HIHTK 018: Tuan Nguyen- “Why They Don’t Talk About Grades”




Honey! I'm Homeschooling The Kids show

Summary: <br> Tuan Nguyen’s family has a rule: They Don’t Talk About Grades.<br>  <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Other ways to enjoy this Podcast<br> <br> <br> <a title="Listen on iTunes" href="https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/honey-im-homeschooling-the-kids/id1272423047" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><br> <a title="Listen on Google Play" href="https://play.google.com/music/listen?t=Honey!_I%27m_Homeschooling_The_Kids&amp;pcampaignid=MKT-na-all-co-pr-mu-pod-16&amp;u=0&amp;view=/ps/I2zvkou6ephyzybp2fc6f2ea3lm" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><br> <a title="Listen on Stitcher" href="http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=147912&amp;refid=stpr" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"></a><br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Tuan understands the importance of communication, life learning and connection. He’s also working to build the creative mindset within his own family.<br> <br> <br>  <br> His Blended Family<br> <br> <br> <br> Tuan and his partner have a blended family that includes two daughters and a son– ages 15, 12 and 5 years of age.<br> <br> <br>  <br> <br> <br> Being part of a blended family has taught him many lessons, especially now that he has two daughters. From the beginning the kids fit well, but it took some work for him to build the relationship with his daughters. It was clear that the key to their success would be good communication and connection. What puts his family apart are what they put into practice to build that connection.<br> <br> <br>  <br> <br> Communication Tools<br> <br> A game changing tool for their family as been <a href="https://jimsheils.com/home" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Jim Sheils</a> Family Board Meetings Strategy. Listen to my episode with Jim <a href="https://imhomeschooling.com/episode-001-jim-sheils-how-one-entrepreneur-is-overturning-the-traditional-education-model/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>. This includes specific scheduled time–four hours minimum, one on one with each child. And no technology during that time. This strategy created a remarkable space for communication and connection. As well, a space for his daughters to teach him how to deal with the emotional situations of adolescence. They have given him their own name- “Sedad”- which he embraces.<br> <br> <br>  <br> <br> Extended family<br> <br> Tuan’s wife owns a restaurant with her siblings so this means all the family kids come to Tuan’s after school. From 3:45pm he is helping with homework, cooking dinner, and being a support to them. It is a busy home but one that has created strong family bonds for all the kids. He is part of their learning which he says extends far beyond homework and school. When I refer to the kids, I’m talking about all 7 of them.<br> <br> <br>  <br> <br> The Power of Sports<br> <br> Sports have been the saving grace to some of the challenges the kids have faced.<br> <br> <br> <br> Soccer was the choice for their oldest daughter, Athena who was shy and hyper-focused. The soccer team has helped with her communication and collaboration skills. She now shines as a major player on the field and is being scouted by soccer coaches from the US.<br> <br> <br>  <br> <br> <br> Their other daughter is a social butterfly with less focus. Tuan decided to enrol her in Tae-kwondo which he also attended with her. He saw that Tae-Kwondo would help her cousins with their lack of confidence so he enrolled them as well. They all practice and train together.<br> <br> <br>  What About The Grades?<br> <br> <br>  Tuan’s family does have a rule around grades. He says they don’t talk about grades. What they talk about is where they are at the moment, and they ask if there is any place in their life that they can do better.