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For Dads by Dads
Fathers whose families decide to homeschool may have a lot of questions that can perhaps be best addressed by fathers who are already homeschooling. This section of the NHEN website will provide stories by homeschooling Dads who share their experiences and their ideas. Currently there is not a lot of support for homeschooling Dads but that is starting to change. If you know of other resources that will help other dads or have other comments/suggestions, please send them to forDads@nhen.org
Dads Share Information
Dads in a variety of circumstances have graciously shared their thoughts and advice.
Ten Good Reasons to Homeschool
by Greg Sherman, Ph.D
Greg says: "I represent one of those conflicted homeschooling parents whose professional experiences are rooted in public education. In fact, both my wife and I began our educational careers in the classroom. Shelly was a primary grade teacher, and I taught junior high school science".
"The question “Why do you homeschool?” has been one of the most difficult education-related question for me to answer truthfully. In fact, over the years I have developed no less than four different types of answers". Read this article to find Greg's answers.
How this dad stumbled onto the growing Home School Sports phenomenon
by Cliff Aspinal
"If you would have asked me seven years ago what I thought of Home Schooling, I probably would have laughed and said that I couldn't imagine any parent wanting to deprive their children of a public school education. After all, I attended public school and considered myself well educated. Sure we hear about the horror stories all around us about the personal dangers at the public schools and about the kids who just don't seem to succeed in the public school environment, but I certainly didn't think that it applied to my family. A distant family relative home schooled her children and I had no problem being critical. I am sure all of you know family members who are unsupportive like I was. Little did I know what the future held for me". Read about what Cliff discovered in this article.
Making the Decision to Homeschool
by James Muncy, PhD
James says "when we first had to make the decision of whether or not to homeschool, we didn't know what we now know. We had to make the decision before we knew whether or not it would work for us. How do you make a decision like that without knowing for sure how things will turn out?" Indeed, how do you make that decision? Read James' article to see how he went about it.
Being a Homeschool Dad Can Mean Being a Different Kind of Dad
by Patrick Farenga
"Because I’m a father of three girls, I see the world differently than my friends who don’t have children. Because I’m a homeschooling father, I certainly see education differently than most of my friends who do have children. Having different views from the rest of population sometimes puts me in the minority of dads overall, and, further, supporting unschooling puts me in the minority of homeschooling dads, but I’ve learned to be comfortable with my minority status". Read on to find out what Pat of Growing Without Schooling (GWS) fame has to say about being a homeschooling Dad.
Homeschooling for Dads - A Tale of a Self-Directed Learner
by Ned Vare, proud homeschool father
Ned writes "He did not tolerate my "teaching" for long, though, and I, too, was satisfied quickly that he "got it.""
"Luz and I were inspired by the writings of John Holt and James Herndon and a few others, and we decided to make school an option for our new son. He did attend a Montessori school (twice a week) that opened just across the alley from our house when he was 3 or 4. After about two months, he dropped out. I believe he decided that he already knew what they were trying to "teach" him. We told him then that he would be in charge of his own learning. He said, "Great." He liked being trusted and has always been comfortable with responsibility".
Read the rest of this article and you will see how this education progressed.
You can Learn Anything at Any Time in Any Order
by Leland McArthy
Leland writes "I do think my situation qualifies as a reasonable example of a busy father who might have trouble thinking it is possible to contribute well to a homeschooling effort. In addition to work demands, there are other time-consuming activities that might interfere with home education." So, how does this Dad find time to contribute - read on.
How one Homeschooling Father Participates
by Wayne S. Walker
"I am not a "stay-at-home" dad, but I am a minister who is fairly free to set my own schedule and whose office in the church building has been conveniently right next door to our house. Because Mark was so easily distracted by having a toddler in the house, I began taking him to the office with me each morning and doing the academic portion of our homeschooling there". Read on to see how Wayne and his family make this situation work for them.
Homeschooling Can Liberate Both Children and Parents
by John O. Andersen
"Homeschooling ..snip..... Nevertheless, it works well for us, and here are three important reasons why:" Read on to find out why homeschooling works so well for John and his family.
Significant Work Early in Life: A Great Gift Idea for Children
By John O. Andersen
"Our eleven year old daughter Heidi is learning to do the books for the family carpet cleaning business. She is careful, detail-oriented, and very excited about being entrusted with such an important job". Read this article to explore this idea.
Tinker Boys: Building an Education by Taking Things Apart
By Todd Carpenter
"What is to be done with a one-child demolition crew bent on dismantling everything in sight? ENCOURAGE HIM!" Easy for Todd to say but...... read on.
On Being a Homeschooling Father
by Robert Sale
"I became obsessed with homeschooling two years before I got married, and five years before I had children. A friend suggested it to me, and having been a musician my whole life - working nights with days mostly free - I thought it sounded fascinating and reasonable, and I read anything I could get my hands on about it". Where did this obsession take Robert, read on.
Our 8 year old still doesn't read
By John O. Andersen
John writes "Our son recently turned 8. He recognizes letters and can write words, but still doesn't read. By all accounts, we should be panic-stricken. Given our competitive society, many would no doubt feel we are highly irresponsible to let our son fall "so far behind."" What is going on?
Socialization: Our biggest gripe with Homeschooling
By John O. Andersen
"Yes, it has been a huge problem for our children. But with experience, we've learned to bring it largely under control". Don't guess what John is saying in this article read it.
Check out these other resources.
Articles on the web about Homeschooling Dads
Other resources for Homeschooling Dads
Books by Homeschooling Dads
Comments and emails from Homeschooling Dads
If you have any resources you would like to add or an article or comments to contribute to this section of the website please contact Jill at forDads@nhen.org
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