New babies, how long of a break?

[mammabear5]

Next year I will be homeschooling a 3rd grader with Bigger and a Kindergartner with Little Hearts. We are expecting twins in August. I also have two other toddlers at home. So here is my question. Would it work better to start school in July and get about 4 weeks in before the babies are born or wait to start until the middle of September? I had been planning on starting in July, but I am not sure if it will be good to take a 4-6 week break after just starting a new program. Has anyone else been in this situation before? Any advice or suggestions?

[Mom2Monkeys]

I'm going to be homeschooling my K'er and 3rd grader with Bigger and Little Hearts AND I'm expecting in late fall (just one!) AND I am chasing a toddler (just one again!). So we're facing very similar circumstances. I have reacted with fear and absolute panic...but I'll try to remain calm for you LOL

I'm starting now and getting as much as we reasonably can done in the summer...it's going to be hot and I'm going to be big...no sense in being in the heat! And no sense in not getting some progress in school while we're in. That way, I'll be able to break for several weeks once the baby comes and I won't have to play catch up. I'm working on training my older to be more independent in her schooling and take some ownership of the work. I just posted a link to see pictures of the schedule I made to help her make this transition. She has enjoyed it today and is learning that wasting her time in school is no longer wasting my time-- so she tries harder to get done in a reasonable time.
She is also going to be helping with my K'er some...I'll teach math, phonics, handwriting, and Bible. She'll do the rest while my toddler naps and I get some down time...the 3rd and K'er don't like naps anymore, so they can do school together! They'll enjoy it-- I think (or hope!)

I have already had 2 months off though due to moving, traveling, morning sickness and extreme fatigue...so maybe a July start would even that out for you. We are in Unit 2 of Bigger this week (and probably still there next week!) and the end of Unit 1 or starting 2 in Little Hearts. We did about a week of each before we took our sudden break and we just picked back up where we left off. We'll do it over the summer, but take it easy and really bump it up to full speed as soon as August gets here.

HTH!

[netpea]

Well, I am due in Dec and plan to take off all of December this year. So we are starting up our new year tomorrow. We will have one week on and then three weeks off due to houseguests, then pick up again and go through till Dec with a week off here and there. That way I'll be ahead of the game so to speak.

[Mom4Him]

I am new to HOD & next year will be our first year... so I'm not much for advice... but I am also expecting in early September (praying for late August though because of my brother's wedding at the end of September), but since we are just starting LHTH with some K materials added on, I'm hoping to get everything really ready before baby arrives and then start up when it seems we are ready afterward- I figure it could be good time with Mommy as I recover, but if it doesn't fit in for a month or so, we will just wait.
I also wanted to encourage you!! My oldest girls (now 4 1/2) are twins & they have been such a blessing (along with my other two)! Many people will be discouraging as they give you advice & tell you how much more work it is to have twins- but as I am sure it is with your children- I wouldn't exchange them for the world! They are such precious gifts... My twins ended up needing to stay in the hospital for 2 1/2 weeks after they were born because they were born 8 weeks early... so there is a chance God could send those babies into your arms earlier then you realized (my cousin also had twins & made it all the way to her due date). God places exactly who He wants in our family at just the right time & it works out so beautifully. I will be praying for you as you make decisions & as your family goes through so many transitions!
In Christ,
Jessica

[my3sons]

When I was expecting, I had the mindset to get as much done before the baby arrived as possible, then take 2-3 weeks off, and go back to homeschooling half-speed for a bit. Then, full-speed. This worked well for us. I found it easier to be homeschooling than have it be "free time" all day for our boys. But you will know best!

In Christ,
Julie