Teach Them Diligently
Hi there! We’re David and Leslie Nunnery. We are the homeschool parents of 4, three of whom have graduated and moved on to further their education at the college level.
For the past 10 years, we’ve served homeschool families through the ministry God gave us by producing Teach Them Diligently homeschool events, writing several books and journals, and creating courses. All of which was born out of a conviction that God has called us to teach our children diligently, and to instill in them a love of God and people and to prepare them well to walk through whatever doors God opens for them in the days ahead.
We look forward to connecting with you through the year and seeing you onsite at Teach Them Diligently very soon!
David and Leslie
If you’re a homeschool family, you’ve found the right place! We invite you to join us each week on the Teach Them Diligently Podcast, where we’ll discuss a wide-range topics related to Biblical Parenting and Excellent Home Education to help you strengthen your family in every area of life. You have a high calling! Together, let’s explore how to fulfill that well. You can find even more resources and experiences for Christian homeschool families like yours at TeachThemDiligently.net
You have a high calling! Together, let’s explore how to fulfill that well. You can find even more resources and experiences for Christian homeschool families like yours at TeachThemDiligently.net.
In this episode of the Home School Dads series, David Nunnery is joined by Davis Carman, president of Apologia Educational Ministries, to tackle the essential role of a dad in the homeschool journey: encouraging and supporting his wife. Davis shares profound insights and actionable advice for husbands who want to move past feeling “lost” and become proactive leaders. This conversation is key for every dad committed to discipling his kids, strengthening his marriage, and fostering a confident, peaceful homeschool environment.
Men’s Challenge:
Pay close attention to your wife’s day without jumping in to solve problems. Observe her routines, listen to her tone of voice, and notice the moments she seems weary or overwhelmed. Based on your observations, choose one tangible, non-academic task to take off her plate for the entire week. This could be anything from handling all the evening clean-up to packing co-op lunches or managing the kids’ bedtime routine. Make it your responsibility, and do it with a cheerful attitude.
Key Takeaways:
- Own the Responsibility, Not Just the Workload: The wife carries the bulk of the day-to-day workload, but the husband must carry 100% of the responsibility for the family’s mission and direction to prevent burnout.
- Create a Family Mission Statement: Dads should sit down with their wives and proactively develop a clear mission statement or “Elevator Speech” for why they homeschool. This acts as a compass when the school year gets difficult.
- The Three R’s of Homeschooling: Prioritize Relationships (God, spouse, siblings), Reasoning (critical thinking), and Resolve (discovering God’s calling) over mere academics.
- Be the Defender and File Keeper: The husband should be the one to defend the homeschooling decision to critics (friends, family, in-laws) and handle the administrative duties (knowing state laws, keeping records, standardized testing sign-ups).
- Provide a Weekly Planning Retreat: A practical way to support Mom is to take the kids for a consistent 2-4 hour block (like a Sunday evening) so she can leave the house, decompress, and plan the week. This boosts her confidence significantly.
- Never Ask “What Did You Do All Day?”: When re-engaging with the family after work, do not question her productivity. Instead, immediately engage by asking the kids what they learned and taking the leadership role (the “captain is home”).
- Lead Family Worship/Discipleship: Use the dinner table or bedtime as a “Deuteronomy 6 moment” for asking spiritual questions, having conversations, and leading family worship.
Resources Mentioned:
- Apologia Curriculum
- “Let’s Talk Homeschool” Podcast with Davis Carmen
- Heart School Parenting Intensive: A program offered by Teach Them Diligently, designed to help parents set a vision for their family.
Teach Them Diligently 2026 registration is now open! We hope you will join us in 2026 at Pigeon Forge or Branson! With many sessions specifically for dads, get the encouragement you need to lead your family well!
Connect With Us:
- Instagram: @TeachThemDiligently
- Facebook: Teach Them Diligently
- YouTube: Teach Them Diligently Channel
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