual legs. A small child can fold his tiny hands and whisper a prayer…but we have been blessed with the opportunity of personally introducing them to the One to whom those prayers ascend.
Head knowledge mustn’t ever be of greater importance than heart knowledge. And as our children grow and mature, we should be giving them increasing freedom to govern themselves according to His Word, rather than just ours. They need room to stumble while we’re still right there to help them back up.
Deference to Adults and Elderly
The current generation of youth has been born into a self-serving age of disrespect and moral absenteeism. It is abhorrent to see the manner in which many young people address adults and disregard the elderly.
Children should be taught to humble themselves before their elders and conduct themselves in a way that communicates respect and deference. Left to the training of their peers, this will not likely happen. We must model it for them and insist on it from them. They should be often reminded what a blessing it is to one, advanced in years, to be showered with the respect and attention of a young person.
It awakens something deep within that otherwise might fade away.
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Kasey, I agree so much with this! The good thing about homeschooling is that we have more time to devote to these things. I remember listening in on a session at a homeschool convention about this very thing. It’s so important to not to forget about or sacrifice these subjects because we focus so heavily on the academics.
I agree and thank you for sharing this. Do you have any recommended reading sources for teaching the first two you mentioned?
Yes, yes, yes! Thank you!!!
This is so true today. I work with teenagers and I am always saying how they need to respect the older generation. God tells us to. Thank you so much for sharing!
I could not agree more! Thank you for putting it out there. I’m praying over these words that they will reach the hearts of millions.
I love this!
Good reminders! Thanks for the homeschooling thoughts…
Amen, amen, amen! I struggle to get this into my boys everyday! I was just thinking how maybe if I found a class, or maybe even someone at church, who would be willing to teach this…I think boys would need a male figure who they really look up to, and girls likewise (female, obviously.) A father would be good also, my husband just isn’t ready yet.
I just started homecoming my three kiddos and already have these subjects on the list! Glad to know I’m heading in the right direction! Thank you Kasey! I also ordered this book: Becoming a young man of God by Ken Rawson. Hoping it will help