Single Dad Homeschools Two Boys

When Jaimie passed away, I had no idea how I was going to continue the homeschooling education for our two boys. But I was positive that I didn't want to send them to a public or even a private school.
Here is what I'm doing right now.
TIMES TALES:
Our favorite program for young kids learning their times tables.
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#HomeschoolDad #SingleParentHomeschool #homeschooling

[@chrisandrellacarlton2569]

I am a homeschool mom, keeping the house clean, doing all the laundry, cooking 6-7 days a week, prepping, growing seeds indoors, answering the phone for our business, and learning how to do canning and dress major wounds. I just ordered the shirt you are wearing!

[@sarahgonzales5564]

Me too!! This is going to be our first year with a very large garden and I am in the process of collecting/buying canning jars.. I'm thinking that I need like 500 jars!

[@mamaofmany2012]

I'm a single mom (and their only parent) homeschooling my 4 children. It's challenging but God is helping us through it. Its a blessing to be able to homeschool and I wouldn't have it any other way.

[@heatherofthemountains]

It sure is! God bless you and yours!!!

[@samanthaporter6662]

I had contemplated homeschool before the pandemic... My kids won't be going back to the public school system!!

[@jojoihrke]

Alpha Omega is a place to start. Book learning and vomputer learning also

[@heatherofthemountains]

Us as well 😊 It's actually a big relief. My husband and I have a lot of learning and growing to do, but we're so happy and passionate about it! Isn't that what life is all about?! Well, at least some of it? LOL... So grateful to see so many of us are on the same journey. We can do this! Let the system run with the ones who created it. We'll see how they manage. God bless!

[@liocean9636]

I'm a home school dad too!

[@MeMawsPlace332]

Good for you dad! Keep it up! Shalom!

[@daddywarbucks6845]

Me to wouldn't have it any other way.

[@lukemickelson828]

Homeschool dad here too. Very blessed to be one I might add.

[@LeanneFerree]

I'm an only mom too, homeschooling a daughter with autism, while urban homesteading. It's so hard. I've never had help, he left before she was born, but I'm sticking to it. I dont know how you do it all. Kudos to you. I'm so tired.

[@ntranull629]

Prayers for your and your sweetie. 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@tigger8935]

I have my daughter and granddaughter living with me. My granddaughter is autistic. God bless you!

[@lauramarsh8047]

I"m sorry you're so tired! I hope you can find something refreshing for your soul soon. I very much can sympathize with your situation

[@birdandcatlover5597]

I'm a homeschooler...I think the reason my mom could do it is I was pretty self driven...maybe tou could encourage your daughter to WANT to study? Tell them (for instance) if they can read, they can learn close to anything they want, be it science, a craft, or self improvement.

[@Johnrider1234]

Do less. Concentrate more. Just relax.

[@mary303030]

It is easier to homeschool my children than to do public school homework! My main focus as well is math, reading, writing! History and science we work into daily life.

[@junkinjodi]

Oh my gosh, just a little background I am 63 years old and our literature teacher had us read this book(Animal Farm). Granted I graduated in 1976, what a radical book for that time. But it looks so much more familiar now doesn't it. You're doing an awesome job dad keep up the good work. Sometimes life lessons teach us so much more.

[@shelleywatkins1497]

Read that book! Very good one, and so is 1984.

[@lauraprice9804]

I am a single non-govt subsidized single homeschooling mom since my son's birth with a small farm (a few dairy cows & chickens) that doubles as our practical "lab". My son is now 15. He's grown to be a pleasant, well rounded young man & still growing & flourishing. Homeschooling can be challenging (especially for a single parent), but is rewarding and well worth the time, sweat & tears investment. And now, there are so many good resources available. (Ps. We use teaching textbooks for math too, and Hillsdale's free online lecture courses (history, economics, literature, & Constitution).

[@Anamericanhomestead]

Yeah, I want to start doing Hillsdale soon. I've heard so much good about them.

[@tinafabulous50]

Homeschooling single mom here! Wouldn't have it any other way. I love your channel. Started watching because I want to live off the land. Went back and started watching from Season 1 episode 1. Great stuff! God bless you!

