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Kathryn
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| Posted: March 02 2010 at 3:58pm | IP Logged
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How do you school with a still teething (hence whiney), high energy, destructive 2 yr old toddler who needs redirection about every 10-15 min? I feel like a cat chasing its tail or like a hamster on a spinning wheel going round and round and round and round and making nooo gains.
When she naps, I have to lay down w/ her to get her to sleep and then she's up till 10-10:30 at night and awake around 7:30 w/ the rest of us. So, I rarely have that 2-3 hour block of afternoon time to get schooling done.
DS 9 needs pretty much 1-1 attn without interruptions and once I have his attention and focus (which isn't an easy task), we need to complete school in a block of time to finish all schooling instead of spread out throughout the day. DD 11 can watch 2 yr old but not for 2 hours! DS is wiped out by day's end so schooling when dad comes home is just not going to happen.
Since DD 11 is such a good student, she rarely, if ever gets mom attn for her schooling now. She gets "here's your next worksheet". Not quite the inspiring homeschool plans I had....
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Kathryn in TX
(dd 16, ds 15, dd 8, dd 5)
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JennGM
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| Posted: March 02 2010 at 4:22pm | IP Logged
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Hmmm, no answers here, but great big hugs. I have a 2 yo destructor, also needy. Wants to be a part of all the schoolwork, exactly as big brother does. Wants the pencil, wants the paper, wants the books, the abacus, the board, the manipulatives -- only when we're using them, of course. He doesn't want to play by himself, even if I give him directed activities. There are lots of meltdowns....
If someone has good answers I'm all ears (or eyes).
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: March 02 2010 at 8:16pm | IP Logged
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I alternate these 4 situations:
1. Confined Play.....wherever we are. Which, of course, only lasts for so long. This morning she ripped apart puzzles, played with felt pieces, and played in the rice bin. GREAT! 20 minutes!
2. On my back, in the Ergo. Again, only lasts so long...but on good days I can get up to 25 minutes or so! 
3. High Chair. Drawing, play dough, ice trays, tongs, cotton, etc.
4. Confinement. In crib or gated-up-room by self or with the pre-schooler, while we sit in the hallway outside said-confined-area and "work".
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Suzanne in ID
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Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: March 02 2010 at 8:37pm | IP Logged
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Kathryn wrote:
DS 9 needs pretty much 1-1 attn without interruptions and once I have his attention and focus (which isn't an easy task), we need to complete school in a block of time to finish all schooling instead of spread out throughout the day. DD 11 can watch 2 yr old but not for 2 hours! DS is wiped out by day's end so schooling when dad comes home is just not going to happen. |
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It sounds like your daughter is pretty good with the toddler. Which is GREAT! But, like you said...not for 2 hours. Here's an example of where I would start experimenting:
:: 30 minutes - dd-11 w/ toddler.
:: 30 minutes - toddler in confined NEAR area. DD working on her independent stuff.
:: 30 minutes - dd goes back with toddler. I would maybe pay her for this!
::20 minutes of a video for toddler or on your back in a backpack.
Brainstorm a list of things your dd can do with toddler.....songs, playdough, count, read, puppets, pouring, bath, etc......and let her choose....get a little area set up where she can keep her toddler stuff and she's in charge of it. Think of it as mommy-in-training. Meredith posts about how her daughter, Violet is in charge of setting up "preschool things" for her brother. These activities are for a 4yo.... but you get the idea. This will probably be the most important thing that your daughter EVER learns! Take advantage of her PERFECT age to do this!
:: That gives you 90-110 minutes of time with your son.
If you had more kids, you could alternate another bigger kid in the rotation, but you don't, so this is a good opportunity for your daughter to learn some practical life skills and earn a bit of money for that 2nd time period.
And, then make sure that your daughter DOES have some time with you, schedule it in somehow! Early AM? Late PM? While preparing dinner? You'll probably have to get creative.
I work with my older 2 on heavier readings after the little ones go to bed. They stay up 45 min or so after the 3 others. Does it cut into my "prep/chore" time at night? Yes.  But, it's actually pretty fun most of the time, and when my husband is home he is able to do some of my chores for me, which helps. Or, he does the reading, and I do chores.
HTH,
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Suzanne in ID
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Kathryn
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| Posted: March 08 2010 at 7:20pm | IP Logged
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GREAT ideas Suzanne! I will implement them as soon as I can.
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Kathryn in TX
(dd 16, ds 15, dd 8, dd 5)
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*Lindsey*
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| Posted: March 09 2010 at 7:03am | IP Logged
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Great ideas! Also, do you do videos? The twins will sit through almost an entire 30 minute video, so that buys us some time.
