Episode 426 – How to Communicate With Your Husband About Your Homeschool Needs

Welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler Podcast! This week we’re talking about how to communicate your homeschool needs with your husband.

If you’re the one doing most of the homeschooling, it can sometimes be difficult to explain to your husband what you need from him. Maybe you need more help, more encouragement, more time, or maybe you just need him to understand a little better what your day-to-day life actually looks like.

So how do you communicate those things without it turning into an argument or making your husband feel like he’s not doing enough? And what can husbands do to better understand and support their wives in homeschooling? Today we’re talking about how husbands and wives can communicate about homeschooling, understand each other’s needs, and figure out what it looks like for Dad to really support Mom in the homeschool.

We want to thank Teaching Textbooks for sponsoring the Smiling Homeschooler. They are the math curriclum that helps homeschoolers smile, so check out a free trial at teachingtextbooks.com. 

Today’s show was also underwritten by Samaritan Ministries and Redeem HealthShare. Where Members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through health care needs. As Todd likes to say, “We use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries. You can learn more about REDEEM HealthShare at SamaritanMinistries.org/familyman

Have a great week and don’t forget to smile! 

Episode Transcript

Hey, everyone, and welcome back to the Smiling Homeschooler podcast.My name is Ben Wilson, and this week we’re talking about how to communicate your homeschool needs with your husband.If you’re the one doing most of the homeschooling, it can sometimes be difficult to explain to your husband what you actually need from him.Maybe you need more help, more encour- encouragement, more time, or maybe you just need him to understand a little bit better about what your day actually, like, looks like.So how do you communicate these things without turning it into an argument or making your husband feel like he’s not doing enough, and what can husbands do to better understand and support their wives is our topic for today.Uh, but before we start, we wanna say thank you to Teaching Textbooks for making all the Smiling Homeschooler possible.We really appreciate their support.They’re the math curriculum that our family has used for many, many years, and if you haven’t checked them out, you should over at teachingtextbooks.com.Also, thank you to Samaritan Ministries and Redeem Health Share, where members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through healthcare needs.As my dad, Todd, likes to say, we use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries, and you can learn more about Redeem Health Share at samaritanministries.org/familyman, and you can also check the link in the show notes.Uh, but all right, Dad, let’s go ahead and get started.Well, in the words of the s- uh, magician in Frosty the Snowman, we are busy, busy, busy here.It feels like we’re running quick.Um, I just got back from Nebraska, and we’re heading to Florida.We’re in Florida probably as you’re listening to this.Hopefully we all made it down.We’re taking 5 cars down.I sure hope so.And, uh, the accumulated mileage on the 5 cars is over 25 million miles- YeahI think.Um, so we, uh, are hopefully all there and having a great time, and, um, uh, enjoying some R&R, but it takes a lot of work to have the R&R.It does.Um, so that’s- But I was thinking-where we are right nowmaybe real quick before we get into our main topic, what do you think are the goodLike, what do you think the requirements are of a family vacation, other than family, ’cause obviously, uh, that’s- Yeahthat’s an absolute must for a family vacation.Well, you know, I mean, there’s the argument, is a staycation as good as a vacation?And I’m just telling you, no, it’s not.Um, ’cause there’s something about vacating that is so nice.Um, um, what I love is when we’re at a pool and there are dads and kids in it, I watch the dads play with their kids.You know, they don’t do that anywhere else.Um, you know, Ben has a pool, and he does do that, but he’s cleaning it usually in between playing with his kids.So, um, and I just think, you know, there’s something special about having that time set aside where you can just en- enjoy each other.I mean, it’s really kind of like taking a break from homeschooling.You know, there are times where your kids need to see you as their mom, not their teacher, and times where you need to see your kids as your