Now that the first week of "Preparing" is up...

[Motherjoy]

Can you veteran HOD users help me figure out how to implement Preparing and Little Hands for a 10,4,2yo(in August) plus occupy a 1yo and a newborn?

Baby is due in Sept. We will start as soon as Preparing gets here (and I have a few days to look over.)

I'm just not sure how to set up my days, and who to teach first. Any advice?

[mom2boys030507]

Here are my thoughts. I would start your oldest on something independant and do Little Hands with your younger boys. The little one can tag along and just play close by. When they are done I would have them do some independant play while you do some semi-independant work with your oldest. I would leave the teacher directed work to be done in the afternoon during nap time. I hope that helps some.

[Jen in Va]

I agree--naptime is the time to get the stuff done with the older kids who need undivided attention for such things as math--especially if you can get the newborn and 1 yo to nap at the same time. Do you have a 'quiet time' for the other kids--thinking of the 2 and 4 yo here? Time for them to nap or sit quietly on their beds and look at books or play with small toys? Doesn't have to be long--we carried this out of naptime until at least 5 yo or so. You need a break as much as the kids do.

Also, let the 10 yo be involved too. Maybe he/she could read to the 2 and 4 yo a story or play a game or just run around outside while you get the other two down or whatever. I'd try to let the morning be independent work time for the 10 yo. You could do some of the Little Hands stuff at breakfast and/or lunch--read alouds, etc. Take turns reading aloud with the 10 yo while the other eats or wrestles the salt shaker away from one of the younger kids. Then use the naptime/quiet hour for the intense stuff that student needs you for. Kids love to snuggle up on the sofa or bed while mom reads, so you could get some 'school time' in without the kids even knowing what you were doing. I have picture of all of you curled up on the bed before naptime reading a story. Sigh. Wouldn't it be great if those pictures we have in our minds actually made it to reality once in a while

You'll work it out. Enjoy the time with your babes!

[Kathleen]

While I totally understand the logic of the advice you've gotten so far, I wouldn't save everything that needs you for naptime. I'm picturing here...newborn (lack of sleep ), 1 yr old, 2, yr old, 4 yr. old... If it were me, I'd get a precious nap regularly!!! I think starting the 10 y/o on something independent and doing LHTH with the little ones is a great idea. Then, I would probably move the 4, 2, 1 y/o to play together with something that you save only for "school time". Maybe even something that you rotate every few days, so it's interesting. I'd do some of the work that needs you at this time - like 30 min or so. Then something semi-independent while you manage the others.

I don't know what the time-frames are for Preparing...so I know I'm not enough help with an exact schedule. I just know that if I need my younger kids to play together - morning is the only chance for it to go well. I'm sure your situation is different than mine, too. We get to see Daddy while we eat lunch, but he is rarely home before the kids are in bed at night. I'm largely on my own for pretty much the whole day (4 am to 8, 9, 10 pm), so that quiet time in the afternoon is precious to me so I can recharge. If your husband comes home at 5 or 6, you may not need the same alone time in the afternoon that I do.

Just thought I'd share my thoughts...
Kathleen

[Carrie]

Motherjoy,

The ladies are doing a great job of brainstorming with you. It really helps to talk through ideas. I know many moms will share their schedules as we get closer to using the new guide. I don't even have my plan thought out yet. Remember to ask again in a couple of months, and you'll get even more responses.

Blessings,
Carrie