Homeschool and Homelife After Baby (my plan anyway)

Heather asked:  ......have a quick question for you regarding homelife and homeschool...what do you generally do with school after the baby arrives? Do you take a break or do you do limited school? Curious since we will be in the same boat soon and very soon :o). We've generally taken 3 mos. off then started back, year round...but the children had a difficult time this week getting back in the groove, so I was rethinking if that was the best idea. What are your thoughts?

  I was going to respond in the comment section but decided to just write a post instead.

 I am always hesitant to put a plan down in writing. You know the saying...something like.... people make plans and God has his own. Now having said that, this is the "plan". Provided that this delivery goes just as smoothly as my other deliveries and I bounce back just as well, we will take about one to two weeks off from our studies and possibly all extra activities. After that we will pick up where we left off. We have never taken a lot of time off from homeschooling after I have had a baby. In the beginning the baby tends to sleep a lot and that leaves a lot of down time. I have also found that days without a plan and without some activities can lead to some very long days. Now this is not the case all of the time but I have found that the children's days are much happier when they are productive. I have found this especially true with my Patrick (5 1/2yr). The days just go by smoother when things are accomplished.

 My other thoughts are with Joe and Julia. We really can't afford to take a lot of time off right now. With them being older there is more work to be done. We have found a good rhythm and I really don't want to disrupt it.

 I am counting on a lot of help from my older children. (I am sure this baby will never be put down) My husbands work schedule is going to be quite challenging for us soon after the baby is born, so we are going to have to work as a team here. I always tell the older children I couldn't do it without them. And that is the truth! They usually always step up to the plate and pitch in when needed.

 So, that is the plan for us. Prayerfully, my plan and God's Plan are the same!! I am going to bring what I have, my meager efforts, (my loaves and fish) ask God to Bless it, and know that it will "feed" the masses and be sufficient. :0)

Comments

[ann marie]

The older kids are a huge help. Maggie is the easiest, not because of any other reason than I have help now. You sound like you have a great plan. I'm so excited for you! Really, I can just imagine you all coming into church right now. You're the cute family.

[Sussette]

:-D Great Plan!

[marissa]

sounds good. Our baby is due the end of June so I was thinking of taking the summer off which I usually do not do, ever, but I am not sure we will be finished by then and I am with you on the kids need structure & productivity. I guess we might just take a little bit of timeoff. Usually about the time everybody's craving structure, I am too.

[Heather]

Thanks so much for your insights, Kirsten...I completely agree and can see the wisdom in continuing with some structure and routine after a break...always has been beneficial for them and for me :o)! I am revising my "plan" to include a shortened break, and a flexible spirit to receive and respond to the unforeseen. And thank you, Melissa, if you're reading as well, for the wise reminder that "I may have to see where things are, when the baby actually does arrive, and go from there..."...

Thank you again!
Heather