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kathleenmom
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| Posted: Jan 18 2007 at 11:04pm | IP Logged
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I was just wondering how much time everyone takes off from school when preparing for the arrival, and settling in with the birth of a new baby during the school year?
I am a chronically disorganized creature....but God is working on me. I get a little more savvy about things with each new blessing. This baby's pending arrival has really snuck up on me this time and I'm rethinking my plans to continue schooling untill the beginning of February or until baby's arrival because I just can't get all the sorting/organizing/cleaning, etc..... done with school and general maintenance to take care of as well.
Then, of course...there is how much time to take off after baby's arrival. Do you just take off a short period and then start up with a modified more relaxed schedule or take off a big whack of time?
Just curious to know what other folks do.
Kathleen
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Jan 18 2007 at 11:31pm | IP Logged
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I don't have a set schedule.. but I think I usually try and get us doing stuff pretty soon after baby is born.. just because it's almost harder to have the kids at loose ends than to direct them in some school.
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almamater
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| Posted: Jan 19 2007 at 12:04am | IP Logged
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I agree with Jodie. Usually my parents stay for a couple of weeks and by then I am really eager to start feeling some semblance of a routine. Of course, I take it very slow and easy, but I just like to have some direction in the day. Plus, at that point the baby is sleeping so much more than he will in a couple of months.
On the other hand, I am not eager at all to leave the house or get involved in any social, extra-curricular or errand outings. We stay home for our baby moon as much as possible and as long as possible.
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Martha
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| Posted: Jan 19 2007 at 8:37am | IP Logged
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well, as usual I'm the odd ball out.
I tend to over compensate for my natural scatter-brained tendancies.
I'll pair down some of the stuff we do towards the end of the pregnancy. Less crafts, experiments, and travel out of the home.
I usually take a couple weeks off after the baby is born, but those idle hands really can't be left idle for long.
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Bridget
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| Posted: Jan 19 2007 at 8:47am | IP Logged
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The first full day i am home I have them bring me books to my bed. I read some or they work on workbook type things right on the bed with me. They need some structure and attention from me right away.
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Christine
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| Posted: Jan 19 2007 at 12:26pm | IP Logged
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Two years ago, I started back up right away, because one of my daughters insisted and it worked really well. She and her siblings learned in my bedroom and in the living room. This time, I waited until the 8th of January (7 days later) because this is when Christmas vacation ended. We did read a lot of books during this time.
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marianne
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| Posted: Jan 19 2007 at 2:20pm | IP Logged
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Kathleen,
Congratulations on your expected blessing! I got lucky with this last baby, because she was due 12/03. I knew that I'd want to be done until January, so I started school in July, so that we would be "free" to enjoy baby and the Advent/Christmas season without school for a solid 5 weeks. Well, she came almost a week early, so that became 6 weeks, and then somehow 7 before we actually started school again.
With other babies, things haven't worked out so perfectly. My 4th was a Feb. baby and my 5th was a March baby, and I do believe that I only took 2 weeks off after those little fellas were born. It worked out fine - as long as you're feeling OK and the baby is in that phase where they sleep all day - you can get some school done. Just don't worry if it doesn't all happen, or if you need to take a day off after a night where the baby is up too many times and you just don't have the energy.
As for organizing, I think you might regret stopping school to focus on organizing and cleaning. I would suggest maybe doing school in the mornings, and then plan one hour each afternoon to devote to the household. Or maybe make a big list of projects that you want to get done before baby, and do one a day, or 4 a week, or whatever you decide is reasonable. Slowly but consistently chip away at that list, and you'll get a lot done in just a couple weeks. Don't forget to assign tasks to your oldest two children. Maybe they can help a little more with the regular household chores to free up your time for projects. I'm just thinking out loud here...hope this helps some!
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teachingmom
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| Posted: Jan 19 2007 at 4:41pm | IP Logged
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I'm like Bridget. We never really take a full break. My mom even oversees basic lessons during the day or two that the girls spend with her and my dad while I'm in the hospital. (She's a retired teacher and doesn't mind at all.) During the first few weeks, the girls tend to only do what we call "the 5 R's". That is, reading, writing, 'rithmetic, religion, and read aloud. And I'll be the first to admit that the read alouds do not happen on a daily basis during that first month or so. Basically, the girls do everything they can do without my direct help (or with only minimal explanations) and then we do whatever else we can fit in, my energy allows, or the baby's needs allow.
Usually we are back up to speed sometime in the first 3-4 weeks. This time around, my baby is 3 and a half months old and we still have lots of "just the 5 R's" days. And sadly, it's not the baby's fault because she's so happy.
Well, let me rethink that. Some days it IS the baby's fault. Her older sisters are so taken with her cuteness that they spend unbelievable amounts of time holding her, talking to her, getting her to smile, taking pictures/video of her . . . . You see why we can't get all the lessons in?! 
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Bridget
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| Posted: Jan 19 2007 at 4:45pm | IP Logged
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teachingmom wrote:
| Her older sisters are so taken with her cuteness that they spend unbelievable amounts of time holding her, talking to her, getting her to smile, taking pictures/video of her . . . . You see why we can't get all the lessons in?! |
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And THOSE lessons are some of the most important of their whole lives! 
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Bridget, happily married to Kevin, mom to 8 on earth and a small army in heaven
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: What does your babymoon look like ?
