Anyone expecting?

[slavila]

Just wondered if anyone else will be having a baby during the school year and how you are preparing. I'm due January 1, 2009 with baby #4. This year I am doing Beyond with my first grader and Little Hands with my preschooler and I was have a 16 month old. I'm starting a month early so that it will give us a little time off when the baby comes and I'm hoping to just school all the way through until the baby arrives (hoping and praying I have the energy) since I'm not sure how school will go after the baby arrives.

Any BTDT moms have any advice on how to handle and prepare having a baby during the school year and what to expect?!!

Sarah

[paliz]

I was this past spring. We did school up until baby came without problems. I took about a week or so off and then it was very helpful to get back into rountine. Having a newborn really wasn't difficult because they eat and sleep. Storytime was great when they were eating because I could hold the baby and the book or listen to my child read which ever the case was at the time. Now when we start back next week it will be a little more interesting as the baby is starting to roll and will be getting more mobile as we go.

[madlib]

I was pregnant last school year - I delivered my 3rd daughter at the end of April. I taught right up until a week or so before I delivered then took a long break. I started last week using Beyond with my dd 7 for 2nd grade. I also have a 3 year old dd that I use some R&S and Kumon workbooks with. So far its going great. I think that the HOD programs are very easy to use with a baby. I try to schedule the areas that are more hands on and they will need more help (like Math, Science, etc) for when the baby is sleeping. I can then do storytime, read aloud the history portion, go over Bible verses, etc. while I am feeding and or holding the baby. This program is so flexible. My children (even the 3 year od who listens in) are really enjoying it.

Blessing for a happy and healthy pregnancy!

Robin

[inHistiming]

I am; due in March. I'm trying to figure out myself how things are going to work. I'm planning to start school in a couple of weeks, and go through until the baby is born...taking 1-2 weeks off at Thanksgiving, and 2 weeks at Christmas, then maybe 2 weeks once the baby is here. That will still allow us to finish by mid-June. I'm praying we will get into a good 'groove' quickly and then it will be smooth-sailing from there!

[eazbnsmom]

I am not expecting, but had a baby last summer. I find it is actually easier to school with an infant (because they nap more, don't get into things, can read while nursing etc) than it is to school with a toddler. The nice thing about HOD (which I didn't use last year but wish I had...but I didn't know about it) is the way it is easy to do a box here and there and you can arrange it around a baby's schedule....there is also no to little prep....

I think you will be fine.....tired but fine!

[Motherjoy]

I've been pregnant or had a newborn each schoolyear since we officially started when oldest was 6. We have another due in Sept. I agree that schooling with a newborn is easy. ITs the toddlers that make it crazy!

We've struggled these last three to four years with figuring out what works for our family, and being disciplined enough to get school done. The major planning, outlining, combining several different books, etc that I did the first year became such a drudge. I have figured out that I HAVE to have program that is already done for me. Thank the Lord I found HOD. I'm exciting to start next week with Preparing and LIttle Hands.

[SandKsmama]

I am! Expecting #4 in February. My next youngest just turned 5, and we've only homeschooled 4 years, so I have NO idea what it's like to homeschool through pregnancy or with a newborn. I guess I'll find out! I imagine I will be VERY thankful for the "pick up and go" aspect of HOD when the time comes. We're starting school today, and I'm already very thankful not to have much if any prep time, b/c I'm still struggling with all day/all night, all the time sickness. Fun to see all the expecting mommies on here!

[holyhart]

I'm having baby #3 on Thursday. The plan is to only take off about 2 weeks but we'll see how everything goes. I'm hoping that it might be less than two weeks or at least if we don't get into full schedule, that we at least do half-days or a couple days a week till we get back into full swing.

I figure if I can do it with my high-energy 2 yr old ds, the baby should be easy! I can wear the baby if I need to and still get things done....not so much with my two year old!

[slavila]

Thank you all for your replies!! Like most of you said, I think this year will be fairly "easy" with a newborn since they sleep a lot and aren't mobile! It's next year that will be a bit tougher when the baby is about 9 months and starting to get around! This year I have a busy 16 month in tow, so I should be used a tag-along by the time the baby comes!!

Congrats to all you expecting mommies! It's nice to hear from others in the same boat, and from those who have previous experience!

inHistiming - what part of NY are you from? This is my first year reporting for NY and I'm a little nervous about all the regulations. I'm in the Victor school district. We live in Farmington which is kind of between Rochester and the Finger Lakes. Congrats on your new blessing!

Kelly - I'm praying for you and your little one - I pray that you have a healthy delivery and baby (and an easy and quick recovery)!! Enjoy this awesome time!! Wow, you meet your little one tomorrow - how exciting!!

[granolamom6]

Add me to the list! Baby #5 is due in early March.

Our first year of schooling -- 8 years ago -- I had a baby and a pre-schooler and was trying to do way to much with my K ds.

I agree with what has already been said, schooling with a newborn is a piece of cake compared to schooling with a toddler... but, that said, it does depend on the toddler, too.

My challenge right now is getting the gumption up to get back into the school swing during this early part of pregnancy. I have been very nauseous and tired. As my dear friend MamaMary reminded me, I am in "survival mode" right now, and I need to accept that. This too shall pass and a more normal way of life shall return. (It will, right?) So for now, I am thankful for summer and that my dh is home more because he is on break from his teaching job and that co-op will be starting soon.

Blessings to all you other "with-child" mommas! Hang in there! We are doing important work.

[SheriPrescott]

We just started school this week (http://sheriprescott.blogspot.com) and are expecting a precious baby boy in 2 weeks!!! I'm interested to see how things go with a newborn, 2 year old, and 5 year old in Little Hearts... but as always, I know our Lord is faithful and will give all of us mothers strength, wisdom, and patience as we transistion.

I've also really appreciated the ideas you seasoned homeschooling mothers have given. Thanks so much!!! Keep them coming!

Hugs & Blessings to all the expecting mothers out there! ~ Sheri

[inHistiming]

slavila-

I pm'd you with that info.

[Mom25]

We're having baby #5 in November, so we're starting our year early (Aug. 18) and plan to take several weeks off. Like the others have said, it is easy to school with a newborn, but the toddler is more tricky (did this two years ago). I also have older kids who can help with my current toddler, which helps a lot. HSing with little ones is good training for family unity!

[peridot]

I am due in about 7-8wks...give or take. I am planning to take about 2wks off and ease back into it. Right now, things are going pretty well. My children's ages are almost 8, 5.5 and 3...then there will be the newborn. I think it will fit very well with a newborn in the house. I won't have to hunt anything down, since most is contained in the AWESOME TM's! Like other's have said, it will take a little tweaking when the baby gets more mobile. Hey that is what is fun about babies!

[melzy71]

I am due Jan 7th 2009 just a week behind you! I am planning on starting school next week just a little bit early and not taking our usual month off for Dec. I will be taking the first month after the baby is born off cause I know I won't feel like nor beable to get school done that first month. I am doing Beyond with just one child... my oldest is going to public school (looooong story there) so I won't have to worry about him. Other than a few schedule mods I won't be doing anything much different. Also wanted to add, one reason why I picked Beyond for this year was because I have like 6 books for school and that's it. When I was doing AO I would end up with soooo many books I just kind of got discouraged cause some of them we wouldn't get to really because there were too many to keep up with. I like uncomplicated right now at this point in my life