It would be lovely if every child wanted to specialize in something reasonable.  Something that made money, provided income, or was valuable for family harmony.  Sadly, most teenagers are still children, at least some of the time, and they may want to specialize in the most unusual things!  Instead of worrying, try to translate their interests into something reasonable.  In other words, if they DID specialize in that one seemingly – bizarre thing, what would that look like?

Loralee wrote to me because her child loves only legos.  If you took that interest and added a few years, what would it look like?

I just read one of your articles about encouraging your child’s passions. I wish my 15 yr old son had a passion like chess or piano or fiddle playing! While he does read a lot (like your son, I assume), and has hobbies such as leathercraft, and biking, the thing he’s passionate about is LEGOs! He loves them and wants to be a LEGO designer. My husband feels that’s a childish thing to be doing all the time (and so do I to a lesser degree). He’s has upper average grades, and we don’t live in Sweden, and there are a million other kids who want to do the same thing, so it doesn’t seem likely he’ll get very far in his desired field.  So, how do I encourage his passion when I feel he should be growing out of it?  Thank you very much for your time! ~ Loralee

Lego needs engineers. Engineers begin their careers with Legos. Legos are the cornerstone of many science and engineering programs, leagues, and clubs.  For that reason, it looks like Legos are a GREAT way to ignite passion!  Check out these links for more information:

Perhaps your child would like to compete in a science and engineering fair. To find one in your area, Google Science & Engineering Fair with the name of your state, or start by look at  ISEF: Intel International Science and Engineering Fair

For a “degree in Legos” working at the LEGO company, to create something knew a person might need a chemical or mechanical engineering degree. If you urge your child in that direction, you can’t go wrong. He’ll be prepared for anything! During high school, he’ll need math each year, plus biology, chemistry, and physics. By the time he is done with high school, he may have modified his goals slightly, but this preparation will give him maximum flexibility.

Dixie wrote to me and suggested these three fun contests for homeschoolers. She said that homeschoolers are welcome to enter. Let me know if these look like fun for your family!

Art Contest
Students submit a digital photo of any art (other than photography) and submit it online at www.celebratingart.com. Two contests each year — Next deadline is April 3rd. There are 10 winners in each grade division of K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 who will receive $25 and a full color book that includes their art. Other artists of merit will be invited to be published. There are no costs to enter or to be published. Open to all students in the US and Canada. Each year we have several home schoolers who are among our national winners.

Poetry Contest
Students submit one poem 21 lines on any topic and submit it online at www.poeticpower.com or mail it to Creative Communication, 159 North Main Street, Smithfield, UT 84335. Three contests each year with upcoming deadlines of April 12 and August 15. There are 10 winners in each grade division of K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 who will receive $25 and a book that includes their poem. Other writers of merit will be invited to be published. There are no costs to enter or to be published.
Our website at www.poeticpower.com also includes a database that is divided by grade and subject and contains over 1000 lesson plans on how to teach poetry. You can also subscribe to our newsletter with tips on teaching poetry.

Essay Contest
Students submit one non-fiction essay, 250 words or less on any topic and submit it online at www.poeticpower.com or mail it to Creative Communication, 159 North Main Street, Smithfield, UT 84335. Three contests each year with upcoming deadlines of Feb 15 and July 18. There are 10 winners in each grade division of 3-6, 7-9, 10-12 who will receive $25 and a book that includes their essay. Other writers of merit will be invited to be published. There are no costs to enter or to be published.

This one is great too because it has the text with it. http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm

I am sure you understand how this would be an important thing to me.  I really enjoy sharing my experience of successfully homeschooling my two boys through high school.  I love being able to help other moms and dads who are going through the same things I did.  Many parents have questions, fears and concerns about the steps of homeschooling and I am blessed to be able to guide them through.

This nomination shows me that people are truly being encouraged by my advice and services.  That’s exciting.

I would love if you would vote for me for the Best Encourager Blog.  Scroll down until you see my name, “The HomeScholar” and click in the circle next to my name to place your vote.

If you have already voted – THANK YOU!   Would you ask your friends to do the same?  Sharing the information with others who may not have heard about this will help me greatly.

After you  vote for me, would you consider putting it on Facebook or Twitter to encourage and remind others to do the same?  My homeschool friends are the best!

Of course, if you find http://www.thehomescholar.com/blog/ to be one of those blogs we would love a nomination from you.  Even better, many votes as of November 7th.  Please spread the word!

What are the voting categories?  There are 20  to choose from.  Check them out here.

A while ago, a segment of one of my newsletters was plagiarized. I consulted my in-house “lawyer in training” – my son Alex.

Whenever I think of our discussion that day, it really warms my heart. On one Sunday, in our “Love and Respect” Sunday School class, I think I finally recognized why Alex’s assistance had been so important to me that day. He was defending me – which was showing that he loved me.

In the book, it tells a good deal about cycles, and ways love LEADS TO respect, and respect LEADS TO love. Therefore I started contemplating what I did to show my son respect that day. I think that the moment when I wanted to know his view of the issue, adult to adult, was the moment that he knew I respected him. We won’t even look at all the times I completely *fail* at the love and respect cycle, but I did think it was interesting to look at a situation in which it worked. I hope it will encourage you.

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I remember when I was homeschooling high school.  Sometimes I’d get hung up on ONE small issue that would drive me completely BATTY!  I remember wishing for ANYONE to give me one clear, concise, yes-or-no answer.  One issue I seemed to stress about was driver education.  Wendy asked a question I asked myself years ago!

Hi Lee,
I’m putting together my first transcript and I’ve seen differing credits (.25/.50)/grades for Drivers Education on samples.  I have to be honest, I guess I hadn’t thought of putting it on her transcript and I don’t know, it feels like a gimme or fluff  to put it on there.   So I thought I would get your thoughts.  She did complete 24 hours of classroom instruction through a training school.  I signed an affidavit verifying that she drove 50 hours as required by law, but I didn’t keep all the dates and minutes she drove before going for her driver’s test and she passed her driver’s test the first time. Your thoughts? Being driven crazy in Ohio ~ Wendy

Dear Wendy,

I felt EXACTLY the same way!!!

This is what I did:  I put it on the transcript, gave it 0.5 credits, and put “Pass” as a grade.

Now I’m older and wiser.  This is what I suggest:  Put it on the transcript, give 0.5 credits, and put “A” on the grade.

This is my rationale:
I don’t think putting “Pass” on the transcript is ever a good idea.
I think some high schools include it on the transcript (mine did.)
I think colleges may just leave it off if they think it’s a fluff class, others may keep it.
It partially answers the “socialization” and “life skills” question, demonstrating our kids do in fact leave the house.

Another similar question that drove me crazy was the class title. Is it “Driver Education” or “Drivers Education” or “Driver’s Education”?  To be honest, I have seen class titles using all three variations!  Does it even matter?

When you get consumed by things like this (as I did!) then at some point you have to remember the key.  Do your best and be honest.  That’s all.  Just do your best and be honest.  Then let it go.  Watch the pretty bubbles float in the sky, and don’t stress anymore about it.

I was totally driven crazy by that exact question myself.  I hope I’ve given you some peace!

Learn how to translate all those great homeschool high school classes into the words and numbers that colleges will understand.  Get the Total Transcript Solution  http://www.thehomescholar.com/easy-truth.php