newborn and homeschooling older children?

[darcytrue]

Has anyone else done this successfully? Not sure what to ask but I am due in late September. I plan to start school during July so we get a head start and can take a break. I also have a teenager that is able to help with his younger sibling who will be in 2nd grade. In fact, my teen has helped a lot already when I'm down with morning sickness. I'd love to hear some stories on how it has gone for others that have been in this position.

[Momma Aimee]

for what it is worth -- i think THIS year will be a ton eaiser on you than the next two -- -- come on a new born .. in the sling, on the boob, or sleep .. even laying in a bassenet (or up in mom's bed with a monitor) .. sounds a ton less work than fighting my 17 / 18 month old while trying to do ANYTHING with paper or crayons or pens ( )

I think it is great you are starting early -- a long vacation for the new baby was something i was going to suggest.

I think you will be ok with teh Teen helping out.

Best advice -- wiat and see what kind of routine the new beeb put him or her self in to and work with that if you can -- when does baby sleep, or when is baby happiest?

and remember I still think teh new born is gonna be a ton less stress then NEXT year with a new walker at the start of school or 2011 when you have a 2 year old in everything at the start of school

aren't you glad you asked?

AImee

[phathui5]

I've done this several times. The first couple weeks after the baby is born, we're more relaxed about our schedule. After that though, I've found it's helpful for me to get back on track. I feel better postpartum when I'm doing things.

I did get help with the housework after this last baby and I highly recommend it. Then I could focus more on the children.

[earthknitter]

I started homeschooling my second grader this year for the first time! I also have a 2 year old.

I was VERY pregnant, and delivered my 3rd babe on October 12.

So, I was in the same boat as you, and I can honestly tell you, it was the very best decision I have ever made. It is so much easier to keep them home, even when pregnant and caring for a newborn. A newborn babe is happiest at the breast, so I did most of her lessons like that. We did some reading on the couch, I relaxed about what time "school" should start, basically I was just gentle on myself and kids. We took a 2 week break when I delivered. I was worried it was too long, but now at the end of the year, I can say I'm so glad I took it! My baby is now 6 months old and still fits right in our homeschool. Just try not to drive yourself crazy with a tight schedule, allow yourself to rest when you need to, love those beautiful kids and marvel at how lucky you are! You will not believe how much the older ones will still learn. I figured life was wonderful, especially new life, and the best way to learn IS in real life. I spent all summer wondering if I should begin homeschooling with a new baby on the way. DH and I want a big family, so we would never have began if we kept waiting!

You can do it, and you will love it!:

[darcytrue]

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!

Originally Posted by phathui5

I did get help with the housework after this last baby and I highly recommend it. Then I could focus more on the children.

I wish I could get help with the housework. DS helps a lot with dishes and cooking but the laundry and floors I would have to keep up with. I can't afford to hire help and family lives too far and they have their own lives.

[emilys_mom1]

I pulled my first grader out the day before I delivered my last baby. He is 2 months old and and schooling is still going wonderful. I say go for it.

[Tassy]

Hi there! I understand your concern...I felt the same way! But a good friend reminded me that regardless of how much of little "schooling" we get done, being home during that important time in the family's life was a huge and amazing experience. and it was! I think it is a big part of my DS's knowledge base on parenting and he will be a better Daddy because of it. There is not much more real that period in a family's life! DS was only K and not 2nd grade but I thought our experience was still worht sharing... We started K a month before our twins were born and we also had an 18 month old. They were crazy times but I wouldn't trade them for anything!

Tassy
DS 7, DD 4, twin DDs 2

[harmonyhobbit]

I haven't done it yet. I will in June though. I plan to take a week or 2 off to have family adjustment time, but for us, school is just something that we do. It helps our days go more smoothly. My oldest is doing first grade work, so I listen to him work in his workbooks and I read to him. Not really differetn from what I do on the days we don't school, kwim? I'm more concerned witht he 3 yr old than I am with the 6 yr old.

[darcytrue]

Originally Posted by harmonyhobbit

I haven't done it yet. I will in June though. I plan to take a week or 2 off to have family adjustment time, but for us, school is just something that we do. It helps our days go more smoothly. My oldest is doing first grade work, so I listen to him work in his workbooks and I read to him. Not really differetn from what I do on the days we don't school, kwim? I'm more concerned witht he 3 yr old than I am with the 6 yr old.

this makes me feel good. You'll have to keep us updated once you've been through it. I'm due in Sept.

I had a hard time when I had my last child almost 7 years ago as she was a very high needs baby. I guess that's why I have a little apprehension that I am going to try to do this with 3 kids in the house. I actually hired a part-time sitter back then (she came to our house) when DD was under the age of one just so I could get things done with only 1 other child. I never want to go that route again if I absolutely don't have to. I feel tremendous guilt for handing my baby over to someone else because I was too weak to handle it all.

[harmonyhobbit]

We aren't supposed to handle it all all by ourselves. Trust me, I've tried and failed. Getting help when you need it is strength, not weakness. I have no regrets for the help I've gotten, but I regret not getting help sooner. Now I'm in a better place and I can do it myself. But I won't be doing it all. Just what needs to be done.

[AnnR33]

I was homeschooling my 1st grader and had a preschooler when my 3rd was born. Actually, with a newborn there is hardly any change at all. They eat and sleep and just hang out so things were business as usual for us.

I'll have a 10 yr old, 7 yr old, and 4 yr old that will all be homeschooling when I'm due in late June. I'm planning on taking a good 2-3 weeks off and the kids are signed up for a few summer day camps, but then I plan on being back to normal for the most part. The summer will mostly be the 3 Rs though just to maintain things and have fun friends that are off for the summer.
We'll start back with some of the other subjects this fall.

Honestly, having your baby in a carrier of some kind makes it all easier. I couldn't live without one and I can get so much more done.

When the babe is walking/getting into things....that will be the challenging year!

[GiantGi]

Neat thread. Facing this myself. We will be officially HS for the first year this fall and the bean is due the first of September.

[zjande]

I find it much, much, much more difficult to homeschool with toddlers around than newborns! Newborns sleep & nurse so much, and even when they cry you can usually still talk over their little squeals, unlike screechy toddlers!

I've given birth twice since I began homeschooling my now 10 yr old. And I'm due again in October. I just try to get as organized as possible before Baby comes, with lists of what I want to focus on & books I want to use, etc. When baby comes I've always taken 3-4 weeks off & then jumped in again. It really wasn't very difficult. I'm tellin' ya, it's the toddler tearing our papers, eating our erasers, and spilling oatmeal on our books, PLUS my 3 yr old having screaming tantrums mid-lesson that truly test my abilities!!

[Carlyn]

I also find the newborn stage easier with homeschooling than when they are bigger and into everything. I found that doing school even quite soon after the babe is born works, because you are sitting down lots and can read and do schooly stuff while you are nursing and still feel very restful.

Give yourself flexibility to figure out what works for you and your family. I'm due in July, and trying to establish some new routines and habits for me and the kids so the flow will go well when we add a new little one into our life.