A "little" wrench in my plans...

[kayben]

Soooo, after all the plans. And the plan is to keep all the kiddos home exept the oldest and do Preparing, LHFHG and some of LHTH. If you remember it took a lot of prayer and discussion with DH who doesn't want me overwhelmed and frustrated. Well... Surprise, surprise. Number 8 is on the way! Unexpected and God if you ask me, because it was not in the plan. I am very newly pg and due on January 9, 2010 which is important because the kids are born in, 06, 08, 00, 02, 04, 06, and 08. Whew.. just making it to an even year. LOL

Anyway, say a prayer for me. My family will support us (with lots of annoying comments) but Gary is already hesitant about the homeschooling. I told him having a baby doesn't change my hearts tug to have them home and my feeling that this is where God wants them to be. He says it is just these forums that are so biased toward homeschooling and I could find positive about CS in plenty of place. I agreed they are biased for all the right scriptural reasons, but also feel the Lords pull to do this. We are going out to dinner tonight to talk and celebrate. We only found out yesterday because I usually get my per. right when dd does and she got it three days ago. So I am not even "Due" yet. So please help me feel like it is doable and not insane to attempt with all these little ones. Anyone been there? I only started with a 7 month old last year and he really didn't affect the schooling at all. But a nursing newborn?

Thanks,
Rebecca

PS WE are thrilled... don't get me wrong!

[Mumkins]

I've done it! Not with that many kids. But it's definantly doable. And CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

[dale1088]

Wow! Congratulations!

So, a surprise huh? PM me if you're not sure how this happened...

Will be praying for you! I have such awe for you moms with so many littles! By the grace of God, I have 2. I have no clue how you keep it all together and manage to school so many at those varying ages!

Blessings to you and your family!!!

[kayben]

Let's just say that we were very limited in our time together this month and it was a week from when I would normally have O'd. Sorry if TMI And we will not bother mentioning we were surprised to ANYONE. It's just not worth it, and unnecessary as we certainly are not dissappointed!!

Wow! Congratulations!

So, a surprise huh? PM me if you're not sure how this happened...

Will be praying for you! I have such awe for you moms with so many littles! By the grace of God, I have 2. I have no clue how you keep it all together and manage to school so many at those varying ages!

Blessings to you and your family!!!

[eazbnsmom]

(((REBECCA))) Congratulations. I haven't done HOD when pregnant or w/ new baby, but I have always found it easier to homeschool with and infant than with a toddler! I think you will do fine, but do continue to pray and talk to dh about it!

[Mom2Monkeys]

(((REBECCA))) Congratulations. I haven't done HOD when pregnant or w/ new baby, but I have always found it easier to homeschool with and infant than with a toddler! I think you will do fine, but do continue to pray and talk to dh about it!

Such a good point...here I was with the same worry...how will I homeschool with a new baby?! All the while I have my 2.5 yo running around making things crazy. You've just put my mind at ease. LOL

Congrats Rebecca! You're not far behind me and another HODie. I'm due early December and certainly understand your concerns! My dh is a bit hesitant now as well, but he's coming around. Moving to an "excellent" school district hasn't helped matters any, but God is in control! Oh, this was a little surprise for us too...even though we were VERY limited in our time together and that time was a week before O for me...LOL...yet, here I am with morning sickness and all almost 9 weeks later! Congrats again!

[sharonb]

Congratulations!!!!

I had a baby in September. We actually started the school year last April so I'd be able to take plenty of time off. As I got closer to my due date, we often had weeks where we only did school 2 or 3 days. My oldest was in 1st grade, so we stuck with mainly the 3R's. We took about 2 1/2 weeks completely off when she was born, and then started back up with 2-3 days a week, and eventually got back to our normal 4 days/week. We did most of our school in the living room when I needed to rest (while still pregnant) and nurse (once the baby was born). We weren't using HOD, but it seems very doable with a newborn. The lessons are nice and short, and you can spread them out over the whole day if you need to. It took me a long time to get back into any science/history, BUT, I have a feeling that if I had been using HOD this year, it would have gotten done! Trying to plan stuff myself just didn't happen. But since they are so young, it doesn't matter. They got PLENTY of science just playing in our yard and gardening.

I agree- having a toddler is much more difficult than having a newborn! I have a lot more trouble keeping my 2 year old occupied during school time than I do taking care of the baby (she's 7 months old now and scoots around and plays a lot, plus takes good naps in her crib, so we are able to get our school done pretty easily these days).

If you are feeling that tug from God to homeschool, then don't worry. He will supply the strength and patience you need.

Congrats again! That's very exciting.

