How many homeschooling dads out there? What have you learned?

[spradlin02]

I'd like to hear from all the homeschooling dads in the WTM forum world. What have you learned from your experience that I could bring to my adventure?

[spradlin02]

1 hour, 12 views and no dads. I need some men to represent.

 

Sorry, for all those who need an explantion of the term "represent". From urbandictionary.com

 

verb. Go and be a good example to the others of your group or in your position.

Dad: Your Mom wants you to square up this joint, yo.

Kid: So you want me to clean my room?

Dad: Dat would be da hizzy.

Kid: O.K.

Dad: Represent.

Edited March 2, 2010 by spradlin02

[LibraryLover]

My dh is highly involved, but he doesn't visit this chat (or any) board. I also read your other posts, and it sounds like you are a ranging liberal/heathen. :D (We are under- represented here, but we do exist). So you might have to prove yourself a little and tell us all more about you.

[Renee in NC]

My husband doesn't have time to represent right now.:lol: He worked 158 hours in the last 2 week pay period and he is headed for 140+ in this pay period. Bump this up after Bike Week is over and he might answer (he keeps telling me he is going to register here!:D)

[Closeacademy]

We used to have PlaidDad but he is teaching at a cottage school now.

 

Adrian was a lot of fun and really got every one in an uproar about math but his wife is ill and so he no longer posts. And she hasn't blogged since last year.

 

We do have that one guy with all the math puzzles in his signature though and I think there are a couple of others out there. But I think he afterschools.

 

Dads who homeschool are few and far between. :001_smile:

[Parrothead]

Maybe Bill (Spycar) will pop in and say something profound.

[spradlin02]

My dh is highly involved, but he doesn't visit this chat (or any) board. I also read your other posts, and it sounds like you are a ranging liberal/heathen. :D (We are under- represented here, but we do exist). So you might have to prove yourself a little and tell us all more about you.

 

 

I would not describe myself as raging, but actually, I am quite liberal. I go to church sometimes but don't pray; I meditate daily. I was "saved" 12 years ago in a Pentacostal church but now believe the Christian faith to be on of many ways to reach an enlightened state of being. I love vegetables; particularly beets, snap peas and peppers. I'm currently working through how I feel about industrial food production.

 

As for my children, they love Handel's Guilio Cesare and this past weekend we had a ball at the Royal Winnepeg Ballet's Moulin Rouge. We'll be taking advantage of our time by having classes on the ski lifts and hiking trails and there will be no forced march toward some externally and arbitrarily determined informational goal.

Edited March 2, 2010 by spradlin02

[LibraryLover]

Have you seen King Corn? Your older child might enjoy it.

 

Food Inc is good, too.

 

I would not describe myself as raging, but actually, I am quite liberal. I go to church sometimes but don't pray; I meditate daily. I was "saved" 12 years ago in a Pentacostal church but now believe the Christian faith to be on of many ways to reach an enlightened state of being. I love vegetables, particularly beets, snap peas and peppers; and I'm working through how I feel about industrial food production.

 

As for my children, they love Handel's Guilio Cesare and this past weekend we had a ball at the Royal Winnepeg Ballet's Moulin Rouge. We'll be taking advantage of our time by having classes on the ski lifts and hiking trails and there will be no forced march toward some externally and arbitrarily determined informational goal.

[HRAAB]

I'd like to hear from all the homeschooling dads in the WTM forum world. What have you learned from your experience that I could bring to my adventure?

 

I think it's great to see more dads getting involved in homeschooling. My dh is very involved with the children but not in the day to day rigor. I guess I do the 'school' part and he does more the 'home' part. The past couple weeks he's been pruning fruit trees and the girls have been following him around learning all about it. Soon it will be time to prepare the garden. Whenever he does anything around the house he has a kid or two listening in. He teaches them car mechanics (girls must know this), how to do plumbing repairs, building a sunroom. He reads (usually history or nature) and is always sharing something with the girls. He starts at a relative young age teaching them how to budget money. This year our 12 yr old was getting an ear full on doing income tax. Sometimes I think what he does might end up being more important in the long haul than what I do.

 

We're discussing the possibility of me returning to work part-time; if I do, he will have to take over some of the 'school' part. I actually like this idea. Dh has so much to share, a different style from me, and I think our girls would benefit.

