I have gained a lot of insight and perspective through homeschooling my four children. Jason, my husband and I share a unique partnership within our marriage in the sense that were about as fifty-fifty as you can get in a relationship. Relationships are never really fifty-fifty; one hundred percent of the time and they shouldn’t be. Our bodies and systematic rhythms naturally ebb and flow like the tides and what a refuge it is (for my soul anyway), to have a companion who can carry the weight of our family when I need a pause or restorative sleep- or just not to cook another thing.
I prioritize including my husband in learning and participating in our daily homemaking tasks like cooking and cleaning. I share the systems that work within our home with him because they are effective and valuable skills to be learned. It’s important that he’s equip with the tools he needs to be successful in taking care of his responsibilities within our family and I’m eager to support him in his role inside of our home; in addition to supporting him in the role he plays outside of our home. He’s actually taken some of my favorite recipes, tweaked them and now makes them better than I do. He’s taught me skills such as how to use power tools, interior painting (professionally) and wholeheartedly guides me in parenting and homeschooling our boys! He’s also gentle in correcting my DIY fails. This behavior is modeled for the success and sustainability of our marriage but also supports the style of learning through love and relationship we practice while homeschooling our children.
The takeaway here is that there’s always time to be teachable and eager to learn. Every member of every family has unique qualities, attributes and the ability to teach a new skill- this can be especially beneficial within sibling relationships. This isn’t a concept that dwindles after we complete formal education and shouldn’t be reserved for only formal education. It’s the adaptation of a lifestyle that supports and maintains family relationships, love and growth. It is the essence of why we homeschool!
Love, Daley.