GULP! About to take the plunge...

[3sweeties]

...and start teaching TWO of my kids for the first time with a preschooler and newborn!!! The plan is to start next Monday (with a fun not-back-to-school-day) and then start up academics on Tuesday. I was thinking about starting part-time, but don't want to get too far behind and end up teaching into June next year. The baby will be three weeks old when we start -- do you all think that is too soon? My oldest DS is finishing up Bigger(3rd grade), so he is already familiar with the format and my second DS is starting K - LHFHG (1/2 speed at first)-and has been BEGGING to start school, so I don't think I can put him off for too long if I don't start him with his brother. I have a basic routine written out that I worked on this summer, with me taking turns teaching b/t the two, one of them playing with their sister while I teach the other, etc., but I am still feeling panicky when I think about caring for and feeding a newborn, sleep deprivation, etc., keeping the preschooler occupied, and still getting done what we need to in our school day.

I guess I am mostly asking for your prayers and that I won't allow this fear of failure and stress to overwhelm me right now. Any encouragement or tips are appreciated too!

Thanks so much!

[StillJulie]

You can do it!

I've prayed for you.

Check in and let us know how it goes, if you have time!

[mamayi]

Congratulations on your new baby. What joy they bring (along with a little extra work )
It sounds like you have a good plan in place to start your year.
I just wanted to write and share that you should allow yourself to slow down at any time.
Last year after having my fourth child I was ready to jump into school when my baby was just a couple weeks old and I about wore myself out!
There were days that were great and others that I could barely make it through (mostly due to post-partum recovery).
Thankfully HOD is easy to do even if we're having an "off" day. Just don't try to push yourself too hard too soon.
Take time to enjoy this new baby and the life transition adding a child brings to the family.
God Bless you and your precious family.

[holyhart]

I'll be in the same boat. Starting school with my older two while trying to keep the toddler busy and take care of a newborn. And we will be moving in about a month. My plan was to start after about 3 weeks after the baby was born. That's how much time I took after my 3rd was born. I'm not so sure anymore though. I might just wait and start after the move. I feel guilty planning a late start but I don't want to stress us all out either. And if we end uPp schooling into the summer I'm okay with that. I think that will be less stressful. I still haven't 100 percent made up my mind though....that darn guilt! But with walking around with a cane currently and needing to pack (and purge....amazing how much stuff we have!!! Where did it all come from???) sound daunting enough.


Anyway, I'll pray God will lead you through this and give you peace.

[pjdobro]

You ladies are amazing! I can't imagine tackling school with a newborn. I guess routine is a good thing though and will probably help get everyone settled. Congratulations to you all on your precious new babies. They are all so adorable! My prays are with you as you recover and get settled into your new routines.

[water2wine]

Congratulations! I think you have a great idea of starting half speed. I would work the nap times of the baby and not worry about doing school all in one chunk if you need to split it up. I would just enjoy your time and do things as easy as possible while you all are adjusting to the new baby. Giving your others a little school is giving some attention back to them and that is always great when a new one comes along. I would just trust God for making the future work out and do what comfortably and joyfully works for you now. Congratulations on your new blessing!

[Marcee]

Congratulations!! Wish I could be there to hold the baby

I think the one thing that's important to remember for homeschooling mommas is that the teaching manual is not our dictator. We need to make it work for us. Maybe you will have to spread out your day longer. Half time with a wee one could work really well right now and maybe pick up the pace for the last 1/2 of the school year. Maybe having just a bit in the summer wouldn't be so bad-it would def. keep the kids retention up and keep them entertained:) Your 3rd grader could also help and read to your kindergartner! A lot of kids think this is really fun:) This could work while you are feeding the baby and you could lay back or rest for a tiny bit. Remember that your schedule will probably go to the wayside often. The great thing about H'schooling is that it is flexible enough to work for large families, small families, parents that work full time etc.
I know you can do this:) I will be praying for you!

You might consider googling H'schooling with babies, preshcoolers etc.

Here is a fabulous post from last year by Julie
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=198&st=0&sk=t&sd=a#p33557

{{{HUGS}}}

PS this will be my first time H'schooling 2 children as well. I'm nervous and don't have two little ones

[jenntracy]

I want to know how it goes!
End of March we will have a newborn.
I currently school 1st and Kinder and will have to start something more routine with my 2.5 yr old soon. she will be 3 in February.
we will still have 9 weeks or so to finish after the baby is born and i am wondering how that is going to go. whew! trying not to think to far ahead.
i guess i might be tired then but at least i won't feel nauseated

Good luck . You can do it!

[my3sons]

Congrats, and I think you can do it! Regardless of whether you are homeschooling or not, you are probably going to be tired (I sure was with my last pumpkin). Maybe this is just me, but for me and my boys, I found it easier to start homeschooling after I had our last baby. We did about 3-4 weeks after he was born (he had a 2 1/2 week stay in ICU). Anyway, starting school gave everyone something to do that was fun and full of importance, and I also felt it helped me spend time with each of the dc rather than just the baby. I would have been tired regardless, and sometimes, it's just easier when kids know the next thing to do rather than constantly having questions all day long if we're not doing school. One thing that helped me was to try to figure out what the little ones would be doing first. I planned out 30 minute activities for the toddler/preschooler, and then plugged my olders around that, making sure each of the olders had a playtime with toddler/preschooler too. You could even spend a week just getting toddler/preschooler's routine down. We have done that, and it's going to make my start tomorrow much easier. Here's what my little guy is doing for example:
8:15-8:45 or 9: educational video in entryway/play area
9-9:30: LHTH with me in kitchen
9:30-10: Play with Riley in entryway/play area
10-10:30: Play with Wyatt upstairs in Riley's room (3 times a week Lakeshore boxes, 2 times a week educational computer game)
10:30-11: Snack, drink, blanket of toys
11-11:40: Play out with playroom toys while Riley watches a video near him
11:40-12:15 PM: Kumon books, puzzles, at kitchen table with me overseeing all 3's semi-independent work
12:15-12:45: Play out on main floor (can watch science experiments if interested)

Anyway, I hope that helps, and I think you'll do just fine!!! Starting half-speed would work too.
In Christ,
Julie

[3sweeties]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, ladies for your prayers and encouragement!!! I am feeling a little bit better about it all and am telling myself to ease into slowly and not feel like I have to get it all done the very first day. Hard for a perfectionist like me to do though! Thanks again for your thoughts and ideas! I'll keep you updated as to how next week goes...