[@jenboyles5381]

I was a single/only parent to my now grown daughters, I feel you there. I've been homeschooling my 12 yr old son since K and even though I mam not a single parent this is so tough. You're doing fantastic doing all the things Dad. Thanks for sharing. Since I am a newer subscriber, sorry for the loss of your wife.

[@peggy1844]

We have been homeschooling since 1985. Our youngest is 15 so my homeschooling years are coming to an end. What wonderful years they have been! When our first went off to college I was anxious to hear how prepared he thought he was compared to the other students. He told me they knew things he didn’t and he knew things they didn’t know but the big difference was he could find out what he didn’t know and they couldn’t. Homeschooling makes life long learners. It sounds to me like you are doing an excellent job. I would encourage you to add a nature journal to your curriculum. It won’t entail any work for you other than being interested in what the boys are writing. There are books on nature journaling but it basically is a way to record and develop observation skills. You draw what you observe and add notes like where you saw say the butterfly, what the weather was like, what it was doing. You could add a favorite poetry line about butterflies. You could highlight an interesting fact or something you noticed. You can write as much or as little as you want. You can journal what’s happening in your backyard, you can take it with you , you can collect things in order to draw them later, etc. The sky is the limit and it’s a great way to develop scientific research skills and a love for creation. It’s also an easy way to teach and direct by just being interested in their notebooks and talking about them.......no making copies, correcting or assigning.Have fun with the boys that is by far the best for all of you.😊

[@daleenross2977]

Yes, notebooks are awesome!

[@cordyg4306]

Great job, dad! I'm so glad my son is grown, the public school system needs a major overhaul. Sorry to hear about the loss of your wife, & they're mother.

[@chappell308]

Good job dad. Your boy reads better than I do. Their mom would be proud of them and you for your diligence.

[@dorarolfzen4132]

Praise & Glory Be To God❤.

[@FelonyVideos]

You're doing a fantastic job. My adult daughters are the last of our generations to attend public schools. We are done!

[@tracynestor5889]

I am an only parent homeschooling 3 children right now. Going to public school just because of a life change, was not an option for us! Covid made it a 'no brainer'! It isn't easy juggling everything! But my children are priority, so where there is a will, there is always a way! With God at the center of our lives, all things are possible! Sending our love and prayers to you and your family, zack. Your doing a great job, being the best dad to those boys! God Bless and keep you!

[@thetriadbroker]

Great Video. I love that you don't buy the big box education. We don't either. I like to be able to follow down a rabbit hole or change it up daily. I love that freedom.

[@vrab.]

Food for thought When they get to high school age, you can enroll them in community college. I met a few people while in college who graduated college at 18 because they took a majority of their classes at a community college rather than a high school Requirements: 1. Language - high school: 4 years, take AP test, maybe earn a semester credit Community college: 1 semester and done 2. English/composition/literature High school: 4 years possible college credit for 1 semester Community college: 1 semester of literature, 1 semester of composition The list goes on. The community college generally has more educational electives also: programming, engineering, automotive repair, horticulture, etc.

[@birdandcatlover5597]

Omg! If I do fine in college, I will be 18 the summer after I earn an associate's degree in occupational therapy!

[@prairiegirlcowboyhomestead5876]

All of our grandkids are now homeschooled. So thankful for that.

[@deborahpalmer6675]

Nothing is being taught in indoctrination camp, I mean school. I am so thankful for my love of reading and seeking knowledge.

[@mrmicro22]

A comment for support. Your boys will do great because you care about them. The parent is always the primary teacher but many of them refuse to do the job.

[@linak7155]

Zach, May Abba continue to bless ur efforts and avoid the mistakes we made in home schooling. Start ur day with prayer and make it so that you are always learning together. My son was reading by age five and loved books 📚 🌱🙏

[@franmoyer8527]

Yes, we award our son for his accomplishments with his homeschool work too. Learning is his “job” right now. Chores are a responsibility of everyone in the household so we do not reward that.

[@SArlene-0916]

You are a good Dad. 💙 God Bless you and your family!

[@staffordgarland9226]

Thank you for being. Warm and blessed in NWA.

[@tigger8935]

I homeschooled my children! I loved making my children write and recite poetry.

[@jgjg3848]

You're doing a great job with the kids and the homestead. Jaimie would be so proud of you and the boys.

