over welmed with school

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  • September 30, 2015 at 7:43 pm
    jill smith
    Participant

    Hi all,  Homeschooling  this year just seems overwhelming! We took on foster care, which is a awesome thing, but it sure has been awhile since we’ve had a baby in the house.:)  Our days were lasting long in the beginning and now its even longer. kids are sick of sitting and trying to stay on task is crazy. With the age of children I have 17,13, 10, 7 I worry about getting behind. The two older boys can do their school on their own, but the girls still need assistance. I don’t know how to adjust to the change in our day. No sleep doesn’t help at all!! How do you all handle a baby and a full schedule of school?

    Is there things I can take out of our day? I am afraid to cut thing out and not sure what to take out of our day. I have visit for the  little guy twice a week and that adds to the day. Any help  would be great!

    Thanks

    September 30, 2015 at 8:30 pm
    Kelley
    Participant

    Our homeschooling took a hit when we started foster care also!  All of the visitations, case workers, therapists, and appointments did a number on our family.  I totally get the feeling of being overwhelmed.

    Honestly I think it’s OK to take a week (or three) off and get used to this new person in your home.  Figure out what you can do all together that maybe the older kids can help lead, like memorizations or poetry or something, and invest in something to wear the baby in so your hands are free while baby is awake.  You have a new normal now, so try to relax and find it.  School probably isn’t going to look the same as it used to.

    October 1, 2015 at 5:28 am
    Tristan
    Participant

    I haven’t done foster care but I have had a lot of babies (and the ninth is due in the next month).  We always take time off when the baby arrives – the baby IS the lesson.  Consider it life skills.  Let them learn how to soothe, diaper, and even feed the baby.  Let them learn how to do laundry, cook, clean, etc.  Focus on a habit you want to see improve in your family.

    Now, your 17 year old and 13 year old are probably perfectly able to do some of their work on their own, but let them have at least part of this baby break as well.  Then begin giving them assignments.

    For the younger two:  When you have all had at least a few weeks of baby time begin adding things back in for these two.  I would begin with a read aloud – could be history related or not, just some fantastic read aloud.  Feel free to use an audio book!  Listen to it together a chapter at a time, once a day.  Have the 7yo practice reading skills, math skills, and handwriting (copywork).  Have the 10yo practice math skills and copywork as well as read 1 chapter independently in a literature book each day.

    That’s it. A week later add in poetry and picture study.  Literally look at a picture one day.  On a different day read one poem by an author.

    Keep it slow and build the new routine, all the while giving everyone time to adjust to this new baby and the baby time to grow.  (How old is your foster?)

    If you really don’t like dropping all history and science for a month or more look for videos or websites the kids can explore.  Keep it easy and you’ll be surprised how soon things fall into a routine and you are able to pick back up regular school plans.

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