 

Nice to see you here.

[KidsHappen]

We only have about 10 men here and Spycar is the only one currently posting on a regular basis. It sounds like the two of you would have much in common though. Hope it pops in soon.

[spradlin02]

Have you seen King Corn? Your older child might enjoy it.

 

Food Inc is good, too.

 

 

I have King Corn in my Netflix queue. I've been hesitant to watch it as I usually try to avoid any news and media that contributes to a sense of impotence while failing to offer hope or solutions. The catalyst that began my ruminations on the current industrial practices is Michael Pollan's "Omnivore's Dilemna". I find it palatable and yes, enjoyable, in that he first questions the origins of our food, and subsequently leads the reader through his authentic discovery of these queries; and I haven't gotten mad once.

Edited March 2, 2010 by spradlin02

[spradlin02]

I think it's great to see more dads getting involved in homeschooling. My dh is very involved with the children but not in the day to day rigor. I guess I do the 'school' part and he does more the 'home' part. The past couple weeks he's been pruning fruit trees and the girls have been following him around learning all about it. Soon it will be time to prepare the garden. Whenever he does anything around the house he has a kid or two listening in. He teaches them car mechanics (girls must know this), how to do plumbing repairs, building a sunroom. He reads (usually history or nature) and is always sharing something with the girls. He starts at a relative young age teaching them how to budget money. This year our 12 yr old was getting an ear full on doing income tax. Sometimes I think what he does might end up being more important in the long haul than what I do.

 

We're discussing the possibility of me returning to work part-time; if I do, he will have to take over some of the 'school' part. I actually like this idea. Dh has so much to share, a different style from me, and I think our girls would benefit.

 

Nice to see you here.

 

 

Thanks for the shout-out.

[stephanie78]

I think it's great to see more dads getting involved in homeschooling. My dh is very involved with the children but not in the day to day rigor. I guess I do the 'school' part and he does more the 'home' part. The past couple weeks he's been pruning fruit trees and the girls have been following him around learning all about it. Soon it will be time to prepare the garden. Whenever he does anything around the house he has a kid or two listening in. He teaches them car mechanics (girls must know this), how to do plumbing repairs, building a sunroom. He reads (usually history or nature) and is always sharing something with the girls. He starts at a relative young age teaching them how to budget money. This year our 12 yr old was getting an ear full on doing income tax. Sometimes I think what he does might end up being more important in the long haul than what I do.

 

We're discussing the possibility of me returning to work part-time; if I do, he will have to take over some of the 'school' part. I actually like this idea. Dh has so much to share, a different style from me, and I think our girls would benefit.

 

Nice to see you here.

 

This sounds so much like our house. I do the actual "school" part, although DH does handwriting, phonics, and reading with our 6 year old DS. Silly me never thought up the idea of saying a "J" looks like a fish hook....

 

He does teach the kids the important stuff like building shelves, farming, putting up fences, taking care of the car....

[LibraryLover]

You'll like King Corn. You'll also like Food Inc. It's not hopless. It does make you want to take more control. You might also enjoy Joe Salatin and his work.

 

I have King Corn in my Netflix queue. I've been hesitant to watch it as I usually try to avoid any news and media that contributes to a sense of impotence while failing to offer hope or solutions. The catalyst that began my ruminations on the current industrial practices is Michael Pollan's "Omnivore's Dilemna". I find it palatable and yes, enjoyable, in that first questions the origins of our food, and subsequently leads the reader through his authentic discovery of these queries; and I haven't gotten mad once.

[Splungeman]

Hi there! Sorry I didn't see this thread earlier! Well...I suppose there is not much to say about being a homeschool dad, other than when you attend homeschool group meetings, you will be a minority and thus end up causing a bit a of a disturbance when the leader of the group says "Okay moms!...oh uh and dad...over there...uh...moms and dads...i mean moms and dad."

 

I have ended up escorting a lot of boys to museum and athletic center bathrooms. "It's SOO great we have a guy to do this now!!"

