As I thought about this weeks topic the following scripture kept coming to mind: Proverbs 31:11
- The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her (KJV)
- The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely (AMP)
- Her husband has full confidence in her (NIV)
- Her husband trusts her without reserve, (MSG)
My Assistant
We each have different strengths and abilities and we are both willing to bring what ever is needed at the time to accomplish the greater good for our family. For us that means he is the bread winner in our home and I do the educating. I don't like doing dissections and am not hands on but he is. When ever we need to dissect something he is happy to do that. I have had no Latin instruction so he helps with the pronunciations of that and teaches me. There have been times I have come unstuck with a question in a book and he has had the answer. He is my perfect counter balance and he completes me even in our home school. I am not technically minded, he is so he teaches that when the children want to know. He is a hands on learner and is willing to help our children no matter what.
What it means to be a home school Dad
Home-schooling is becoming increasingly popular as for some the pendulum swings away from institutionalised teaching. It appears that there are several reasons to home-school ranging from children being bullied, one on one teaching, instilling one’s moral values into one’s own children etc. Many parents find themselves at loggerheads with other family members who perhaps feel threatened by the unknown aspects of home-schooling or they may feel the resistance to change which is a perfectly normal human emotion. It is necessary to be supportive in this instance.
When a family does decide to embark on a home-school journey it is critically important for the parents to be in total agreement about everything that it encompasses. There will always be Government or State requirements to meet, agreement on what study material to use, it will mean that there is potentially one less income in the home (in a culture where the mother is expected to work). In short it is a tremendous commitment and not to be taken lightly. It is therefore vital that I as the Father encompass all that it entails to be united in our home-schooling journey.
In my role I do not do the actual day to day teaching however I read stories (normally curriculum related) on a daily basis. I will assist in certain scientific aspects of the work. Being involved in animal related work (as a Zookeeper) I have access to many interesting nature related topics.
It is imperative for me to be “on the same page” as my spouse concerning the direction we take in our schooling as well as philosophies and spiritual beliefs and support in the day to day running of things. I need to be a stable and mature personality for her to lean on during difficult times and be a permanent foundation for her and our children.
Paul recently started a blog {Bush Tales by Paul} where he intends to share about creation from a Zoo keepers' perspective.
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Practical ways for Dad to be involved- Discussion to help clarrify goals, direction and approach for your homeschool
- Encouragement when your wife feels overwhelmed. Acknowledge that your wife is doing a great job.
- Support and understanding.
- Instructing the children in areas the wife has no experience in. For example car maintenance, be a guest teacher in an area that a child is struggling. Sometimes you have a different perspective that can be the key to unlocking understanding in the student.
- Spiritual accountability especially if a student is having a personal struggle in some area.
- Be a listening support for your wife
- Take the children out for a while to allow your wife some time on her own.
- Take your wife on a date.
- HELP! I'm Married to a Homeschooling Mom - Todd Wilson
- The Family Man
- Top 10 ... by The Family Man
- The Familyman on Facebook "Reminding Dads of What's Most Important"
At the end of it we all need to realise that each and every family is different and what is good for one family is not necessarily a good fit for another family. You need to find your comfortable place and go with that rather than try to be what other people expect of your family.
Blessings
Chareen
This post is part of the Homeschool Help series brought to you by a group of homeschool Mom's from around the globe. Do not forget to visit and read their inspirational insight.
- Bernadette He's on My Team
- Julie How my husband helps us homeschool
- Savannah shares Dad – The Homeschool Bouncer
- Lucinda Dad's Role in Our Homeschool
- Nicole Dad's Role in Our Homeschool: The Silent Philanthropist
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