Making Biblical Family Life Practical

Teaching “Adulting” – MBFLP 234 (New Year Replay)

Teaching Adulting: How to Prepare Teens for Real-Life Responsibility (Replay) Studies show that young adults are often not prepared for adult independence. Psychologists say the current generation is growing up slowly, and some even say “Twenty-five is the new fifteen”!* But if our parents and grandparents were functioning adults at 18 or 20, why can’t our kids be the same? This episode we’re talking about how to teach adult skills intentionally to our teenagers – and what to do if they graduated before you were done teaching! Podcast: Making Biblical Family Life Practical Hosts: Hal & Melanie Young Episode: Teaching Adulting (Replay) How do you help your kids move from being cared for… to being capable? In this replay episode, Hal and Melanie Young tackle a growing concern among parents: many teens and young adults are leaving home without the basic skills needed for adulthood—not because parents don’t care, but because they were never shown how to make the transition. From chores and budgeting to decision-making and responsibility, this episode offers practical, biblical guidance for raising competent, confident adults—without fear, guilt, or burnout. Why “Adulting” Doesn’t Happen Automatically Hal and Melanie discuss how modern parenting often removes obstacles for children with good intentions—but unintended consequences. When parents do everything, kids miss the chance to learn: How to manage money and pay bills How to work for pay and value responsibility How to cook, clean, and care for themselves How to make decisions—and live with the results Research shows fewer teens today are working, driving, or taking on household responsibilities than in previous generations—leaving many unprepared for independence. When Adulting Should Start (Hint: It’s Earlier Than You Think) Adulting doesn’t begin at 18—it begins in the preteen and teen years. Key practices discussed in this episode include: Giving meaningful, skill-building chores (not just “feed the dog” tasks) Teaching teens to cook full meals, do laundry, and manage a household Encouraging initiative rather than nagging Allowing teens to make decisions while consequences are still manageable These steps don’t overwhelm kids—they equip them. Coaching Teens Through Real-Life Responsibilities One of the most powerful lessons in this episode is the idea of side-by-side training, not sudden independence. Hal and Melanie explain how to: Walk teens through paying bills before handing them full responsibility Teach budgeting, due dates, and financial prioritization Gradually transfer responsibility while staying available to coach Let teens experience appropriate consequences without abandonment This mirrors the biblical model of discipleship—watch, do together, then do independently. What Skills Should Teens Have Before Leaving Home? The Youngs encourage parents to intentionally ask: “What do we want our kids to be able to do when they leave our home?” Some essentials discussed: Driving safely and confidently Cooking real meals (not just reheating food) Managing money and paying bills Doing laundry and basic home care Making appointments and advocating for themselves Changing a tire and handling basic emergencies These aren’t extreme expectations—they’re life skills. A Biblical Perspective on Maturity and Practice Hal connects adulting skills to Hebrews 5:14, reminding parents that maturity comes through practice, not protection from every challenge. True preparation means: Teaching discernment Allowing responsibility Coaching through mistakes Building confidence through experience This isn’t about control—it’s about discipleship. Encouragement for Parents Who Feel Behind If you’re thinking, “We haven’t done this well,” this episode offers hope. It’s not too late to: Start teaching life skills Walk your teen through responsibilities Shift from managing to mentoring Adulting is taught by doing adult things—together, then independently. Listen to the full episode to hear real-life examples, biblical wisdom, and practical steps you can start using right away. For more encouragement and resources, visit HalandMelanie.com or follow Hal and Melanie on social media through Raising Real Men. The post Teaching “Adulting” – MBFLP 234 (New Year Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network. Click the icon below to listen.      

MBFLP – Choosing Meaningful Gifts for the Family (Holiday Replay)

Choosing Meaningful Gifts for the Family We like the whole giving-and-receiving tradition of Christmas because it celebrates God’s greatest gift – His Son, bringing His grace — and face it, it’s just fun! But sometimes we get discouraged at not just the commercialization of the holiday, but how thoughtless and mechanical that gift buying can become. This episode we’ll talk about how you make this tradition more meaningful for the giver and the receiver alike. Be sure to check out our gift guide at Raising Real Men.The post MBFLP – Choosing Meaningful Gifts for the Family (Holiday Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network. Click the icon below to listen.      

Gift Giving in a Big Family – MBFLP 273 (Holiday Replay)

This week we’re talking about gift giving – it’s Biblical, you know!  But how do you manage it without being immersed in the commercialism of a secular holiday, while glorifying God and having fun together? We’ve found that being more intentional and deliberate in choosing gifts and even in how we open them together, and encouraging our children to think of people rather than stuff at Christmas, has great benefits! Biblical Passages We Mentioned The wise men who brought gifts to Jesus – Matthew 2:1-11 The people feasted and shared with each other over joy in God’s word – Nehemiah 8:9-10 – And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the LORD your God … Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” How Our Family Christmas List is Structured We described how our family keeps up with everyone’s “wish list” – not just at Christmas, but all year long! Here’s the basic framework – each person’s section of the family list is divided into price brackets, and it’s the responsibility of each person to keep their list up to date. And when the shopping happens, gift-givers quietly delete items so others don’t duplicate their gift! NAME Updated: (be sure to make a note here when you make changes to your list!)  $1-$5 Gifts: Your categories may differ, depending on the ages in your family and your personal budgets. We have to consider young children, teenagers, college students, and adults of all sorts. $5-$15 Gifts: If you have specific items in mind, you might include links to places these might be found. Many in our families are avid readers. We often have lists of books here – and links to Amazon.com or Thriftbooks.com to make it easy $15-$30 Gifts:  Grown-up level Big Gifts: Because you never know when someone might find a great deal, or several people collaborate Crafts, Work, and Services: Busy people may appreciate help with a particular hard-to-schedule need. One of Hal’s hopes last year was for help replacing our garage door – and two of our adult sons came over and made a weekend project of it! Looking for more ideas? Check out our favorite board games. And visit our Gift Guide for Boys. Shop our Craftsman Crates and More. The post Gift Giving in a Big Family – MBFLP 273 (Holiday Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network. Click the icon below to listen.      

