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SuzanneG
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| Posted: April 12 2010 at 10:29pm | IP Logged
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Kathryn's comment on the WHEN do you plan? thread reminded me that I've been wanting to ask this for awhile!
::How are your husbands involved in this lifestyle of Living Learning? Either casually or formally? And, these can just be "little things" of course....Most husbands don't have HOURS  to spend with the education part of things, but it's the LITTLE things that can be oh-so-helpful, if we just ask!
::What activities do they engage in? Reading Aloud? A quick check of work? Outings? Lessons? Discussions? Movies?
::What subjects do they take-over or help with?
::Give examples of how they act in the "Principal Role".
::How do they do it? Casually-whenever? Regular-basis? Daily? Weekly? Topically?
::Or maybe he helps get you "free-time" to plan, re-group, etc.
::What things are planned/scheduled? vs. What happens spontaneously?
There are just so many ways that our husbands can be part of the Living Learning Lifestyle.....sometimes it helps to hear others' ideas to see if it's something that would work for your family at a certain stage.
I'll be back later with some things we've done this year and some ideas I have for next year, but wanted to get the ball rolling......
....from the other thread:
Mackfam wrote:
Kathryn wrote:
| Dad's also been mostly hands off (unless I ask him to do some reading with them on a rare occasion) and letting me do pretty much anything and everything which is nice on one hand that he trusts whatever I do but I think I need him to keep us all accountable. We'll see if I can enlist him. Honestly, I'm not sure he would want that role after working all day he just wants to hang out w/ his family and relax. |
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Hey! This sounds great! Ask him if he'll help you brainstorm in the evenings. My husband is pretty hands off, too, but very supportive! He's not involved in the details like I am, but he's great about sitting with me and helping me with big picture brainstorming! Brainstorm together! Make lists during the day. Observe everything! List your challenges, trouble the kids are giving you, problems you're having with specific subjects/curriculum, etc. Have some brainstorming sessions and ask him to help you see if your expectations are realistic? Do the kids need to do more bending? Do you need to bend and relax? Maybe he'll suggest that you stay with Seton - Helen gave some great ideas on how this might be able to work for you. There is great peace and a lot of wisdom in listening to my husband. He knows me VERY WELL, and he knows our children. He's a great advocate to enlist in big picture planning/considering/brainstorming. |
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Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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ekbell
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| Posted: April 12 2010 at 11:01pm | IP Logged
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My husband is home during lesson time (he works afternoons/evenings and if I don't have formal lessons in the morning they don't happen).
So he's the toddler wrangler and a subsitute teacher for the times two children need help at the same time.
He'll also freely spend time explaining stuff he knows at the slightest hint of an interested ear 
In general he's not a major part of the planning or overall picture but very involved in the day to day stuff
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Mary K
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| Posted: April 13 2010 at 5:47am | IP Logged
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My husband is also our toddler wrangler, general fix-it guy, basic car maintenance guy and maker of weekend breakfasts. He involves most of the kids with these things (some are too young). He will also take them on bike rides.
God bless,
Mary-NY
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Paula in MN
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| Posted: April 13 2010 at 6:49am | IP Logged
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My husband is home all winter long, so he takes over Science. During the summer we only see him on the weekends or rainy days, so he handles outdoor activities or Science, depending on the weather.
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 Paula
A Catholic Harvest
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: April 13 2010 at 7:33am | IP Logged
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My husband cheers me on from the sidelines  . He's not involved with the day to day because of his work schedule but he is very supportive. Almost every night at dinner he just asks the kids "so, what did you learn today?" and they all chime in with something. This seems like such a small thing but it really lets the kids know he cares about what goes on here.
He also came to the rescue with my older ds when Math got a little too difficult for me to explain  !
The other thing he does that I really appreciate is set aside a day in the summer to go to the homeschool conference with me. (It always falls right around my birthday so I ask for this as my gift.) It takes us a little over an hour to get there and we devote the day to talking about homeschool plans. I find it very uplifting, he finds it very tiring! But I know he does it because he cares which is what I need to know!
The one thing he asks is that we be enrolled in an accredited school. I struggle with this sometimes, as I'm not as sure as he is that this is important. But, in the scheme of things, it's not so big an issue to cause friction between us so I happily cooperate. I've also come to really appreciate my consultant at MODG so it has been a blessing in many ways.
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Becky
Wife to Wes, Mom to 6 wonderful kids on Earth and 4 in Heaven!
Academy Of The Good Shepherd
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Christine
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| Posted: April 13 2010 at 8:21am | IP Logged
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Thank you for asking, Suzanne!
My husband is my rock when it comes to homeschooling. He reminds me why we are doing this, when I have a tough day, reiterating some of Fr. Hardon's words regarding home education and recommending that I reread some of Fr. Hardon's talks. He also offers great advice.
He helps us grow in our faith leading us in the family rosary each night, blessing the children before bed, going to confession on a regular basis, and joining us for First Saturday and special feast day Masses. Sundays are a given.
In addition, my husband reads to us, finds good books, picks books up from the library, shares interesting articles on home education, asks how our day went, and helps children with their lessons when asked.
Thanks to my mentioning Suzanne's once-a-month field trips to him, my husband has now committed to First Saturday field trips. In May, we will be going to the zoo after First Saturday Mass. 
May St. Joseph watch over and protect our husbands!
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Christine
Mommy to 4 girls, 5 boys, & 2 in God's care
Memories of a Catholic Wife and Mother
Pretty Lilla Rose
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lilac hill
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| Posted: April 13 2010 at 9:04am | IP Logged
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This query makes me smile.
Our homeschooling season is completed and our youngest is in the local high school. I primarily read this forum to continue to pray for your intentions because I have seen and been blessed with the power of this group's prayers.
My husband rarely formally taught our girls but his support was my strength. His balanced view pulled me away from the "cliff of over enthusiasm" even when I did not want to be pulled away,he modeled and continues to model a habit of lifelong learning and his humor kept it all in perspective.
I would sometimes wish for a dad who would teach math or science or lead the rosary, yet when it came right down to it, his imput was just right for us. God is certainly good.
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Viv
Wife to Rick (7/83), Mom to dd#1(6/87), dd#2(1/90), and dd#3(6/94) in central PA.
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: April 13 2010 at 9:36am | IP Logged
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I have often said that my biggest education came not from school but from the 15 minute car ride with my Dad every morning on the way to school. He just naturally "taught" lots of things.
My husband is a lot like him, and he encourages learning a lot by modeling wonder and curiosity and also by taking the initiative to describe, define, and explain things naturally. For instance, at dinner last night outside on the patio, he and the boys were discussing jets, con-trails, and the points of the compass, all from the three year old's observation in the sky.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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anitamarie
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| Posted: April 13 2010 at 10:17pm | IP Logged
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My dh is pretty involved. He teaches certain science subjects (Astronomy and Physics), he clarifies Math concepts, he helps grade, he helps me make curriculum decisions, he's even writing planning software for me .
He's probably even more convicted about the value of this lifestyle than I am.
He's also only a chat or a phone call away if we have major discipline issues during the day. Usually just the mention of Dad getting involved is enough.
Thanks for reminding me how blessed I am!!
Anita
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: How does Dad help with Living Learning?
