I want to be the type of mama......

[SillyMamaLuvsU]

Who is patient and can sit and teach her children even with all the interruptions from her toddler. I am so excited because I'm pretty sure we will be using HOD next year. (It feels funny to call it "next year" when it will really be in a few months, LOL!)

I've poured over the Preparing samples and the intro and I'm just so excited. I can't help feeling that the reality will be that I will become frustrated because we will be interrupted so much. That makes me sound so bad, I know. I am hoping to train my toddler (21 months today!) to sit and listen quietly for a short periods of time or to play alone quietly for short periods of time. I am really praying this all works out. It looks like such a promising program and so full of JESUS!

I guess I am just asking for prayer....that the Lord WILL make this work out for us and that everything will fall into place. That He will transform me into the kind of homeschooling mama that I long to be. That we can enjoy it instead of just "getting it done".That the artsy/crafty stuff won't be too difficult for us to pull off. That we can sit together and read and learn and enjoy our year. I just want so desperately to find that perfect curriculum that brings us all together HAPPILY.

[gotpeace91]

I join you in this prayer for you and for me! I wonder if you could have a little bag of "special" toys that you can keep hidden away somewhere? Then you can take it out for the toddler to play with when you need a little one on one time with your older child.

[momtofive]

I have a two year old that will be cruising through the house this year too! She's quite a girl! A typical two year old, I'm told. What I have planned for her, is to combine her with her older sister (4) right away in the morning for LHTH. You wouldn't necessarily have to do that program, but make sure they have "Mom-time" in the morning. That should make them feel secure for a while because they've had your attention right away. They see that you've made them a priority, and then they don't feel left out. Then I have different activities lined up for her to do while I'm teaching the other kids. Using small increments of time (15-20 min). I also have worked in a little time for her to do activities/playtime with an older sibling. Just keeping it fun and interesting through her day, and breaking it up into fun chunks of time doing various things. I'm hoping that reduces the amount of "interruptions" through our school time.

A few other suggestions would be setting up rotating toy boxes for each day of the week, so they don't get bored with the same old toys every day. Having fun "school-time" activities that are only for that time. Maybe having a sibling play with the little one for 15-20 min. or so. Or, maybe a booster chair at the kitchen table (or near you somewhere) that they could do something like play-doh, coloring, blocks, or a sorting/fine motor skill activity. Sometimes the things that entertain them the longest are the most simple things. A basket of measuring cups and spoons. A plastic container that they can stuff little objects into (providing they aren't prone to put everything in the mouth!)

These are just suggestions! You know your children best, and I'm sure if your giving it to the Lord that He will give you the wisdom to know how to handle it. You already are that type of Mama, or you wouldn't be pouring your care over your children, out to the Lord. He see's your heart and will bless that! Much blessings as you begin your new school year.

In Christ,

Lisa

[SillyMamaLuvsU]

Thank you so much.

Yes, I plan on getting some special toys and activities that she can play with only during school time and I also plan on rotating them so she doesn't get bored. I will be using Preparing with my 9yo and 12yo daughters. My 14yo son will be doing something else, but he will be listening in on our Bible time.

Thankfully, my older children are very helpful with the baby. You know, keeping her occupied if I need to do something and playing with her or reading to her. I'm just praying for a good year...for you and me both!

Lisa, thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement. The baby and I are the first to get up in the morning, so she gets about an hour of my time. I didn't realize how important that was until I came to this board and saw a few people mention it.

I am considering using LHTH the year after next when she is three because I don't feel she is ready for it yet. It looks like so much fun, though!

Thank you all so much!

[momofgreatones]

One thing you might consider is taking advantage of the baby's naptime! Hopefully he/she is still napping...I used to try to use the baby's naptime as a rest time for myself as well, but I have slowly transitioned to using that precious time to do the things with my other dc that I really don't want to be interrupted, mainly the sit down together and read times, and the history activities. The other topics seem to lend themselves better to having my toddler around with us. Although I no longer have that rest time, I am less stressed because I'm not getting frustrated with my toddler's interruptions to quiet time with my other kids.

Just a thought for you!

[4littleones]

What I have planned for her, is to combine her with her older sister (4) right away in the morning for LHTH. You wouldn't necessarily have to do that program, but make sure they have "Mom-time" in the morning. That should make them feel secure for a while because they've had your attention right away.

