| Author | |
Maggie
Forum All-Star
Joined: Dec 01 2007
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 712
|
| Posted: Jan 02 2015 at 1:30pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
Hi Moms~
I am in unexpected, though delightful territory. After 7 years of infertility, I am 15 weeks pregnant.
We adopted our third child, and she just turned 1...so our littles will be close in age.
For my part, the first trimester was extremely rough. We have been into the dr./ specialists nearly 1x/week since 5 weeks because of chronic infections that continually threaten miscarriage...and the doctors are completely dumbfounded...as is my very healthy-crunchy midwife. They are all stumped. I have been beyond exhausted to say the least...as in...my body has no choice but to sleep in and take naps...which creates an atmosphere perfect for fighting between the 9 and 7 yo...we have no family around for help...
I am now facing a New Year...and am freaking out...My husband wants me to hit the ground running on Monday. I don't even physically feel able to do that...
My 7yo is dylsexic, and I have painstakingly been using AAR to help him...but we go through it at a snail's pace, and I constantly have to come up with things to help him through the most basic 3 letter words. While he is "progressing", we did have to start the program over (at the suggestion of the lovely folks at AAR) because his frustration was compounding with each new concept. Even after going back to the beginning, it's as if he never learned most of these words before...
My 9yo is a voracious reader...however...she is 9. She is not motivated to do work unless I am working with her...not her fault...
Much of my kids' work is very mom intensive. AAR, Right Start, Shurley Grammar (9yo), etc...
I have gotten very behind, to say the least...MY motivation is low...I wish I had the spark and pizazz that I did a few years ago...but I feel like it has waned completely to almost non-existent now.
And now...my physical state plus drs. appts and phone calls...I. Am. Just. Exhausted.
I realize many of you have many more children than I do...so how on earth do you school effectively while pregnant and sick? 
__________________
Wife to dh (12 years) Mama to dd (10) ds (8), dd (1), ds (nb) and to Philip Mary (5/26/09), Lucy Joy (12/6/09), and Margaret Mary (3/6/10) who entered Heaven before we had a chance to hold them.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
pumpkinmom
Forum All-Star
Joined: March 28 2012
Location: Missouri
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1028
|
| Posted: Jan 02 2015 at 2:17pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I have no experience with this! But, if I was in your situation I would be asking for help. I would "advertise" in the church bulletin or some how through church. I would ask for a retired mom to come and help a few hours a 1-3 days a week. I would think you could find someone willing to do it for free. Someone who is retired and perhaps doesn't have grand kids or they live far away would enjoy helping. The least she could do is entertain the kids while you took an afternoon nap. Maybe she could do a little housework or cook dinner or lunch. That way you can put all of your energy towards schooling.
Another idea would be to hire a teenage girl to come in the afternoons after school and do the same things. They usually work for very reasonable rates.
I have no idea if this is realistic but it's just what I would do.  Prayers!
__________________
Cassie
Homeschooling my little patch of Ds-14 and Ds-10
Tending the Pumpkin Patch
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: Jan 02 2015 at 3:31pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
We've got threads around here for moms that need to homeschool during times of physical illness and difficult pregnancies.. I just need to figure out how to find some of them 
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
jawgee
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 02 2011
Location: New Hampshire
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1415
|
| Posted: Jan 02 2015 at 3:51pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I got pregnant with my youngest just before we adopted our third daughter. They are 15 months apart. My pregnancy was high-risk (due to three previous miscarriages). It was a challenging time!
I wasn't homeschooling at the time, so no suggestions. I just wanted to let you know that I can relate to what you are dealing with.
Prayers for you!
__________________
Monica
C (12/2001), N (11/2005), M (5/2008), J (8/2009) and three angels
The Catholic Cup on Facebook
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
10 Bright Stars
Forum All-Star
Joined: Nov 16 2006
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 728
|
| Posted: Jan 03 2015 at 12:28pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
First, with all due respect to dear husband, I would make it clear that you are not able to "hit the ground running on Monday". Clear up the issue so there isn't friction or constant guilt that you are dealing with if your days do not go as you think that "should" go right now. I have 11 children and with ALL of my pregnancies I have extreme morning sickness; this last pregnancy having THE WORST out of all of them. Often, it was all I could do to just exist through the day! So, needless to say, homeschooling-MOTHERING became very difficult.
During the first stages of any pregnancy, you are very tired. This usually passes in a few weeks and you will be feeling more energetic soon. I think sometimes the husbands try to be encouraging in this way, but it can be very discouraging if you really just can't "measure up". So, come up with a "plan" for the day. If you are tired in the afternoons, figure out how you can nap safely. (i.e. what and where will the littles be?) Perhaps you can still get the 1 year old to nap? If so, then maybe the older children could have quiet time in their rooms or perhaps in your room on your bed as they quietly watch a nature show or a kid's program. That way, you can relax and know they are all "safe".
Moving on to academics: Cut it down to the bare minimum for now. Reading good books can cover many subject areas at once. Religion can be discussion or orally done right now. The 11 and 9 year old can work on spelling, math etc independently as you help the 7 year old work a few workbook pages. Go ahead and do a few pages more if you are having a "good" day if the child doesn't feel stressed out by it so you can be more slack on bad days but not fall behind. Quiz the older kids on their spelling orally. Have them do their work and then come and tell you about it. Use narration/copywork to keep them busy while still not being "busywork". Also, a MAJOR help for me was to have the husband check the work in the evenings if he can so you don't get behind. In this way he can also see progress being made, and he won't feel as if the kids are just "running riot" all day. Perhaps some new educational toys. Or, after letting him relax from the day a bit and after dinner, perhaps that would be a good time for you to go over more difficult subjects one on one while husband watches the toddler and the 7 year old. You can switch off each evening with just one child. That way, you won't wear yourself out with trying to juggle more than one when you are super tired and/or sick, and you also can make the child feel as if they are getting the individual attention they may be needing etc.
