Ginny’s Gems

by Jennifer Tutwiler | Homeschoolers tend to be an optimistic group. No matter what trials we faced in the previous school year, we look forward to the next with all the anticipation of a child awaiting Christmas. For some families, though, this optimism can fade as each year becomes a worsening repetition of the previous year’s challenges. Nothing works. Nothing improves. Survival is the only thing left. This was our own experience for three very long years.

by Fr Frank Papa | We all are commanded to obey the Ten Commandments because they were given by God the Father to Moses for all of us to obey. Jesus, the Son of God, repeated the Ten Commandments and the requirement for all to obey them. We all are required to be obedient to God’s commandments. Sin is disobedience to the laws of God.

“Be as simple as doves” –  Matthew 10:16 When I was sitting behind my vendor table at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Homeschool Conference this past June, an elderly gentleman ...

Caption this image! What is name of the juggler? Why is the boy wearing a cape? What are they talking about? Share your child’s comment below! What could be more ...

See the Answers… The Four Hinges of the Moral Life “The cardinal virtues are the four principal moral virtues. The English word cardinal comes from the Latin word cardo, which ...

Stressed out home schooling moms tell me that it is not the actual home schooling that is sapping their strength. It’s not the housework, or yard work, or meal preparation. ...

I was home schooled for the last three years of high school, grades 10 through 12. I feel that I learned much more being home schooled for those three years ...

In O. Henry’s short story “The Social Triangle,”  Ikey Snigglefritz, a simple tailor’s apprentice, receives his week’s wages and on his way home enters the Café Maginnis. There he accidentally ...

The Assumption, which we celebrate on August 15, is certainly one of the happiest and most glorious feast days in the Church. The Blessed Mother is raised, body and soul, ...

“Last night, I had a dream,” three-year-old Drew announces during dinner. “Oh?” I say. “Yes. There was an alien in my dream and you know what he said, Mom?” “What?” ...

Readin’, writin’, ‘rithmetic and religion are, of course, vital and irreplaceable components of any educational system. As any Seton student can attest, a great deal of effort is involved in ...

Caption this image! What are the animals looking at? How did the turtle get up in the tree?  What is he saying? Share your child’s comment below! What could be ...

At the beginning of every school year, I make a little personal checklist as to how I can improve homeschooling in the upcoming year.  I don’t always stick to the ...

I recall once going to my aunt’s house to baby sit for her three daughters. While in the kitchen, I was amused to see that she had a picture of a swimsuit model on her refrigerator. Before pulling anything out of the refrigerator to eat, my aunt had to look at the picture. This was clearly meant to dissuade her from eating, in hopes of having a figure like the woman in the picture. While the idea was amusing to me, it made some sense. Although my aunt had a general intention to lose weight, the picture gave her direct motivation at the time it was most needed.

Suddenly it hits you:  within a very few weeks, for the first time in your life, you are going to be more or less on your own, away from your ...

In his fairy tale “The Goblin at the Provision Dealer’s” or in some editions entitled “The Pixy at the Grocer’s,” Hans Andersen depicts the life of a goblin who enjoys ...

The decision of the Supreme Court on January 22, 1973 was a tragedy not only for unborn children who would die by the tens of millions over the next 40 ...

As part of our ongoing efforts to support our homeschooling families, Seton Home Study School recently commissioned a survey to try to discern the factors that contribute to success in ...

Learning Joy From the Poor of Cubao, the Philippines “The very deficiency of material things enhances, enriches and increases the faith.  The less for the eyes, the more for the ...

The Four Hinges of the Moral Life “The cardinal virtues are the four principal moral virtues. The English word cardinal comes from the Latin word cardo, which means “hinge.” All ...