Opinion

I HAVE HEARD THE STATEMENT “EVERYONE CAN’T HOME SCHOOL” many times over the years. Parents and educators often suggest that single parents, working parents and parents of children with special needs can’t home school. Throughout the years I have watched and continue to watch parents destroy these misconceptions by simply doing what so many have said can’t be done. They effectively home school their children. I set out on a quest to interview some of those parents several months ago and have compiled a few of their stories.

“I chose to home school originally over 25 years ago because I saw fi rsthand through my student teaching that the public school would not be teaching my children the morals and values I felt were important. I saw the impact of social pressures defi ning a child’s self-esteem. I have seen over the years how important it has been for my children to be free from the social pressures and infl uences to conform to worldly views of who they should be and want to be. Having children with special learning diffi culties has also shown me the importance of being able to design a learning environment tailored to their abilities and strengths,” Kathie Weihe said.

“As a single mom, home schooling has

been very challenging. My #FREE YOUR calling has always been CHILDREN to home school and my determination to fulfi ll that BY TIFFANY BOYD calling has kept me moving towards that goal. I have a job that allows me to have a fl exible schedule while working from home. My children do a great deal of self-teaching and also benefi t from working together on subjects. I give them a weekly schedule that they can work on at their own pace. The schedule includes any activities or appointments which gives them the opportunity to learn how to manage their time. I have to be realistic and allow a great deal of fl exibility.” Weihe’s adopted children all have special challenges learning, but being able to tailor their education has allowed them to learn in a less stressful environment and to take breaks when they are overwhelmed.

“One child learned to read while hanging upside down on the side of the couch and climbing on top of the refrigerator. They are free to move as they need and meet their vestibular needs without bothering classmates. They are also able to use calming techniques such as petting their cat or dog as needed or wrapping themselves in or under a blanket,” the homeschool mom continued. “Through home schooling, I have been able to give them skills for adulthood rather than throw them into an environment that causes them to shut down and learn nothing. Our motto is: Every destination is a chance for education. Every trip to the grocery store is an opportunity to teach a life skill which is more important to challenged learners than completing another worksheet.”

Another parent had issues with a private school not following the doctor’s protocol regarding her children’s medical needs, which resulted in ER trips and hospitalizations:

“The negative socialization was also a determining factor when choosing home schooling. I understood that I was no longer directing my child’s education and what they were being exposed to. Not only was it being directed by other adults, but also by other students. I knew that I needed to fi nd a way to intervene before it had a negative lasting impact on my children,” the parent, who chose to remain anonymous, said, adding that the enormous cost of private school was requiring her to work paycheck to paycheck to pay tuition.

“Financially, I needed to fi nd another way,” she said. “When I told my co-workers I was quitting my job, pulling my children from school and we were traveling the world they were terrifi ed. I felt like I could see our future and I needed to home-school. I didn’t want my children to become a statistic.”

The parent chose to babysit, bartend, resell items, and clean houses, and eventually was promoted to property management.

“I am a single mom, with no child support (never received a dime), and I haven’t relied on welfare. I am self-employed. I have no family support system. If I can do it, anyone can do it,” she said. “Our homeschool journeys have included traveling the world to places such as Asia, Europe, the Middle East and living in Australia. Stop being afraid of stepping off the ledge. It didn’t go from being terrifying to being secure in a year. It takes sacrifi ce but it is worth it. Our lifestyle has provided experiences we would have never had if I had remained at my traditional job. My children are well-rounded, well-adjusted and extremely social with all age demographics.”

DeeAnn Standlee has home-schooled as a stay-at-home mom, as a single mom and as a working married mom.

“My husband does a lot of the running to lessons and such now but I still do most of the ‘school’ part with my son,” Standlee said. “My ex-husband is also involved with home schooling and that makes me very happy.”

Marcy Green shares, “I was threatened with truancy due to my children’s medical issues. My children were bullied in public school and the school did nothing about the bullying even when brought to their attention. My children have been diagnosed with ADHD, autism, reactive airway disorder, celiac disease and Type 1 diabetes. Due to these issues, public school would be so much more stress on me and my children. My children struggle to learn in the traditional way that is taught at school.”

Green insists her children need the one-on-one time and to learn the way that works best for them.

“My kids’ mental health is important to me,” she continued. “I really don’t want them subjected to ridicule because of their struggles. I want to have control over what my kids learn both inside and outside of school.”

These are just a few of the testimonials from home-school families I know personally. The home-school community at large is a diverse group of families that have shattered misconceptions regarding home schooling. Single parents, working parents and parents of children with special needs are all successfully home schooling their children.

