Still working on it..

Yes, right now it seems that Homeschooldaddy is waiting on the kids to return. Thank goodness we're going to get them from their grandparents tomorrow. They should have lots to share about their summer - visiting San Francisco, etc. Of course I have not prepared at all for this school year. No time like the present, I guess. Now that I have a MacBook Pro, it should be easier to post from any location. The Podcast looks like a go pretty soon as well. What's important is that I find a way to put thoughts into action, which I think is the most important part about homeschooling anyway - to shorten the distance between need and meeting the need, between seeing the growth of your kids and participating in the process before it's over.

Does summer have an express button?

It's June 26, I am barely hanging on here, and the children that are normally driving me to that end are off in Pensacola, FL, having an extraordinary time with grandparents. Summer would seem to be a time of rest and reflection, of enjoying the break away from the kids. But it's probably the most pressure packed time of the year. This is the time where I try to pack 10 household and home office projects in 6 weeks, as if I'll never have another chance to file tax returns from 2003 or really scrub the bathroom tile. I know in my heart that all of these projects can be organized into our daily routine, but I still put myself under unrealistic deadlines. My only advice would be to realize that summer doesn't not have to be a major change, just a time to re-balance and re-focus on those things that were neglected in the school year. It's not necessary to do everything you missed from August to June, esp. if you learn to keep doing summer things all year around.

Welcome to Homeschool Daddy!

Here's our first attempt at blogging. Marcus, Naomi and I are looking forward to sharing information with other homeschoolers and dads (and moms) around the country. Hope to hear from you and share stories soon...

A quick bio - I, (Allen) am a 32 yr. old African American musician and teacher, currently serving as a Minister of Music in my church here in Miami. I also homeschool my two younger children, Marcus,9, and Naomi,8, along with my wife Miki. She works full-time at our church. My oldest son, Christopher, 14, will attend a magnet high school next year. I've taught in public schools as an elementary music teacher 8 years before leaving to homeschool in 2005.

There are many things in which I realize I am in the minority - male elementary teacher, male homeschooler, etc. - but I know there are others and I want to share any thoughts that might benefit you in your quest to educate your family - not just in home-school, but in family life lessons. That's the way we approach it, and if we're not perfect, that just means we have a chance of getting better. See you soon...