TOTALLY Burnt Out Mom SEEKS HELP!

SCM is meant to be simple and is very cost effective, especially if you can find many books at your local library, but I think if I were in your position, I would probably try a computer based program that didn’t require much in the way of planning or supervision.  Now, I’m sure that you’ll hear from other moms on here that have overcome nearly insurmountable issues and continued to plan out every subject, and they will give you fabulous tips on how to accomplish it all, but I would just encourage you that it’s ok to do whatever is easiest for you!  You’ve got a special little kiddo that sounds like she requries a lot of your time and another new baby on the way that’s going to need lots of love and attention – not that you need to neglect your other children, but it really is ok to get something like Switched on Schoolhouse so that your boys and oldest daughter can get through their schoolwork without you feeling like they are falling behind.  I’d love to say that I could still manage my CM schedule if I were in your situation, but I have a low tolerance for headaches and disruptive babies and I just think I’d be a grumpy mess if I tried to spend the time I do now supervising and planning under the circumstances you are facing.  I don’t want to discourage you from trying!  I KNOW there are women out there that CAN and DO make it happen, but I think secretly there are a lot of women like me that sympathize with your struggles and want to encourage you in your calling to homeschool, without making you feel like a failure if you can’t do it the “CM” way.  Lots of prayers for you!   Rebekah

I can totally empathize with your exhaustion! My circumstances are not the same as yours, but I am a 50 yr old mom with 4 kids – 6yo, 5yo, 19 months and 7 months – all adopted (still in the process with the 2 babies). I LOVE the CM philosopy and had high hopes to put together my own stuff using SCM, but I just don’t have the energy at this point. Have you looked into Heart of Dakota curriculum? It’s CM based and has everything laid out for you. I plan to use it until I’m past baby/toddlerhood and can plan my own. I really prefer not to use someone elses schedule, which is what drew me to SCM, but I have to be realistic and do what I can, when I can. I also agree with the previous posters – use whatever will get you through this time with as little effort on your part needed. God’s grace is sufficient!! He will be sure your children get what they need (and you too!!).

I pray for God’s strength, blessing and peace to overflow your life!!!

When our family has gone through “crisis” mode we scale back.  We do math every day and handwriting/copywork.  I read to them and they read to me.  It might be history or science or it just might be a fun book.  The point when you cut back is just to read.  I was on bed rest with my last two pregnancies and my husband would bring down a stack of books in the morning and we’d read all day, just whatever we grabbed out of the pile.  Not the best of scenarios, but it worked and it’s what I could do at the time.

As far as cost of SCM, it depends on if you use the library or not.  I tend to purchase my history books and it is between $100 and $200 a year.  I buy used from Amazon or Half or my local library sales and I buy throughout the year so it’s not one lump sum.  We buy some science books but use the library for most of them.  Other than a math program you’re not spending much else, unless you want a guide book from SCM and they aren’t too expensive.

Do you currently have a math program you like?  Is it working for you?

I would keep your two boys together for all subjects except maybe math.  Have them reading and listening to the same books.  Is your 18-yr-old still in school or is she taking college classes?  Tap her as a helper/teacher if possible.

How about science?  CM is a lot about nature study and getting outdoors.  That can be hard when you have lots of appointments and feel so tired.  If you’re not currently using a “curriculum” how about letting your boys decide what they want to study and then hit the library and check out whatever you can find on the subject.  You may get some duds, but you’ll also find some really great books too.  Living books are fantastic, but sometimes we don’t have time to find ‘the perfect living book’ – do what you can and be at peace with it.  Most librarians are MORE than happy to take 10 and 11 year old boys around and help them find the books.  Maybe dad can take them in the evening or your older daughter.  Just tell the librarian they want to study blah-blah-blah and let her go to work.  Once they tire of that subject let them pick another and hit the library again.

The history modules here at SCM are very good and the books they have listed are great.  And most libraries will have them.  Check out a few at a time and either read them out loud, have the boys read them to each other or to you or have your daughter read them to the boys.  You can get reading practice in by having the boys read to you while you work with your youngest daughter or wash dishes or fold laundry or sit with your feet up.   Let them narrate to you.  Or have them write a few simple sentences about what they read and then you’re done with handwriting too!

Check out books on tape.  Another great way to get some more books inside of their heads.

Don’t stress the “extras” right now.  Don’t worry about composers and poets and artists and such.  Just hit the basics.  Add in more when you feel ready to.   

Breathe in and out and say a prayer.  Do what you can and know the Lord will make up the rest.  

I hope I’m not coming off as “do this” because that’s not my intent.  I just want to give you some ideas on how you can have a Charlotte Mason education while still keeping things simple.  We homeschooling mothers tend to want to do bigger and better and more and sometimes we just need simple.  That’s what I love about SCM, it’s simple and most of the work is done for you.  If you need help figuring it out please let me or any of the other ladies here know and we’ll do our best to help you through it.

Best wishes.

Heather