kids, not your, not your students.I would say, though, um, when you a- you asked that question, “What makes a good, uh, family vacation?”Number one is you don’t do school on family vacation.You don’t, uh, have them fill out things.You don’t have them bring their books or te- just don’t.Um, if there was such a thing as the vacation police, I would turn you in if you did it, um, because I know our kids used to do that all the time.We’d be on vacation, and, you know, there’s always a big family there, and you find out they’re homeschooling.And, and I’ve had my kids come up to me more than once and say, “Dad, they’re doing school while they’re here.”And I’m just like, “That is terrible.”Um, so I would say that’s, like, a, uh, non-negotiable, that you should never do school while you’re on vacation.And then, you know, I would just say you gotta, you gotta do it now.Don’t wait for the perfect time, because the perfect time never comes.You know, I’ve just talked to so many parents who said they were always planning to go to the Grand Canyon, and they just never made it, or they always wanted to go to Disney World.And by the way, every family should go to Disney World.Why?Because that’s what kids wanna do.They w- they talkYou know, it’s like y- you know, having Christmas, you know?You just have to do it because everybody’s talking about it.Um, so I don’t know.That, that’s what I think.Yeah.I mean, I would agree.I mean, IFor me, it’s like a disconnection from reality, just a complete feel, you know, uh, nothing of normal life, uh, if, if I can help it, you know?So just, um, uhA- and for me, it takes a little while to, like, disconnect, and I know mom, I think that’s the case for her, too, sometimes.It just, you just kinda have to, like, relax, and that’s just hard to do.Um, so for me, it’s- And then you go home.Yep.Yeah, exactly.It’s- It’s like- So usually by the time- Seriouslyyou’re driving home, you’re ready, right?You know.It’sYeah, not wrong.Yeah.Uh, but yeah- SoI think z- more than a couple days, personally.Um, somewhere different for me, it just feels fun and d- and different.But somewhereI personally just need something relaxing.I know some people, they hate relaxing.They just wanna be, like, doing activities the whole time.Uh, but for me personally, it’s, you know, not having much of an agenda, um, just being able to- Mm-hmmkinda just enjoy the sun and, you know, maybe read and, uh, just not be on, you know, social media or anything else like that and just, uh, just be relaxed, so it’s really fun.Uh, so- Course, the first strike against you is that your kids are with you, so- Yeah, exactlyall that relaxing usually thankfully hold back.By relaxing, I mean play with them the entire time and, you know, and, uh-have them beg for everything, but outside of that, you know.And then at the end go, “You don’t even like us.”Yeah, exactly.”We don’t get to do anything fun.””You do nothing.We didn’t even wanna come here.”Exactly.You know.I’ve literally had my kids- “You made us”say something like that before.I think that’s so- It’s insane, but-so funny, and, uhBut, you know, and, and too, you really, you just pile up the memories for them and for you, and, you know, at the end of your life when you’re no longer able to do those things, those are the things you’re gonna remember fondly.Yeah.And so will your kids when they’re all grown up, and they’ll wonder why their vacations stink so much, you know, when they take their families, um, because it’s, it’s just hard.And I know- I know a lot of parents, and, and I could maybe fall into this, that it just sounds too hard.It sounds too hard.It sounds like a lot of money, you know?It sounds like’Cause it is a lot of money, you know?It sounds like it’d just be easier to stay home.It’d just be easier not to spend the money.Mm-hmm.And, um, I would just f- I’d fight that, and I’d do it anyway.agree.But you gotta start with a plan.So if you haven’t had a vacation in a while, I’d say, “Hey,” talk to your, your spouse and say, “Let’s, let’s do something.”And also, I would even say if you, and this, this may be old school, I’ve never done it, but I’ve actually thought about it for certain things.There’s still actually travel agents, so if you’re just, like, overwhelmed by it and don’t wanna- Hmmhave to plan at all, a lot of them, some of them even get paid by certain things, or, you know, it might just be a fee.But if, if the money part is not quite as big a deal, let someone else plan it for you, you know?Or maybe you have a family member who, a daughter who’s getting older, a son who’s getting a little bit older, and let them do some of the planning, you know?So, um, I don’t