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Hi Ladies!
I've been struggling trying to come up with a daily schedule to do schooling that works for our family. I had been trying to do DD's school work while my 2 yr old takes his hour long nap. But at 1pm, DD doesn't seem like she's able to do school work. So I guess we're needing to do it earlier in the day, but then what do I do with my toddler while we do LHFHG? I'm just not sure how to actually make school happen in our house since every time I've tried to do it while the little guy is awake, we get frustrated and shelve it till his nap.
Also, does anyone else struggle getting their kids to do school. DD will whine and complain about doing school. Once we get into it, she enjoys the activities, but her attitude leading up to it is terrible.
Please help me.
Thanks,
Crystal

Crystal,
I have not started HOD yet, but I have been doing school with my oldest for 2 years now, I have a 6yo 4.5yo and 2.5 yo. what has worked for me is a bin of toys hidden that are school toys, they only come out at school time. They are all quiet toys and some coloring stuff, the crayola magic color is great, an aquadoodle pad, pegs, blocks, purses with goodies (girl ) She also loves a big bin of dry beans to scoop and pour, if your is past mouthing that is great. Some days I put a step stool at the sink and turn the water on very little with some cups. She can reach the stream of water but not the handle to turn it up. It is hard somedays, she wants me to read to her and stuff, I am hoping with LHFHG next year that at least with the are, music type stuff she can take part in her own way and then utilize the things mentioned above for when the other 2 are doing their quiet work.
Not sure if that helps, but good luck, it will pass and get easier.
Renee

We often struggle with this, as life happens and it's difficult sometimes to stay on our 'schedule'.

We usually try to start school by 8:30 a.m. Mostly, because ds has the easiest time getting his math done earlier; but it means we get done a bit earlier in the day, too, which I like. We no longer have a toddler running about, so I'm sure it's a little easier for me, but we do have a 4 yo who still wants lots of attention! I often get him to sit down and play with his Legos first thing in the morning; he will stay occupied for anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour with those. Sometimes, if he's really causing distractions, I will seat him at the table in the kitchen (away from where the kids are in the DR, but I can still see and hear him) with a coloring page or books. Sometimes I'll bring other toys in a basket to the table, maybe with some cards like Go Fish or Uno. When I have a moment, I'll sit down and read him a book or two, and that usually will keep him satisfied playing on his own a while longer. One thing I have noticed that helps a lot is having the older kids play with him for 30 minutes or so right before they begin their school work; that way he has had some time with them and is more ready to pursue his own interests. Does your toddler like play dough? You could put dc in his high chair or at the table nearby to play with this a while; same thing with the cards or smaller toys. I know these may not be very helpful suggestions, but it's what I've tried in the past. Sometimes it works, sometimes it's more difficult!

Something I am learning more about and trying to realize and incorporate into our homeschooling, is a 'lifestyle' of learning. Yes, we have times where we must sit down and do our table work...but life must go on. Our chores have to get done, groceries must be bought, Dr. appts. and lunch with Daddy, etc. A phrase I've heard lately (Cindy Rushton) is that we need to "wrap school around our lives" or something similar to that. Those kids are learning ALL the time, not just when we are sitting at the table doing Math. They can learn while at the grocery store, while doing their chores, while helping you with your toddler! I know it can be stressful with a young one to keep happy. Others will be along who are in your exact situation to tell you how they manage. I'm lifting you up in prayer right now. Hang in there!

Crystal,

rholliday has some great suggestions...I may even try the scooping bin and the sink activities with my 4 yo son. Thanks, rholliday!

Oh (((Crystal)))

First of all, I am stopping right now and lifting you up to the Lord. I remember this season well. It's wonderfully sweet and yet definitely challenging.

The two things that I did:

1- We schooled during naptime.

2- Do your reading at bedtime and then your activities while the two year old is up.

(It's not so hard to direct an activity such as drawing, writing, etc with baby up or noise in the background, But it's frustrating when you are trying to read and you want your child to grasp deep insights. You need to have a quiet enviorment for that) (understanding smile)

3- How about doing the reading at nighttime and the activities during naptime? It might go better with your older child if your not trying to do everything during nap time?

I hope these help...., (((Warm Understanding Hugs)))

I know how hard it can be to school with little ones around. I don't have much help as we figure it out day by day and it is getting harder right now as my youngest is becoming more mobile.

