This post was written when I saw the Unschooling Blog Carnival’s June Theme Celebrating Fatherhood. I realized I don’t express my appreciation enough and decided I wanted to chime in. I get lot of strokes for being Dale’s unschooling mom . But really, I couldn’t have done it without Dale’s dad.

Dad went to work while we got to play.

And learn and do and make all day.

He was so tired and sometimes grumpy

Maybe envious, sometimes even jumpy.

But he kept on going, just to make sure.

We’d have all we needed and more.

Dad is very frugal, some would say cheap.

Cost analysis aside, he took the leap.

Tried unschooling when he was fearful.

Worried, unsure, sometimes even tearful.

Scared to step off the path and risk standing out.

With courage he proceeded although filled with doubt.

But doubt was replaced with wonder and joy

As he pursued learning adventures with his baby boy

Time for travel, for music, and to volunteer

Cooking and building and learning French in one year.

Resistance started to fade when Dad couldn’t deny

The evidence of his son starting to fly.

Dad welcomed new friends to our home and on trips

Offered to lead classes, hikes and came to grips

With many conflicts of both wants and needs

Dad’s introversion and son’s extrovert deeds

Dad shared his skills, his love and his TIME

Always answering questions, whatever reason or rhyme

Determined to connect at the end of each day

Dad read bedtime stories or shared in some way

Dad misses that now since our chick’s flown the nest

And often wonders, did we do what was best?

So many challenges, joys and surprises

Late sleepless nights and early sunrises

Dad quietly doing what needs to be done

I’m one lucky mom with one lucky son

So here’s a toast to you, hubby, and father and friend: