Hey there I have been quite for awhile it has been so busy I haven't had time to do much. Anyways I was planning on doing three HOD's in the fall and I just found out that I am pregnant with #6! Happy but overwhelmed. How can I homeschool three programs and take care of a newborn is this possiable? Right now I have 8,6,4,3 and 1 year now. Any suggestions?
Sheila mom to five kids sixth on the way due in feb.
How do you do it?
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susie in ms
- Posts: 230
- Joined: Sat Feb 16, 2008 2:37 pm
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I am sooo happy for you!!! I can smell that sweet baby breath and feel that soft skin against my cheek now. Awwwwe. This is just ME, but I would narrow your programs to two if at all possible. I was so busy nursing and changing diapers when Hannah was first born that I was glad it was summer and NO school. And my kiddos were old enough to fend for themselves at the ages there were. You have little ones so I would cut back if possible. Maybe even stop school for a couple of months after the wee one has graced us with his presence. 
Congrats again!!
Congrats again!!Susie ~ servant to Christ, wife to Ricky for 25 years, mom to Trisha 22, Kris 21, Joshua 19 and Hannah Grace almost 4.
Loving Little Hands to Heaven!
Loving Little Hands to Heaven!
Dear Sheila,
Congratulations!!!!
We just welcomed our 6th baby one month ago! and have similar ages!
I would pray and consider some options...
First, be aware of your homeschool law and what you need to do to be in compliance...
Second, consider your pregnancies... with our latest blessing I was very sick in the beginning and not doing well by week 36. This will impact your
schooling...
Third, consider your summer... can you start school sooner rather than later and go full force for as long as you can... or maybe your summer will be working thru nausea and fatigue? ( If you have to school for a certain amt. of days this might help you...)
Fourth, do not expect to school full force ( or even at all) with a newborn.
Just some thoughts,
May the Lord bless AND strengthen you!!
Rebecca
Congratulations!!!!
We just welcomed our 6th baby one month ago! and have similar ages!
I would pray and consider some options...
First, be aware of your homeschool law and what you need to do to be in compliance...
Second, consider your pregnancies... with our latest blessing I was very sick in the beginning and not doing well by week 36. This will impact your
schooling...
Third, consider your summer... can you start school sooner rather than later and go full force for as long as you can... or maybe your summer will be working thru nausea and fatigue? ( If you have to school for a certain amt. of days this might help you...)
Fourth, do not expect to school full force ( or even at all) with a newborn.
Just some thoughts,
May the Lord bless AND strengthen you!!
Rebecca
Just wanted to send my sincere *CONGRATULATIONS*!! I always wanted a big family, but I was very fortunate to get the 3 I have. I am always so very happy to hear of others getting their dreams come true!
Keep us posted, and we will all be praying for a healthy pregnancy!
Mel
Keep us posted, and we will all be praying for a healthy pregnancy!
MelUsing LHFHG with
ds - '00
dd - '00
dd - '02
ds - '00
dd - '00
dd - '02
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netpea
Re: How do you do it?
Congratulations!yayadaisy wrote: I just found out that I am pregnant with #6! Right now I have 8,6,4,3 and 1 year now.
I am blessed with 2 wonderful healthy children. I am the youngest of 6 though and I am just a twinge jealous of those of you who have more than 2.... I know I'm not supposed to covet, I'm working on that.
Anyway, as someone else said, can you go through the summer knowing that you will be taking time off in Feb, March, april ?
Also, can you combine kids into just 2 programs?
Shelia,
Congratulations!
The following is just my opinion, take it for what it's worth.
I would really cut down the number of programs you're thinking of using. I would think that the three youngest children would not fall under any schooling requirement as yet, correct? In other words--you don't have to school them this year. So that would eliminate one program there. Let them tag along with the others, but with a newborn on the way and 3 under 5, I would not add any more to my day, if I were in your shoes.
Now, how about the 6 yo. How does this child stand on phonics, reading, math skills? Would it be possible to combine the 8 and 6 yo in Beyond, lets say, and you could use DITHOR with the 8 yo and either a reading program or emerging readers for the 6 yo? If you did it this way you'd be doing one program, but customizing math, reading, language arts for each child. So history, science, Bible, memory verses, etc. would be the same, and provide cuddle time on the couch or bed for all who are interested.
Someone previously mentioned schooling now and taking a break when the baby is born. Excellent idea. We did this when our 3rd came along almost 11 years after our second born. He was due in late October, so we started school in July--my son was in 9th grade at the time--so we had the whole high school thing to deal with. Anyway, we started in July and went full speed--sometimes it even felt like warp speed until the baby was born. Then we took school off until the New Year. After the baby comes, you could have them continue to read and do math drill--even having the 8 yo listen to the 6yo read or read to all the youngers. Or if you didn't want to fully stop--take a couple of weeks off and just concentrate on math/reading for a bit--say three days a week instead of five. If you're feeling up to it, you could even slow whatever program you're doing down to two or three days a week as you are able. The beauty of home schooling is that the decision rests with you. My fear is that trying to do three or even two programs at this point is a recipe for exhaustion for you with a dollop of burnout on the side. As I said on a similar post on the board--Simplify. Relax. Enjoy.
