Help me get my head straight!

[hedgewitch]

Hey there, I'm hoping you homeschooling mamas can help me with a problem - my own brain! My ds is not quite 4, he's starting jk in the fall but I don't want to rule out homeschooling for post kindergarten. Right now he is at home full time after going to preschool 3 mornings a weeks since January. We've got a 3 month old baby and I am struggling to create a meaningful rhythm to our day.

Basically I feel like I should be 'teaching' him and that every activity must have meaning and be educational. It is driving me crazy! Every day I feel like I am failing. I'm overthinking everything and spoiling our time together. Can anyone offer any advice or ideas about how to create a nice rhythm/routine. My baby naps pretty reliably in the morning, the afternoons are very hit and miss.

Thanks in advance and sorry if this doesn't make sense.

[koru]

Let him play!

If you feel like you want to have some qualilty time with your ds while the babe is sleeping, just get down on the floor & pretend play, read to him, read next to him while he plays. (And I mean reading your own book because modeling is everything!). Kids learn by playing for a very, very long time & I'm a firm believer in just letting them do their thing & figure stuff out. You may not think it's "educational" but he's learning, nonetheless.

Relax mama & enjoy your son!

[zeldamomma]

Go directly to Lillian Jones' website: http://www.besthomeschooling.org/

There are several lovely articles about homeschooling preschool & kindergarten there.

I think the hardest thing about trying out homeschooling is that it's easy to put way too much pressure on yourself. Your son is 3, and he needs very little schooling. I would focus on finding activities that the two of you enjoy doing together while the baby naps, and generally focus on family relationships in place of any worries about academics.

ZM

[VanessaS]

They both gave you good advice.

I'd just spend the baby's nap time playing with dominoes, reading books with him, coloring together, building LEGOs, play dough, baking, playing with water and cups in the kitchen sink, etc. Just hang out and do fun things that you both enjoy. It doesn't have to be "educational" for him to learn something.

And, like a PP said, make sure that they see you reading to yourself, writing (shopping lists, weekly menus, lists and letters), and using math (calculating how many plates you'll need for the table, adding up how many apples are left to see how many to buy on your next shopping trip, checking the weather forcast in the newspaper). It's really the key thing. Modeling, modeling, modeling. Young children learn best by watching you go about your day and imitating you. My kids both like to "play Mommy" or "play Daddy" by pretend reading a book to themselves, writing chicken-scratch lists, playing with their play-kitchen, working hard with their play-hammers (always making sure to wear their protective head and hand gear), etc.
I've got pictures of them very seriously scanning the newspaper and occasionally pointing out an interesting tidbit. It's especially cute when my DD does it as she can't speak very well and just babbles at us about it. Her favorite section to "read" is the comics. My DS is partial to the weather forcast.

And watching you take care of the new baby will be a learning experience as well. Don't feel guilty about this! It's your chance to show him what being a parent is like. My DS has learned a LOT by being a big brother and now that his little sister is older he's busy teaching her everything he knows. He pretend-reads books to her, teaches her the alphabet and counting, helps her with puzzles, etc.

The most important thing is: make sure you get enough sleep! I remember what a 3 mo is like...

[hedgewitch]

Thanks mamas, all your suggestions are wonderful and you've helped me readjust my thinking. This has been a tough year so the idea of just having fun seems a bit wacky! I went out and bought a load of craft supplies today for colourful fun over the coming weeks. I'm starting to get my head round the idea of just enjoying life.

Thanks again

[VanessaS]

Ahh... Another mother saved from school-itis. Yes, relax and enjoy them. They grow up sooooo fast.

[hedgewitch]

Originally Posted by VanessaS

Ahh... Another mother saved from school-itis. Yes, relax and enjoy them. They grow up sooooo fast.

You are so right! Schoolitis, I like it