[Jessi]

Congrats on the baby! That is just wonderful!!! I am sure if this is what God is calling you to then he'll bring Hubby around. Just share your heart and be open to hearing what your husband has to say. Ask him to genuinely pray about it and do some research on his own. It might help him to come around. Remember he is the "protector" and provider for your family. He is concerned about what's best. Happy and healthy 9 months!

[kayben]

(((REBECCA))) Congratulations. I haven't done HOD when pregnant or w/ new baby, but I have always found it easier to homeschool with and infant than with a toddler! I think you will do fine, but do continue to pray and talk to dh about it!

Such a good point...here I was with the same worry...how will I homeschool with a new baby?! All the while I have my 2.5 yo running around making things crazy. You've just put my mind at ease. LOL

Congrats Rebecca! You're not far behind me and another HODie. I'm due early December and certainly understand your concerns! My dh is a bit hesitant now as well, but he's coming around. Moving to an "excellent" school district hasn't helped matters any, but God is in control! Oh, this was a little surprise for us too...even though we were VERY limited in our time together and that time was a week before O for me...LOL...yet, here I am with morning sickness and all almost 9 weeks later! Congrats again!

That is so funny how similar our stories. At least someone understands...lol.

Thanks for the encouragement everyone. I think If I was still struggling with WP and trying to do too much, I wouldn't even consider it. But HOD just seems more doable and I am going to follow the plan and that is it. No extras other than a different Math program (TT that is computer based). for the older two. The youngers will use Singapore as planned in the guides..

Rebecca.

I think the understanding that I can take it slow is hard to sink in...kwim?

[netpea]

Congratulations on your news! I will have to settle for 3 I think, I can't imagine how much fun your house must be with all that laughter ringing through the halls.

[kayben]

You are all amazing. God truly has led me to this place. I have more support here for both my family size and my homeschooling than I do in my own family. Now, they love us all, but they just kind of shake their heads and sigh But, we always remind them. They don't have to pay to raise them, nor do they have to clothe or feed them. God takes care of that!

[spidermansmum]

Congratulations Rebecca

[mariaw]

Congratulations!

Our "little surprise" was only #4, but I have found that having a new baby is a wonderful part of my kid's education. It wasn't easy right at first, but I know that the older 2 will especially remember and treasure all the extra time with their baby sister. I didn't feel too bad about taking time off after the delivery (about a month), because learning about a little one IS education, and one that they don't get at "big school"!! (hopefully!!)

Obviously, you should do what the Lord leads you and your husband to do. But I just wanted to say that it can be done, and it isn't necessarily detrimental to their educations!

ETA: Also, I don't think I could've had it all together to get them up and ready for school every day if they weren't home!! So it was easier on me, in that sense.

[my3sons]

Congratulations, Rebecca! I have prayed for you that your talk will go well with dh. I understand that concern, and I will say that homeschooling with HOD has convinced my dh over the years that homeschooling is the best way for our family to go. This attitude change did not happen overnight though - so give it some time and as Jessi wisely said, pray about it. God is the God of possibilities - and if something will truly bring Him glory, I believe He will make it happen.

I do not have as many dc as you, but I have had some very intense pregnancies. Complete bedrest, ultrasound appt. every 2 weeks for many months, cerclage surgeries, fibroid surgery, probably about 6 hospitalizations each pregnancy - then after that, premie babies and neonatal intensive care unit stays. I'm not trying to complain here - I am just celebrating the birth of our 3 sons, and how healthy they are today! God is truly amazing! The reason I share this, is I have done HOD through it all - even total bedrest on the couch, where I just had the dc bring me piles of books. It worked, and we not only got through it, we still enjoyed it. In fact, I would have gone nuts without it. I do think it will be all right. Staggering the beginning of HOD programs by a few weeks, or starting them slowly (left side one day, right side the next day) for a bit helps too. It has helped us to make our homeschool schedule around the baby's/toddler's needs first, and then plug in the other dc's needs around that.

Praying for a healthy, happy pregnancy!

In Christ,
Julie

[Carrie]

Rebecca,

Congratulations on your surprise news! After reading your post though, I had to go back and check on what we'd talked through for you to use HOD-wise next year, as I was pretty sure we wouldn't recommend you doing LHTH, Bigger, and Preparing. So, in checking I just wanted to refresh your memory that we planned for Little Hearts and Preparing Hearts (with LHTH on the back burner unless you absolutely get time to do it). We also talked about doing both programs at half-speed to ease on into them doing the left side one day and the right side the next. I'm SO hoping that you ordered those programs and not the ones you mentioned? Please put my mind at ease.

Blessings,
Carrie