When we first started homeschooling, my husband was working demanding hours outside the home to support our family. In that season, his hands-on teaching was limited due to a 60+ hour work week. Yet, his commitment was an anchor for our homeschool. He was invested in helping choose our curriculum and discussing what the kids were learning with me regularly. Even at the end of a long work day, he would show up with enthusiasm to see the kids’ schoolwork and hear their stories. That consistent presence made me like I wasn’t alone in the journey.

Over the years, with varying schedules, my husband has always found ways to invite children into real-life skills like fixing bikes, building a treehouse, or budgeting. He is always willing to slow down and teach our kids a new skill or how something practical works. We’ve always considered these everyday practical skills as part of our “school.”

As his work hours shifted, he started our days with family Bible time over breakfast. As our children have grown, he’s become more involved, and I am so grateful. This year he is teaching our children math lessons in the afternoons, hosting a monthly homeschool chess club at our home, helping with science experiments, overseeing small business ventures the kids have, and taking the kids to extracurricular activities. His involvement has grown and evolved with our family, and each step has deeply enriched our homeschooling journey.

If you are looking for ways to include your husband (or get involved yourself, if you are a dad reading this) in the daily homeschooling rhythm and aren’t sure where to start, know this: The greatest gift a dad can offer is his unique perspective and presence, whatever capacity or season he is in.

In this blog post, I’m sharing what a dad’s involvement could look like and some ideas to get your wheels turning. 

In this blog post: 

• Defining success: What a dad’s involvement can look like
• 7 flexible ways to draw from dad’s real-life interests and experiences (No formal lesson plans required!)
• Family-centered curriculum from Treehouse Schoolhouse

Defining success: What a dad’s involvement can look like

There are a lot of positive ways – big and small – that dads can be involved in homeschooling. Before we offer ideas or suggestions, take a moment to think about the unique responsibilities your family has and what involving dad can look like in your home.

Dads offer unique perspectives and skills

Everyone has their own individual strengths and personality, and these are on display as we teach our children. As you lead your children in learning, their education will be shaped by your own strengths and unique talents.

While traditional homeschool teaching roles often fall to mothers, dads can play a vital role in their children’s education. It could mean teaching a specific subject, or it could be carried out in natural, organic moments of everyday life. 

Many times, dads offer a fresh perspective rooted in problem-solving, curiosity, hands-on skills, and mentoring. Other times, a father’s biggest strength may be completely non-academic, and that’s okay. Whether it’s fixing something around the house, showing a child how a machine works, exploring a new science experiment, or reading aloud and making up voices for every character in the book, a dad has a wealth of practical knowledge and interests to share that their children can learn from. 

For example, in my family my husband has a natural gift and interest in math. This year my husband is teaching our kids’ math lessons, and so he chose a curriculum that aligns with his teaching style. We have used other math curriculum in the past, but this year we made some changes since he will be more involved – and I am more than happy to delegate. I do lessons with the children in the mornings, and then in the afternoons he takes over lessons with the kids while I carve out time to work. We are really enjoying this season of life where we can share the responsibilities of both parenting, educating, and providing for our family.

Also, my husband is a carpenter by trade and is very interested in financial stewardship, investing, and entrepreneurship. He is inclined to think about these subjects, so it’s easy for him to bring the kids into his world and introduce them to these concepts. When he builds something around the house, he invites the kids to join. When they earn money, he talks to them about saving and investing and gives them opportunities to do it alongside him. 

Whether it is academic learning or something different, the takeaway is identifying where dad’s passion intersects with the kids’ education, and letting everyone learn and grow together

Homeschooling as teamwork

Having dads step in during lesson time isn’t the only way for dads to be involved. Sometimes, just having dads show up and share what they love with the time they have can be a huge boost to your homeschool setting.

For example, in our homeschool community some dads participate in co-ops or teach small classes. Others lead family devotions, help children with memorization, or spend time exploring science or history through fun activities. Dads will take kids on field trips to museums, airports, or demonstrate science experiments. These moments turn learning into memorable, family experiences. 

Many dads also start teaching older children subjects like math and science during evenings or lunch breaks, which can be a game-changer for the whole family. Allowing dad to participate in whatever capacity or schedule he has can make a big impact.

