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I've been struggling getting school done lately, and I just wanted to ask for some encouragment if that's OK? (I hope so, please let me know if it's not).

It's not HOD, we are really enjoying that, and are working through Bigger. But, we've just had a lot going on lately. I started babysitting unexpectedly for a friend dealing with an abusive marriage, so I have an unsettled 5 month old baby with us 4 days a week. We just bought a puppy for our girls, and I am stuggling with the late night / early morning potty trips. And I just found out I will have to have some surgery soon. Nothing major, just some 'girly' problems.

I think I have overloaded my kids a bit (and me too). I am trying to get them to do 1.5 hours of school work on their own each morning (phonics, french, math drills etc, all done online) so that I can settle in the baby and get some of the house work done. Then we have morning tea break and then do Maths (saxon). Then we start Bigger, have a lunch break, and finish off Bigger after lunch, all while dealing with interuptions from the baby and the puppy (which is far more work than I ever knew a dog could be ).

By the end of the day they are drained and grumpy, and so am I .

So, any suggestions on how I can structure my day better

No suggestions, but sending a great big hug you way...
(((((hugs)))))

That's wonderful, what you're doing for your friend and I'm sure your friend truly appreciaties your help during her trials. I don't know what the answer is, but I'm sure the Lord will bless you and work this for good in some way.....HE knows your strength!

We are going through some trials now as well, and I was going to post about it last night. You may have just given me the courage.
Mel

I'm sorry I can't help much with the scheduling. I'm one of the world's worst in that area I did want to give you a cyber hug though and say hang in there! {{{hugs}}}

Aww, thanks for the hugs! You have made me smile .

Melanie, I'm praying for you in whatever it is you are dealing with at the moment.

My two cents... and please just take it at that.....

If life needs to be made simple.... make it just that. Cover the basics and then what you have time for....

Another idea would be to do the readings at bedtime.

Blessings and I will be praying for you.

That's alot to deal with at one time. A baby and a puppy would send me over the edge! I would make it simple. Also, try to get the baby on a routine nap schedule if possible and then school while baby is napping. You might need a baby carrier to hold the baby in so you can get some things done too while baby is awake.

If you haven't already.. get the puppy a crate.. no really its not punishment.. Dogs den! they love to be in a enclosed safe place they also won't (usually) go potty in their den. Crates make your dog feel secure.

and lighten up the load on school as well life has interuptions... don't stress they will learn it really they will

First of all, you are a great friend. Hopefully this situation will resolve itself soon. It is so much harder having someone else's baby than it would be having another of your own. You get your own child into a routine and it's hard to do that easily with someone else's. I think I would really try to get the baby into a nap routine and focus our school time that requires you most then. I might also ask the mom to mimic the nap times you have for the baby as well. Hopefully you can find a routine for the puppy too.

Praying for peace for you and your family.

I am sorry that you are struggling so, we all do at times.
I find that it is best to do "my" teaching time first, when everyone isn't so worn out and then have the dc do their independent work.
Remember, you are not alone!

~Linda

Sounds like you're going to have a lot going on no matter how you schedule school. If it wouldn't upset your girls, I think I'd be tempted to take a week off of school & get a fresh start.

Do you have to do all the subjects every day? Maybe on your baby days you could alternate Math two days a week/HOD two days a week.

Wish I could be more help!

Annie,

The ladies have already given you wonderful words of encouragement and advice! I just wanted to pop-in and encourage you as well.

I agree that it really helps me to do the bulk of my "teaching" in the mornings, as I run out of steam quickly after lunch. So, you may want to consider switching the independent work to after lunch and hit the teaching hard sometime before then.

I usually will get the kiddos started in the morning, then deal with the baby/toddler. Then, I'll work with the kiddos again for a chunk, then send the big boys outside for recess. While the bigger kiddos are at recess, you could do your household chores, put the baby to nap or feed him/her, etc.

Then, when the kiddos come in from recess, I have the baby/toddler settled in, so I am ready to teach a spurt again until lunch. After lunch, I usually have the kids finish up science (and my big boys do grammar and the projecty things in the guide). This way I can oversee them, but my teaching time is minimal (and I can pay attention to the baby/toddler).

Anyway, just some food for thought. Hopefully, this will just be a season of your life (but if not, know that you are not alone and that it will improve as you get into a schedule that works!)

Blessings,
Carrie

Annie, your post has been on my mind. Last year, I was in a situation where on the first day of our school year my twin 10 month old nephews moved in with us while my brother served in Iraq (he's still there, btw). I had full-time care of them many days while my sis-in-law worked as a flight attendant and traveled a lot. This continued off and on throughout our school year. It was very difficult to get it all done and it is just a strange dynamic when you are caring for kids that are not yours (although I certainly loved them like they were my own!) I just want to encourage you that God drew me even closer to Himself during that time when all was rather chaotic and oh so busy. I literally cut out everything from my life that did not HAVE to be done. It was freeing in a way. I don't normally give myself permission to just let go of things. But it helped me to trust the Lord for those things that I couldn't get to and I found peace in that time. Now, not always - there were definitely days that I would not call peaceful, but, overall, it was a growing time. So, give yourself permission to only do what is absolutely necessary and know that God will fill in whatever gaps there may be. I will pray for you.