If I only have 1 toddler and am already burned out, should I give up on my dream of HS'ing???

[crunchy_mommy]

I guess I just want to mentally prepare myself... Obviously since my kiddo is only 2, I have a while before I really need to worry about this... but does it get easier?? Should I just resign myself to public schools ??? Is HS'ing easier or harder than dealing with a toddler?!?!? Sorry if this is a stupid question but I don't want to keep dreaming if it's not a realistic option for us...

[MommaBirdie]

I started HSing my 2 year old already, just basic preschool stuff.
You could always start there and see how you feel about it.
 

[Lisa1970]

Toddlers are draining. I do not think being worn out with a toddler will in any way translate in to how things will be with older kids. Good luck! (my toddler is exhausting me too)

[cappuccinosmom]

I am pretty sure that most mothers feel tired and overwhelmed a good bit of time with a toddler (or toddlers).  Including mothers who go on to homeschool.  And mothers who go on to have hordes of children.  Little ones are a lot of hard work, that's just a fact of life, and it's especially tough when you combine that with being new to motherhood and trying to figure it all out.

They don't stay two forever.  If all my children were born 2 yo, and stayed 2 yo for their whole life, I guess I probably wouldn't hs.  Probably wouldn't have more than 2 either, because I've taught toddler classes and wouldn't want 15 two year olds living in my home 24/7. 

Fortunately, they grow up.  We eased right into homeschooling when my oldest was 4 and the other two were 2 and newborn.  I'm using the term very loosely.  In the 4-6 yo range we do very little sit down work.  We read books, do puzzles, go for walks, practice drawing pictures, talk a lot, watch educational videos, etc.  IOW, it's mostly just life. :)  When they were ready for formal school, I chose a boxed curriculum through a state cyber school.  Some homeschoolers don't like those, but it was a lifesaver for me, and perfect for our family.  This summer we are going to continue school with a more relaxed pace and a patchwork curriculum, and all three of my boys will participate and I am looking forward to it.  It's going to be great.

So, crazy as the toddler years may be, yes it can get easier and you can homeschool.  You will probably stumble a little bit and run into dead ends as you search out what method and curriculum works for your family, but you can do it, if you want to.

[SundayCrepes]

Originally Posted by Lisa1970 

Toddlers are draining. I do not think being worn out with a toddler will in any way translate in to how things will be with older kids. Good luck! (my toddler is exhausting me too)

I have a 5.5 year old and a little one who will turn 3 in August. What a difference a couple years makes. My little one is particularly active. With toddler number 1 I loved grocery shopping. We'd go to Trader Joe's, he'd get his little cart, and we'd have a great time. With this one I leave the store beyond exhausted. Not that it wasn't hard with number 1, this one is just so much more. Just hang on, as they get older, it gets easier.

[domesticidyll]

IME, part of having your first toddler is that the age is hard. But it's also partly just hard because it"s your first time doing it. I have a 7yo and 2yo now, and although I'm probably actually more tired now, it doesn't feel as hard, because I don't feel like a novice. FWIW, I found keeping a kid journal especially helpful at this stage--it kept me aware of the humor, and more present. Wish I had time to do it now (sorry, kid #2!)

Not to say you should homeschool, but, yes, for us, 5 felt very different from 2.

Heather

[Savoir Faire]

In my experience, a 2-year-old = MASSIVE BURNOUT ON MY PART.

2-year-olds may or may not be potty trained. They need snacks...that you have to make. They throw tantrums. Fight naps. Want-- no, wait--DEMAND-- attention from you.

Now? The kids don't like lunch? Go make a sandwich. Driving me nuts fighting each other? Go play in the backyard or go have quiet time in your rooms. Need to go to the bathroom? There it is. While you're at it, wipe that pee up off the seat, would ya?

It gets so much easier as they get older.Don't give up your dreams yet.

[EviesMom]

I agree with everybody else. 2 is a hard age. (Sorry to say, but 3 is as well). But they grow, and it certainly doesn't preclude homeschooling.

I have a 7 year old I've been homeschooling 2 years and a 3 year old who goes to preschool. I am just starting to homeschool him this summer, as he's interested and has the capacity to focus on activities more now. He'll go back to preschool 3 days/week for next school year though. It gives me some time to work with DD without him underfoot.

[lmonter]

Originally Posted by Lisa1970 

Toddlers are draining. I do not think being worn out with a toddler will in any way translate in to how things will be with older kids. Good luck! (my toddler is exhausting me too)

What she said. 
I didn't start officially hs'ing until my oldest was 6y9mo (so, I also had a 4yo, 2yo and 6mo last July).  Ah, back then the 6mo was a cute little lump.  Now he climbs up onto cabinets and gets into everything (even more so than his spirited older brother!), while the 2yo and 5yo squabble with each other and squeal/scream at each other and so on.  It's taken some creative timing over the last year with *when* we do certain school activities/lessons/whatever, but we're flexible like that in this house.  school doesn't happen strictly between 9-11:30am every weekday - sometimes it's 8pm on a Sunday or 4pm on a Thursday, whatever.
Once 4-5yo comes around and they can use the toilet themselves and tell you they're sleepy or hungry for yogurt or whatever that helps an awful lot (although we're fans of making the kids do things so they know how and can be somewhat self sufficient that way).  And not just randomly scream at you for whatever reason or have a tantrum about wearing shoes outside.  ;)

[crunchy_mommy]

Thanks so much guys!!! Apparently I was picturing DS being EXACTLY like he is now, only older... I kind of missed the fact that he'll be more self-sufficient and all!! So maybe this CAN work for us. Maybe I'll have to do it differently than I imagined -- maybe a packaged curriculum will work better for us, for ex.-- but hopefully I can still plan on HS'ing.

[pigpokey]

Mine are 6 and 7 now ... and things are very different than 2 and 3.  (Though I had an extremely competent younger child and was able to give up the once-weekly sanity-saving half day of childcare at 3 and 4.)

E.g., if the classes /  practices are inside the neighborhood, they can kiss me bye mom and head there on their bikes.

Also what the pp said ... you don't like dinner?  You make yourself something and I want to see no uncleaned trace of that project.  You're too loud, go outside.  Bored?  Let me remind you of some work you haven't finished.

Also they might need comforting once a night some nights about 5am and otherwise they will usually sleep on through barring illness.  And if they get up before 7am I can send them right back up there because it's not "kid morning" yet.