Home School Heartbeat Radio Program

Mike Smith:
Last time, Derek, you laid out the basic concept of creating a presence in your absence. That is, we dads should communicate so significantly with our families that even when we are not physically at home, we're still having an impact on them. So, would you share a few ways to do this?

Derek Carter:
Sure, Mike. You know, one of the ways that I've found is that—and again, there are so many advantages that we have as homeschooling dads that we really need to utilize—but one way of doing is that being flexible with our schedules. We have to understand that our children are home, and they’re not getting up early in the morning to get on the bus to go to school.

So we can be a little more flexible with our schedules and really work with our wives and try to get a homeschool schedule around our schedule, so if you're getting home late some nights, you know, maybe having the kids sleep in a little later that morning so they could be up when you get home. I think that one way that things really great also is reading to your kids; your kids love being read to. You know, I read the Bible to my kids, I read certain books, and they really, really enjoy that. And that’s what we really engage in, as well as playing interactive games and activities and just even asking your kids open-ended questions, things that going to, you know, spark a conversation.

And also spending time with your kids individually. Those are things you could really do; it’ going to make an impact on your relationship with your children.

Mike:
Derek, these are great practical suggestions—they could really make a difference in our listeners’ families. Thanks for sharing them! And until next time, I’m Mike Smith.