Here’s a post on the topic of “back-to-school” with relevance for us dads. There is so much we could cover on this topic of school, but since you’re busy, I’ll just touch on a few key things…

For Dads Who Homeschool

For those dads who home school, like our family does, our wives typically do more of the actual subject instruction than we do. One of the things that can help her MOST on a practical level is our involvement in the planning process.

Discussing and planning the subjects each of our children will take this year, choosing the actual curriculum, and the concepts we want them to grasp. And praying together for each of our children’s school year, and for our wives as they teach.

A friend of mine plans a get-away weekend with his wife to go over all these things. It is THAT important to them. I admire his level of being intentional and proactively involved in the education of his children. He takes responsibility for his family. He also teaches several of their subjects… math, Bible, etc.

Why not block out an evening, a full day, or an entire weekend for one-on-one time with your wife to interact on this extremely important topic? What would doing this with your wife, communicate to her in terms of how much you value the education of your children and the primary role she plays in that?!

Also, we need to stay involved on a weekly basis with our wives and not let her shoulder this responsibility alone. Ask her each evening how school went that day, and then LISTEN to her talk… not necessarily to problem-solve… but so she can just “unload” to another adult about her day.

Remember, she is surrounded by children all day and needs time with another adult. It is important that she stay connected with other moms too on a weekly basis whom she can hang out with, trade stories, and encourage one another.

For Dads Whose Kids Attend Public/Private School

If your family doesn’t homeschool, your situation is a bit different. Since other adults will be instructing your children, it is important for you, dad, to be very aware of what they are learning and being exposed to, how they are doing with their homework, what help they need, and for them to know of your support and interest in their schooling.

Read their course syllabus, talk to them about their teacher(s), their classes, their friends, sports, extra-curricular activities, etc., not to come across nosey, but because you care and want to be involved in their world. Help them with the tough subjects and concepts they aren’t grasping — and do it with patience in love!

Resist The BIG Temptation

Regardless of your chosen schooling method, one of the biggest temptations for us dads is to just let the school year go on “auto-pilot” and before we know it, it’s time for Christmas break!

Since we dads are focused on our work and have our own fires to put out every day at the office or jobsite, it is *very* easy to be passive about our children’s school year.

School is a big deal to our children and our wives. Let’s make it a big deal to us dads too! It’s one of the best ways we can show them we LOVE and affirm them.

Here’s a great book for ALL dads to read to help us encourage our wives in practical ways on a regular basis. It’s short. And funny too!

cartoon by Family Dad Todd Wilson