[@melaniearison1209]

Thank you for this video. I am a single mom homeschooling. God bless yall.

[@jameshenry1285]

Yah sure has a way of turning a seemingly bad situation and using it for good. HalleluYah!

[@brendah4773]

Huck Finn! Excellent choice! The classics are great!

[@cattleranch1430]

Zac, we have you on our prayer list. Praise God for you being a rock for your family.

[@sherryl817]

Times Tales is amazing!! I learned about it from Jaimie's video along with many others! It really does work & you will be surprised how fast your kids memorize the times tables.

[@heathervanhouten4016]

Thank you for this! I got the times tales for my 9 year who has been struggling with his confidence in school. He loved it and was dancing around the house saying, “yes! I’m so smart!”, after taking the first quiz.

[@cheriburt8764]

I have been homeschoolingbsince 2003 and it is the best thing I have ever done. Our family read Animal Farm this last year, too. We tried to read 1984 but it was a struggle. We are going to try again. I totally agree that every homeschool looks different.

[@heatherofthemountains]

-Cannot tell you how grateful I am I did the homestead search on the tube... I found you brother! -My husband and I are homeschooling our 11 year old son beginning this next school year. We're also buying a fixer-upper with good bones and good land, etc. Hopefully, in a place with laws that will enable us to homestead the way we want. We realize how crazy(not in a good way) the market is right now and know it'll be expensive but we just can't afford any more time to pass by. -Anyways, we're not so special as to think that this won't be a journey for us. We've always been mostly country with too much city lol... We have a love and great respect for this lifestyle that is true to our walk with Him, our King. We realize this'll be tougher than we can currently understand without any real experience living the lifestyle for any good length of time. (Staying with friends or family who homestead or whatnot doesn't count as real experience lol...) We're nervous but excited. -So grateful for discovering your channel!!! I know once I show my husband, he'll not feel so alone. Being surrounded by loud mouth liberals makes you feel alone, since us like minded folks are typically the "mind our own" type. We're quiet and keep to ourselves. He doesn't do the online thing too much, so he doesn't quite realize how many of us there are. -So, what I'm clucking on about is just to say, thanks brother. May God continue to bless and keep you and yours always. - Glory to Yahweh always, forever and ever. In the mighty name of Yahshua Hamechiac, amen. -

[@hillbillysceptic1982]

I’m a single dad homeschooling a beautiful daughter. I’m glad you have some good looking boys. I can’t let her marry outside the faith!

[@MeMawsPlace332]

Haha omgoodness I needed that laugh. You are right of course. With all their skills from their dad, I'm sure the girls will be standing in line for a YaH loving off grid mountain man. 🙃😄😃

[@Anamericanhomestead]

@@MeMawsPlace332 LOL

[@tindle7784]

"Just stick with it"...."OOOh, OH OK." Loved it!!!

[@faithfulprepper]

I haven't been following long enough and had no idea you lost your wife to cancer. I am so sorry to hear that 💔 And yes, there is a huge difference in being a single parent and an only parent. I have many divorced friends but my brother is a single parent as his x became addicted to meth and doesn't care to be involved in their son's life at all. If you ever talk more about being an only parent, my brother would love to hear how you juggle everything cause it's hard for him to find someone in that same position. So I do have an understanding of how difficult it is and wanted to praise you for all you are doing! I know the Lord will bless and multiply your efforts. Homeschooling is one of my top priorities, I'm glad and amazed that you are sticking to it when you have so many other responsibilities. Keep up all the good work!

[@halliemarie2011]

Teaching textbooks has been a great suggestion for us!! Our 5 kids, ages 6 through 15, has helped so much!! We also use The Good and the Beautiful ELA and Science and Homeschool Torah for their history and bible class. All have been great for us!

[@celin26able]

I am a single mother and thanks to the Lord Jesus ..here i am homeschooling my 11 years old son. Working a full time . Taking care of all..and i believe somehow God has gave me the skills i need in order to teach my son. Glory to God..

[@aloven3259]

I’m sorry for your loss, you are doing a great job! Keep it up 👍 I hope you take some kind of time for yourself too, whatever that looks like for you.

