Advice for Homeschooling Dads

I call my husband “The fun patrol.” Why?

Because he is a master of finding adventure, of pushing the limits, of creating fun experiences for my kids. Through their dad, my kids have learned the joys of hiking, biking, kayaking, landscaping, building, designing and racing pinewood derby cars, wrestling, camping, building a fire, drawing, electronics, and so much more! He is the one who has given them the confidence to try new things, to overcome their fears, and to press on to excellence.

And he does all of that after work!

Dad brings a whole new perspective to homeschooling.

In fact, there are a number of dads out there who are the primary teachers in their homeschool. For them, joining a support group or network made up of and directed to moms can be difficult. Therefore, if you are a dad who takes on the primary role in your homeschool program, be sure to visit the sites listed below for some terrific help and insight from fellow homeschool Dads!

Remember, Dad brings a whole new perspective to homeschooling and to life in general. With Dad, my kids have the opportunity to take part in a whole new world of activities. With Dad, those concepts that I just can’t seem to get them to grasp are suddenly understandable. With Dad, that digestive system model that looked more like the model of the playground suddenly took a more appealing shape!

Whether he is the support network for your family or the primary instructor in your homeschool program, Dad is important and very necessary!

Things to do with your kids:

1. Do a science experiment together.
2. Build a project while teaching them how to use your tools.
3. Read to them adding in your own special additions that make the story more exciting.
4. Go for a hike with your children and point out the intricacies and beauty of God’s creation.
5. Share YOUR CHILDHOOD memories while taking a walk or hanging out on the couch with your kids.
6. Read a chapter of the Bible every evening.
7. Take your kids to a baseball game at a minor league park.
8. Turn off the television.
9. Play silly games that involve lots of hugging and wrestling.
10. Hug them when you leave for work and when you come home.
11. Give them a vision worth living for, even dying for, if necessary.
12. Get them involved in sports and be their biggest fan (don’t start coaching unless you are the coach).

How to support your wife:

1. Help with the grocery shopping.
2. When the laundry piles up, jump in and help!!
3. Take 10 minutes each day to sit and talk with your wife — and let her do the talking.
4. Be sure to make time to date your wife.
5. Encourage mom to take time off just for herself.

Resources for Dads …

HomeschoolDads.com
Written by a homeschool dad specifically for dads who take care of the homeschooling

National Home Education Network
Find a section entitled “For Dads by Dads” under the “Homeschooling Helps” tab.

Fatherville
A site for Dads that covers a variety of topics, but has a specific section for homeschool dads.

No matter your role, you are important and very necessary to the success of your homeschool program!