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Donna Marie
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| Posted: Aug 21 2008 at 1:34pm | IP Logged
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with a baby coming at the beginning of the school year...
How would you schedule your "school time"?
I had a few thoughts...but my biggest thought is...how do I get the rest I need and not get stressed out over the school stuff. I am tired now and I really don't want to be dwelling on math problems at 3am...sleep is a precious commodity as it is...
I was thinking I could gradually get the kids used to seatwork again by baiting them with stuff they love to do   ...like art expression...trying to get them to accept some direction for this time. The problem has been that my sleep is erratic and some of my kids have waaaay too much independence on their minds as a result.
The rundown is 2-9th graders, 8th, 4th, 3rd, k and prek.
...maybe do just a few things until life settles down post-partum?...does that ACTUALLY happen??!
I am due at the very beginning of October....wish I could just get labor over with NOW! I feel....RESPONSIBLE...gulp Isn't it someone elses turn to be responsible?
God love you,
Donna Marie from NJ
hs momma to 7dc + one more due 10/08!
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God love you!
Donna Marie from NJ
hs momma to 9dc!!
Finding Elegant Simplicity
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Aug 21 2008 at 1:39pm | IP Logged
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reading reading and more reading.. read aloud a lot.. have the older ones read some of the time.. read about history and science and whatever.. maybe do math that's workbooks or such (with answer keys!!).. but reading can be done while you're resting with your feet up.. snuggling with the littles.. or the bigs..
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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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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: Aug 21 2008 at 2:26pm | IP Logged
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Dear Donna Marie,
Chelsea was born Oct. 9th, our first year of hsing.
I prepared to keep things light...only to bring home a baby who slept or sat nicely in my arms, her swing, or her cradle.
I suggest reading a great deal like Jodie mentioned but don't stop with the math or other studies you have planned. Put off your maternity break until the baby is crawling. By then it'll be summer anyway.
Prayers headed your way...
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Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
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allegiance_mom
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| Posted: Aug 21 2008 at 4:23pm | IP Logged
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I was due October 9, four years ago. We started a few weeks early (around now we were already working) to "get ahead" before the due date.
Actually, I ended up on bed rest, in and out of the hospital three times, delivering a preemie by emergency c-section in September. The baby was fine, but I had post-op complications. So, life does not always go as planned
I would say to not get too stressed out about being "responbsible." What is the worst thing that can happen if your children learned absolutely nothing for a month? Really, how bad would it be? Would it ruin their lives? Their chance for heaven? Of course not.
Have lots of books, games (yes, games are educational), educational dvds (if you allow them), family and friends to help out and just trust in the Lord each day that you will all do His Will.
Blessings for a safe and happy delivery!
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Allegiance Mom in NY
Wife 17 years
Mom to two boys, 14 and 8, and one pre-born babe in Heaven (Jan 2010)
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Angel
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My twins were born Oct. 3. We did something that looked like school from the last week of August until the end of September. After the twins were born, though, all bets were off until January. It was okay. The kids watched a lot of Nova (science), made paper chains at Christmas time, and listened to a lot of books on CD. I read aloud when I could... I just don't remember what.
--Angela
Three Plus Two
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missionfamily
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| Posted: Aug 22 2008 at 7:24am | IP Logged
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Donna-Just suggesting that switching mental gears from "school" to habit training would make life seem less overwhelming? It doesn't sound as though it's really the school work itself you're worried about as much as some of the not-so-great habits you see being formed. Can you let the kids help you sketch out a rhythm for the day that includes chores and school work that can be done without your direct supervision, assigning each of the older kids a younger buddy to supervise? Then peg the days with meals, prayer, and read-alouds where you would be present and kind of check in with everyone?
It sounds like what you're looking for is not to let them slide into total independence during the day so after the baby it feels impossible to get your days going again. I think a rhythm that holds them accountable but doesn't require your attention every minute is probably the best answer.
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Colleen
dh Greg
mom to Quinn,Gabriel, Brendan,Evan, Kolbe, and sweet St. Bryce
Footprints on the Fridge
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nissag
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| Posted: Aug 22 2008 at 7:38am | IP Logged
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I've got two October babies. The first time, I had two preschoolers, so we did a lot of reading together. The last time was two years ago and I wish I could say that I was really organized. We kind of rolled with it - again, lots of reading. We also did a lot of life-skills-type training. I taught knitting while nursing, read alouds were popular, and the older kids learned to help the younger ones with their school work.
Your twins are at an ideal age to help organize the littler ones with light lessons or skills. They'll get so much out of it. Qui docet, dicit. He who teaches learns.
Also having a lesson plan and home management book that the older ones can consult will help them to help you stay on track a bit better.
Blessings,
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Nissa
Deacon's wife, mother of eleven, farmer, teacher, creator, cook.
At Home With the Gadbois Family
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Ouiz
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| Posted: Aug 24 2008 at 11:44pm | IP Logged
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Believe it or not, I've got FIVE October babies. (only Reilly and Christopher were born in different months).
We started school early (in June), and worked all the way up 'til the baby was born. While I was recouperating (from c-sections) we just did catechism, math, and spelling... and took it nice and s...l...o...w.
Many blessings to you and your family!!!
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Ouiz
Blessed to be married to the man of my dreams and mom to 8 wonderful children here on earth
B-17, G-16, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, G-7, B-4
Chez Ouiz
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Tina P.
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| Posted: Aug 29 2008 at 11:37pm | IP Logged
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Donna, I can so relate! I have no October babies. But I just had my 8th August 1. She's ~ whew! ~ she keeps me busy. I'm going to be quite overwhelmed this year.
nissag wrote:
| Also having a lesson plan and home management book that the older ones can consult will help them to help you stay on track a bit better. |
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I sure hope so!
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Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
Mary's Muse
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nissag
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| Posted: Aug 30 2008 at 9:10am | IP Logged
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It does.  And it helps Papa, too.
Blessings,
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Nissa
Deacon's wife, mother of eleven, farmer, teacher, creator, cook.
At Home With the Gadbois Family
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Tina P.
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| Posted: Aug 30 2008 at 2:58pm | IP Logged
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Nissa,
Can you share your home management tools and how you use them?
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Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
Mary's Muse
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nissag
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| Posted: Aug 30 2008 at 3:32pm | IP Logged
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My home management book is extensive and includes everything from schedules (household, diary/datebook, and homeschool) to every type of record I could imagine (health, address, prayer requests). I also keep a complete menu, a ledger, and reproducible home-school forms. You can get an idea here.
This year, I'm adding actual lesson plans and making a separate book for our chore system, which is based loosely upon life in a Benedictine monastery. It will include a separate book on duties, chores and etiquette.
Everything in the books is fairly self-explanatory. I write explanations at the beginning of each section, and take a lot of time to think through what I put in them so that the entire book is easy to use for my teens and my husband, too.
Blessings,
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Nissa
Deacon's wife, mother of eleven, farmer, teacher, creator, cook.
At Home With the Gadbois Family
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graciefaith
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I had dd3 last Oct. We school year round so it wasnt a big deal when we took a few weeks off for the baby. I would just do read alouds or if you really want to do some school work, make it very light.
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Blessed wife and mom of 3 girls, Sept. '01, Dec. '02 and Oct. '07
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: If you were due in October....