know.Mm-hmm.I think it can, that can be a fun part of it, butBut we should get to our main topic.So, uh, since, you know, it’s just us today, um, I don’t think we’ve talked about this, like, specifically in a while, but the, our, kind of our idea was just how to best communicate with your husband about your needs in homeschooling.Um, you know, uh, obviously our, most of our audience is, tends to be homeschool moms, you know?There are dads out there who do the homeschooling, but we’re talking primarily as if, uh, the main, you know, spouse doing the homeschooling is wives.But, uh, communicating, I know, you know, with Rissa and I, we have those moments where it just, you know, me not understanding exactly what she’s looking for me in this moment, and it can be tough, you know?I mean, you want support.No one wants to homeschool on their own.Uh, you know, they need, you know, you’re doing this as a team, so hopefully homeschooling, which is extremely important as part of, you know, just as important as parenting and anything else, um, ’cause it is part of parenting.Um, I guess, you know, where do you start, Dad, with communicating wives to their husbands and what they’re, what they need from them- Hmmin, in terms of the homeschooling, uh, on regular?Well, I would not get your hopes up and assume that they know anything.Um, because I know that some wives, um, I can’t, I don’t know, none that I can think of right now who might live in my house, um, who would ever think, you know, “I’m gonna wait until he thinks of it on his own because that’ll mean more,” you know?And you’re just like, “I had no idea that that’s what you needed,” you know?And it just sets people up for disappointment.I talk to wives all the time, “You know, I just want my husband to know that I want him to do this.”And I’m like, “You’re gonna be disappointed because he’s never gonna get it.”Um, and I talk to husbands all the time who will say things like, um, “Oh, yeah.My wife, you know, my wife said this, and I did this, and she got all mad at me,” you know?Like, like he had just missed the boat on it.And so I would say communicate to your husband what you need because, you know, I have a book called Help!I Married a Homeschooling Mom: Showing the Unseen Needs of Their Homeschooling Wives.Um, but just because I say words of encouragement, they need to hear you encourage, your husband needs to encourage you, that may not be what you want.Maybe you just want him to listen to you, you know, every once in a while when you wanna talk through your lesson plan.Or maybe it’s you need him to, you know, come home a little early on one day out of the week so he, you can do whatever.Or maybe it’s just you need him to talk to that one kid and set the ru- set the law down so, so that he or she knows that if they cross it, they’re gonna get in trouble, you know, the next time.Um, uh, but I would just never assume that your husband’s gonna do what you need him to do.And I would just say that, I would say it maybe even start before that, you know, your wife does need you.Or your wife.Your, you as a wife needs your, need your man to help in homeschooling, you know?I, I think that you’re, you’re being whatever.You’re, you’re hamstringing yourself if you, if, if you cut him out.And it may not be your fault specifically.I mean, if, but yeah, if you don’t have both of you, I mean, that is definitely, um- No, but I, I see some wives kinda say, “Oh, this is my thing.”Mm.You know?And it’s not your thing.I see.It’s the both of your things, you know?And really, dads should be responsible.They may not do the homeschooling, but, you know, they’re, they are responsible for their families, and I think this is such a big task, you just can’t do it by yourself.I mean, it’s, yeah.I mean, it’s so exhausting and overwhelming, and I mean, if, if you don’t, aren’t, you knowAnd I know we fail over and over again, you know, unfortunately.You know, and, and that is the reality of, you know, s- husbands and wives, is just, you know, we, we, we don’t always communicate in the same way.And, and, you know, I, I, I agree, it probably would be more meaningful if we just understood and just did the thing without having to be explicitly said.But in whatever way God has made us, often we do not, uh, think of it in that way.So.Mm-hmm.Um, but I mean, I do- Well, and, and here’s, it’s-appreciate my wife just saying- Okay”Hey, can you help me with this?”Or, “I don’t know what to do here.”Or maybe it is just listening, but knowing that specifically is super helpful, um, ’cause it also lets you kinda pick the time too, you know?And maybe it is a time where you could say like, “Hey, c- tonight