 

Also...I am usually being followed around by the homeschool kids at park day because i am somewhat of an enigma to them. A freak of nature. "You're a DAD teacher!" one child told me (somewhat accusingly). "I don't think my dad could teach ME! DAD teacher!" :lol:

 

Other than that, I'm sure that the other types of trials I face homeschooling are no different than anything the moms encounter. I'll just say that it is very rewarding to watch my boy's face as he begins to comprehend something new, or to listen to him read after all the lessons i was certain weren't sticking. Also...I have found that it has made me want to be a better man. My son spends a lot of time with me, therefore he picks up my bad habits as well as my good ones. i think I have improved a lot since we began this journey. I wouldn't trade it for the world. :001_smile:

[Airmid]

We're not homeschooling yet, but my dh will be doing a big chunk of it in the fall. He's always been very involved with the kids - we both work full time, opposite days. It's great to see other dads taking on the responsibility of educating their kids. We haven't met any locally and he says he's fine with being the only dad at group meetings, but I've been trying to get him to join the local MOMs club for years with no luck so we'll see.

[Guest Charley]

It's something I just fell into recently, after losing my job. My wife is picking up extra hours so I stay home and do the lessons. I found it is hard to get started but once we get our engines running it is really enjoyable.

When I was employed, whenever I told people that my children were homeschooled, I would always fib and say I helped but I never really helped. Now that I'm doing three lesson plans with three boys, I know what homeschooling is about: mostly patience.

It is making me think about things I haven't thought about in a while which is a little annoying. I am trying to embrace this new modus operandi and slowly it is becoming easier to think like a teacher.

I love getting to throw in my two cents during history lessons (which is what all great history professors do). My 8 year old and I are really starting to have a conversation about the world we live in and it is exhilarating because there is so much I want to tell him and, frightening because there is so much for which I have no words.

 

Charley

[sheryl]

I think all of the men have responded except for Reg and Spycar. OYu would like them, great guys. I miss Drew.

 

 

:iagree: Yes. And, I miss plaid dad too. I wonder if he could pop in once in a while. I agree with the poster who said that other than a few obvious differences, like gender, and a few others, certainly dads would face the same challenges as moms. Glad to know the dads are involved it's great. My dh is employed professionally outside the home to support our family. I stay home so I do 99 % of the h'schooling. He works long hours and when he doesn't there's always something else that needs to be done. We do have skype so my dad in Ohio will sometimes give my dd a spelling test or something else I have pre-arranged and sent. It's good for both of them and it gives me a little break...know what I mean??? ;)

 

Sheryl

<><

[asta]

My 8 year old and I are really starting to have a conversation about the world we live in and it is exhilarating because there is so much I want to tell him and, frightening because there is so much for which I have no words.

 

Charley

 

That sums it up perfectly

 

 

asta

 

(who is a girl, not a guy)

[Sahamamama]

Maybe Bill (Spycar) will pop in and say something profound.

 

:lol: I'm still waiting..... :toetap05:

[Satori]

There is also KingM and the guy with the treehugger named spelled backwards... Regguheetr

 

My husband helps out when he can, but normally he's away during the week.

[Spy Car]

We only have about 10 men here and Spycar is the only one currently posting on a regular basis. It sounds like the two of you would have much in common though. Hope it pops in soon.

 

He's not even a "real" homeschooler ;)

 

Maybe Bill (Spycar) will pop in and say something profound.

 

Highly doubtful

 

:lol: I'm still waiting..... :toetap05:

 

It's going to turn out like a Samuel Beckett play, I'm afraid.

 

A country road. A tree.

 

Evening.

 

Estragon, sitting on a low mound, is trying to take off his boot. He pulls at it with both hands, panting.

 

Bill

[newlifemom]

It's going to turn out like a Samuel Beckett play, I'm afraid.

 

A country road. A tree.

 

Evening.

 

Estragon, sitting on a low mound, is trying to take off his boot. He pulls at it with both hands, panting.

 

Bill

 

[snort, snort, cackle, cackle]

 

:smilielol5:

 

 

[whew! Thanks for the laugh, Bill.]

[Sahamamama]

[snort, snort, cackle, cackle]

 

:smilielol5:

 

 

[whew! Thanks for the laugh, Bill.]

 

 

I always count on Bill for a laugh... or an anxiety attack. Either way, it's nice having him around. It's a good excuse to eat chocolate. I do miss Drew, though. It feels as though the estrogen level is unnaturally high here, sometimes.