Anyway, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! Remember pregnancy is only for a short time in the broad scheme of things, especially from the viewpoint of your creating an immortal soul that will last for eternity. Your kids are very young so they are not going to be somehow stunted if you do not hit all of the "usual" subjects in school for a little while.
Good luck!
__________________
Kim married to Bob (22y)
Mom of 11 blessings:
Bobby 19, David 17, Noah 14,
Mary 12, Gracie 10,
Isabelle and Sophia 8,
Gabrielle 6,
William Anthony 4, Joseph 3 and Luisa Marie - born in M
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Pilgrim
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 28 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1286
|
| Posted: Jan 03 2015 at 6:43pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hi Maggie,
So nice to hear from you, and so overjoyed to hear of your WONDERFUL news, even though it can be hard to feel overjoyed when you feel so awful with First Trimester woes. I know one rationally feels the joy, but, yet you feel so sick it's hard just to cope day-to-day.
First, I found a thread that should hopefully be a big help to you. Keeping Little Ones busy when Mom is down. with some very helpful info from Jen "Mackfam" almost at the bottom of the page on how to handle things when you are down with illness during pregnancy.
Second, I want to throw out there that when you do get to feeling better, it may be a help in the schooling department to look into right-brain learning for your son, if you haven't already. It helped a lot in learning how to work with our oldest, who was so much like your ds in her studies in the early years. Maybe check out the short videos here at Dianne craft's website. Her explanation of right brain learners was a HUGE help to us in understanding our child, and her Brain Integration Therapy exercises that we did at home also helped.
We will add you to our list of Expectant Mothers we pray for everyday. Many and  !!!!
__________________
Wife 2 my bf, g14,b8,g&b6,g4,g3,g1 1/2,4 ^i^
St. Clare Heirloom Seeds coupon 4Real 20% off
St. Clare Audio
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
setonmom
Forum Pro
Joined: Jan 25 2011
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 134
|
| Posted: Jan 05 2015 at 4:08pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Maggie-
I have a history of rough pregnancies. Looking back, I will share what I feel we did right and what i feel we did wrong.
My biggest regret is that when it became clear that this was a rough pregnancy and that things would be rough for quite some time, I did not sit down and prayerfully establish priorities. And the priorities I was working from were not always in the proper order. For exam[le, I did not place keeping up with my prayer life in the proper priority.
Another regret I have is the various times I overextended myself to please others and not God.
We did do a few things right. One thing I have never regretted at all is the $2,000 we spent on assistance with housework and child care. And I have never regretted the commitments I said no to so that i could get the rest I needed to keep my unborn baby healthy.
You will be in my prayers and Congratulations!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: Jan 05 2015 at 6:16pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Maggie, God does have a sense of humor, doesn't he? What fabulous news! I am praying for you.
Like setonmom said, prioritize. Baby and your health comes first. I have done a lot of couch schooling, so I could do the one-on-one but in a position that I could handle.
And less gets done, for sure. Instead of RightStart every day, it will have to be less than that. Timed worksheets (I have copied the ones in the workbook and reused them) give the practice. I know ladies here have suggested other resources for that.
Some of this is just accepting that things aren't going to be done and on top of everything. Heart to heart talks with dh on realistic expectations need to be had, and frequently so he can support you.
If you have people offering to help, take them up on it. I had meal help before I even had my heart surgery because I physically couldn't cook. Same with my pregnancies...bed rest is a very humbling time, but it's also a blessing, because we give people the opportunity to practice charity.
My husband never got hired help around the house. I wish we did, but he really steps up and does the housework and cooking, so I can't really complain. There is a need, as being wife, mother, pregnant, chief cook and bottle washer and educator are too many balls to juggle and some of the balls need to be passed on to someone else.
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Kathryn
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 24 2009
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1520
|
| Posted: Jan 06 2015 at 3:40pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Oh a practical level, not sure anyone might have mentioned, has the dr checked your iron levels? I was quite anemic with my last baby and once I started on iron, within 3-5 days, the change was unbelievable!
__________________
Kathryn in TX
(dd 16, ds 15, dd 8, dd 5)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Pilgrim
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 28 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1286
|
| Posted: Jan 06 2015 at 4:51pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Kathryn sparked a memory with her last post. I noticed the Rainbow Light prenatals did help me feel better last pregnancy. I also figured out a couple of things. Gummy vitamins work better for me when suffering nausea. And brushing my teeth has been really difficult in the First Trimester the last few times, if you have nausea and have trouble brushing your teeth, try using warm, hot water, it really, really helped me last pregnancy. Strange, but true!
__________________
Wife 2 my bf, g14,b8,g&b6,g4,g3,g1 1/2,4 ^i^
St. Clare Heirloom Seeds coupon 4Real 20% off
St. Clare Audio
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: Jan 06 2015 at 6:09pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I would second or third the good quality higher dose vitamins like the Rainbow Light Prenatal system (6 pills a day). When my midwife finally convinced me to use them I went from unable to stop myself from falling asleep in the afternoons to not even feeling tired in the afternoons.. of course I as younger then but it did make that much difference.
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: schooling middles, toddler, pregnant