The power of support and encouragement

If your husband is not in a season where he can take on major roles in your homeschool, know that support and encouragement directly impacts the homeschool’s success and mom’s well-being. Supporting homeschooling moms can look like checking in with mom to discuss how everything is going throughout the week, talking about the curriculum you are going through, and engaging with the kids and asking about their lessons or what they are reading. It can also look like giving mom time for herself to recharge or plan lessons. 

Another way dads can be involved is by participating in presentations with homeschool peers, driving kids to extra-curriculars, reading aloud to children in the evenings, or stepping in on co-op days. Dads can also cheer on progress, or help plan and grade. 

Encouragement, sharing in planning, and celebrating victories help lighten the load and deepen family bonds.

For single moms or families where husbands are less involved

We also recognize that every family situation is unique. 

You may be a single mom or in a situation where the father’s schedule or presence limits his involvement. As you lead and teach your children, they are seeing your strengths as you navigate all of the responsibilities and goals you have for you and your family.

You may decide to incorporate other voices into your homeschool or get the support you need through family members, like grandparents, homeschool co-ops, or through friendships with other homeschool families. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, or any special people in your life, can also play a meaningful role by sharing their skills and stories, or offering encouragement and support.

Trusted mentors or friends can serve as additional sources of inspiration, guidance, or hands-on help. No matter your circumstances, creating a network of support, whether through family, friends, or community, can make homeschooling a more joyful, enriching experience for everyone.

Seven flexible ways to draw from dad’s real-life interests and experiences (No formal lesson plans required!)

These are some ideas for adding dads into your homeschool daily rhythm, whether that is having them share their unique skill sets or delegating parts of your homeschool curriculum. Big or small, involving dad in your homeschool day can have a big impact for your children and help share the responsibilities of homeschooling.

• Discipleship and Spiritual Leadership: Lead family devotionals, prayer, or serve in community projects together, modeling faith and trust in God.
• Real-World Math: Count coins, make budgets for trips or shopping, measure for home projects, or talk about interest and savings.
• Life Skills and Repairs: Include children in fixing things around the house, explaining tools, building projects, or maintaining the car.
• Project-Based Learning: Incorporate kids into home improvement projects, gardening, or outdoor tasks, encouraging problem-solving and teamwork.
• Financial Stewardship: Teach the basics of managing money, saving, and giving, while modeling Biblical principles of stewardship and generosity.
• Shared Hobbies and Interests: Pass on passions like fishing, woodworking, music, coding, or cooking, passing on time-honed skills through shared activities.
• Family Trips and Adventures: Use outings to explore museums, nature, or historical sites. Make audiobooks part of the journey and discuss what they learned.

Involving dads in homeschooling is about creating a team that values curiosity, teaches life skills, models faith, and shares passions. It’s not about formal lessons alone but about showing children through everyday actions that learning is lifelong, diverse, and rooted in relationships. Modeling how parents can work together and encouraging learning from different voices can give your children meaningful lessons and memories as you homeschool together. Let’s embrace all the natural, simple, and meaningful ways dads can contribute, because every little bit matters in nurturing curious, confident learners.

Family-centered curriculum from Treehouse Schoolhouse

Explore more ways to learn together as a family with curriculum from Treehouse Schoolhouse.

Rooted Family Bible Curriculum

Rooted Family Bible Curriculum is an 18-week family Bible curriculum designed to cultivate deep rooted in the rich soil of God’s Word. Embark on a journey of the heart guided by Scripture, beauty, art, hands-on connections, and family discussion. Instill courage, confidence, and Biblical character in your children by rooting them in their heavenly identity, their devotion to God, and the wisdom of Scripture. It’s about giving children a solid root system in the Word of God before we launch them into the world. 

Flourish Family Bible Curriculum

Flourish Family Bible Curriculum is a family Bible curriculum to cultivate virtues that produce fruit in the world around us. Engage in a journey of the heart guided by Scripture, beauty, art, hands-on connections, and family discussion. Inspire courage, confidence, and Biblical character in your children by activating their giftings and purpose through their faith. It’s about teaching children to bear fruit in the world around them through Biblical virtues, missional purpose and expressing love.