Homeschooling with Dad. Wait, what? Isn't that Mom's job? I better get this right before I wind up sleeping on the couch. In my home, as in most homeschoolers' homes, the mom is the primary educator for our children. Where does that leave me, the dad? Well, you do have a job, and it is a very important job. You hold several different titles. You are the principal, janitor, hall monitor, and substitute teacher just to name a few. Most importantly, you are there to encourage and support both your wife and your children.

I will outline six (6) things that will help you succeed in your role as a homeschool dad. Using the acronym PLEASE (Pray, Love, Encourage, Acknowledge, Support, and Engage), I will explain how these techniques will help you succeed. Use this as a road map, a survival guide of sorts. Take what you wish and add to it. Apply these techniques to your daily routine, and you will be successful not only as a homeschool dad but also as a husband and father.

1. Pray

First and foremost, you should certainly pray. When you start your day, during your morning conversation with the Lord, pray for your wife and children. Ask God to give your wife patience to deal with all the craziness of the day. Ask God to free your children of all distractions so that they can focus on their studies. Continue to keep that line of communication open with God throughout the day. As we all know, some days start off unbelievably great, but in a moment the train can jump off the tracks!

Pray without ceasing – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

2. Love

Of course you love your wife and children. Why is this even on the list? This serves as a reminder to make sure that your wife and children feel loved. You should be constantly reminding your family that you do love them. Tell your wife and children that you love them every single day. Remember, you are to love your wife just as Christ loves the church. It is an unconditional, unselfish love.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her

Ephesians 5:25

3. Encourage

Throughout the day provide your wife and children with the encouragement they seek and deserve. Tell your wife that she is doing a wonderful job. I know from experience that there are days when your wife thinks they are doing a horrible job. Be there for her. Tell her that no one can do what she does. It is a very brave undertaking to educate your own children. Make sure she knows that. Be sure to peek in on your kids from time to time and give them a positive message. Let them know they are doing great. Show interest in their work. Ask them what they learned that day. This lets them know that you care.

Therefore comfort each other and encourage one another, just as you are also doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

4. Acknowledge

Be sure to acknowledge the sacrifices that your wife makes as the primary educator of your children. In most homeschooled households, Mom stays at home with the children while the husband works. Sometimes, mom may have put plans on hold so that she can educate her children. This is an extremely admirable feat. Your wife acknowledged that educating your children is more important than her career. Therefore, you must acknowledge your wife and her sacrifices.

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.

1 Peter 3:7

5. Support

Playing the supporting role in your homeschool is extremely important. Your wife and kids deserve a strong support system, and it starts with you. There will be days when your wife needs your help. You need to be there for her. We, as men, love to try to be the solution and solve whatever the problem is. I am guilty of this all the time. Often, the support and the help that our wife is asking for is just for a listening ear. There will be days when she just needs you to listen. Not to solve a problem or try to change the whole schedule. I have done that one before. My wife presented me with an issue, and I proceeded to make changes to the way we do everything. Needless to say, that was a mistake, and I have learned from that one.

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ – Galatians 6:2

6. Engage

After a long day of working, you just want to come home, kick your feet up, and relax. That sounds like a good idea, right? While it sounds good in theory, it may not be your best move. You play an extremely pivotal role in the education of your children. Your children look up to you as an example and source of wisdom. When they have an experiment or need advice on a topic to write a paper, help them. Specifically set time aside to participate in their activities. Remember, God gives us the privilege of raising these children. We only have them for a short period of time. Let us not waste this time by letting time slip away. Help them write that paper about the American Revolution. Build a volcano that explodes to the ceiling. Attend as many social events as possible. They will remember that you were there and will love you for it.

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord

Ephesians 6:4