Desperately seeking advice on homeschooling with 4 younger children running around house!!!?

Question

I have a 7 yr, 5 yr, 3 yr, 2 yr, and 3 week old infant. I'm fairly new at homeschooling (was public school teacher before--amazingly I think it was easier!) and am having a horrible time figuring out what to do for a "schedule". My newborn is obviously not on any schedule yet so naptimes are spurratic and I nurse so feeding times are on demand rather than the every 2 hour thing. He sleeps for about 20 minutes at a time unless being help. My 2 and 3 yr olds are constantly disrupting or simply off tearing something up so therefore my 7 yr old is getting no decent amount of schooling and my 5 yr old simply entertains himself most of the day. I feel like at the end of the day the only thing I've accomplished is chased the little ones around and cleaned up mess after mess. This is really not how it used to be homeschooling and so I know it can go better I just really need some ideas of what is going wrong now and how to fix it. Maybe some scheduling ideas? Entertaining little ones?

Answer 1

What is 'going wrong' is that you want to use the same model of homeschooling with a different situation.

What you are describing sounds totally normal for your age situation. Especially when you have a newborn in the house, this totally changes everything. You need to cut yourself a little slack! :)

First, figure out your specific expectations for the schooling with your 7yo. How much time do you think is enough to do in a day--are you expecting too much? What is the bare minimum that s/he needs to do each day? Focus on that and not on an ideal.

Also, where are his/her skill levels? Could the child be sent to go read an easy book to the 3yo and 2yo? Or could the child be sent to just go read for a little bit while you set up a colouring activity or something for the 2yo and 3yo? What about math--if you take a minute to explain something, will the child be able to do, say, 10 questions on his/her own?

You might consider unschooling for the time being, or focusing on restructuring your time and activities and retraining children right now instead of focusing on the schooling. For example, you could train the 3yo and 2yo to play only in a specific area. Make sure there aren't too many toys around or they will make an absolute disaster of it. Go for creative toys, too--blocks, for example (but you can limit the number of blocks). Focus on training them to stay in one area and to put things away afterwards. If they aren't good at putting things away afterwards, limit the number of toys. You could even have just one thing out, everything else locked up in some way, and you tell them that they get to pick something else when the first thing is cleaned up, and that when they're really good at cleaning up without being told, you will bring a couple more things out to choose from.

Focusing on getting your 3yo and 2yo productively busy will be key. Productively busy can include having a small amount of playdough at the table while you work with your 7yo--same cleaning rules apply as above. Give only an amount they can't make a huge mess with and tell them they will have more next time if they can handle taking care of that small amount. Print off colouring sheets and keep them and white paper and a box of crayons at the table. You might also check into sites or books with playschool/preschool activities for more ideas.

With the age range and numbers, a general routine or schedule might not be a bad thing at all. The routine could include things like cleaning up, art time, play time, helping mommy time, reading time (2yo and 3yo either sit with books on their own or they all sit back while you nurse and read a story to them). But start off simple--it it's too complicated, you won't be able to follow it. I mean as simple as Get Ready Time (breakfast, getting dressed, etc.), Reading Time, Play Time, Lunch. If you have some sort of chart or checklist, particularly with images to represent each thing for those who can't read, the kids know what is expected and just that can sometimes make things easier.

Basically, keep in mind that you are running a nursery, a playschool/preschool, a kindergarten and an elementary class. Good functioning of the elementary class is going to depend on the good functioning of that rambunctious preschool class. Think about what they do in preschool, get those kids busy, then see about focusing more on your 7yo.

Good luck!

ADDED:
Please don't mind Mr. Z. He has never given birth to a child and has probably never been in charge of 5 kids who are the ages yours are, especially 3 weeks after having given birth. He's not even a parent! My brother-in-law teaches high school. Has 35-40 kids in his classes sometimes. Yet when he had a weekend home with his 3 boys, ages 1, 3 and 4, he truly appreciated just what a mom goes through and was amazed that she did that every day.

