Today I was watching my sweet husband cut hearts out of some paper. He is always doing kind things for others, especially for a birthday or holiday, so I didn't think much about what he was doing. Then the hearts cut out, turned into a card, and then he was pasting the cutouts into the card. I realized a moment after, that this card was a secret penpal letter to our youngest daughter Lindsey.
He has been secret penpals with each of our daughters for a while now.
A week or so ago, I went downstairs to tuck my older daughters in and read to them out of our "Farmer Boy" book, that we read out of most nights before bed. My 8 year old was sitting on her be excitedly reading a piece of paper. I recognized that this was one of her secret penpal letters from her Dad.
My 8 year old has been trying to read since she was 5. She really struggles with it for some reason. She can read, but she doesn't like to, unless its her choice to.
But there she sat, on her bed loving every word of her penpal letter.
My husband has been involving himself more with the kids education, and its been so good!
He also sat with the kids one day and gave them an art lesson. He told me he loved art in highschool, but didn't pursue it, because he was told it wouldn't help him get a good job someday.
Well, guess what talent he uses at his job of over 15 years now? Art. Its not full on drawing, but it does require an artistic eye, and art could have very well supported the job he has now, that he did not go to school for by the way. He now plans little art lessons for them every once in a while, and the kids love it.
It is a huge confidence booster to me, to know that I am not the only one focused on what my kids learn each day. To have that support from my husband makes a world of difference, and makes it easier for me to make sure I am doing my part as well.
So here are just some ideas, of what a Father Figure in the home can do to support the mother, and show his interest in his kids. I am grateful for my own husband who I am inspired by to write this post.
1. Devote one on one time to each child.
Take each child individually on a Father/daughter date or Father son/outing as often as your time will allow. Make sure they know it is important to you, by planning it and following through. Get to know them during this time. Do with them what they love to do, or just make it a lunch date.
My husband normally takes our girls to dinner and movie. With our son, he goes in our garage and plays hockey with golf clubs and a golf ball. It is pretty much the cutest thing ever btw.
2. Teach them what is yours
What are your talents/hobbies? Show your kids how to do them. Let them shadow you when you have a project, or task needing to be done. They learn so much from this! If you have a passion, share it with them, and involve them.
3. Read to them.
Since my 10 year old was just a couple months old, my husband has devoted time to reading to the kids. Whether its from a picture book, or out of the scriptures. That time spent with you reading, will fuel their desire to read as well.
4. Lead Family councils
Each Sunday, we have been having a family council, where first the mom and dad share what their week is going to be like and if we have anything we want to discuss as a family, and then each kid has a turn to do the same thing. This helps us to all be on the same page together during the week. When the kids know what to expect for a schedule or events coming up, it creates security. When the parents are secure, the family is secure, and then their education is secure.
5. Support your spouse in the homeschooling journey.
Likely if she is the one at home with them and the one whos idea this all was, it was because she wants more for her kids. She wants them to grow up with healthy relationships, safety and security, and good values. She wants them to thrive in their strengths, because they are all different. She wants them to learn hard work, and be happy with their lives as adults. If you are supporting your wife or spouse by being involved, it will help her be more confident and secure as well. She will likely homeschool with or without support, but with it, it will make it so much easier on everyone.
6. Spend time in the evenings playing games.
My husband works two jobs, and also works with the youth in our church, so he is a very busy person in his own personal life, and we love him for his hard work. We also love to be with him whenever we can.
On Sunday we started a new tradition to play games in the evening after dinner. These games can be a variety of things. Board games of course, outside games, sitting around the table telling jokes. I know of a family that plays legos together in the morning, all 6 of their kids and the Dad build towns together. We love magnatiles and other building toys. Card games are great math tools as well.
And..
7. Work hard together-Family chores
Saturday my husband always has his list of things to get done. My girls have become used to working outside with him. My oldest mowes half the lawn and he will mow the other half. Today he taught them how to winterize our lawnmower so it will continue to last a long time, teaching the value of taking care of something regularly. He makes sure each week, that they have some sort of responsibility outside every Saturday, and they willfully do it now, because they know what he expects of them. During the week they take care of inside household responsibilities with me.
I am sure there are many other ways for a Father to be involved with homeschooling. Please feel free to share what your family does in the comments below!
I am so grateful to have a supportive husband. This homeschooling journey is definitely not easy on its own, but it is definitely worth it!
