Moms often bear responsibility for the teaching in homeschool families. Usually this happens because fathers are working away from home during normal school hours. There's nothing wrong with this arrangement, of course. Both spouses are providing something necessary for the family to thrive.
One drawback to this arrangement is that the father often finds himself cut off from the learning his children experience. It doesn't have to be this way, however. Moms may need to carry the teaching load. But dads can contribute in important ways to their children's homeschooling success.
Here are 4 ideas for dads who want to play a greater role in their kids' learning:
- Ask questions. Find out what the kids learned during the day. It's a great way to connect with them. It shows that you care about their education, even if you are not around to see it happen. Also important: ask mom how things are going. Make sure she knows that you value what she's doing with the kids.
- Engage in family learning activities. Set aside time after work to read to your family. Or plan a family devotional. Really, the activity isn't as important to the kids as the fact that dad cared enough to get involved. Just remember to keep it short and fast-paced so the kids don't lose interest.
- Take weekend/evening field trips. One of the great aspects of homeschooling is the flexibility. Learning can take place anytime. Plan a weekend field trip to a museum. If there is an observatory nearby, take an evening trip to see the planets. The kids learn, and the time the family spends together becomes a great memory.
- Give mom some time off. Every stay-at-home mom works hard just keeping the house together. When you add the responsibility of teaching to her daily tasks, it can be overwhelming. Make sure she gets a regular time to get away from it all, even if her "retreat" is her own bath or bedroom.
It's hard for a dad to stay connected with his children's education when he is out of the house eight to twelve hours (or more) per day. But the flexibility of homeschooling allows him the opportunity to get involved. The time fathers spend participating in their kids' learning makes a lasting impression on the children (and their wives). It's a tangible way to show the family that he loves and values them.
Author Info:
Richard and Jennifer Jarman are enthusiastic homeschoolers and parents of three great children. They publish a free e-mail newsletter for parents. The newsletter features short articles on subjects that parents care about, and news about toy safety and other parental concerns. Subscribe today and receive a FREE report, "The Right Way to Discipline a Child," by going to http://wholeheartedparents.com/Newsletter.html
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