Help I feel like I am drowning!!!!!!!!

[learning6]

I feel as though all I get done is school. I know that this curriculum is written so that a mother can teach all of her children at once but I just can't get it all done. Teaching ages 10,8,6,5, and two year old twin boys making me feel like I am one step away from the looney bin and it is only the fourth week of school.

[Happy2bMommyof3]

Hi, I'd love it if you could let us know the program(s) you are using with your dc. Maybe then we could better help you. There is so much wisdom on this board and so much experience to be shared. I have been talked off the bridge several times .

[learning6]

I am using BHFHG with 8 and 7 yr old, extensions for 10 yr old, and Sonlight kindergarten for 5 yr old. Two year old twins are working on potty training hummmmm. I do try to tweek the curiculum maybe I just am trying to change it to much. 8 yr old can take an hour to fill out one phonics worksheet front and back and can take from one to two hours to do one math assignment.

[Happy2bMommyof3]

We are using Bigger as well, although I only have one child in it right now. I'm not sure about the phonics...is it part of the package you chose for bigger? We don't have phonics right now. I'm wondering if it is necessary or if it is an add-on...

Just a thought, something that has helped me is to do the teaching part of the assignment (ex. English or Math) and then walk away to work with the younger children, or prepare lunch or do a chore... If I am sure the lesson was understood, but just not completed in a timely manner, I'll let my dd complete it for "homework". She knows she can't have free time until it's finished so that usually gives the incentive for her to get it done.

Also, my youngest dd is in rod and staff pre-K and my ds in doing the workbooks that go along with LHFHG plus his reading program, etc. I find that it is easier to get my oldest dd started doing something independent from Bigger for the day while I work with the younger dc first thing in the morning. Then she'll usually play with whichever one of my younger dc is finished with their school until I finish with the other...

Also, If I were like you with several in one program, I would probably set a time limit on the boxes. That way if you have a straggler that is just not feeling like applying him or herself that day, they won't hold everyone else up who has completed their work in a timely manner. Then at the end of the allotted time (assuming the straggler understood the assignment) you could assign it for homework. That way once you're finished teaching for the day, you can move on to all of your other mom duties instead of working on the program until late in the day when everyone gets done. And remember, you don't have to do it straight through either. Maybe you could do a box or two, then take a 20 minute break (or however long you wish) to spend time with the little pottytrainers and then get back to the program.

Also, utilize naptime to the fullest! Save boxes that might need uninterrupted attention for naptime.

I am hoping maybe some of this helps. I think what you're doing is great and it is definitely doable, it just takes some time to get into the groove...I know. A few weeks ago I was ready to call the babysitter and book a flight to Fiji , but the ladies on this board really helped me sort it out. I think I just learned to slow down and stop stressing and enjoy the journey instead of just being focused on "getting it done". Once I started doing that, "getting it done" somehow became easy!

[learning6]

I want to thank you for your advice. I have been considering droping the phonics with dd but felt kind of guilty (silly, perfectionist). After talking it over with husband he said to increase the time she spends reading, since he enjoys it and ax the phonics. I thank you for taking the time to give advice. I tend to get caught up on what will people think if we don't do this or we don't cover that or will daughter fail in life because she didn't finish her phonics book. This year dd takes first achievement test (required by state law) and I feel that she is not ready and whose fault is that hummmmm. All she can do is take one step at a time which she is doing and I need to let her learn at her own pace, still that can be hard when the state measures her/your success by an achievement test. God Bless you for your kindness.

[Tree House Academy]

Are you finding that Sonlight is taking most of your time? Your 10 y/o can be very independent with the work in Bigger, if you think that would help you. Carrie once gave me some great suggestions for making that work. Where are you finding your biggest struggles? Is History just taking forever? Are the kids not understanding or able to do the work? Just give us a bit more about what is happening and I am sure we can all pull together and give you lots of help to make things go more smoothly.

You have great bones in that you have 3 kiddoes using the same program. That will make things much easier as everyone is doing the same things in History, Sciences, Bible, Poetry, and Storytime.

Hope to hear back from you soon! Hang in there.

[Carrie]

learning6,

The ladies are doing a great job of helping you talk through some helps! I'll just move this post over to the Main Board where more moms will see it. All new posts begin on the Main Board.

Blessings,
Carrie

[learning6]

I really think that most of my time is spent with 7 and 8 year old completing math, phonics, reading, etc. so that I have very little time for the history and the science boxes. 10 yr old is GREAT at moving along independently. Sonlight is well ironed out it is my third year using the program with a kindergartner so I know what can be overlooked and what needs to be emphasized. Twin tots cause lots of exhaustion/craziness, where was I moments I guess it is just my season and these days will quickly calm down. It just is soooo overwelming at times. It does help to talk about it though.


learning6
married 11years
children 10,8,7,5, and two twosies

[mommadonna]

learning6,
WHEW!! Take a deep breath! I cannot imagine how busy a momma you must be! I am only schooling one at this point, but I can relate to the constant interruptions and such of toddlers. At our house, we almost always have to use nap time for school. I don't really mind, I just have these mental images of a peaceful, quiet time....not so much here! But really, we have a great time doing school. For now, we just have to try to do it without the 17mo wild man around! And truly, play doh has saved my life with the 3yo. We have just completed week 5 and the kiddos are just now beginning to realize that we have to have a quiet time to get the work done. So, I would say that things will settle in a bit more as you go.

