Today I just want to encourage you a little bit. You can do this. It is not too hard and there is no magical curricula.

You can do this, even if your husband is not an active participant in what you might consider the homeschooling subjects. He is still a homeschooling parent because he is educating his children in how to live life and be a good father and husband.

Mike did not help teach our children math or how to read but he taught them how to follow God and live their lives for Him. He was a good dad. He taught the boys his trade (so they will always have that to fall back on).

Don’t belittle what your husband does in regards to educating your children. Don’t push him to do more. Don’t think more of yourself because of the subjects you are teaching your children. It takes both of you to give them the well-rounded education they need, but it does not mean he has to do it like you do. He may just be educating your children by example and discipline.

And that’s another thing. Don’t make Daddy out to be the bad guy by using him as a threat to the children with things like, “you just wait until your father gets home, young man.” Your husband has been busy working hard all day. He does not want to come home and be the heavy hand. I’m sure he’ll back you up and agree with you. And I know it is hard to be the one doing so much disciplining but it really will all even out in the end. Remember, you are home with those lovely children twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It only makes sense that you are doing most of the disciplining and educating too.

You are also building a close relationship with your children. You are creating memories that they will have for the rest of their lives and ones you will cherish. No, you don’t want to feel like all you do is discipline them all day, but some days are just like that and are needful for the development of quality character in them.

It is good to fill your hubby in on what has happened during the day but don’t dump it all on him the moment he walks in the door. (Now, there may be an occasional day when it is necessary, but it should not be the default.)

One thing we did during dinner, for a long while, was to ask each family member what their high and low was for the day. It was always interesting to hear it from their perspective. Today, we still do something similar at the dinner table, we ask each member how their day went. It helps keep everyone in touch with each other and it makes you stop and really think about what you accomplished that day.

Raising children is not easy but it is definitely rewarding and worth while. I wouldn’t trade those years for anything.

I hope this is an encouragement to you.

Until next time, God bless,
Michele ºÜº