I’m in my 40s. And I’ve changed a whole bunch since the day I turned 18. I’m sure you can relate. My feet hurt as soon as I step out of bed in the morning! But of course, physical changes are not the only changes I’ve experienced, nor are they the best changes. I guess the happiest change is parenthood. Or perhaps, parenthood was the catalyst for change. In any case, I have no desire to go back to age 18 and relive those years, but I can see how certain pieces of information — more fully understood at that time — could have changed the direction of my life.
That’s the premise of What I Wish I Knew at 18. A book and student guide, this curriculum walks your teenager through a series of 109 strategies for success — things that could impact their lives forever should they absorb it all now as they approach adulthood. Sort of like a roadmap. In fact, the sub-title is “Life Lessons for the Road Ahead.” I’m guessing most parents ask the question, “Is my child prepared for life?” I have, and with six kids, I’m sure I will again. If the answer is no, the obvious next question is, “What am I going to do about it?” What I Wish I Knew at 18 is intended to be the answer.
What I Wish I Knew at 18 (book, $18.95) includes chapters on life perspective, character, relationships, communication, spiritual life, handling adversity, college academics, career selection and advancement, love, marriage, and finances, plus a miscellaneous chapter for all kinds of tidbits. That’s a lot of strategy your teen may not have considered.
The What I Wish I Knew at 18 Student Guide (student guide, $18.95) provides guided study of the book. The book and student guide can be purchased as a set for $29.95 in either version. The student book is available in a Christian version and a not specifically Christian version. For the purposes of this review, I’m discussing the Christian version. The What I Wish I Knew at 18 Student Guide includes points to consider, questions, discussion, Scripture, and applications for the major points of the book. Space for journaling, graphing, analyzing, and personalizing the material is also included. The student guide is intended for group or personal use, and the leader’s guide is a free PDF download.
For homeschoolers, the What I Wish I Knew at 18 curriculum would work well as a supplement in Sociology, Home Economics, or Leadership coursework for partial high school credit. With 9 chapters, the book and student guide work could easily be spread out over 18 weeks or one semester. The curriculum would work equally well for independent use, sibling groups, or co-op classes.
Let’s look at a specific chapter in both the book and the student guide to give you a better glimpse at what this looks like. We will look at chapter nine: Love and Marriage. The strategies for success include
- Recognize the difference between love and lust.
- Love takes time and timing.
- Take a 3D approach to dating.
- Choose your spouse as a forever decision.
- Fully explore your compatibility before committing. (Note: This might be a poor choice for a title topic – but this is not suggesting that you move in together before marriage. It’s all about pre-marital counseling and things to consider.)
- Don’t expect your spouse to change after marriage.
- Maintain your friendships after marriage.
- Marriage is a partnership that requires a continual investment.
- Keywords for a successful marriage.
- Have children when you are married and when you are ready.
- Commit to these life choices to avoid poverty.
Each of these are very short – 2-3 paragraphs and include a “Take Five” question to ponder.
In the student guide on the same chapter, the introduction is a description of the Biblical foundation for marriage. Objectives for the chapter include understanding God’s plan for marriage, applying a successful model for dating relationships, understanding the time required for successful relationships, learning the difference between love and lust, deciding how to make a forever decision, and learning the key principles of a successful marriage. Preparation includes reading the corresponding chapter in the book and completing a chart about that chapter.
Then the highlighted “pointers” from the book are each presented again with a broad review of the chapter, questions for discussion, “Words to Live By” (Bible verse), and an application section with a chart to complete or some other activity.
Illustrations, diagrams, and charts are scattered throughout the student guide. For one of the pointers, there is an “Above and Beyond” section which involves praying about and repenting of past mistakes. (I love that!) At the end of the chapter, there is a section for journaling.
My Bottom Line: I’m planning to use this book with my teenage son this year. He will work mostly independently through the material, but I will make sure to discuss with him all along the way.
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