In typical homeschooling families, the father is the breadwinner and the mother is in charge of homeschooling, cooking, cleaning, directing, creating, and disciplining. Due to so many different tasks, it’s easy for moms to get burned out trying to get it all done. Most dads want to be involved in their children’s education. The decision to homeschool requires sacrifice and commitment from both spouses. However, sometimes Mom may feel unsupported in the daily work of homeschooling and Dad may feel isolated from the joys of learning with his children.

Good news. There are many things Dad can do that will make a BIG difference in his homeschooling and his relationship with his wife and children.

Here are 5 ways Dad can help:

1. Be a part of your wife’s weekly homeschool planning

Planning time for Mom often runs out due to competing demands. If Mom and Dad set aside time, usually Sunday night, to plan the week, it serves two purposes. One, Dad will participate in the daily planning of his children’s studies. Two, you will know how you can help.

Dad, support your wife’s approach to planning or teaching, especially if it is different from yours. Your wife needs to see you as a partner in education.

2. Commit to teaching one or more subjects.

Several homeschooling families that I know use this approach. A friend gets up an hour early to do algebra with his daughter before going to work. In another family I know, my father teaches writing because he is an English teacher.

In most families, dads are better at math and science. These two subjects, especially for middle and high school students, require more planning to ensure that children gain the full range of knowledge and experience.

To that end, Dad can identify his topics for the week during weekly planning time. If materials are needed, say for a science experiment, Mom can get them during the purchase. Having what you need when you need it can significantly improve a family’s stress level.

Whatever subject Dad teaches, make sure there is a consistent time and place to meet. Children need predictability and responsibility to do well.

3. Do housework.

The two most important things in most homeschooling families are meals and keeping up with clothing. Again, planning can go a long way. Calculate meals for the week during weekly planning. Mom can make a shopping list from planned meals. Dad can help cook.

In our house we are big fans of the crock pot. There is nothing better than putting all the ingredients in a pot in the morning and serving them at night.

4. Make dinner a time to share the day’s learning.

If children know that they will share, retell, report what they learned, they are more likely to remember the material. Make sure this is a pleasant moment and not forced. Some ways to make it fun is to ask children to take turns telling (also known as storytelling) a book that was shared. Another way is to ask the child to count three things he learned about the topic being discussed.

The key is consistency. If children know that sharing their learning is an unpredictable requirement, they will be less prepared.

5. On your day off, take younger children on a field trip.

In homeschooling families with multiple children, older children learn to be independent when the mother attends to the needs of the younger ones. This is good. However, a disadvantage is that older children receive less individualized attention.

I have a friend who asks me to take the two young children from time to time so that she can spend time concentrating on her two older children’s school work. Even a few hours can make a big difference in helping mom catch up.