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mama2many
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| Posted: Aug 30 2010 at 12:03pm | IP Logged
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I need to get back to "school" with my 4yo. But here's the rub... I have a 2 yo that LOVES to get in the 4yo space and a 7 week old that nurses 24/hr a day!! (or so it seems)
What can I do with one hand while also working with the 4th and 1st graders??
Thanks ladies
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Krystin
wife to Kevin
mama to
M (12/00)
J (12/01)
K (6/06)
J (7/08)
A (7/10)
C (11/12)
My Clones in Action
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kristacecilia
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| Posted: Aug 30 2010 at 1:26pm | IP Logged
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I just printed off a bunch of the free materials from Montessori for Everyone for my 4 year old to do. I especially like the Command Cardsand all the matching activities. I am pretty sure even my 2 year old can do some of them. Yeay!
I am also going to set up a bean/lentil/rice bin somewhere nearby for the 2 and 4 year olds to work in. We have a drawer system nearby, and I put some of their own activities in the drawers- there is a playdough drawer, an aqua-doodle drawer, a lacing cards drawer, etc. They can pull out a drawer and take the activity to the carpet nearby.
I also have a nursing little one- luckily she is very content, but I have a nursing pillow I can use to handsfree nurse while sitting (reading books on the couch or helping older son at the table), I also have a bouncy seat, a swing, and a Bumbo in various locations around the house, and a playmat on the floor near the main learning area.
I have times pegged throughout the day where we come together and do school as a family- bible and catechism readings in the morning, a long nature walk mid-morning, read alouds for various subjects before lunch, family quiet time after lunch, and a long afternoon free from scheduled activities for playtime and other spontaeous learning.
I also have my 6 year old set up to do most of his work independently except the pegged family activities. I have housework pegged to quieter times of day- first thing in the AM and after the kids are in bed, or around meal times.
I don't have any older kids yet, so I don't know if this helps, but I hope so!
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God bless,
Krista
Wife to a great guy, mom to two boys ('04, '06) and three girls ('08, '10, '12!)
I blog at http://kristacecilia.wordpress.com/
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mama2many
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| Posted: Aug 30 2010 at 3:51pm | IP Logged
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Thanks this is VERY helpful!!!!!!!
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Krystin
wife to Kevin
mama to
M (12/00)
J (12/01)
K (6/06)
J (7/08)
A (7/10)
C (11/12)
My Clones in Action
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Lacy
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| Posted: Sept 02 2010 at 2:47pm | IP Logged
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I just saw a post over at Tiffany's about what to do with a toddler. I have baby chair ALL OVER my house because my little one isn't happy in any one place for more than 10 minutes at a time. I spend a lot of time with her in my baby bjorn. I have a friend who is very skilled at nursing her baby from her baby bjorn, but I haven't tried this myself.
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Lacy
Catholic Icing
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DominaCaeli
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| Posted: Sept 02 2010 at 4:07pm | IP Logged
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One thing that works for me (something the post Lacy linked to mentions) is to assign an "older" child to play with/watch a younger child in rotation. I do this all the time: 4yo watches 1yo while I read with 3yo, then they switch; 4yo watches 1yo and 3yo watches baby while I make dinner. This is one of the few ways I get some "hands-free" time to either work one-on-one with a child or accomplish a household task.
My other method is to be very, very flexible with my schedule, planning mostly around baby's needs/naps/moods. So instead of thinking, "Read picture books between 8-9," I think, "Read picture books when baby goes down for his second nap until he wakes up." Frustrating at times to not have a more predictable block of time to read to the kids (something that they and I both love), but these are blessed days with a baby and toddler in the house. 
Other than that, all I can say is that I am glad we are only doing "preschool" this year because I doubt anything formal would work into the crazy unpredictability that is life with so many littles. 
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Blessings,
Celeste
Joyous Lessons
Mommy to six: three boys (8, 4, newborn) and four girls (7, 5, 2, and 1)
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Angie Mc
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There are some sweet ideas here at favorite things to do with a ~3yo.
Enjoy your littles!
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
About Me
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Sanveann
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| Posted: Sept 06 2010 at 9:32pm | IP Logged
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Angie, thanks for that link! I am going NUTS some days here with a 3.5yo and 20mo, and that should keep them busy for ... oh, a day or so :)
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amarytbc
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| Posted: Sept 06 2010 at 10:13pm | IP Logged
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I remember one fall when things were especially challenging with my toddlers I brought in the little plastic kiddie pool and put it in the middle of our living room. I filled it with a few favorite toys and told the 2 and 3 year old if they listened quietly to some songs on the cassette player, I would let them play in the pool. It worked fabulously well. To keep them interested I went to the thrift store and picked up some new toys that were special just to pool time.
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: HELP?!?!
