The Learning Parent

Though our youngest graduated four years ago, we’re still on some homeschool company mailing lists as I do like to keep just a little bit in the loop, so to speak, on the subject. We received a catalog in the mail this week from The Learning Parent, Rick and Marilyn Boyer’s company. It’s always nice to see materials from the Boyers, parents of 14 children and now grandparents of five, homeschoolers for 26 years. You might say the Boyers know a thing or two about families and about homeschooling.

Many years ago, probably 1989 or 1990, my friend Janice and I drove to Liberty University for a weekend homeschool conference. One of the workshops I attended, in fact the only one I specifically remember, was with Marilyn Boyer. Her topic was "Hands-On Character Building." I loved that workshop and bought the book to go along with it, Marilyn’s original, spiral-bound version. I incorporated a number of her projects into our family as our boys were growing up.

I was happy to see the current version of the book, Fun Projects for Hands-On Character Building, in the new catalog. They say it has full-color photos of the most popular projects. As I recall, the pictures in the original were hand-drawn. You’ve come a long way, Boyers! The Boyers also offer a recording of their one-hour seminar on the topic of "Hands-On Character Building." I wonder how much of that seminar I would recognize from the conference I attended.

Either or both of these resources would be a wonderful addition to any home with young children. The Boyers’ catalog is online and you can see the book here, or explore the entire website and catalog here. You’ll find back issues of the “Uncle Rick” newsletter and more information about the Boyers and their family ministry on the site as well. I hope you enjoy their materials as much as I have over the years.