Answer 2

I'm not sure I have many answers for you, but I really just want to encourage you. I'm appalled at some of these answers. You don't have to quit homeschooling just b/c you have a baby. But, if you decide to, that's okay. Somehow we have to learn to homeschool through all the different stages of life. I have a 10 year old, 3 yr old, and 15 mo old. Honestly, the house is not picked up, the 3 yr old and 15 mo old are constantly into something. Right now, we're trying to use work that I can explain to the 10 yr old in a few minutes or is self explanatory and she can do on her own for a while. Then, hopefully I can get it graded in the evening. Sometimes, I'm only able to check over it quickly the next day. A lot of times we have to wait until "Dad" gets home in the evening to get things done. We're involved in a homeschool support group that meets once a week. We don't do our normal curriculum on that day. There's a play room for the little ones and the older one is able to have activities w/other kids her age. Dont' be too hard on yourself. I was very upset with the answer that said you must have not been a good public school teacher, b/c public school teachers handle 35 kids at a time. It's a much different environment. They don't have a 3 week old to take care of at the same time. I know many public school teachers that come home exhausted and frazzled. You might even consider taking a break until the infant gets a little older. We've had to take breaks for babies or moves or illnesses. It's not always necessary to cover every detail of your school material. They'll get a review next year. I'm sure I didn't have many helps for you, but I hope you know you're not alone. There's many of us out there that have similar situations. Keep up the good work.

Answer 3

Ok I don't have too many answers but hopefully what I have will help. For the baby...at this age there is no real schedule, but by now you have probably learned to nurse while doing other things. Maybe try using a sling so you can nurse or hold the baby without using both hands. You could sit and work with your 7 yr old, make lunch, whatever makes you comfortable. When you can use the bouncer or swing for the 3 week old. At this age they nap several times a day and don't need too much interaction when in the swing or bouncer. In a few months use the swing and exersaucer.

For the 2 and 3 year old do they still nap? That is a good time to do the hard stuff with your 7 year old. Maybe try to have activities that the kids like that they can only do during school time. Preferably something that keeps them sitting in the room. Play doh, Potatoe Head, coloring, etc. Let them watch a movie, one per day isn't too bad and if it is at the same time everyday it may distract them long enough to let you get something done. Serve a bowl of popcorn or favorite snack and 2 full sippy cups and you might get a whole hour uninterrupted. My 2 year old is in love with Disney's Cars and the classic Mickey Mouse cartoons, as well as the new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Veggie Tales or Jay Jay are also good, but you know your kids best. My 2 year old got a sand and water table for Christmas from my mom. It was a little expensive, $129 but it keeps him occupied more than you can imagine. My 8 year old even plays with his star wars guys there. If it is a nice day let them out back to run. Give them a ball or foot powered cars and let them go nuts. Be inside, but at the window supervising.

Your 7 year old should have a lot of worksheets that he/she can sit and do for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. During that time do something fun with the littler kids. Your 5 year old should be doing a little work too. Work with him while your older son is busy with work sheets. Your 7 year old could help you because he knows all this already. For my son that helper idea is really great. For reading the 7 year old can read to the 3 younger kids while you do something.

Hope this helps. Sorry I couldn't do more.

Answer 4

There are reports that honestly show that if boys do not start formal studying until the 3rd grade (9yrs historic) that they'll capture up to their friends within just a few months and be just first-class. So, starting early doesn't without a doubt support them. Nevertheless, if you want to help him be taught i would do the casual learning, not book work. He's going to get adequate of that in his life whether you homeschool or put him in college. If he likes automobiles use those for instructing colors and the alphabet (reading the types of automobiles and license plates). Most boys are not able to take a seat down in a seat for a protracted interval of time even by way of kindergarten. Heavens there is quite a lot of boys that are not able to all of the manner through fundamental college. Homeschooling is fine for that due to the fact they can do their work on the floor below the desk with sheets overtop as a tent. *grin* All that to say, fail to remember pricey curriculum and books. Do matters as you progress and have fun. Draw letters in the sand, draw with chalk on the sidewalk, and so on. Don't forget although that your son is most effective 18 months. He is not going to be studying any of these matters for a protracted even as but. Colors come first as you play with the "pink" truck, "blue" ball, and many others. The alphabet won't make experience for a whilst but except your baby is a true genius. Regularly you just must let nature take it can be course.

Answer 5

You need to get organized, and you need a schedule. What would work best at this point is to look at the natural patterns of the 2 and 3 yo, figure out when their quiet times are, and work around that. Get the five year old involved in their own work, which the goal for kindergarten should be to get them working for 15 to 30 minutes. While they are doing that, start the 7yo on his own work, and once you do that, go back to five year old.

I'm homeschooling an 11yo, 9yo, 8yo, 6yo, 5yo, with a three yo and one yo on the side. The truth of the matter is that it takes less than an hour a day to teach my 11yo all of his subjects. He works another hour on his own to finish his subjects. It honestly does not take that much time or energy to teach things, public schools need that much time because they spend so much time organizing 30 kids, and explaining the instructions to the five kids who didn't listen, disciplining the three kids who are acting up, and then starting all over because everyone is wild by then and no one understands anything the teacher said! I saw this over and over again in my children's classrooms.

