A Word to Fathers ~ By Bill Stephens
Ten Ways to Be a Good Homeschool Dad
When I first suggested to Marilyn that we should homeschool (around 1985), she did not have a very positive reaction. After all, homeschooling was fairly new and she was the one who would face the major life change. When you are a young mother and you have a few little ones occupying your time, you often look toward the horizon when your children will start kindergarten and you would get a break for a few hours. Homeschool moms do not have that horizon to look forward to. Your wife’s horizons are much farther away, when your children may start high school or college. Until then she looks forward to any horizon she can grasp onto—a trip to the store by herself or, a trip to the bathroom.
That is why we husbands must try to ease the burden. I have listed below ten ways that will help us become Good Homeschool Dads.
Realize that homeschooling has many rewards but it is hard.
Never underestimate how much work goes into staying at home with the kids, teaching them and keeping them occupied. If you realize how hard she is working you will have a very appreciative attitude toward her.
Always be encouraging.
Nobody will want you to come home if you are a negative person. Don’t be a complainer and a criticizer. Have something good to say about your child’s scribblings and projects.
Read Raymond Moore’s book, “Better Late than Early”
This book will give you the vision behind homeschooling. It will also help you understand that every child learns at a different pace.
Help with the housework.
I had a revelation early in my marriage when we had young children. It was that I should be someone who “comes alongside” of my wife and lifts her burden. It was inspired by John 14 as Jesus was describing the ministry of the Holy Spirit. I did not want to add to my wife’s burden when I walked through the door.
Let your wife have Saturdays off.
Maybe not every Saturday. But, you should make sure your wife has plenty of time to get away on the weekend.
Take on one academic subject and teach it to your child.
My favorite subjects were History and English. I enjoyed sitting around the dining room table and helping my kids write papers.
Be the spiritual leader in your household
Your children will do what you do and not what you say. Be sure to be the one motivated to go to church.
Make sure they see you having a daily devotional time.
Develop family traditions.
Marilyn would have choir practice on Thursday nights which gave me a chance to have popcorn or some other treat and watch the Cosby’s. We also made a big deal about having dinner together. Even though my kids are mostly out of the house and on their own, they still call us to see if they can have dinner with us on Sunday nights.
Be the one who disciplines.
This may be hard since you are gone most of the day when the infractions are committed. If Marilyn had a complaint about one of the children, she would tell me and I would deal with it. After all, you are the principal of your homeschool.
Raise your level of appreciation; lower your level of expectation.
This may seem as though it won’t work, but it does. Your children and your wife will respond to appreciation. Your appreciation will give them the freedom to rise to God’s expectation.