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Becky Le
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Joined: June 11 2008
Location: Virginia
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| Posted: March 31 2009 at 9:28am | IP Logged
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I love homeschooling but I am on the verge of losing my mind.
My oldest two children are wonderful, really sweet, mindful children and homeschooling them is a delight, or was right up until our twins learned how to walk.  I laugh but sometimes it is only to keep from crying. I know it is only a phase and I am willing to keep cleaning up the disasters they make, holding them while I "do school" that sort of thing but my precocious 4 year old makes it so difficult.
Our 4 year old is incredibly smart and also incredibly demanding. She waits until we start school to absolutely DEMAND my attention either by being right on top of me or tormenting her baby sisters by being right on top of them. I'd bet I say the phrase, "leave the babies alone" a hundred times per day and even with timeouts I am getting nowhere.  I try to give her attention throughout the day but most days I feel stretched so thin trying to give everyone all of the attention they need and deserve. Forget about keeping up with the house. There is clutter in every room and a constant pile of laundry that needs to be folded. How do the rest of you manage it?
I just ordered "Managers of Their Chores" for the older children who are willing to help out and would help out more if I were more organized and consistent. But I am at a loss as to how to deal with the 4 year old and the twins. It just feels like there isn't enough of me to go around.
I know you all are full of wisdom and experience and I welcome any advice and constructive criticism you can offer! Thanks in advance.
__________________
Becky, loving wife to Chris and mom to Stephen (11/99), Elizabeth (04/01), Catherine (08/04), Natalie & Samantha (10/07)
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Bookswithtea
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| Posted: March 31 2009 at 9:56am | IP Logged
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Becky... 
You have a lot on your plate. A LOT.
When I was in the all little kids phase I had to drastically reduce my idea of what a good day was. If everyone is reasonably clean, everyone has something to eat, the kitchen is not toxic, and you kiss the serious boo boos, then that is a good day. If you are attempting formal school, I wouldn't worry about anything but phonics and math. There is time for the other stuff later.
I don't honestly think there is any way through this time but just to go one step at a time, not planning too much beyond the next day. Twins is a huge challenge as well as a glorious blessing. Maybe try to enjoy the chaos??? 
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Blessings,
~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and  due 9/10
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: March 31 2009 at 11:25am | IP Logged
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Your twins are going to be big enough to start defending themselves from their sister.
Can you give her tasks along with the olders? if you sit down to do school.. have her place (right next to you) with "work" she can do (I love alphabet coloring pages for this.. they look like "work" but don't necessarily *need* doing  )
Have the 4yr old also do chores along with you. She could do a lot even if it's not done "well" with a stool she can rinse dishes, get her a small broom (for your safety) and she could sweep, she could run a vacuum, she could dust, she could hand things to you as you work.. peeling potatoes? let her hand them to you one by one..
She's stuck between not being a "big kid" who does school and chores and works with mom and not being a baby that gets held and cuddled. Sorta odd man out. So if you can include her more in the older kid work you might find that she's less at loose ends getting into trouble for attention. And try and include her in the groups when you talk.. if it's something she can do with the olders.. include her in the "big kids" (you big kids need to get out..) and if it's something else.. include her in with "the littles" (let's get the littles into the tub).
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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
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Becky Le
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Joined: June 11 2008
Location: Virginia
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Posts: 91
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| Posted: April 03 2009 at 10:01am | IP Logged
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Thank you for all of your advice! The last couple of days have been MUCH better. We have relaxed more, played more, read more and worried about getting everything done less. I am focusing on putting first things first and for us that starts with a happy, loving household rather than a stressed one. 
I told the kids all about the "chore packs" and they are so anxious for them to come so they can begin using them. Hopefully some of that excitement will carry us through until summer break!
I am starting to give my 4 year old more big kid things to do. She is excited knowing she will be finishing preschool soon and then she will be homeschooled like the big kids! She is even excited to get her own chore pack. 
Thanks again! It made me feel so much better to know that it's ok to back off a little bit. It's one of those things that I know intellectually but have such a difficult time putting into practice.
__________________
Becky, loving wife to Chris and mom to Stephen (11/99), Elizabeth (04/01), Catherine (08/04), Natalie & Samantha (10/07)
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: I need some advice...