[@rosecovey8478]

Thank you so much for this! I'm a homeschooling mama and I have a 6 year old boy (along with 3 younger) that I'm trying to teach to read. Very insightful.

[@yissysmommy8071]

Thank you for sharing. We started Times Tales and we are seeing a breakthrough.

[@CD-rt8wj]

I woke up to the public schooling system last year at 25 years old - all in Yah's plan but man I wish I could have just learned it right the first time! :) Your sons will reap the benefits!

[@dianehill8014]

Zach, you're amazing Wonderful books and poetry is wonderful and fun to read.Homeschooling is so far superior to anything else.I home schooled my daughter from 7th grade to 11th grade.George Orwell was considered far out back in the day; But more and more seemed prophetic...

[@bluduv4him]

I'm homeschooling my grandkids three are totally homeschool and I have a 4th two days a week on distance learning. In all we have 2nd, 5th, 6th & 7th grade. For the older kids we do History, Grammer and Science (this is now our only online course)combined and individual levels for math, language arts and reading. We touch on everything each week, but the dailies are the 3 R's. We also use "My classroom economy" to teach real life money skills. Then I sprinkle in "Life Skill" days for back to basics and bushcraft lessons.

[@thirtysomething4532]

Love what you said about keeping that house clean. And it not being a bachelor pad. Your boys will grow up to be great men

[@Rose_and_her_Covey_of_quail_]

I have a 6 year old (along with a 4 year old, 2 year old and 6 month old) and scheduled teaching has been a challenge! Thank you for this video!

[@graftedbranchhomestead]

Be encouraged my friend your doing amazing things for your kids!! Stay strong, lean on Jesus he has all the strength 😉

[@karenm9305]

I commend you for being able to do what you do. It is such a blessing. I get the only parenting as I am also in that situation. It's an entire different world and you seem to be doing a great job for your boys.

[@strategicliving9887]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@mamamacgyver]

What!?! You have Steve’s books!!! Yay!! I love the Hamburg’s (Rachel 💖)

[@jessicamcgregor4857]

I am really enjoying all your videos. I am newer to your channel but not new to homeschooling. This is my 8th year homeschooling and a mother of 5 kiddos . We have changed curriculum a multiple of times from Abeka, to My Father’s World, to Masterbooks, and now Christian Light education. All of these curriculums are wonderful but seasons and families change and grow and we must adapt to meet our needs. Christian light education has been wonderful for Math, Language arts and Reading/ comprehension. We use Mystery of History and Biblioplan for history. I wanted to mention these to you although you may not have the time to look at them, but I thought of your youngest and CLE reading/language arts has really helped my struggling 7 year old daughter to read. I am originally from Rogers, Ar ( now living in rural western KY) and the oldest of 7 children. My brother Mark and his wife Sofia homeschool their 8 children ,live in Rogers , and are Torah Followers. I am in the learning phase of Torah, following your new2torah group , kingdom in context, and kingdomcast. Thank you for your channels ...

[@brendah4773]

It sounds like you’re not using any particular program?? Just the Liberty Univ and Teaching Textbooks? I believe that’s what I gathered? Thank you for this my friend! Love to y’all from Loveland, Colorado ❤️

[@Christina-xu1yd]

We are with you my friend.

[@simplyraisingarrows7369]

I love to see how your doing the homeschooling we all loved Jamie! I need to get your homeschool shirt I didn't know you had that one ! Those books sound beautiful and I love the local books especially with such sweet families . I'm just in st. Louis . I'm homeschooling my boys and my daughter is in the public school by her choice.

[@janetk9536]

You are doing great. Praying for your continued strength.

[@heartofthehomestead]

You are doing Great! I was one of the ones who suggested The Robinson Curriculum that you mentioned. :D It CAN seem overwhelming at first! lol. I'm so glad you found something that works for you!

[@CristyVW]

Love Huckleberry Finn!! (And Tom Sawyer too!!) My dad read those (and MANY more!) Books with/to me when I was young- he instilled a huge love of reading in me!! Trying to do the same with my kids too. 🙂 some of my kids love to read... some do it because they know they have to! 🙂

[@munchkinlk83]

Thank you for sharing this information! I read animal farm to my kids once a year for awhile. I give it as presents now....to adults because so many haven't read it.