Tiffany Boyd is the founder of Free YOUR Children, a home school advocate, consultant, speaker and the founder of Middle Tennessee Christian Homeschool Connection. She and her husband have home educated for 18 years. Those considering home schooling and would like more information can contact Tiffany at freeyourchildren@ gmail.com.

Stones River National Cemetery  From the 1930s when the site was known as Stones River Military Park.

Taken shortly after  the park was established by legislation in 1927.

DID YOU KNOW the Stones River National Battlefi eld Park is celebrating 80 years as a national park this month? Let’s go back to 1932, when the Stones River National Battlefi eld Park was dedicated with a grand ceremony. Speakers paid high tribute to fallen heroes on both sides, and there were fl ag-raisings. Principle speakers included Congressman Ewin Davis and General Frank Cheatham.

Much of this information comes from the July 16, 1932, edition of The Daily News Journal; thanks to Jim Lewis, programs manager with the Stones River National Battlefi eld, for the photos.

With the summer sun fi ltering through the branches of giant trees and casting shadows upon the snow-white tombstones of some 6,000 soldiers of the North, speakers of a united country paid highest tribute to both the North and the South in the formal dedication of the new Stones River Military National Park in Murfreesboro on the Old Nashville Pike.

The setting was ideal for the ceremony as a cool breeze partly offset the hot temperature. The ceremony itself took place in the rostrum in the center of the cemetery. Approximately 1,000 people sat under the shade of the beautiful trees. The rostrum was brightly decorated, the colors of the Confederacy and the colors of the Union being entwined.

Boy Scouts and members of the National Guard and 117th Infantry Band conducted a fl ag-raising over the park. Immediately after the band played “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the last echo of the anthem had died away, the offi cial dedication was over and Stones River National Park had passed from the hands of Capt. H.J. Connor, who served as park director for two years, to Maj. Gen. Edward L. King, commander of the Fourth Corps area of Atlanta. It was a stirring moment as the throng stood with uncovered heads and heard the band as it fi ttingly brought the colorful exercise to a close.

The exercises also included a special concert by the band and a dedicatory prayer presented by Bishop Thomas F. Gailor of Memphis.

One of the featured speakers of the day, Gen. B. Frank Cheatham, a native of Tennessee and an authority on Civil War history, spoke on the part that Tennessee has played in the wars of our country.

“Tennessee soldiers need no word of praise for me; there are no better fi ghting men anywhere than Tennesseans,” he said. Cheatham then read a specially prepared article by the war department historian which described in detail the bloody battle which took place on the spot where the dedicatory services were held. Maj. Gen. King, a union soldier’s son, spoke at the event. “We have come together for a common cause to pay tribute to both sides,” said Maj. Gen. King, who assumed direction of the park in 1932. “And it is fi tting today that we consider this problem of war from the serious angle and be prepared so that there will be fewer of these graveyards in the future. As a nation, we are altruistic but we must be prepared at all times.”

Capt. Connor followed King to the speakers’ stand, where he briefl y outlined the work he has done at the park and expressed his appreciation for the many courtesies extended him while a citizen of Murfreesboro.

Later in the afternoon a telegram arrived from Gen. John L. DeWitt, the quartermaster general, who expressed regret at his inability to attend. A similar message was received from Secretary of War Patrick J. Hurley.

The second featured speaker of the day was congressman Ewin L. Davis, who was key in getting the federal appropriations for the establishment of the park. Davis gave a lengthy address in which he detailed the history of the legislation necessary in order to make the park a reality.

He told of taking the matter directly to President Coolidge and getting his approval of the matter after he had learned that the secretary of war had declared himself to be against the park establishment. He reviewed other interesting facts concerning the park plans and, frequently during his talk, he was interrupted by applause.

He predicted that all of the states whose soldiers took part in the historic battle would, in the ensuing years, erect suitable monuments to the memory of these brave men who gave their all fi ghting for the cause they believed to be right.

The

Minute by BILL WILSON

Tune into WGNS at 100.5 FM or 1450 AM each Sunday at 9 p.m. for The Mr. Murfreesboro Show or fi nd the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Call Mr. Murfreesboro, a.k.a. Bill Wilson, for all of your local real estate needs at 615-406-5872. Follow Mr. Murfreesboro on Facebook and Instagram.

THE TRAIN DADDY IS BACK with sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk. All aboard!