MBFLP – Celebrating Thanksgiving (Holiday Replay)

Celebrating Thanksgiving: Christ-Centered Traditions & History Making Biblical Family Life Practical with Hal & Melanie Young Thanksgiving is one of the few holidays that still says what it means—giving thanks. But how do we move it beyond food, football, and stress, and turn it into a joyful, Christ-centered family tradition? In this episode, Hal and Melanie share how you can reclaim Thanksgiving as a time of purposeful remembrance, gratitude, and witness to your extended family—without losing the fun or the feast. In This Episode, We Talk About: Why Thanksgiving is worth “reforming” How Thanksgiving is uniquely suited to be a God-centered holiday in modern culture The biblical pattern of feasts and memorials (like Passover) as models for our celebrations Why Christians should be known for joyful feasting, not just “saying no” to everything The real story behind the first Thanksgiving The suffering and “dying time” the Pilgrims endured their first winter God’s providence in Squanto’s story and the empty land where they settled Why reading William Bradford and Edward Winslow in their own words gives a truer, richer picture than the typical school version How the character of the Pilgrims and Puritans still shapes the American mindset: conviction, courage, and willingness to do hard things Making Thanksgiving Christ-centered at your house Why hosting the celebration yourself lets you set the tone, pace, and priorities Using history, Scripture, song, and simple traditions to turn the day into a living testimony How these practices can gently impact even very “worldly” or skeptical family members Practical Ideas You Can Use This Year 1. The Thanksgiving Tree A simple, powerful gratitude habit: Tape or pin a paper tree trunk to the wall Put a basket of paper “leaves” and a pen on the table Every time you sit down to eat, everyone writes one thing they’re thankful for and adds it to the tree Over time, the tree fills up and helps your family see just how much God has done—even in hard seasons like job loss or uncertainty 2. Five Kernels of Corn Tradition To remember the Pilgrims’ real hunger and God’s real provision: Place five kernels of corn on each person’s plate Have the youngest confident reader read the poem “Five Kernels of Corn” As you eat, each person shares five specific things they’re thankful for—one for each kernel This tradition humbles us, reminds us of what our ancestors endured, and helps us appreciate God’s daily mercies 3. Reading and Singing Together Bring back the old, good traditions: Read from primary sources about the first Thanksgiving (Bradford, Winslow, historic proclamations from Washington or Lincoln) Share the story of God’s providence in the Pilgrims’ lives in their own words Sing classic hymns of praise and thanksgiving as a family after the meal Don’t be surprised when even very “sophisticated” or non-religious relatives are deeply moved—many people quietly long for meaning, ceremony, and reflection Resources Mentioned We Gather Together (Thanksgiving e-book) UPDATE 2025: This resource is not titled, “Christ-Centered Thanksgiving” A complete guide to celebrating a Christ-centered Thanksgiving: True accounts and quotes from Pilgrim history Thanksgiving proclamations Songs and hymns to sing Planning pages, charts, and forms for stress-free hosting Tried-and-true recipes (including how to cook the best turkey ever!) Scripts and ideas for what to say and do at your celebration Learn more at: RaisingRealMen.com Pollyanna (Unabridged Audiobook by Melanie Young) The original, funny, thoughtful story—not the syrupy version! A pastor’s daughter who always looks for God’s blessing in every circumstance Perfect family read-aloud or listen-together in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving Helps cultivate a “gratitude habit” in your home Find it at: RaisingRealMen.com/Pollyanna Takeaway You don’t have to settle for a holiday that’s all about food and football. With a little planning and a bit of boldness, you can: Turn Thanksgiving into a family tradition your kids will treasure Offer a gentle, powerful witness to your extended family Reclaim a holiday that’s already about thanking God, and point the gratitude clearly back to Him Listen & Share You can listen to this episode and others in the series at: HalandMelanie.com/radio or by searching “Making Biblical Family Life Practical” on your favorite podcast app. If this episode encouraged you, would you take a moment to leave a review on iTunes? It helps more families discover the show and recapture their holidays for Christ.The post MBFLP – Celebrating Thanksgiving (Holiday Replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network. Click the icon below to listen.      

“Didn’t Your Kids Fight?” – MBFLP 314

(Stock Image: Deposit Photos) Most of our eight kids are adults now and we are so blessed to have good relationships with all of them – and they all get along with their siblings, too!  Some people ask if they’ve always been peaceable, and we have to say NOPE. But we found several things along the way that helped shape the sort of family we have today – that’s the subject of this episode! References  Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.  (James 4:1-3) “You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.” (God, in Leviticus 19:17-18) “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’” (Jesus, in Matthew 18:15-16) One of our favorite resources: “The Brother Offended Checklist” (Doorposts) SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER The post “Didn’t Your Kids Fight?” – MBFLP 314 appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network. Click the icon below to listen.