Mama to 6~The Large Family Logistics

Homeschooling

I had a question emailed to me earlier today regarding homeschooling and how do I do it with 6 kids underfoot allday?  I am honest to say it is not easy.  I seem to struggle more then I don't struggle it seems.  My personality is honestly not a good personality to be a homeschool mom.  I am a bit of a perfectionist, I like things to be done right the first time.  I like things to be certain ways or else I tend to get anxious.  I have cut down on caffeine lately and that seems to be helping.  Every morning I pray to the Lord to bring peace to my day.  I am reading Psalms in the evening before bed.  There was a period of time when we thought we should do Bible time at night while Daddy was home, but then it seemed it was harder to find time to do Bible.  Since switching back to Bible time in the morning first thing it helps for me to remember why I am doing this in the first place!  My children used to be in public school so I know first hand that they are better off at home!  They are doing better spiritually, educationally, and as a whole just better.  We have a Monday-Thursday school week.  Fridays were days for us to do what we want until a couple weeks ago we decided to do swim & gym at our local YWCA.  And can I tell you something?  Even that is a struggle for me.  Joshua, my almost 3 year old is at a pretty good age, but my Jake is at the age where he runs away constantly.  So during swim and gym you will find me running after Jake for the 2 hours we are there.  Also what does not help is the fact that the swim and gym is from 1-3.  Yep, you guessed it, right during nap time!  Here are the ages of my children, Alexis is 13, Nicholas is 11, Amanda is 9, Faith is 6, Joshua is 2 (almost 3), and little Jake is 16 months. Alexis is pretty independent, which is such a blessing.  Nicholas & Amanda do their Language, Math, Cursive, Explode the Code, & Reading on their own.  I check their work to make sure they are understanding.  We do Science and History together.  Faith is in between K and 1st grade so she has 3 books she works on pretty much independently.  They are the K5 A beka workbooks.  She does 1 page from each book daily. She just finished her A beka math and she is now using Singapore math.  We also have lucked out with her because she loves to read and will read on her own.  She will ask me works she does not know though.  Faith also listens to Science and History.  I am using Apologia Astronomy, and Beautiful Feet Early American History.  I read a-loud to the kids and ask questions.  I go along with the manual for Beautiful Feet.  For Science I read 1-2 pages depending on what we are covering and then do the experiments.  So far this is working well.  I must say that for me personally the teaching is not the hard part.  The hard part is the interuptions, hyperness, bickering, and the messes allday.  Alexis tends to finish her schoolwork quicker then the other kids do, so she will usually watch the 2 little ones during the time we do History and Science.    I read Managers of their Homes this past fall and tried to put a schedule together.  I actually put one together, but don't tend to go by it very much.  Like today for example we were doing schoolwork this evening because I had to take my Faith to her first appointment to see a Naturopathic doctor.  I will be posting about our experience there tomorrow.  I will need much advice.  I will share Faith's story and share with you what brought us to this dr.  

I hope some of my information about our days helps those who need encouragement.  It is not easy sometimes, believe me I know.  If anyone has anymore questions feel free to email me.  I will leave you with this verse:

"Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."  1Corinthians 10:31. 

thank-you THANK-YOU!

10:49, Tuesday, January 22, 2008 .. Posted by Alaina

I just wanted to say thank-you for your honest and fresh perspective in regards to home school. You sound soooo much like me! Only I have an 11, 10, 9, two 7, two 6, 31/2 & 21/2 yr. olds. All with some issue or another(ADHD, RAD, OD, etc..) I'm glad to hear that even "normal" families have a hard time getting it all together. I just put them in school this yr. for a break because of our living/moving situation and am contemplating bringing some of them back home next yr. I REALLY need to pray what is best and be faithful to what ever the Lord has for us. Keep up the AWESOME work! THanks again for your encouragement.
Blessings,
Alaina