The beginning of our homeschool year is quickly approaching and I am filled with fear and anticipation.
The reason for my fear??
Yes, this sweet precious little one brings fear into every single thought I have about homeschooling this year.
I fear that I won’t have the time that I need to devote to teaching.
I cannot see how things are going to pan out.
My best plan is to make a mad dash into the homeschool room as soon as she falls asleep for a nap and get as much in as I can before she wakes up from that nap.
Then repeat at her next nap time.
This plan scares me.
I have the same basic plan for cleaning my house right now….and it’s just not working too well.
Every day that I set out to accomplish anything, ends with me being utterly frustrated that I even tried to begin with.
I want to be excited about this year…my girls are starting kindergarten!
But instead I’m fearful and apprehensive.
I know that even doing a mediocre job will be better than what they would get in public school.
But this is the last thing that I want to be mediocre with.
I don’t do well with mediocrity.
But, yet, it seems that everything I do these days is laced with just that.
I know that I’m not the first to deal with this fear.
Other families have successfully began a homeschool year with a new baby.
But, still I fear the unknown of how this is going to happen in our family.
If you have any advice, please send it my way.
I’m all ears.
And in the meantime, I’m going to go to the only One that can take away my fears.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. –Philippians 4:6-7
The only One that can give me peace about this unknown.
What are you fearful of or anxious about today?
Lizzie says
I can do all things through him that strengthens me!
Bless your heart, you can do this. If all you do is read to them this year it will still be productive, K isn’t even mandatory where I live!
Came by from Hip Homeschool Hop to say hi.
.-= Lizzie ´s last blog ..Getting Geared Up =-.
Ann Marie @ Household6Diva says
((hugs)) my dear friend! I have no concrete advice for you – only a supportive smile!
Your children will eventually grow up to lead wonderful, educated, cultured lives! I think by sharing with them your values and priorities of family (their sister) and your ability to be flexible will mentor them in countless ways.
Stop worrying about how they will compare with other children and embrace the education in diversity and family values you will be able to instill!
.-= Ann Marie @ Household6Diva´s last blog ..Alert the Fashion Police =-.
Monica says
Thanks, Ann!! You’re so encouraging…and I need your frankness and perspective, too.
Ashley @ AP Freewriting says
Take it one step at a time. Don’t worry about the schedule – with kindergartners, you really don’t need to have that much instructional time. Find “learning activities” for your girls to do while you’re with the baby – and if need be, just strap her along for the ride! 🙂 You can do it!
.-= Ashley @ AP Freewriting´s last blog ..Running from Submission =-.
Jennifer Vest says
Monica, I homeschooled Emily for Kindergarten while Abigail was a newborn and Cody was deployed for 15 mos. Benjamin was in German Kindergarten at that time but came home with us soon after. I found it much easier to homeschool with a newborn than with a toddler and I still find that now as Abigail is a toddler and Benjamin is doing Kindergarten. Of course, it won’t always be easy but I found that I could hold Abigail and bounce her if needed or strap her on in the snuggly if she was having a fussy day and still be able to teach Emily. And I decided my only real goal for Kindergarten year would be for her to learn to read. Anything else was icing on the cake! That way there’s not too much pressure. We did other subjects of course too but I was able to let myself off the hook that way if we had a bad day or whatever. I struggle with mediocracy too. I want to be perfect at everything! Some days Abigail would just sit nearby with a toy or in a swing and be content and other days she had to be held while we schooled but it wasn’t too bad. And Emily was reading and writing and doing fine at the end of Kindergarten. I know that you will find what works for your family! And of course, God will guide you every step of the way! I hope that helps! 🙂
Monica says
Thank you so much for commenting, Jennifer. You really helped to encourage me. I really need to be more relaxed and “go with the flow”. I think reading will be our priority and everything else, will, as you said, be Icing on the Cake!!
Joy says
You can do this. Remember, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
When my 2 younger ones were a newborn and toddler, I did a lot with my children during nap. Also while I was feeding them, I would read to my kids.
You will figure out a routine that works best for you and all will be fine.
Stopping by from the Hip Homeschool Hop!
.-= Joy´s last blog ..What Has Been Going On =-.
SUE says
I wish that I had some really profound advice to give you. The only thing that I know for sure is that God will make a way for you to ALL that you are called to do as long as you lean, rely, and confidently trust in Him every day.
You are in my prayers and I am believing for you to have a WONDERFUL (not mediocre in any way) school year!!!
Blessings to you from the HIP HOMESCHOOL HOP,
Sue
.-= SUE´s last blog ..Hip Homeschool Hop – 8-10-10 =-.
Heather says
I am in the same boat as you are! I worry I won’t be able to get the schooling done, house work finished and take care of this sweet new baby. I guess all we can do is continue to pray and pray some more and then do our very best.
.-= Heather´s last blog ..My New Fav! =-.
Theresa says
I was wondering if you had checked out a co-op called Classical conversations? We are beginning doing that this year and it is a lot of FUN. They teach you how to teach them in a way that is really fun using the classical approach. There are Classical conversations communities popping up all over the place and they are VERY family friendly! It is a half day program for your Kindergardeners.
I agree with the PP that said it was MUCH easier to homeschool with a baby than a toddler. When my oldest was in K5 I had a 3yr old and a newborn. The newborn was a piece of cake! If I had been in CC back then it would have been a lot easier as I wouldn’t had been so focused on book work but focused on learning through fun/songs/rhymes. Just thought I would pass that by because what you are doing could be complimented through a CC community! God Bless!