Congratulations!
The following is just my opinion, take it for what it's worth.
I would really cut down the number of programs you're thinking of using. I would think that the three youngest children would not fall under any schooling requirement as yet, correct? In other words--you don't have to school them this year. So that would eliminate one program there. Let them tag along with the others, but with a newborn on the way and 3 under 5, I would not add any more to my day, if I were in your shoes.
Now, how about the 6 yo. How does this child stand on phonics, reading, math skills? Would it be possible to combine the 8 and 6 yo in Beyond, lets say, and you could use DITHOR with the 8 yo and either a reading program or emerging readers for the 6 yo? If you did it this way you'd be doing one program, but customizing math, reading, language arts for each child. So history, science, Bible, memory verses, etc. would be the same, and provide cuddle time on the couch or bed for all who are interested.
Someone previously mentioned schooling now and taking a break when the baby is born. Excellent idea. We did this when our 3rd came along almost 11 years after our second born. He was due in late October, so we started school in July--my son was in 9th grade at the time--so we had the whole high school thing to deal with. Anyway, we started in July and went full speed--sometimes it even felt like warp speed until the baby was born. Then we took school off until the New Year. After the baby comes, you could have them continue to read and do math drill--even having the 8 yo listen to the 6yo read or read to all the youngers. Or if you didn't want to fully stop--take a couple of weeks off and just concentrate on math/reading for a bit--say three days a week instead of five. If you're feeling up to it, you could even slow whatever program you're doing down to two or three days a week as you are able. The beauty of home schooling is that the decision rests with you. My fear is that trying to do three or even two programs at this point is a recipe for exhaustion for you with a dollop of burnout on the side. As I said on a similar post on the board--Simplify. Relax. Enjoy.
Jen
Hsing mom of 3:
DS (20) college, home educated k-12
DD (17) 12th grade (2009-10), home educated
DS (6) Beyond (2009-10, have already started--loving it, btw!)
Hsing mom of 3:
DS (20) college, home educated k-12
DD (17) 12th grade (2009-10), home educated
DS (6) Beyond (2009-10, have already started--loving it, btw!)
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mom2boys030507
- Posts: 208
- Joined: Mon Oct 01, 2007 2:05 pm
- Location: Cottage Grove, MN
- Contact:
So much great info. ladies thank you! In Minnestoa we don't really have any required days we need to teach or hours we just have to send in report cards to the school every quarter. My kids are not strong readers at all. My oldest has a LD in reading and my 6yr old is still not reading on her own. They are at the same level in reading. What are everyones thoughts on really focusing on just reading and math until they get stronger in them and then starting up with the rest of the HOD program? and when baby comes maybe we will take a break for a month or two. I could try to school from July and August. If I did it three to four days a week starting in mid July and took two months off in Feb/March do you think the kids would really suffer. I know they wouldn't get through the HOD program in one year, but could maybe skip some things? I don't know yet. So far not bad morning sickness, but I am only 5wks at this point. My mind is running crazy right now I can't seem to focus on any one thing! Preggo brian already!
Sheila mom to five sixth due in FEb.
Sheila mom to five sixth due in FEb.
Based on the latest info you provided, it sounds like the 8 and 6 yo would definitely go into the same program. Now you need to decide which one. Have you taken a look at the placement chart? http://www.heartofdakota.com/placing-your-child.php
Sounds like your kids are borderline between Little Hearts and Beyond. I'd go with Little Hearts, because it's easier to beef up a program than to slow one down. What's nice about Little Hearts is that there is a great list of books in the appendix that can be used as read-alouds to add more content to the history readings. I'm doing Little Hearts with my soon to be 6 yo, and we spend the lion's share of the time in the phonics and math work, but he really looks forward to the reading time, so I don't know that I would cut that out. But if your children already struggle with reading, I would for sure not totally stop that once the baby comes. Even if you just get it in a couple of times a week, do that. But to totally stop it will take you back to square one. I found that with my 5yo after three weeks off at Christmas this past December. Those very new skills really need to be practiced to reinforce them. Also, don't worry about finishing a guide in a year. This is about what is best for you and your family. If that means getting halfway through the guide, so be it. If it means concentrating on math and reading for a period of time--do that. I wouldn't make it a steady diet of just those for the year, however, since the other stuff is 'fun' and often what the kids, mine at least, really look forward to.
Keep talking--it gives us a clearer picture of where you are each time you post.
