(This is our 15th year of homeschooling and we have always had toddlers and babies underfoot while our schooling was going on during the day. Since I am often asked about how to be Mom and Teacher at the same time, I thought I would post my answer here...)
Expect Interruptions:
If you have small children in your home, they will provide many distractions to your schooling. But remember that they still need you to be their Mommy and some interruptions are necessary and important. It is a mistake to constantly shoo them away to go play without specific direction, and to do so teaches them that what you're doing with the older children is more important than they are. Having them on a routine of naps, structured playtimes, etc. will help minimize the unnecessary distractions, and create an ordered environment in your home. The discipline and training of your children is important and shouldn't be seen as a distraction. Your academic progress will be of little value if you don't take the time to take care of their spiritual needs.
A Sweet Attitude:
It is important that you not enter into homeschooling naively. There are elements of stress and difficulty that will be part of your day. Attempting to homeschool, care for little ones and keep the house somewhat under control is a daunting task, but not an impossible one. The way you respond in those stressful times will set the tone for your home during the day. If you are irritable and impatient, sarcastic and unreasonable, your children will most likely respond with resentment and rebellion. If you are this way, there is hope in the Lord! Homeschooling may be the perfect intense sanctification booster you need!!! He is committed to making you more like Christ, and wants you to submit to and participate in this plan. Make it your daily prayer to have the same graciousness, gentleness, and loving forbearance toward your family that God extends to you moment by moment in Christ. Be known as a mother who is genuinely encouraging, a sweet servant, and excited about being an agent of grace in the life of your husband and children. Also, guard your lips against complaining to your husband at the end of the day. If homeschooling is the decision you and your husband have made, remember that you have a BIG God, and He has all the grace you need.
Keep It Simple:
Over the years we have seen the value of mainly focusing on the "3 R's" (reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic) when our children were young. Once they are able to read, the scope of independent learning greatly expands, and they are able to investigate many things that Mom may not have time to take on. Also, as they grow older, our goal is to give them curriculum that is self-teaching, so they aren't so dependent on Mom to teach every lesson of every subject.
Persevere!
Anyone who wants to train their children to eat their vegetables doesn't give up after one try. In the same way, settling into a feasible homeschool routine will take time, flexibility, and hard work, especially with small children in the house. Continue to pray, get input, and ask questions of those who have walked the road ahead of you.
Practical Tips:
Regular naps: Little ones do require rest during the day. Training them to go down for a nap will help avoid having to deal with a cranky, inconsolable baby or toddler. Naptime will also provide some quiet focused time to work on more difficult subjects with your older children.
Scheduled play times: You can teach your little ones to play contentedly in their crib (or room with a gate) with a few well-chosen books and toys for 30-45 minutes. We started with 5-10 minutes and used a kitchen timer. They learned to wait for the "ding" and we slowly increased the time.
Book time: We did the same thing on the couch with a few favorite picture books.Snack time: Sometimes mid-morning when the older children would be around the kitchen table with their books, the baby would join us and enjoy some Cheerios in the high chair.
Older/younger partners: If you have older children, assign them to take turns having a playtime with the baby or toddler.
Quiet busy work: When we read a book aloud, we sometimes all gather around the table with drawing supplies ad coloring books for the younger ones. You will be amazed how much your younger ones will gain just by being around while the older ones are learning.
Start early: From our first year of homeschooling, when I had a kindergartner, a 3 yr. old, a 2 yr. old, and a newborn, I discovered that if I started our studies as early as possible, even with all the interruptions factored in, that we would usually accomplish a reasonable amount as the morning progressed. Being prepared the night before is important. I usually try to set bowls, spoons, and cups out before I go to bed. And I almost never cook on school days. Instead we usually have fruit, cereal, instant oatmeal, bagels, or muffins (made ahead of time). To make a big mess in the kitchen will delay getting on to our work.
Take breaks: Everyone is happier at our house when I alternate intense study time with activities that provide a break (and that even the little ones can participate in). For example a morning schedule may be: Math, English, quick clean up in bedrooms, spelling , read-aloud history, a walk outside, Bible time, Science, etc.
Recharge your heart: Post a favorite verse near your kitchen window or on your bathroom mirror to remind you of your source of help when the day begins to dissolve into conflict or chaos. My favorite is:
Hebrews 4:14-16:
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannnot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.
