WCR This Week

Glen Spies

EDMONTON – Although homeschooling falls mostly on the mothers, fathers also play a big role, says a homeschooling dad from Derwent.

"The way a father can help is, one, to be of support and in unity with their spouse in the decision to homeschool," explains Glenn Spies, who homeschools three children aged nine to 19 with his wife Susan.

"The father also provides not only for the spiritual needs of the family by leading in prayer but also providing for the material needs. My job is going to work but also to provide for the material needs of the family."

Third, fathers assist as they can not only with the duties of the home but they also may teach a subject. At his home, Spies teaches math and helps lay out the math program.

"She may say 'Here is what I like you to do today'; she makes sure that it gets done and I make sure that I go through it to see how it was done."

FATHER'S CONTRIBUTION

A father contributes to the homeschooling of their children "recognizing that the large portion of the teaching is primarily on the wife."

Spies was one of about 15 homeschooling parents from across Western Canada attending the Western Canadian Catholic Homeschool Conference at Providence Renewal Centre March 12-14.

He is part of the conference organizing committee and acted as the emcee this year.

He described the conference as a spiritual development day for homeschooling parents.

NOURISHMENT

"It gives parents an opportunity to come and receive nourishment and encouragement for the journey that they have chosen and helps them establish contacts with other parents so their network can grow and expand."

People homeschool for a variety of reasons but the primary reason is they want to form their children in the faith, Spies said. "I don't believe homeschooling is a choice against the school system; it's more a calling to respond to God's call for our family."

There are about 9,000 homeschooling parents in Alberta, according to Spies. About 10 per cent are Catholic.