can we specifically speak ab- or talk about homeschooling?”Or whatever it may be, just so that you’re both in the right head space.Um, I, I, I do think sometimes, like if Rissa just grabs me unawares, you know, about it, and I’m just already exhausted about something else, I’m not always the most attentive in the moment.Um, and vice versa.You know, I mean- RightI’ve, I often bring up stuff that’s not really super helpful after she’s just been dealing with a bunch of kids screaming and crying.You know?Oh, yeah.So I think as much as you can, trying to pick the place and time a little bit just to, uh, prevent, uh, or just have everyone in the best, you know, best place to listen or, or give advice is important.And then remind him again.So if you say, “Hey, I really need to talk to you tonight,” and you tell him in the afternoon, and then you wait for him to bring it back up because you wanna see how important it was- Mmreally to him, you’re gonna be disappointed again because he’s going to forget.Because you think about homeschooling all the time.I mean, it’s just isYou’re always thinking about it.You’re thinking about your kids, and your husband’s thinking about his tires on his Suburban going to Florida and, you know, you just can’t think.And, and that just takes up all our mind space.And then so when we get to bed and, or the next morning and g- and you say, “You didn’t even bring it up,” you know, “I asked you to,” um, and he’ll say something like, “Oh, man, I just totally forgot,” it is not because he doesn’t care.He really does care.He just, his mind is filled with stuff too.And so, you know, if you say, “Hey, I need you to talk to, I need you to listen to me tonight ’cause I need to run things, some, some things past you,” and then, you know, it gets to 7:00 and you’re ready, then you say, “Hey, I need to talk to you now,” you know?And then everybody wins.Uh, so don’t test him by, um- Yeahthinking he will, you know, pass with flying colors.No, that’s spot on advice.But before we continue here, I do wanna say thank you to Teaching Textbooks for making The Smiling Homeschooler possible.Um, my daughter is using them currently.My son has, gets to next year.Um, I used it.My siblings have used it.And, uh, we really do just believe in, uh, Teaching Textbooks because it’s the warp math curriculum that worked for us.So, uh, if you haven’t checked ’em out, you should.They have, uh, family plans.They are interactive.It’s, it’s engaging.Your kid will enjoy doing it, and you can basically do it from any computer that has an internet browser or, um, and so it’s just super easy to a- access, very independent, and you can, again, go support them, check them out and get a free trial at teachingtextbooks.com.We also wanna thank Samaritan Ministries and Redeem Health Share ’cause Mom, you can’t ignore it any longer.Summer’s over.Fall’s here, and winter’s not far behind.Healthcare is kind of like that.You can’t ignore it, pretend it won’t be a problem, because then something happens and it’s gotta be faced.That’s why today’s a good time to check out Samaritan Ministries and Redeem Health Share.Uh, as Christians helping other Christians pay one another’s medical bills, for over 15 years we’ve been members, and we loving part of it.I’m telling you, it works.So if you’ve been ignoring the feeling that your family needs a change when it comes to healthcare, take a deep breath and get started at samaritanministries.org/familyman.So Dad, I mean, um, obviously, you know, in our family growing up, Mom did, you know, pretty much most of the homeschooling.And, and you actually had a unique, you know, job where you were home, you know, and, and then we gotta do a lot- Mmof our, you know, quote, unquote, “homeschooling,” you know, out on in the booth, you know, running, uh, conventions and stuff like that.So I mean, you really were involved in a lot of that.But the actual like subjects and stuff like that, um, I guess how did, what, what over the years, what did, you know, what were some of the things that Mom asked of you or, uh, that you kinda tried to help with or, um, that she’d come to you with?You know?Well, when we had lots of kids and we were just kinda starting Family Man Ministries, um, The Smiling Homeschooler wasn’t even started yet, um, you know, there would be times where she needed to do the bookkeeping, or she needed to do, you know, taxes for all the places we’d been.And she’d say, “Could you do school today?”And for a while there, I was like doing it every Wednesday, and she would write it all out, you know, what I needed to do each day, and I would just go down through the list.Um, and it usually