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Wives of male lawyers are not called "lawyer moms," so I'm not sure why husbands of HS moms are "homeschool dads." I AM a homeschool dad, in that I have been my daughter's primary teacher for 6 years. My wife works full time as a public school teacher.

I appreciate that we are an extreme minority. Please appreciate that the label "homeschool dad" has a radically different, and mostly unappreciated definition for those of us who do this job.

My wife came and sat my but# down and said read this... then pointed to "My children are horrible."... and that's the one we just had!!!! we all laughed and I feel better that this is common! Well done.

When your wife says: There is a great homeschool conference going on next weekend ...

What she means is: Don't make any plans. You are babysitting.

What she DOESN'T mean is: Tell me if you think I should go or not

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When your wife says: "I can't get a single thing done!"

What she means is: "Please fold some laundry."

What she doesn't mean is: "Please call up your mother to come help me out a bit."

SO funny. When I was first homeschooling and would get stressed out and try to talk through it w/my husband he would often reply that maybe we should just put the kids in school. I finally said, "What would you say if you came home to me to tell me about your hard day and I told you to quit your job? Because that is what you are doing to me. I don't want to quit my job, I just need to talk through the newness of the difficulties here, just like you do."

Also, when we started homeschooling, I wrote up a sheet of expectations telling my hubby what it would require of him. It woke him up a little and made him realize we were making a lifestyle choice. Until then, he said he had mostly thought it would be something I would do as long as I wanted to... 8 yrs and going strong.

Thanks for the reminder of why I put my kids in school! Having those negative and self deprecating thoughts and feelings constantly is no healthy way to live, especially when your husband just doesn't get it!

What I say is this: I'm looking at these programs, which do you think our children will benefit from more?
What I mean: I want ONE, and you know our children too, and I value your insight into their personalities. Please give me your opinion, even if it is different than mine, so I know I have considered all bases.
What I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT MEAN: It doesn't matter, whichever, so you pick by going eenie meenie miney moe, so I don't have to make a decision.

It's good to know that admitting to one bad day so often translates into "Let's dump the kids back into public-school-pergatory!" I thought I was the only woman who had to deal with that response.

Love it! So true! Thanks, Matt & Lee!

Oh, this is definitely going up on the refrigerator!

Here's an idea. Ignore column A and column C. Use column B. Translations not required.

Forwarding to my hubby! Thanks, Mr. HomeScholar!

Thanks for sharing it with others, Kim! I always giggle each time I read this!
Blessings,
Lee

Sharing this on Facebook. Thank you Mr Homescholar!

Soooo true! Printed it out for my husband. He can refer back to it as a guide. Thanks.

Thank you so much for sharing this! ... how funny! ...
Kathy A.

[...] Homeschool Mom Universal Translator [...]

Fantastic! I love it .... spot on! Including the comments as well .... and indeed the communication via skype and email as hubby's on go round #4 in Iraq brings in a whole nother level of what you heard! LOL ....

L OH! L

...*sigh*...How I wish I ALSO had someone to complain to on bad days.

...Then again, I'm thinking it's been good KYMSAYEO training for the teen years...(keep your mouth shut and your ears open

[...] is brilliant! I followed a FB link that Wendy liked and found this handy little Homeschool Mom Universal Translator guide. Craig and I [...]