Theresa
Monica says
Thank you so much for the conversation. I have heard of Classical conversations, but didn’t know what it was exactly. I’m going to check to see if our homeschool association has one.
I’m basically in the same situation that you were in. My girls are in K5 and I have a three year old and a newborn. Hopefully, she’ll be the piece of cake that yours was!! Then, I’ll just have to worry about my 3 year old that is a handful anyway :).
Theresa says
If you look up http://www.classicalconversations.com there will be a tab up top that says find a community near you. If they are having any practicums, or parent orientations, GO TO ONE! If anything, you can take away a little information and some things to lay at the Lord’s feet. I went to a practicum (teacher training) in the summer of 2009, but when I prayed about joining my local group, God told me NO. I was SOOOO BUMMED, however, God knew best. Even the BEST program in the wrong time is still WRONG! My group was was begining their first year and I had an inkling that if I didn’t obey that resounding “NO”, I would have over-committed myself by joining in their start up year. God did some amazing stuff with us last year, that He may not have been able to accomplish if I had joined (we are adopting through foster care). SO GLAD I get to be apart of it NOW that they have a good established group and I don’t have to feel like I NEED to be taking on more than I can manage! Actually with the NEW responsibilities that will soon be in our care, God has assured me that doing CC should give me enough guidance/accountability to help me through the transition/adjustment time. SO, long story short, The Lord will tell you if now is a good time for CC if there is even one in your neck of the woods! God Bless!
Theresa
.-= Theresa´s last blog ..Why Adoption Part 1 =-.
Muthering Heights says
Hmmm, I’ve never homeschooled with a new baby, but there ALWAYS seems to be one at my house. Not to sound cheesy, but the Moby Wrap I posted about the other day is my life saver.
It might help keep her calm so you can focus on the older kids! 🙂
.-= Muthering Heights´s last blog ..Its Coming!!! =-.
Monica says
I actually pulled out my Moby today (after seeing your post) to start wearing her, hoping that it will help!
Mindy M says
My schooling acutally went better when I had a nursing baby. I would put the school things we were working on in my nursing corner within reach. Then when I would sit down to nurse we would read books and do crafts (nothing too messy) Sonlight has great books but can be overwhelming. Remember that you don’t have to do everything, just enjoy the time you have with them. My oldest graduated from homeschool last year, the time flew by. I am so thankful of the days we had together. She is very strong. It would have been easy to send her off to school but because we homeschooled we learned to talk things out. I had to grow into a better person (with the help of God). Having children stretches parents. Homeschooling puts us in the positions to change and grow to be our best. God never gives us more than we can handle. My youngest is 7 and we are doing classical conversations. I think #4 and #5 were easier than the older ones b/c I have more patience.
.-= Mindy M´s last blog ..Lacto-Fermented Dill Relish =-.
Sara @ Embracing Destiny says
Stopping by from the Blog Hop. Your blog is very nice!
I gave birth to my third daughter on August 25th last year, so I understand where you are! My oldest was 7 and my middle had just turned 2 the same month. I was also worried about what it might do to our homeschooling “routine,” but this past year has probably been the most productive so far. This will be my third year of turning in required paperwork for the school district and I feel like I’m more focused than ever. My advice would be to decide what you absolutely want/need to cover (for us, it was Biblical/character studies) and the rest can wait. Children learn so much just from being at home with you, especially at this young age. I found that I could still do a lot of reading while nursing a baby, so we spent tons of time on reading and lapbooking. I recommend Homeschool Share, Five in a Row, and WholeHeart Ministries for ideas. Just enjoy them while they’re young! The learning will happen, I promise! ;0)
Now the housework, that’s another story. I found some great ideas from the FlyLady and her 15 minute clean-ups have been working for me. Kind of. Well, I’m getting used to clutter. LOL
Blessings!
.-= Sara @ Embracing Destiny´s last blog ..More Butterfly activities and resources =-.
Sara @ Embracing Destiny says
P.S. I just saw the other comment about babywearing. This was a lifesaver for me as well. I use an Over the Shoulder Baby Holder, but I really love the Moby wraps, too. I still use it now that she’s 11 months, but not as much since she wants to be mobile with her crawling and cruising! ;0)
.-= Sara @ Embracing Destiny´s last blog ..More Butterfly activities and resources =-.
Penny Kendall says
Monica … stopping by from ifellowshippers and just wanted to give you a little encouragement. I’m on the tail end of my homeschooling years … 23 years of homeschooling six kiddos and now my youngest will be a senior in high school.
Over the years, I often felt the way you’ve described. The weight of our responsibility can sometimes overwhelm us, not to mention make us feel inadequate.
You’ve received good advice so let me just add by giving you a little word to repeat to yourself …. “God does a lot with a little”. God will pour grace on you in the amount that you need it to overcome the obstacles of having little ones because you are where you need to be; with your little ones training them in the way God has called you to train them. Remember too that Satan does not want you to be obedient or faithful so he will try to convince you that you are a failure at your mission; the most important mission to your heart right now.
Allow yourself to be flexible, think outside the box in the area of teaching and allow God to set your lesson plan. I elaborated on this idea on my blog in a post called ‘God’s Classroom’.
Bless you as you give God your lesson plans and allow him to show you what is most important each day to learn.
penny
LifeAtTheCircus says
I love the similarity of our lives and how I feel we are going through many things “together”. I too have similar fears for this year. Partly, b/c honestly I don’t feel like I did a perfect job last year. I am hoping it goes better this year. I think the key component for me is going to be getting up early and also saturating the days and year in prayer.
.-= LifeAtTheCircus´s last blog ..Bet You’ve Never Seen an Army Quite Like This One =-.