Mar. 23, 2006 - The Father's Role

I was just reading my friends page, and one of them had a link to this post about the father's responsibility in homeschooling.  I couldn't agree more... sort of.

In our house, although my Dh doesn't technically "help" with the schooling, I have made sure to give him a more active role in choosing what we cover, what we learn, etc.  When before I tended to just make the decisions and then tell him.  I've also saved myself some major stress by making sure to consult him before I commit myself to ANY outside activities.  Otherwise, I tend to say "yes" to everyone and totally burn myself out.

He has odd work hours from time to time, but always has answers for the science questions (and since we really see learning as an "all the time" thing... I guess he IS helping with school!) he plays countless board games with the kids and does things with them. 

He tries to make sure he's always home to take them to scouting things, extra curricular type things, since he knows that I just loathe driving and running errands.  That, although may seem small to others, I find immeasurably helpful.

My Dh also always makes our husband-wife time alone together a priority, and I think if I didn't get that time alone with him at least 6 evenings a week (when we aren't too tired to even speak!) I would deifinitely suffer burn out in a hurry.

So, I guess, in the long run. although I agree with the man's assessment that father's need to have a stronger hand in homeschooling and raising up their children, I guess I probably have a different definition of what that entails.

I love it that my Dh is willing and able to pick up the slack when I need it.  I love it that he makes sure that I have breaks from "life" and time with friends.  I love it that he supports me, and encourages me, and is interested in what we are doing during the day.  I love hearing his opinions, and his advice.  I love it that he is so involved in the discipline and day to day life of the kids.  I love how willing to help me in whatever way I need whenever I need it... and I love it that our kids, although they don't techinically do "school" with daddy, know that he is smart, willing to spend time with them and that he has taught them a LOT. 

My kids start out each day with me after Dh has left for work, as we are not early risers like he has to be.  And they end almost every night with Daddy time, prayers and bedtime routines with him... at the very least.  Everything else time wise seems to vary depending on his schedule, but they pretty much have that mainstay in their lives. 

I guess all being said, for our life right now, I more appreciate the time and support he gives me as his wife, than I would if he instead used that time to do "school stuff."  To be honest, I'm more happy to shed my "work day" than I would be to then have to spend my time alone while HE tried to deal with it... or even to spend the majority of "our" time trying to plan/do school stuff.

I love it that we have worked out things so well that they fit US like a glove.  I love our life and our routine, and I know that he is there for me in whatever capacity I may need it (and lately I've needed him A LOT for my own emotional support totally and completely independant of anything parental/school wise!)  I feel so very blessed to have him in my life!