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SeaStar
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| Posted: Jan 13 2011 at 6:22am | IP Logged
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How does your dh help you in your homeschooling?
Here, although I do just about all the planning and teaching, I am always looking for small ways to bring dh more "into" our schooling, both as a help to me and as a positive reinforcement for the kids.
If I need something special tracked down on the internet, like a piece of classical music put on a cd, I often ask dh to do that.
When the kids do a worksheet or draw a special picture, we leave it on dad's desk for him to look at and admire.
Dh is often given the unglamorous job of late night runs to the grocery store or Walmart for last minute science experiment supplies.  (you know, like when you thought you had fluoride rinse for that egg/tooth decay experiment, but you really don't...)
Dh does a Super Science Saturday with the kids fairly often. They love this.
How does your dh help you?
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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amyable
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| Posted: Jan 13 2011 at 6:40am | IP Logged
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Here, dh is king of seizing the moment during dinner and turning conversation towards something scientific - it always seems natural, too. He's an engineer, so usually it's math or engineering/physics related. Sometimes there is an impromptu spelling or geography bee (we have a map under clear plastic on our table). The littles ask for this.
He also is trying to be better about making sure the kids are actually doing their work (I struggle with forcing them - after nagging them allllll day, if they didn't do it, it's up to dh to discipline).
He listens to me cry a lot.
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Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of 
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: Jan 13 2011 at 7:15am | IP Logged
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One of the biggest things that my dh does is to ask the kids at dinner what they did for school or what they learned that day. He stopped saying "what did you do in school today" because they usually said something like "nothing much"  . Now he asks what they learned and they are always ready to tell him something.
This little thing, which often generates great dinner time conversation, is really huge because it tells them their education is important. He is also good about saying things like ... "well, if you didn't finish your math we'll get it out after dinner so you can finish before you go to bed". They don't usually like to hear that, but it encourages them to keep at things during the day before he gets home! 
Coming back to add that another thing my dh has done is to attend the annual homeschool conference with me. We usually go out to dinner afterwards and discuss the coming year's school plans. We haven't gone for the last two years for various reasons, and I really miss it. The conference is nice, but spending the entire day with my dh, devoting our attention to homeschooling our kids and their individual needs, is really a blessing. It helps me to remember how important this is.
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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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violingirl
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| Posted: Jan 13 2011 at 9:23am | IP Logged
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I try to leave my son's work from the day out on the school table so that when he gets home from my mom's (I work in the afternoons and evenings, so they spend time with her for about 3 hours before DH gets home from work) he can show DH what he worked on that day.
DH has also taken over the evening read aloud lately- he listens to DS1 read for about 10 minutes then DH reads aloud to the boys from a chapter book.
DH also put himself in charge of weekend exploring outdoors. :)
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Erin
DS (2005) DS (2007) DD (2012)
Mama In Progress
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Kathryn
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| Posted: Jan 13 2011 at 12:48pm | IP Logged
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It seems that since I've taken over homeschooling in the past year and half since they came home from parish school, my DH has taken a stepped down role. However, I don't blame him...it's me that can't seem to fit into the evening and/or week-ends what I would like him to do. I think I'm just at a loss. He's usu. too tired (well, we both are), the kids are ready to "play" etc. etc. I was quite disappointed the other day when I asked him at what level he thinks DS reads (I've posted on a couple other threads about our on-going issues w/ DS) and he said "I don't know...you're the teacher". And I've heard a couple of occasions when I've expressed how hard this is that this is "my job now".  Again, I don't think he meant it as cruelly as it's coming across here but somehow I took it that way. It seems that w/o the school providing necessary work, I'm left to just do it all and I haven't figured out a good way to have him help.
Sorry to ramble on since this isn't your question but I'll be watching and wondering how others bring dad into the fold too b/c so far when DH is here, it's party time.
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Kathryn in TX
(dd 16, ds 15, dd 8, dd 5)
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Grace&Chaos
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| Posted: Jan 13 2011 at 5:41pm | IP Logged
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Dh works four days and is off three. This is a tremendous help because he will do just about any errand needed on Mondays. We try to schedule all Dr., dental and other appointments on this day. When none of those are going on he takes the younger three boys on Monday morning Costco runs, visit with his Grandmother (who is in a senior citizens home) and/or if weather is right will do yard work at the house we rent out. This really helps because it lets me create a back to school Monday morning mood with out the chaos of the littles . And once a month I get to have a mom's night out with other hs moms.
On the other days he is the most helpful by just letting the kids be loose. He has exercise meetings or just tumble on the ground with dad time. After a long day of school, chore and activities this is always refreshing (esp. since we don't see him all day 'till after 7).
He is not very hands on in our schooling but is very supportive and I can bounce ideas and know he is always ready to back my choices or reinforce with the kids. 
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Blessings,
Jenny
Mom to dds(00,03) and dss(05,06,08,09)
Grace in Loving Chaos
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Little ways for dh to help