just took a couple hours.Usually I was done way before she would ever get done, you know?And, uh but where I kinda messed it up always is because we’d start reading a book, and instead of reading one chapter, we read 3 chapters.And, uh, and, and here’s point number 2.When, uh, you, if you w- want your husband’s involvement, and you do because you need him- And so whenever you ask him to do something here’s what you need to do you need to be okay with whatever he gives so if you ask him to do flashcards and he doesn’t do it quite the way you always do it be okay with that because if you say well why didn’t you do it my way you know you did you you messed it all up then in his head he thinks I’m not gonna involve I’m not gonna volunteer again so because it really doesn’tmatteryou know it’s not so much that your husband’s doing some little subject thing or cutting out some paper with him or teaching him about birds it’s really the important thing is that he’s spending time with them and he’s giving you a little break so um you know I could there were things I could do um and I would I you know I there are some dads I know who you know they’ll do math or history or one of their subjects in the evenings that’s okay but you know IIdon’t really love the idea of kids doing school you know in the day and in the evening really it should be a couple hours and then you’re done with it Yeah but if there’s you know if you want them to read a book I mean I’m assuming your husband can read you know so you go hey could you read a chapter of this book every night right before bed you know and again he he may get busy and not read it every night but that’s okay if he does it 3 nights or 2 nights that’s better than nothing andthenbe just be satisfied with that you know and um and I would thank him profusely and say man I really appreciate when you do that I’m telling you there’s not a husband in the world who can can’t resist that you know and he still might miss one but every husband likes to be appreciated because a lot of times we don’t feel very appreciated um so Yeah I mean- I would say be specific and then whatever and then settle be specific and settle for whatever he does Yeah andthisisn’t just about manipulation or anything like that but I mean I think any you know spouse as as you as you if you’re thanking your husband and showing that appreciation he’s gonna wanna step up and be even more helpful and be more you know encouraging and all of that like that is something that uh you know it’s hard if someone if one spouse is is putting all that effort into being thankful you’re it’s not just gonna be a one-way street um and hopefully your husband’s already is doing that stuff but uh I think it really is just it just it builds both of you up overtimeand I mean I I see that you know if any time Rissa’s been you know um you know whether it’s working on a project or something like that and she’s just really grateful it just makes me wanna even do more you know stuff for her you know which again- You’re right it’s not manipulationthat’s not the only reason you wanna do it it’s just that’s just- It’s love Yeah.It’s just how it works It’s what you do.You’re encouraging- Yeahyour husband to do the things not that you need you know but you’re just encouraging him period.You know?I mean, you’re helping him love you better, and that’s a great thing.Um, because he feels good, and you feel good.And if you feel like it’s a one-way street, send him over to The Family Man Show because on that one, uh- Rightthe dad gives the guys the, uh, step up and- They’ll punch him upyou know, and do your part.Right.Yeah.Um, but I mean, and I, I think a big role, obviously, of the husband in, for a homeschooling mom is talking them off the ledge, uh, in terms of, uh, just a hard, hard day.You know?And I mean, I’ve already had, uh, quite a few calls at work.Um, you know, I know, uh, Josh, my, uh, brother-in-law and also now coworker, had one today, you know, where, uh, his wife called just saying the kids are being super hard, and I’m really frustrated and discouraged.And I mean, that is, you know, um, is obviously a, a critical part of it all.I mean, it is unfortunate.You know, sometimes it’s like I’m in the middle of something.I can’t always be quite as, uh, you know, as, as understanding and listening for hour, you know, as she talks about everything.But, um, I mean, I remember that all the way back from when, you know- Mm-hmmyou were a pastor, and mom would call you and, uh, just to solve- Oh, you called me before and said- Yeah”You need to get home.Mom’s losing it.”Exactly.Uh.So I feel like that is a, a staple of the homeschool dad, so