As far as the complaing, yes I have been there and am there. One of the things I do is give my oldest the choice of two things. For example, do you want to do Thinking Skills or Math first. When we sit down to read history he gets to choose if he is going to read his reading first or if I read first. This really seems to help with the complaining. There are also times that I have told him that we have to finish school before he can do something else of his choice, like going outside or watching a TV show.
HTH

This doesn't always work but for a bad attitude, we let ds choose what he does first. This is usually couch stuff (history, read aloud etc). We remind him that Daddy doesn't always want to go to work but he does anyway and does his best. If it is really bad I will tell ds he has a choice he get choice to do his schoolwork with a good attitude or I will teach him how to clean really well since he won't be able to get a good job. Sounds mean but it works and to a certain extent is reality. Son also has a game he likes to play with Dad that he is only allowed to play on the weekends if he does well in school.

HTH
Sarah

I'm going to offer a different perspective.... I would just shelve it for awhile. She's only 4. Most normal 4 yo would balk at doing "school". She's just being normal.

Next fall, she may be more ready, and your sweet baby will probably be more cooperative as well.

Now, if she were older, I'd have different advice. But, for now, just enjoy your babies!!

Crystal,

You are right that it is challenging to school with those blessed toddlers running around. A 2 year old is an especially challenging one to occupy while trying to do school with a 5 or 6 year old, but it can be done!

I just want to encourage you that it will get better. As your 2 year old gets closer to 3, they are able to do much more and aren't such a danger to themselves!

I would agree that you need to do your schooling in the morning before lunch. Those little minds just don't function well after lunch, and mommy is pretty tired by then too and would rather do something else also!

We have a 2 year old running around at our house this year too (along with my 5, 9, and 12 year old boys). So, I'll tell you a few things that we have used in the past to keep on task in the morning.

First, we start in the morning shortly after everyone has eaten breakfast. This is a time when the toddler is happy and well-rested, and so is the 5 year old (and mommy too)!

We start with something that doesn't require all my focused attention, so I can have the toddler near us and let him "participate" some. Usually we'll do math and the fine motor skills box of LHFHG first. If there is a manipulative of some sort, we'll let the 2 year old join in. If not, I pull out a special tub of toys/books that I have set aside for the toddler to use during school time. I'll put it right on the table or the floor next to where we're working, so he's included. (I have different tubs labeled 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). I rotate through them when I need them. I just put things in them that we already had at home.

Next, we'll play the music CD Hide Em in Your Heart and do the Rhymes in Motion. The toddler joins in.

Now, it's time for the chunk where we need it quiet, so my toddler heads up to his crib for playtime with his books and toys. I made a "Mommy Tape" with my voice reading a nursery rhyme book, counting books, Bible stories, etc. I also sing and say the names of family members etc. Then, read more on tape. It lasts about 30 minutes. I put toys and books in his crib and shut the door. When he gets a little older, he can have time in his room without being in the crib, but for now I need him safe.

Then, my 5 year old and I go through the remaining boxes on the left side of LHFHG (Reading About History, Bible Study, and the bottom left rotating box). If time, we also do phonics during this chunk of time.

Then, the toddler comes down and everyone has recess together. At our house, we come back in and work a little more with the big boys and then, it's lunch. During lunch is a great time to read-aloud (which is the final box left in "Little Hearts...." storytime). You're done!

Blessings,
Carrie

Carrie,
Thanks so much. That sounds like a great plan. Today we actually got some time while DS was occupied with play dough. I'll have to remember to do things that he can be included in first.

Melanie,
I know she's technically still 4, but she'll be 5 in just 4 short weeks. And we are using LHFHG as her K program to last through next year since we tend to take many breaks effectively getting school about 3 out of 5 days a week. Plus she was bored with LHTH, so we moved on. But since LHFHG takes longer I needed some help getting it flowing well for us.

That's good to hear! Ya know, Julie posted awhile back about how she started Little Hearts with her little guy. He was finished with Little Hands, but not quite up to a full day with Little Hearts so she just did one side of the page a day. About half-way through the year, she said she was able to do the whole 2-page spread in one day. You may want to consider something along those lines.

I just don't want you and your dd burned out by first grade!

I can totally relate.

I won't add anything to what has already been said. I just want you to know you are NOT alone.