The back-to-school frenzy is upon us.

We’ve thought, prayed, planned, ordered, sharpened, and organized. We’ve washed, baked, cleaned, and prayed some more. We’ve made our list and checked off each task as we grow closer to being ready:

√ Ordered curriculum

√ Two weeks lesson plans ready

√ Chore charts made

√ Art supplies in place

√ World map on the wall

√ Bookshelves orderly

√ Meals planned

We’ve worked out a routine that works for the teacher (mom) and the students (kids) – but have we overlooked Dad? Is he just the guy that goes to work every day to earn the paycheck and make all this school-at-home happen?

He may not be involved (or present) when we learn the rules of phonics, the two colors that we mix to make purple, and what a gerund is and how it’s used to begin a sentence, but shouldn’t Dad still be factored into our homeschool? What role should a father (a.k.a., the school principal) play in making this school year successful?

James Dobson once said, “The best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” I believe it’s also true that the best thing a mother can do for her children is to love – as well as respect and honor – their father.

Ladies, it’s easy to become so focused on keeping the house clean, getting the math graded, monitoring piano practice, and listening to AWANA verses that we become fixated on the house and on the children. It’s easy to drift in our marriages. Drifting is dangerous. It’s not a conscious choice — no one gets up one day and purposely chooses to put marriage on the back burner. It’s subtle. Inadvertent. It just happens when we aren’t watching.

We must intentionally choose to fight against it.

It's easy to drift in our marriages. Drifting is dangerous. It's not a conscious choice — no one gets up one day and purposely chooses to put marriage on the back burner. It's subtle. Inadvertent. It just happens when we aren't watching. Click To Tweet

Are you fighting for your marriage? Are you investing in your relationship with your man? Will you make this a matter of prayerful priority?

Laura’s Top Ten is a “two-fer” this month: below are ten tips for honoring Dad as the principal of your homeschool, plus ten more for loving Dad as the father of your children.

Honoring the Principal:

1. Pray with Dad before purchasing books, supplies, etc.
2. Discuss the options for curriculum and activities.
3. Ask his opinion on the daily schedule you have worked out.
4. Choose a family verse to memorize together each week.
5. Ask Dad if he would like to teach part – or even all – of one subject. (For example, our sponsor A Reason For includes a fabulous devotional to open each week’s Spelling lesson. It’s followed by discussion questions. Perhaps Dad could read that devotional on Monday evenings after dinner and you could discuss as a family.)
6. Choose a family read-aloud book to enjoy together. Mom and Dad could take turns reading aloud a chapter each night after dinner while the kids (usually slower eaters) finish up.
7. Encourage each child to have a S.W.I.D.T. (See What I Did Today) to share with dad each evening.
8. Ask Daddy to pray with the family before he leaves for work.
9. Ask everyone to share their “rose” and “thorn” for the day; as dad hears about the ups and downs, he will feel connected.
10. Pray for Dad during lunch with the children.

Loving Their Father:

1. Praise your husband in front of the children.
2. Thank him – often! – for supporting the call to home education, and working to provide the resources to make it happen.
3. Pray for and with him.
4. Leave a love note in his car (or his briefcase, coat pocket, lunch box, etc.)
5. Send him a flirtatious text during the day.
6. Set up a habit of putting the children to bed an hour earlier and allowing them to read in bed. Enjoy that extra hour to talk with hubby and just be together.
7. Schedule date night at least once per month. If funds are limited, swap babysitting with a friend, and go out for coffee or ice cream instead of dinner.
8. Take a walk together each evening; even going to the end of the block will provide some “just the two of us” time.
9. Choose a book you’re both interested in, and take turns reading a chapter aloud.
10. Kiss your husband in front of the kids – each “GROSS!” from them on the outside builds another pillar of security on the inside. While they may not always act like it, our children love knowing their parents love each other.

There are women who lament the empty nest season. They are depressed, despondent, and dejected just thinking about it. Choose not to allow yourself to go there. Fight against it.

Yes, love your children. Devote your time and energy to them. But also love your husband and nurture your relationship with him. A strong marriage is never an accident. Invest in yours so you can celebrate that next season: releasing your children to live lives that honor and glorify God, while cherishing the company of your beloved. 

Yes, love your children. Devote your time and energy to them. But also love your husband and nurture your relationship with him. A strong marriage is never an accident. Click To Tweet

Choosing to intentionally love on your husband goes a long way to keep your marriage relationship anchored and secure … and that, in turn, brings stability to your children’s lives.

What are YOU doing to love the principal of your school (who also happens to be the father of your children)? Maybe we all need to add a new box to our ‘Do It’ List!

 

Want more tips from a veteran homeschooling mom?
Check out all the posts in the ‘Laura’s Top Ten‘ series!