 

Hey, totally off topic (sort of), but wouldn't it be interesting to put PlaidDad (aka, Drew), SpyCar (aka, Bill), and Spradlin02 (aka, PITADad) ;) into the same room together, and Skype them onto the WTM boards debating homeschooling philosophies and methods?

 

Pick a topic, any topic:

 

1. The Essential Nature of Latin and Cuisenaire Rods

2. Liberalism and Catechism

3. Rote Memory Work as the Foundation for Discovery-Based Learning

 

Discuss.

[newlifemom]

 

Hey, totally off topic (sort of), but wouldn't it be interesting to put PlaidDad (aka, Drew), SpyCar (aka, Bill), and Spradlin02 (aka, PITADad) ;) into the same room together, and Skype them onto the WTM boards debating homeschooling philosophies and methods?

 

Pick a topic, any topic:

 

1. The Essential Nature of Latin and Cuisenaire Rods

2. Liberalism and Catechism

3. Rote Memory Work as the Foundation for Discovery-Based Learning

 

Discuss.

 

 

[spewing drink onto computer] snort snort again. :lol: I love Fridays on the board.

[NoPlaceLikeHome]

I miss Drew and KingM as well:(

[jujsky]

Welcome! My husband isn't on homeschooling boards, but he's involved. He teaches music to the kids and he's very supportive of everything I do with them. He also doesn't jump on me when he comes home and the house is a disaster pit because he considers schooling the family's first priority. It's really nice to see involved dads because there are so few of you guys out there!

[jenL]

I always count on Bill for a laugh... or an anxiety attack. Either way, it's nice having him around. It's a good excuse to eat chocolate. I do miss Drew, though. It feels as though the estrogen level is unnaturally high here, sometimes.

 

Hey, totally off topic (sort of), but wouldn't it be interesting to put PlaidDad (aka, Drew), SpyCar (aka, Bill), and Spradlin02 (aka, PITADad) ;) into the same room together, and Skype them onto the WTM boards debating homeschooling philosophies and methods?

 

Pick a topic, any topic:

 

1. The Essential Nature of Latin and Cuisenaire Rods

2. Liberalism and Catechism

3. Rote Memory Work as the Foundation for Discovery-Based Learning

 

Discuss.

 

I was already roaring at SpyCar's answer, and then I read this! :lol::lol::lol:

I love these boards!

[Liz CA]

I have King Corn in my Netflix queue. I've been hesitant to watch it as I usually try to avoid any news and media that contributes to a sense of impotence while failing to offer hope or solutions. The catalyst that began my ruminations on the current industrial practices is Michael Pollan's "Omnivore's Dilemna". I find it palatable and yes, enjoyable, in that he first questions the origins of our food, and subsequently leads the reader through his authentic discovery of these queries; and I haven't gotten mad once.

 

Chiming in on the food issue. I have long been trying to buy as much as possible from local/organic sources but I my dh didn't really care as long as it tasted good. We saw "Food Inc" as well as "Fresh" and it did not depress us but catapulted us (especially him) onto the bandwagon of buying more local and reading where the stuff comes from and what is in it.

[Melissa in Australia]

My dh doesn't go on these boards, but he is heavly involved with the children's education. He teaches them tecnology on a daily basis, does nearly all of the experiments in science . ( I do the boring written part with them) , helps out with all the tricky math, and gives gerat advice to the year 11 physics. he also does all math with ds6.

 

 

 

please excuse all spelling errors, my spell check isn't working and I have dyslexia.

[spradlin02]

I always count on Bill for a laugh... or an anxiety attack. Either way, it's nice having him around. It's a good excuse to eat chocolate. I do miss Drew, though. It feels as though the estrogen level is unnaturally high here, sometimes.

 

Hey, totally off topic (sort of), but wouldn't it be interesting to put PlaidDad (aka, Drew), SpyCar (aka, Bill), and Spradlin02 (aka, PITADad) ;) into the same room together, and Skype them onto the WTM boards debating homeschooling philosophies and methods?

 

Pick a topic, any topic:

 

1. The Essential Nature of Latin and Cuisenaire Rods

2. Liberalism and Catechism

3. Rote Memory Work as the Foundation for Discovery-Based Learning

 

Discuss.

 

I guess I need a few years of homeschooling before I can truly appreciate the humor.

 

Now this is funny...