[@teshuvahtales861]

Thank you for the encouragement and advice brother! You're doing a good job with the boys.. may Yah continue to be your strength.. HalleluYah ❤️

[@thegalgeruds3932]

Great work! I truly believe this was part of the Father's plan for you to be able to share and have perspective in this area. You likely know all you are balancing is similar to what a lot of moms are doing while their husbands work. We run homeschool, homestead , housework, etc and many even do have jobs on the side. Of course many widowed parents as well. ❤️ You are a great help and source of inspiration for many. If there is a will there was always a way. Thank you for sharing!

[@jillhull7358]

WONDERFUL teaching techniques

[@jillhull7358]

Do you have a po box to send donation to i caint do on line stuff thanks ?????

[@jillhull7358]

Im a robert frost and the other poets fan the more i find out about your wife I'm really her twin but alot order

[@thathomesteadfamily5200]

Homeschooling our granddaughter. She’s memorizing “If” by Rudyard Kipling

[@Anamericanhomestead]

Love that poem

[@fallenangelwi25]

I'm positive Jaimie is watching over y'all and is so absolutely proud of all you're doing hun!!!!

[@LMaeCook]

My husband’s family were among some of the first families to homeschool in their area in the 80s. He’s the oldest of 9. He will tell you that there was a major shift in the 90s and our state went from one of the strictest states to one of the least stricter states. I went to public school. I knew in high school it had it’s drawbacks but it’s a part of who I am. When we were first going together (we were married within 5 months) it a given that we would homeschool.

[@12thFramePhotography]

So much good right here. ✅

[@ericsetting3732]

I was looking through your videos because I thought you had left you tube. You used to live down the road from us in Lincoln. I lost track of you when I thought you left YT I came across this video and was shocked and saddened to hear about Jamie. Please except our deepest condolences. God bless you and your boys. Love Rick and Jeanne Setting

[@bbraskey8521]

Your precious sons sure do look like their beautiful mama. We miss seeing Jaime & her parents on the videos. We always loved the videos. We're proud of you for continuing your's & Jaime's dreams of homeschooling & homesteading. It's not easy, but it will be such a blessing. Would love to learn more about what y'all are using. Bought the Times Tales after your recommendation. Appreciate you.

[@davidpritchett855]

That's awesome how well you are doing with your boys. I want to find and print from the library of Congress or order one of the really old reading primers because pre 1900 the bible was used to teach literacy. My guess is they started with psalms and proverbs. My plan is in a couple months giving my 5 year old some chickens and a coop with the condition that she needs to budget for her chickens feed etc and maybe buy the eggs from her. The hope is to help her build all those entrepreneur skills now as I'm fumbling through that for our homestead now.

[@username00009]

It sounds like you are looking for The Original McGuffey’s readers. I have the 1982 reprint of the 1837 books - they were actually quite affordable on eBay. Be careful though because you can find reprints of various additions, and I’ve heard that they vary significantly. I found one channel in particular to be very helpful with McGuffey’s - I can find the name if you’re interested.

[@davidpritchett855]

@@username00009 thank you that would be incredibly helpful! We are just starting with our oldest two kiddos.

[@AmatiinBC]

Thank you for doing these videos. It’s great to get the perspective of homeschooling by a single dad. Every time I see a HS video from you I think of sharing it with my friend who lost her spouse to cancer three year ago as it’s so inspirational. I also learn a lot , as even though my husband is here and is a great help and support, it’s nice to have the perspective you can give. We have three rambunctious boys and are trying our best to follow the whole Bible so it’s great to get ideas about homeschooling boys especially regarding books. I think it was your channel where you talked about reading Little Britches with them. I’m reading that with my boys now and they are loving it!

[@mage8088]

Little Britches is a must-read!

[@fallenangelwi25]

I'm a homeschool mom and I absolutely love it!!! My now 8yo is just learning to read because of our house fire when she started to read set her back. I full time school 2 of our 4 kids and part time with the other 2. We share custody of those 2 and I wish I could homeschool them too full time as they're behind

[@teresaoftheandes6279]

Congratulations. I wish I was home schooled. Would have saved me a lot of time.