This is going to be my course of action too, with my 2 and 4 yo so I can teach my 7 and 8 yo.

All the best!

[my3sons]

We all want to be that type of mama, and it is a struggle sometimes! I did 3 HOD guides last year, and hands-down the best thing that I did was have a schedule for the toddler that included planned things in it. I changed the location/activity around every 30 minutes or so. Over the years I've actually learned to start the whole schedule with the toddler's needs first, and then plug everyone else in where possible. So, I decided my toddler needed me to spend some time with him alone. I started LHTH half-speed, which took me 15 minutes. That paid huge dividends! He was so happy and content to have had me all to himself. I also added a playtime with each of his older siblings, which was key in my being able to work with whichever child was not playing with him. One of the playtimes was in our entryway (which we converted to a playroom with the toddler's things on shelves in it), and one of the playtimes was upstairs in a bedroom (we put toddler's things in the closet upstairs there, and also Lakeshore learning boxes for my oldest to choose to do one with him each day). This left me able to homeschool in the quiet of our dining room or kitchen. My little guy watched a Barney video as well, and also had a snack time. When we were all at the table finishing out semi-independent things, he either sat at the table and did playdough, scribbling/coloring, or played with his toys around us. Here is our schedule from last year in case something could help:


Also, here is an excellent link on homeschooling with toddlers:
What to do with toddlers while schooling:
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=198&p=33557
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4987&p=36744#p36744

I think you have a great year ahead of you with HOD, but you are wise to consider what to do with the toddler, as otherwise, you can bet they'll be at your side making as much noise as possible to be noticed!
In Christ,
Julie

[MelInKansas]

Thank you for this post! I have been struggling a bit with what we will do with my 1 year old while doing school. I found this post http://habitsforahappyhome.wordpress.co ... ttle-ones/ which I think I could do with my DD for maybe 20-30 minutes every other day or so (which will require a great rearranging in her room or another area but I could try it). I love the other ideas also. I will also probably use her naptime for things like handwriting or reading history where I know only my oldest will be able to do/understand it and I want to be able to focus my attention on her.

But this past year while doing LHTH she was usually napping, or it took such a short time that she would play happily on the floor nearby. Now, if we are on the couch reading she wants to be part of it, or on the table doing things with paper, same thing. Whew! I need to put some more thought into this and I appreciate the ideas.

[water2wine]

I guess I am just asking for prayer....that the Lord WILL make this work out for us and that everything will fall into place. That He will transform me into the kind of homeschooling mama that I long to be. That we can enjoy it instead of just "getting it done".That the artsy/crafty stuff won't be too difficult for us to pull off. That we can sit together and read and learn and enjoy our year.

Well hang on tight because that is a prayer I can promise you God will honor! Joining you in that prayer.

[4Hispraise]

So excited for YOU! We began using HOD last year & L.O.V.E. it! I can only tell you that something so full of Jesus fills you up to overflowing and you will find, little by little, God changes YOU too - and He will enable you to be the Mama He created you to be! He is so good. He is so faithful. I am praying for you, that you will experience His tender mercies this school year, and He will soften all the rough places in your heart (and mine).

I school 2 ten year old boys and have a toddler...and I saw God do amazing things this year. I am sure it is because our school days were so focused on Him (thanks HOD!!), and steeped in prayer. I did use my toddler's nap time. He takes a 2 hour nap whether he needs it or not I call it his quiet time & he gets to stay in bed. Some days, he sleeps. Other days, he sings (gotta love that), or he "reads" board books. Those are my school hours with the olders. They used to be my cleaning hours...but life changes...and unfortunately, the house is a little messier...My dh tells me that if I have completed the Lord's assignment for the day, then the house is okay. AHHH!!

Praying for your school year. May God give you the mind of Christ in the midst of the challenges.

[crlacey]

I will join you in that prayer and pray that we all succeed! I believe that prayer and planning are the first steps in that, so we're on the right track already.

[Carrie]

I agree that prayer is so important, as we trust the Lord to equip us to answer His call on our lives. I can not accomplish what needs to be done each day without His strength. I take such comfort in knowing that I can lean on Him for strength and that even in my weaknesses He is training me to be more like Him.

Blessings,
Carrie