I will keep this article short and sweet— just a little intro of what you can expect this football season, and with the extra space we’ll post a Titans schedule so you can plan your schedule out now, and enjoy!

Someone was complaining to me the other day about the heat of July into August, just sitting there crying about it. With no hesitation on my part, I smacked that dude right in the mouth, pointed my fi nger sternly in his face and told him to “chill out, football is just around the corner, so rejoice my brother!” He started to cry and then thanked me for the awakening.

Did Ric Flair at age 73 complain about the heat of Titans camp the other day when he stopped by to say “what’s up” to and drop some of that Ric Flair drip on the entire team? Hell no, he didn’t!

Flair said “Woooooooo!” followed by “my favorite player in the NFL right now is Derrick Henry. I hated him at Alabama, I love him here.” Flair, a Charlotte, North Carolina native, was a longtime South Carolina Gamecocks fan—SEC rivals of Henry’s Alabama. He decided to stop by the Titans training camp just before his last wrestling match was held in Nashville, his juice basically guaranteeing a Titans push into the playoffs this season. Titan Up!

True story: About 10 seasons ago I was walking outside of Titans stadium and walked right into Ric Flair. He was shouting “Woooooooo!” to everyone he passed, and a little bit of that Flair juice must have rubbed off on me. The Titans won that game, and I felt a tingle that didn’t leave for months. I think Flair just brings good luck.

It truly is amazing how much the game of football means to so many people. It’s many people. It’s just a game, they just a game, they say! Is it? I mean, say! Is it? I mean, truly, is it just a truly, is it just a game? Because for me and so many others it’s a many others it’s a getaway from the getaway from the struggles of life, a struggles of life, a getaway from the getaway from the hustle and bustle of hustle and bustle of this crazy world. It’s an this crazy world. It’s an opportunity to see friends opportunity to see friends and family who share that same and family who share that same passion and genuinely have moments with those loved ones while cheering and eating some serious grub! Race, gender and politics make little difference in the world of sports. It’s about coming together and cheering for a common goal. Sports have always united people, despite other differences, and it’s a beautiful thing to watch.

It’s why I and so many others pushed back on the BS when ESPN and sports leagues tried to push political, social justice nonsense down our throats. The Colin Kaepernick situation was a circus. By no means is ESPN perfect these days but they truly are much better. The network’s ratings were in the dumps during that time, and they learned a lesson. Folk want sports with a side of sports, not sports with a side of politics. Remember when the leagues put BLM all over everything? Notice that they don’t do that anymore?

So many people put the black fi st as their image on different social media accounts as if that woke them up to injustice. I knew that was nonsense from the beginning, watching people on TV burning and looting stores while waving BLM fl ags. The NBA made a mockery of common sense during that period. Then it turns out those in charge of the actual BLM movement were spending all that money on mansions and toys.

It’s why you don’t hear much about it these days, because everyone who supported BLM and acted like it was the most important movement ever realized later they got played.

These networks and leagues don’t give two turds about that stuff at the end of the day. They acted like they did because of peer pressure. The bottom line will always be ratings, and that equals money. ESPN realized those both got better when they stopped talking about politics, with stellar ratings this year after hitting all-time lows in 2020. My advice? Keep it that way!

I fi gured I should get that out of my system before next month’s issue and the beginning of football season. Because starting in September I will focus on what is going on with the Titans and Vols on the fi eld and I am looking forward to those monthly breakdowns. Don’t worry, though, I will occasionally still rant about topics, as some of you have grown to expect. We live in a world where it seems more and more people are afraid to give honest opinions on hot topics and speak out against the status quo. Cancel culture is a real thing.

I didn’t mean to get rambling like that, but passion hit me when I was talking about how much passion my household has for the game. It got me thinking about how sports are a getaway from life’s problems for many fans. These commissioners would do well to remember that and rein that nonsense in if it gets loud again. Like I said, most people want sports with a side of sports, not sports with a side of victim mentality.

Well, that’s all I have for you this issue. Stay tuned for my in-depth Titans talk as we enter September and edge closer to the Titans 9/11 home opener vs. the Giants.

I wish you all a beautiful month. Stay cool in this hot weather and be thankful you live in the greatest country in the world. God bless you all. Titan up, and yeeyee, Tennessee.

The Train is rolling back into the station. Choo-choo!

SUNDAY, SEP. 11 New York Giants 3:25 p.m. MONDAY, SEP. 19 @ Buffalo Bills 6:15 p.m. SUNDAY, SEP. 25 Las Vegas Raiders 12 p.m. SUNDAY, OCT. 2 @ Indianapolis Colts 12 p.m. SUNDAY, OCT. 9 @ Washington Commanders 12 p.m. SUNDAY, OCT. 23 Indianapolis Colts 12 p.m. SUNDAY, OCT. 30 @ Houston Texans 3:05 p.m. SUNDAY, NOV. 6 @ Kansas City Chiefs 7:20 p.m. SUNDAY, NOV. 13 Denver Broncos 12 p.m. THURS., NOV. 17 @Green Bay Packers 7:15 p.m. SUNDAY, NOV. 27 Cincinnati Bengals 12 p.m. SUNDAY, DEC. 4 @ Philadelphia Eagles 12 p.m. SUNDAY, DEC. 11 Jacksonville Jaguars 12 p.m. SUNDAY, DEC. 18 @ Los Angeles Chargers 3:25 p.m. SATURDAY, DEC. 24 Houston Texans 12 p.m. THURS., DEC. 29 Dallas Cowboys 7:15 p.m. SUNDAY, JAN. 8 @ Jacksonville Jaguars Time TBA

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BY JENNIFER DURAND

“take care,” “be careful,” “be well” or even “be safe.” How often do you hear “take charge”? When we take charge of our lives, our actions and our decisions, we have a much greater opportunity for optimal well-being.

How do you take charge of your life if someone else has made all of your decisions? The fi rst sign is that you feel unsettled or uncomfortable when someone asserts control and makes decisions for you. You know you have an idea of what you want. Maybe you want a cheeseburger instead of a salad, or you want to go to a cabin in the woods instead of the beach. Maybe you want to be a schoolteacher instead of a lawyer.

“Either you run the day or the day runs you.” — Jim Rohn

Do you want to be dependent on others to take care of you? Or do you want to be able to take care of yourself? Unless you are like the mother in My Big Fat Greek Wedding and know how to manipulate (take charge) your husband into thinking that your idea was really his idea, you may want to learn how to take charge of your own life.

“The moment you accept responsibility for everything in your life is the moment you gain the power to change anything in your life.” — Hal Elrod

Healthy choices are key in taking charge of your life. You’ve probably experienced eating foods that make you feel energized, and some that make you feel sleepy or sluggish. You most likely know the difference between the energy you feel after a good workout versus not having any energy after just sitting on the couch all day. What about education? Do you know all you want to know or need to know to get you to the next level in life?

Knowledge is the power to choose. When you are properly informed or educated on a topic, you have the ammunition you need to make better decisions. Which choices do you think are going to lead you to having more fi re and drive in your life?

It’s also important to look forward and see where you want to be. I love the analogy of the ghosts of past, present and future. If all of your ghosts showed up tonight, what would they see and say? Have you looked at the choices you made and where they got you? Do you feel content, satisfi ed, complete? Or do you long for change, newness and forward thinking? When you sink into the ghost-of-the-future-you, what do you see? Someone who took charge and has the life they dreamed of? Or are you still slogging through old patterns and behaviors?

“Take charge of your life! The tides do not command the ship. The sailor does.” — Ogwo David Emenike

When my eldest son was younger, people would ask him a question and he seemed to freeze and would not answer. I thought it considerate to the one asking to answer on behalf of my son. I thought this action would make my son feel included and less threatened or unsure about answering. All seemed normal and we carried on. It was many years later that my son let me know that he felt that he got so used to me answering questions for him that it possibly contributed to him feeling more awkward in social and conversational situations. It was such a habit for me that I didn’t even realize what had happened. If I had just been more patient and let him answer in his own time, or not at all, he would have actually been more in control and could have developed different social traits earlier on. I was so grateful to him for sharing that with me. It has helped me to be more perceptive of others, to be more encouraging, to be more patient, and to realize

I didn’t need to fi ll all silent space with words.

“You don’t need mom and dad’s permission to take charge of your own life. Find something you want to do, and don’t give up on it. You can start tomorrow.” — Lisa Kleypas

There was another time when one of my sons wanted to quit school when he was a junior in high school. I said, “Sure, no problem. Just show me your life plan for what you are going to do once you’re not in school.” Well, in that situation my son remained in school until he graduated! But if he’d had a plan for what he wanted to do, I would not have had a problem supporting his vision. That’s a take-charge attitude with backup!

Jennifer Durand is the owner of The Nurture Nook, a certifi ed qigong and breath empowerment instructor and is licensed in massage therapy, body work and somatic integration. For more on fi nding your personal “ahh . . .”, visit nurturenook.com or call 615-896-7110.