Finding the time to Homeschool?

[mother of faith]

As a homeschooling mom who recently became a homemaker and mother of 2 finding the time to keep the house, take care of hubby, and the infant dog,  was extremely hard at first.  Well if you are like me trying to find the time is the hardest part. I am even a pastor's wife with a small country church, plus a Quilting Ministry. It takes planning and creating a schedule, and of course a budget now that I have no income myself, relying on my hubby. However I have found days that homeschooling is not an option. Days that we have our ministry deliveries, and services is really hard for me to crame 1 hour of schooling in, but there are small ways that you can incorprate time in, for example, my husband drives so when we come to a red light we sing a song, or count or something that corresponds with his lesson. I spy the color ? is a good game as well. I finaly have come up with a schedule that works most of the days. However on Fridays we have play school, music, and movie, Saturdays and Sundays are free days. Homeschooling everyday for my toddler is to much. Keeping a routine is very important to toddlers, and keeping their surroundings the same each day is a big help well with mine anyway. He knows that his high chair is for eating, his table is for painting, his room is for play school,etc. Having a specific place or spot in the home or room is wonderful for my toddler. He knows what is expected of him in those areas.  Are some of you thinking about homeschooling but seem to can't find the time like I was?

[joan]

Yes I am. I can't imagine how you manage the house, the kids, cooking, feeding, cleaning, homeschool, research, quilting ministry? 

[TABS]

Hi mother of faith,

Wow! you are busy...

So what's your routine?  Are you up early and late to bed?

For myself, I also am a stay at home Mom.  I do my own housework, but do have help on Friday morning to do the ironing. My husband works close by which is wonderful... but can also take time away from other things as he pops in often for tea and meals.  ( I wouldn't change this, it is so good to have him around and great for our son!) 
The kitchen for me is the place I spend the most time - cooking three meals and doing dishes... it never ends!  .  Another thing I am finding is taking a lot of time is the research I'm doing trying to decide what I will do for my sons future homeschooling.  There is just so much out there that it's a bit daunting.  I have settled on one and then read something that changed my mind about it and so it goes on.  My son is almost four, so will need to get something soon.

We aren't home on the weekends - or very seldom and Wednesday my son and I are out till 5 in the afternoon from early morning.  So Wednesday and weekends are out for me with homeschooling.  Then on occasion once every two weeks, our son goes to town for the day with his dad.

So that leaves Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday - not so bad.  I try to start early, straight after breakfast.  I even leave the dishes till later as I find that should he start to play, getting him to do his writing is just impossible.  We do his writing, his 'words' with the scrabble letters and then he see his EK on the Little Reader.  Later I will flash his words, remind or ask him about some facts that he's learning and then mid morning  we do Little Maths for as long as he wants and then we do an art activity.  I do find that he is not so keen these days to see his words on LR, but likes the stories or EK.  I must be totaly honest that I don't always manage to do the three sets of everything during the day.

Perhaps the idea of a schedule is the answer.  And then I'd get more accomplished both homewise and schoolwise...  It's just making it and sticking to it... not something that I'm so good at.

Looking forward to hearing more on this subject of time management to fit in homeschooling.

TABS

[mother of faith]

My hubby is self employed so he's popping in and out all the time, which I love because he helps me with the physical play part of my sons routine, but he usually catches me in the middle of teaching. I homeschool my toddler most of the time 3 days a week. That's all my time allows. I have sat down and studied the house duties and schooling, which ones can I combine together, for example while my son eats and I feed my infant we sing songs, i use flashcards of the foods that we are eating, or the places that we are going. You mentioned about going to town with you and out with dad make those days a field trip. Have him bring you something back that he picked up during his day and talk about when, where, how, etc. We pick up rocks, or flyers of the places we visit, etc. Then i make a story up about what my son did and where he went so he will be excited to finish the story the next time we go to that place. On my weekdays i have scheduled to clean a room or 2 for everyday like for Mondays=living room, kitchen, and guest bath, and laundry. Tuesdays=bathrooms, and bedroom, laundry. That's a sample of my schedule. I don't try to crame everything in at one day, i work on a room at a time.
homeschooling schedule Mondays=introduce the story, Bible verse, read the corresponding book, word flashcards from the story, a new sign for signing that goes with the story, music that goes with the story. Tuesday=introduce the story, read the story words, art or coloring, practice sheets for writing, we use our finger then we are miovng towards a pencil, shapes in the story, colors in the story. Wednesday=read the story book, word flash, math time counting what ever object, or sorting the object in the story usually using file folder games. Thursday=none Friday=sensory time and field trips, Social studies. Saturday= play school using specific toys that corresponds with the theme, lots of music time, teaching to play different instruments, computer time using Brillbaby and another that I don't think I ort to mention, it is free. Everyday before 7:00 dad has gym class with him to help make him go to sleep.
Most of the stuff I have made before my son was ready for it. I have some websites that I use for a basic theme but they don't cover all of the subjects so I make my own up. I am still making as we go but I have a lot already finished. I create Bible based curriculum, so if you are interested in that then I can help you with yours in interested?

The first thing is to set your schedule then incorprate his learning in, and remember not to leave hubby out of the picture. Say on Thursday is my church night this is when i concentrate on the church there is no schooling on that day except singing, and playing with specific toys that goes along with the story, shich i make as well using felt and glue.

I sleep when both of mine sleep duteing the day, then at night i can be up for my infant if i need to and work on the next months theme lessons.

I use a lot of computer software to help me make my own worksheets, books, and lessons as well.

You mentioned that he doesn't like to write, there are ways to introduce writing in differnt was by using different writing utensils. Mine love red, so i use a red marker, a red colored pencil, etc. Now if he seems not to be able to hold a pencil very well or it seems akward for him then i can tell you how to make a pencil or crayon that fits better into his hand using model magic, also bingo doppers work, tracing stensils, and using writing worksheets that have a fav character or in my case a Bible person on the page.

www.hubbardscupboards.com (I think) is a good site to find free faith based lessons. If you wnat to purchase one Hands on homeschoolong i think is the name is a good one too. But i will be glad to help you get going.

[neric6373]

Wow, you are all great, I was always intrigued by why moms took up to homeschool. I agree the public schools are not that challenging, plus the private is out of reach. But I have tried to strike a balance where my daughter, 5 yrs gets the best of both worlds. She gets to learn at her public school which takes care of social interaction and some learning, but when she comes home and especially on weekends, I try to incorporate extra learning. I have understood that this is what she enjoys, I could not do homeschooling all week like you guys. So goodluck to you all and I hope you find your perfect teaching routine! I am sure you love the Little Reader and math just like I do to give that extra oomph in your teaching. During summer, I have more plans for her, Kumon is one and I am hoping I can make it enjoybale for her!

[mother of faith]

It's really great that you are finding time to teach her on weekends. And I am sure that it is helping her in her public education as well. Having a little one home with you while you cook, and clean is a great way to teach independence as well. Keep up the good work mom! I am just now getting into the Little Reader, and math but I'm sure that my toddler will enjoy it and so will I.

[mother of faith]

here is my website and some of my curriculum
www.faithbased.webs.com
www.remnantsoflove.webs.com

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