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Expect Interruptions:
If you have small children in your home, they will provide many distractions to your schooling. But remember that they still need you to be their Mommy and some interruptions are necessary and important. It is a mistake to constantly shoo them away to go play without specific direction, and to do so teaches them that what you're doing with the older children is more important than they are. Having them on a routine of naps, structured playtimes, etc. will help minimize the unnecessary distractions, and create an ordered environment in your home. The discipline and training of your children is important and shouldn't be seen as a distraction. Your academic progress will be of little value if you don't take the time to take care of their spiritual needs.
A Sweet Attitude:
It is important that you not enter into homeschooling naively. There are elements of stress and difficulty that will be part of your day. Attempting to homeschool, care for little ones and keep the house somewhat under control is a daunting task, but not an impossible one. The way you respond in those stressful times will set the tone for your home during the day. If you are irritable and impatient, sarcastic and unreasonable, your children will most likely respond with resentment and rebellion. If you are this way, there is hope in the Lord! Homeschooling may be the perfect intense sanctification booster you need!!! He is committed to making you more like Christ, and wants you to submit to and participate in this plan. Make it your daily prayer to have the same graciousness, gentleness, and loving forbearance toward your family that God extends to you moment by moment in Christ. Be known as a mother who is genuinely encouraging, a sweet servant, and excited about being an agent of grace in the life of your husband and children. Also, guard your lips against complaining to your husband at the end of the day. If homeschooling is the decision you and your husband have made, remember that you have a BIG God, and He has all the grace you need.
Keep It Simple:
Over the years we have seen the value of mainly focusing on the "3 R's" (reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic) when our children were young. Once they are able to read, the scope of independent learning greatly expands, and they are able to investigate many things that Mom may not have time to take on. Also, as they grow older, our goal is to give them curriculum that is self-teaching, so they aren't so dependent on Mom to teach every lesson of every subject.
Persevere!
Anyone who wants to train their children to eat their vegetables doesn't give up after one try. In the same way, settling into a feasible homeschool routine will take time, flexibility, and hard work, especially with small children in the house. Continue to pray, get input, and ask questions of those who have walked the road ahead of you.
Practical Tips:
Regular naps: Little ones do require rest during the day. Training them to go down for a nap will help avoid having to deal with a cranky, inconsolable baby or toddler. Naptime will also provide some quiet focused time to work on more difficult subjects with your older children.
Scheduled play times: You can teach your little ones to play contentedly in their crib (or room with a gate) with a few well-chosen books and toys for 30-45 minutes. We started with 5-10 minutes and used a kitchen timer. They learned to wait for the "ding" and we slowly increased the time.
Book time: We did the same thing on the couch with a few favorite picture books.Snack time: Sometimes mid-morning when the older children would be around the kitchen table with their books, the baby would join us and enjoy some Cheerios in the high chair.
Older/younger partners: If you have older children, assign them to take turns having a playtime with the baby or toddler.
Quiet busy work: When we read a book aloud, we sometimes all gather around the table with drawing supplies ad coloring books for the younger ones. You will be amazed how much your younger ones will gain just by being around while the older ones are learning.
Start early: From our first year of homeschooling, when I had a kindergartner, a 3 yr. old, a 2 yr. old, and a newborn, I discovered that if I started our studies as early as possible, even with all the interruptions factored in, that we would usually accomplish a reasonable amount as the morning progressed. Being prepared the night before is important. I usually try to set bowls, spoons, and cups out before I go to bed. And I almost never cook on school days. Instead we usually have fruit, cereal, instant oatmeal, bagels, or muffins (made ahead of time). To make a big mess in the kitchen will delay getting on to our work.
Take breaks: Everyone is happier at our house when I alternate intense study time with activities that provide a break (and that even the little ones can participate in). For example a morning schedule may be: Math, English, quick clean up in bedrooms, spelling , read-aloud history, a walk outside, Bible time, Science, etc.
Recharge your heart: Post a favorite verse near your kitchen window or on your bathroom mirror to remind you of your source of help when the day begins to dissolve into conflict or chaos. My favorite is:
Hebrews 4:14-16:
Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannnot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need.