It is so easy to get caught up in worrying about what others will think, but I would try to be confident in my choices. Try not to stress too much about the testing, we haven't had to face that, but I am sure it will go fine. And potty training TWO ....well, let's just say that I am lifting you up to the Father, knowing that we can do all things through HIM!

I sincerely hope that helps....I am sure some of the other more experienced moms will chime in with more practical advice. Take care!

[pjdobro]

Oh my! Your plate is very full! I remember trying to potty train twins and it was exhausting by itself. I admire you potty training boys at two. My dd was ready then, but not my ds. I tried many times over the the 2's, 3's and was beginning to think it would never happen but the finally went on when we was 4 and he trained literally overnight. Anyway, I really admire you for all that you have going on. I'm doing Bigger here with my two who are in the same math and grammar and that is enough on my plate! Take heart though, God knows you can handle it or He wouldn't have entrusted you with so much.

What phonics, reading, and math are you using? Typically a Singapore lesson with the activities will only be about 20 minutes long. The emerging readers only take about 15-20 minutes. DITHOR should only take about 30 minutes. How much independence are you able to give your older children with these tasks? I know still listening to two readers a day seems to take a fair amount of time for me and you probably have 3 to listen to! I'm wondering if possibly the older dc wouldn't have to read to you everyday? Would your oldest be able to help some by working some with the younger children? The other thing I was thinking is that you might to slow down to 1/2 pace for a while just to help you ease into things. It might help you a little until everyone is able to assume more independence with their work and maybe until the potty training is at a better place. Those are just a couple of thoughts. Hang in there!

[learning6]

I use Horizons math by Alpha Omega with all of my school age kids. Most of the children complete this in a timely matter. Eight year old is very dependent and does not want to read or do anything without me there. I do not listen to my ten year old read anymore she does fine on her own. I have thought about putting 10 yr old and five yr old together for some subjects. But have yet to iron out the details of that. I listen to two beginning readers a day, while I drift in and out of sleep (I know when the child is quiet they have come to a word they don't know). Your advice has been very helpful.

[pjdobro]

I listen to two beginning readers a day, while I drift in and out of sleep (I know when the child is quiet they have come to a word they don't know).

I can so relate to this! I have one reader who is still difficult to listen to and it is so difficult to focus on listening to him read when I have so many other things that I feel need to be done or when I can hardly hold my eyes open. I usually try to have a cup of coffee while I am listening. That helps a little.

Eight year old is very dependent and does not want to read or do anything without me there.

That's so tough. The great thing is that will change over time. Sometimes I dream of the day when my dc are really independent because I'm tired and I need a break. Then I stop and consider that this time is so fleeting and the time of dependence really is a precious time of nurturing them and our relationship. It's difficult though because there are so many other things around me that I feel aren't getting done like they should. (sigh) It's such a balancing act and that is with just my two!

One thing perhaps that will encourage you that has encouraged me this year is something that I've read on this board time and time again. Bigger is a stepping stone to independence. This is the year that we will put in the most teacher time. It's the year that we train them to be more independent. Next year when they do Preparing, they will be able to do several of the boxes independently and even more will be semi-independent. So when the day runs longer than I feel it should this year (today was one of those days ), I remind myself that the time I'm investing now will really pay off later.

[mom23]

Perhaps this is really bad-keep in mind that I'm completely new to homeschooling our two this year-but this is what worked for me. I gave myself permission to drop back to the "basics" temporarily. Our kids were adjusting to being out of the public school, I was chasing a 3yo (who was potty trained, so I had a BIG step up from your situation) and fighting morning sickness and the tiredness that seemed to be much worse the 4th time around than I remember... Anyway, I decided to just concentrate on math, reading, writing (and spelling with the 1st grader) until we got our footing under us a little bit. Now that the kids are adjusting to expectations (home is not just for playtime-we do have to sit and do some school each day) and the morning sickness is over, I'm feeling that we're ready to go back to where we left off in the other subjects. We also had to do some experimenting with our schedule. I had at first been trying to leave our morning hours available for family things (when my husband was home) and starting school in the afternoon when Daddy went to work. I quickly learned that we needed the increased productivity of the morning hours-all of us were much more alert and ready to do some thinking (rather than napping...)

[Tabrett]

Have you tried using SP math as suggested in the curriculum? I was drowning in phonics and math last year and never did any other subjects because of how long phonics and math took. One of the reason I choose HOD was because of Carrie's reason for choosing Singapore math. Here is the link to her reason:

viewtopic.php?p=431#p431

Before reading this post, I never had any intentions of using SP Math. Let me tell you, my dc LOVE SP Math. The lessons are short and my dc are doing great!!!!!!