and probably any dad.so.But I would say again, moms, you need to tell your husband what you need from him at that time because, you know what, some husbands will say, “Well, if this is too hard for you, maybe we shouldn’t homeschool,” you know?And that’s not what you wanna hear, you know?What you wanna hear i- you, you tell him what you need.If you need encouragement at that time, you know, justBecause it is kind of like, you know, I would encourage the dads to say, “You’re doing okay.You’re gonna get it,” you know?Um, ’cause sometimes I know you don’t even want us to solve it.You just want to be validated, and if that’s what you feel, then tell him that’s what you need, you know?Be specific andBecause just like I said to you, you know, we like it when you say, “Thanks.I really appreciate that.”I just coached you.You’re gonna need to coach him in how to encourage you because all moms are created different, and they all need different things.Um, so just again, you know- Yeah.And I would- Be specific.I mean, and I would just say, like, you know, and I don’t wanna be under- ununderstanding, uh, as a husband to a wife who is overwhelmed and exhausted, you know?There, there is so much on your mind, and you have so many responsibilities, and there are so many things tugging at you, and you are overstimulated, and, and all that is 100% legit.But suck it up and get back in there.I’m kidding.Go ahead.But I mean, just the lengths that it goes for your husband, if you are able to spend a couple extra minutes and give him a legitimate kiss or give him a hug when he gets home or, you know, just, uh, say something- Right, rightyou know, thoughtful.Um, I mean, again, he is- Ohwill try to run through walls for you because of things like that.Oh.Um, and it makes a huge- Yeahhuge difference.Um, and IYou know, it is hard when you haveIt feels like everything else needs to come first.But, you know, and something my grandma always encouraged, uh, us with is that it isn’t the kids first.It is the s- you know, the- Mmthe relationship first, and then the kids will benefit from a strong relationship.And I mean, you’re gonna mess up and fail- Yeahand it’s not gonna be the case, but- And that’s a great pointthat is the life hopeful.And even I can remember years ago getting an email from a dad who said, “You know, I asked my wife if she could just spend 10 minutes before I came home thinking about me,” you know?And he goes, “And just kinda getting ready for- Yeahengagement of being a, a w- wife again, not just a mom or homeschooling mom.”And I’ll tell you, that is the mo- well, may- maybe the most important lesson you’re gonna teach, especially your daughters, you know, that, hey, Dad’s number one in, on my book, and I think that that’s, that’s a homeschooling lesson, a valuable homeschooling lesson.I canEven, uh, m- Debbie, you know, my wife, will say that her mom used to, you know, every day right before, um, her dad got home from work, she would scurry upstairs and get herself ready, you know?And, you know, I don’t know what that involved, but I know that to my wife it made an impression, you know, because she still talks about it, you know, that, that she was getting ready for her man, and I think that- that’s a pretty cool thing.And again, it’s, it’s, uh, like Ben said, yeah, you, your husband will run through walls to take care of you, but you gotta be specific.You know?Tell him what you mean by that.Uh-huh.Yep.Okay.’Cause my dad, my dad, my dad wouldYou know, my dad loved my mom, and he would, like, bring her home something, Jamoca, Jamoca Almond Fudge, and my mom was very gracious.But honestly, I’m not even sure she liked it.Uh, I mean, but he just always did it.Yeah.Uh, you know?And, uh, it’s kinda like the, the, the Boy Scout who helps the little old lady across the street, and she’s like, “I didn’t wanna cross the street,” you know?Um, so- Yepagain.It is, it is crazy, but it’s the whole, like, uh, you know, and some of the marriage things we’ve gone through, they always talk about, you know, like, the good-willed spouse, you know?And it’s like we’re both good-willed for each other.Uh, you know, it is tough, but I mean, you both do want the same thing hopefully.And I mean, now, there, I think there are moms, you know, who do have a spouse who maybe isn’t as on board, um, you know, with homeschooling.I guess, do you have any advice for maybe a mom who just feels- Yeslike her husband is not really, umMaybe he’s just okay with it but not supporting or super encouraging of it.Well, I’ll say to both groups, the ones who are super support- who are not super supportive and those who are against it.Um, those who are