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MommyD
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| Posted: Jan 20 2011 at 8:21am | IP Logged
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How do you schedule in one-on-one time with each child? My 5-year-old especially needs focused attention from Mommy each day or he runs a little (or a lot!) wild! My kids are 10, 8, 5 and 1.5. They 10 year old boy is very easily distracted so I can't give him work to do and tell him to go do it; I really have to hover over him. I feel like there isn't enough of me to do what I need to do!
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mom2mpr
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| Posted: Jan 20 2011 at 10:32am | IP Logged
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I can't "schedule" it. I have found that if I pay attention, I can "label" my time with my kids and find it in my day naturally.
I was feeling guilty about not having 1 on 1 a few months ago--and I only have 2 kids  The house, dog, neighbors, phone, tasks that need to be done, etc. were clamoring for me.
But, you know what I did? I payed attention and lived in the moment, and "found" that my kids did get one on one, I just never saw it. So, when I was helping dd dress in the am while ds was still sleeping, I focused on HER. We laughed, picked funny outfits, etc. Ds is harder as he can be independent. I try to get dd to sleep and then "tuck him in" and chat a little. It's hard because I'm usually toast by then and he is old enough to understand. These are just a few examples.
Someone once posted here that she concentrated on one kid each day or tried to keep track of time spent with kids and would make the kid who faded into the background that day, the priority the next day.
Hoping you come to the realization that you are doing great!! And your kids are going to grow and need you less in a few short years--five is one of those needy times 
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Anne, married to dh 16 years!, ds,(97), Little One (02), and dd (02).
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mamaslearning
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| Posted: Jan 20 2011 at 10:33am | IP Logged
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I'm watching this with interest. 
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Lara
DD 11, DS 8, DS 6, DS 4
St. Francis de Sales Homeschool
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Marcia
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| Posted: Jan 21 2011 at 10:26am | IP Logged
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I like Anne's comments! I am going to do this today.
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Marcia
Mom to six and wife to one
Homeschooling 10th, 7th, 5th, 2nd, PreK and a toddler in tow.
I wonder why
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Barbara C.
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| Posted: Jan 25 2011 at 2:37pm | IP Logged
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Well, I know what you're saying. My five-year-old seems to do better for a dose of focused mommy time. (She really gets super wild when she's getting tired, though.)
I just integrated my five-year-old into our formal homeschooling time. Right now it's just a 15-minute Pre-K session, but I had to find something to occupy my 8-yr-old. I knew if I had her start her regular schoolwork she would constantly interrupt with questions. So, I made her start doing some independent reading time for that 15 minutes. And that's the first part of our school day.
Two or three times a year I try to schedule some one-on-one mommy dates with each of them; we usually just go for lunch at one of their favorite places (that doesn't have a playground). I've also rotated who gets to go with me to run errands, like the weekly Aldi trip.
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Barbara
Mom to "spirited" dd(9), "spunky" dd (6), "sincere" dd (3), "sweet" dd (2), and baby girl #5 born 8/1/12!!
Box of Chocolates
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glinNC
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| Posted: Jan 27 2011 at 6:36pm | IP Logged
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I only have 2 young ones at home now, and we have incorporated the "workbox system" (scroll down page) this school year, and it has improved our ability to get more school work done, AND I have "Work with Mom" boxes that give me one-on-one time with each child ... in an academic setting. I occasionally put a math game or puzzle in the box to do with each child individually, but they are happy to just snuggle on the couch and read to me when he gets to that particular "Work with Mom" box.
We also have alternating chore weeks when one child has "kitchen duty," so we spend time preparing dinner (he sets table), too, every other week.
It is harder to do when you have several children, but I think the workbox system would allow you to at least get some academic, one-on-one time.
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4Real Forums : Planning and Ordering our Days
Topic: Finding one-on-one time with each kiddo