[@dburd58]

I commend you on following thru with homeschooling 👍🏼 about 39 yrs ago we took our boys out of public school and the truant officer came to our home, I explained why we were going to teach at home but he threatened us. We contacted our church who had a Christian School and they put us under their wing for one year, we had three more children and schooled them at home but used the ABEKA video program. We had a small business and I just couldn’t do it all so it worked for us. All that to stay if they make homeschooling illegal don’t give up, it pays off in the end 😊

[@vincetugg25]

So cool to see another homeschool dad not many of us lol

[@christineosborne3155]

Even though my boys are grown I really enjoyed this video and I'm glad to see how well your boys are doing

[@ThisisSeeLifeHomesteading]

Love that you are keepin on keeping on! Good job!Thanks

[@collumjm]

I admire all of your hard work and dedication.

[@sherry8611]

Love watching all you homeschooling. Love your enthusiasm and dedication. I homeschooled my son, who is 32 now!!!!! Our homeschool days were amazing, beautiful times. Good luck to you all!!

[@jcla2540]

God bless your family. I am so touched with your devotion to the kids’ education. I am sure your wife is watching from heaven with joy.

[@huckleberryfinnished2688]

So cool great poem he looked at you after finishing like "are you proud dad!"

[@annmarie4794]

Don’t you, also, farm? Is there a twin that we don’t know about? Keep up the great work. Jaimie is so proud of you.

[@carbonlux9966]

Good job!!⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@happygranolamama5729]

Great video Zach.. my husband and I are first time homeschoolers and this was very helpful. Thank you ! Can’t wait for more on this topic !

[@lisawesome7588]

Great video thank you. Homeschooling is the way to go. Will check out the times tales, my kiddo is obsessed with math.

[@verlonriddle4591]

You doing a great job watching From Alabama

[@coralkarrass1834]

Love this! I’m a board member for Ct homeschool network. The uptick in homeschooling has been huge.

[@wholefoodslifestyles3603]

Animal Farm is a great book!

[@YetiMama]

Zach, really appreciate you sharing. My wife homeschools our son and daughter (6/3YO) and my son also is maybe a bit behind on reading. It’s encouraging that your boys flipped a switch and took off.

[@robinsong7298]

Zach your doing a great job. Balance don't allow your life to lead you must lead. And your not the only one God is the other half never feel alone at anytime if you have God there is always 2. God will give you the energy to do more than you can imagine and he will be there for help in learning for the boy's. God bless Shalom

[@dirtriders3615]

I’m a home school dad to buddy got three to deal with daily and this is our first year doing it we’re using k-12 it’s been tough but we’re doing good now was hard at first my wife couldn’t do it so she went to work full time I went to part and I handle the education during the day. Stay strong bro stay safe

[@brendah4773]

Liberty Univ! Excellent! Graham Allen also recommends this! I thought it was just for adults. This is great! ❤️

[@hangtoughhomestead2229]

Good job! Common sense, I love it. As a teacher, I can say, "Love it!"

[@lauraannstewart1949]

We read and watched the movie Animal Farm. We also had to analyze each chapter. It was a very interesting book but I loved it. Love some of the books you mentioned. I'll have to find the book by your neighbor.

[@jlprimitives7457]

It's wonderful that you are continuing Jamie's homeschool wish for your boys. I am a retired educator. Seeing some of her choices makes me wonder if she was following Susan Wise Bauer's classical education suggestions. It's clear that your boys are going to receive an excellent education through both of your research and hard work. Blessings.

[@davidpugh6495]

Rudyard Kipling lived an amazing life! H

[@adellaadams8018]

Please teach them the Constitution of the USA! Have them memorize it! I did that in Collage.

[@tammygardner7953]

Enlightium Academy is awesome!

[@hamiltonhomefarms8712]

If you have internet there are lots of video based homeschooling in the basic math English science etc. I use that with my grandkids they learn very quickly with it. Then I follow up and go over it with them to be sure they know it and with test. You could use that while you are working and then in evening review with them

[@joanxox4191]

I have been homeschooling for 27 years my youngest is 16. Started as a single mom and then had a spouse and now back as a single parent the last 4 years. I also have a farm and work part-time job. I won't recommend any curriculum as I am in Alberta Canada but I have used different American curriculum over the years. Also each child is different and what works for one doesn't always work for the next.