Sounds like your kids are borderline between Little Hearts and Beyond. I'd go with Little Hearts, because it's easier to beef up a program than to slow one down. What's nice about Little Hearts is that there is a great list of books in the appendix that can be used as read-alouds to add more content to the history readings. I'm doing Little Hearts with my soon to be 6 yo, and we spend the lion's share of the time in the phonics and math work, but he really looks forward to the reading time, so I don't know that I would cut that out. But if your children already struggle with reading, I would for sure not totally stop that once the baby comes. Even if you just get it in a couple of times a week, do that. But to totally stop it will take you back to square one. I found that with my 5yo after three weeks off at Christmas this past December. Those very new skills really need to be practiced to reinforce them. Also, don't worry about finishing a guide in a year. This is about what is best for you and your family. If that means getting halfway through the guide, so be it. If it means concentrating on math and reading for a period of time--do that. I wouldn't make it a steady diet of just those for the year, however, since the other stuff is 'fun' and often what the kids, mine at least, really look forward to.
Keep talking--it gives us a clearer picture of where you are each time you post.
Jen
Hsing mom of 3:
DS (20) college, home educated k-12
DD (17) 12th grade (2009-10), home educated
DS (6) Beyond (2009-10, have already started--loving it, btw!)
Hsing mom of 3:
DS (20) college, home educated k-12
DD (17) 12th grade (2009-10), home educated
DS (6) Beyond (2009-10, have already started--loving it, btw!)
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water2wine
- Posts: 2743
- Joined: Mon Nov 26, 2007 7:24 pm
- Location: GA
Congratulations! You are going to love having six. Honestly can I tell you that the jump from five to six is nothing. I would do at most two and possibly just one even. Your younger two do not have to be doing school if you feel really horrible. But still I would look at LHTH for the younger two and just have fun with it. Your six year old would be on track with LHFHG it sounds like. And I tend to think that would be best for your eight year old as well. I have a dd that is ten and is reading on the end of the year first grade level. From my experience what really works best is having an easier path on everything except possibly Math and focus all extra efforts on reading.
I think if the 8 year old were looking at Beyond level I may still do LHFHG and get Beyond just for LA and Math but do LHFHG for them as their program. Honestly it is what I would recommend pregnant or not. Because when you have one delayed you just have to slow the rest down to get the reading on track before that snow balls. LHFHG has plenty there and if you want more just check out the appendix.
HTH and happy baby!
I think if the 8 year old were looking at Beyond level I may still do LHFHG and get Beyond just for LA and Math but do LHFHG for them as their program. Honestly it is what I would recommend pregnant or not. Because when you have one delayed you just have to slow the rest down to get the reading on track before that snow balls. LHFHG has plenty there and if you want more just check out the appendix.
HTH and happy baby!
All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13
~Six lovies from God~4 by blessing of adoption
-MTMM (HS), Rev to Rev, CTC, DITHR
We LOVED LHFHG/Beyond/Bigger/Preparing/CTC/RTR/Rev to Rev (HS)
~Six lovies from God~4 by blessing of adoption
-MTMM (HS), Rev to Rev, CTC, DITHR
We LOVED LHFHG/Beyond/Bigger/Preparing/CTC/RTR/Rev to Rev (HS)
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amysconfections
- Posts: 247
- Joined: Sun Sep 30, 2007 1:37 pm
- Location: AL
I agree to combine your two oldest. I personally wouldn't break from the program just to do reading but would work hard on reading also or at least do half days of the program you choose and extra reading. If they are weak readers then reading out loud to them is one great thing you can do to help them. You could get LHTH to do with your younger ones when you have time. But not expecting to do it every day.
Amy
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Heart of Dakota user since 2007.
T-18 Masters degree Cyber Security WGU
T-16 Bachelors in Cyber Security WGU
A-12 Res to Ref
A-10 Res to Ref
Heart of Dakota user since 2007.
Re: How do you do it?
Oh Sheila..., CONGRATUATIONS! I am so happy for you! Looking at the ages of your children, if you find that you are feeling overwhelmed I would ditch the younger program and just do ONE with the children you can combine into it. Having a large family is such a blessing and HOD makes it so easy to do multiple programs, but with your ages so close it would be ok if you didn't do anything with your youngers except read to them, pray with them and play with them!yayadaisy wrote:Hey there I have been quite for awhile it has been so busy I haven't had time to do much. Anyways I was planning on doing three HOD's in the fall and I just found out that I am pregnant with #6! Happy but overwhelmed. How can I homeschool three programs and take care of a newborn is this possiable? Right now I have 8,6,4,3 and 1 year now. Any suggestions?
Sheila mom to five kids sixth on the way due in feb.
Mary, Mama to 4 amazing sons and wife to one incredible husband! Come check us out on the blog: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/MamaMary/
What a great suggestion about combining the older two into LHFHG I hadn't thought of that. I thought about doing them both in beyond, but saw it was to much for the younger one. That seems so much more doable. I know I could easy beef up the LA if I needed to and Math I already have seperate books for them anyways. that is such a releif I don't know why I didn't think of it! I could probably do LHTH once or twice a week. I am feeling okay about this I can't thank you ladies enough for all the great adivce and wisdom. I have along way to go yet I am only 5 weeks along but so far feel pretty good. I think I will start school soon so we can get into a routine.
Sheila mom to five kids sixth one due in Feb.
Sheila mom to five kids sixth one due in Feb.