Our schedule includes getting up at 6:30 for everyone, group exercize, breakfast and clean up, at 9am the little ones play IN THEIR ROOM, not all over the house. The older ones work in their rooms with assignments that are self-explanatory. When they are done they play. After lunch, EVERY one has quiet time. Whether they sleep or not, I dont care. The older ones usually read, or if they need extra help with something, we work together then. When that's over, it's free play. We are of course flexible, we have outside classes and social time that changes from day to day. You're going to have to take probably two weeks to get the schedule planned and then train the children to follow it. You'll have to be consistent and have consequences for the younger ones not following, because it sounds like they have run of the house now, and are happy to tear things up just to make you mad.

Let go of the housework. During the day you're a teacher, not a housewife. Figure out short simple meals...the kids would probably prefer that anyway, and the seven yo and five yo should be helping with chores and meals by that age.
WIsh you luck, it really is easier when you have a plan, just like you would for a classroom.

Answer 6

Okay, I know you're not going to like this but....

I would invest in having your 7 and 5 year olds goto a day care/half day schooling. You need the rest and it can help with the phyiscal education and the socail aspect.

For the 2 and 3 year olds I would invest in preschool for the same reasons.

It will always be easy to homeschool your children and I commend you for it. But right now since your youngest is so young, I would recommend either placing most of your children in a day care like setting until the baby is at least 6mos - 1year, or just place the two oldest in regular first grade and kindergarten.

Answer 7

I know I have no business answering this!
is it 4 kids or 5 kids?
I would not be me if I didn't say 'send the kids to school', we all know ppl use school as day care, I'm all right with that
that would be 2 kids learning AND out of the house.
what about send the preschoolers to Head Start?
but here's a REAL PRACTICAL SUGGESTION:
get another (or more) TV and dvd player, (ideally TiVo) then you play back PBS or whatever for the 7 and 5 year old
are you using the 7 y-old as Mom Jr? be careful, the only thing you will wind up teaching is Home Ec

Answer 8

Contact your school district and see if they can provide any advice or assistance. I don't know much about home schooling other than my senior year in high school, I had to be home schooled for a medical condition (not pregnancy) and they sent two teachers to my house for two hours each to work with me. One for two days, the other for two days. They got the school work from my teachers that I would have had were I to have been in school, but they brought it to my house and taught me there. Maybe your district has something similar. Honestly, at 5 and 7, I would just say give yourself a break with such young children at home and send them to school until you can get a better handle on things. That's a lot to put on your plate when your hands are already full with toddlers and a baby. If you have issues with public school, you might want to consider private school, either non-denominational, parochial, or Montessori, assuming that money isn't an issue.

Answer 9

There are stories that honestly exhibit that if boys do not begin formal studying till the third grade (9yrs ancient) that they are going to capture as much as their friends inside a couple of months and be simply satisfactory. So, opening early does not honestly support them. However, if you happen to wish to support him study I'd do the informal studying, no longer guide paintings. He gets adequate of that during his existence whether or not you homeschool or positioned him in tuition. If he likes vehicles use the ones for instructing colors and the alphabet (studying the varieties of vehicles and license plates). Most boys can not sit down down in a seat for an extended interval of time even via kindergarten. Heavens there is plenty of boys that can not the entire approach via fundamental tuition. Homeschooling is high-quality for that in view that they are able to do their paintings at the ground underneath the desk with sheets overtop as a tent. *grin* All that to mention, fail to remember luxurious curriculum and books. Do matters as you progress and feature amusing. Draw letters within the sand, draw with chalk at the sidewalk, and many others. Remember even though that your son is simplest 18 months. He would possibly not be studying any of those matters for an extended even as but. Colours come first as you play with the "purple" truck, "blue" ball, and many others. The alphabet would possibly not make feel for a even as but except your little one is a real genius. Sometimes you simply have got to allow nature take it is path.

Answer 10

Link up with other local people who are doing homeschooling. Homeschoolers tend to get together to brainstorm and socialize, and to let the kids socialize.

However, I agree with the person who asked whether you should really be doing this now. You seem very overwhelmed. Your younger kids need you, and your 7-year-old needs more attention than you can give.

Homeschooling, while worthy, has to be monitored. Isn't someone from your school district helping you?

If you're worried about what the schools are teaching, you can sit in on your children's classes and monitor them.