against it, I wouldAnd both of them, really.I would never usurp your husband’s, uh, authority.You know, ju- like, say, “Hey, this’ll be my thing.Just stay out of it.I’ll take care of it.”Don’t do that.I mean, he will resent, he’ll resent your homeschool, he’ll resent you, he’ll resent your kids, you know?I think, again, if you will make him a priority, um, and say, “Hey, I wanna do what you wanna do,” and if he says, you knowAnd, and you say to him, “If you don’t wanna homeschool our kids, you know, even though I’d really, really love to and it would really break my heart and I’ll cry a lot-um, I will st- I will do what you want to do.”And I’m telling you, there is not a husband out there who won’t go, “Well, if it means that much to you, let’sWe can keep doing it.”You know?But I sometimes think we resent the things that take our place, and so if we think all your energies are in mothering and ho- and homeschooling, we begin to resent homeschooling, and we even kinda resent our own children sometimes because we wanna be the number one person in your life.We wanna think that, you know, you want our opinion and you care aboutBut again, I’ve heard moms say, you know, “This is my deal.Just stay out of it.”Man, that is the ro- he may stay out of it, but he’ll stay out of other things as well.He’ll, he’ll stay out of your life.And so, you know, make your man a priority and he- he’ll, whatever, bend 0 back- backwards in all areas for you.Yeah.Well, I think that’s a pretty good spot.I mean, I think, uh, you know, the, I, I, and, you know, unfortunately, you know, as a husband, I, I don’t, uh, communicate it well enough of how much we do appreciate, uh, the moms who do homeschool our kids.I mean, I know I am so thankful for it.Even if it’s not, you know, me, uh, dancing in every evening, you know, with the flowers and, uh, ready, you know, and let me make dinner and everything.You know, yep, Dick Van Dyke.Uh- Fred Astairebut- You’re not, you’re no Fred Astaire.Yeah, exactly.But it is an amazing thing, and we are thankful for, you know, just the, the care that, um, you know, my wife does for our kids and the homeschooling, and, uh, I think, you know, I, I hope and I think your husband is too, even if, you know, even if, uh, you know, he may not communicate it as well as he should.So, uh, we, we- And again, there’s nothing wrong.He may not get it.Yeah.He may think you’re capable, you do it, you know, and, and, but if you need that, say, “Honey, I really need you to tell me every once in a while that I’m doing okay.”You know?We c- and, and he can do that.Give him a, give him an, an opportunity and see if, uh, he passes that little test.Okay, is that a good time toLet’s close it there, Ben.Um, so have a great week, um, and a good, uh, uh, day of school.I hope you’re enjoying just the great privilege of having your kids home.I know it can feel overwhelming at times, but I’m telling you, it pays off huge in the end because you’re g- you’re building relationships, and those relationships, you know, encourage learning and they encourage a right relationship with God.So have a great week and make sure you’re smiling.And if your husband isn’t smiling, tell him he needs to smile more.All right.Well, we appreciate everyone being here.Um, if you haven’t before, uh, if you could just take a couple seconds even, uh, whatever podcast app you listen on, scroll down to the bottom of the show and just leave a, a quick, hopefully, 5star review or, uh, I guess whatever review you think, or even just a rating.You don’t have to leave, leave any text.But that’s just a good way to help spread the word about The Smiling Homeschooler.Um, again, also, if you, uh, the book Dad mentioned is Help!I’m Married to a Homeschooling Mom.It’s over on our website, thesmilinghomeschooler.com.Uh, we also wanna thank, uh, Teaching Textbooks again for supporting what we do, um, and just being an awesome, uh, math curriculum and company.If you have any questions or just, uh, aren’t sure about something that they offer, you can go check ’em out, teachingtextbooks.com, and they have awesome customer service, so you can ask ’em whatever you have, uh, and they will get you answers for that.Um, also thank you to Samaritan Ministries and Redeem Health Share, where members are committed to honoring Christ and serving one another through healthcare needs.As my dad, Todd, likes to say, we use, love, and recommend Samaritan Ministries, and you can learn more about Redeem Health Share at samaritanministries.org, uh, /familyman, or you can go click the link in the show notes.But everyone have a great week.Uh, we will see you next time, and don’t forget to smile.