ETA: oops! I just saw Suzanne posted about a video as well.
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Lindsey
Mama to DS (11), DD(9), twin dds(7), DD (5), DS (4), DS (3), and 5 angels in heaven.
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10 Bright Stars
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| Posted: March 09 2010 at 9:21am | IP Logged
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Kathryn,
I second the high chair idea. Let them play with play dough etc. sitting right there next to you, but working on something. Those water color books that just use water and the color magically appears are great too. Then, try to institute a blanket play space. She can pnly play with this or that toy on the blanket. If she gets up, you take the toy away and she will eventually get the idea. My daughter, 9, does "pre-school with our 2.5 year old and our two twins, aged 4. We set up a little area for her in the basement and I bought a whole bunch of craft supplies on sale and little workbooks. (our schoolroom is in the basement.)She does "school" with them for about 30 minutes each day. Then, they do watch a video. The thing is to just keep them occupied the way YOU want them occupied or they will occupy themselves!
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Kim married to Bob (22y)
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happymama
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| Posted: March 09 2010 at 11:58am | IP Logged
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I have tremendous sympathy & understanding.  I can't top the advice already given, but here's my 2cents:
My 7yo does a lot of independent work, and although he loves having the younger 3 kids around, I do ensure that he has a quiet break from them each day for a while, alone in one of the 2 classrooms with the door shut.
Also, I have summarized all that is most important for me to teach, and put it all into our morning "circle time" or whatever you call it. Before we start this (with my 5 & 7 year olds,) I take the toddlers to the basement, put on a short video, and bring out "special" toys which only get played with during this time. Unless a toddler is hurting or sick, I don't interrupt our circle time to help them or respond to their fussing, I stay in the classroom with the door shut and give my older 2 my complete attention. The toddlers are learning that it's only for about 30 minutes each morning. They respond well to routines, even ones they don't approve of.
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Gloria JMJ
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| Posted: March 09 2010 at 12:53pm | IP Logged
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Maybe you can make sure the Time that dd is watching him is really active; running races, chasing balls, loads of tickles. Then the toddler will be too tired to get into too much trouble and may even sleep earlier. Just call it your dd's P.E. class  .
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: March 25 2010 at 4:36pm | IP Logged
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Kathryn~
How's it going? Anything specific that needs any more brainstorming? I ran across a couple good posts the other day that had to do with toddlers, and I'll try to post later.
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Suzanne in ID
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Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
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Kathryn
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| Posted: March 25 2010 at 7:01pm | IP Logged
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Hi Suzanne,
I wish I could say I've implemented anything! My step-dad passed away only 2 weeks ago so that's taken been stressful as well as helping my mom somewhat just by being there but that takes a toll emotionally. Also, I'm still trying to get past this extreme, extreme fatigue from this 1st trimester. I'll be 13 weeks on Sunday so I'm hoping beyond all hope that it subsides. I honestly haven't done hardly any official schooling in weeks because I just haven't had the energy, desire or time.
Please do post because hopefully this will pass soon...very soon but it sure doesn't seem that way.
Thanks,
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Kathryn in TX
(dd 16, ds 15, dd 8, dd 5)
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: March 25 2010 at 10:38pm | IP Logged
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Oh, Kathryn, I'm so sorry about your step-dad...  . Praying especially for your mom this evening.
And, Congratulations on your pregnancy! If it was in your sig-line when you originally posted, I MISSED IT! Shame on me! But, I'm SOOO excited for you! And, big about the fatigue...that's no fun. But....13 weeks! Yea! And, I added you to the Maternity Novena.
Hugs,
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Suzanne in ID
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mooreboyz
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| Posted: March 26 2010 at 8:56am | IP Logged
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I've been through this a few times and with my last 2 yr old had the most success. I found that working with the little ones first in the am while olders work independently is most important. This could be a walk and play outside, a game, books, art, whatever. Just filling them up with mommy's attention will give you some time to work with your other kids afterwards while they happily play nearby.
I also started using Montessori work at 18 mos. Having interesting things for the little ones to explore in the school area gives them something to do. Also, get them involved in all you do...cooking, laundry, etc.
Also, patience is key. Kids can tell when you are getting stressed and they seem to torque it upwhen they do.
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Jackie
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Mary K
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| Posted: March 26 2010 at 12:03pm | IP Logged
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I wrote down different toys/activities to do with my preschooler (4yo) and/or toddler (20mos.) on a set of index cards (approx. 4/card). I try to bring those toys/activities up for the next day, and put the old ones away after they're in bed.
God bless,
Mary-NY
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Topic: How to school w/ a toddler
