I had decided to homeschool years before I was even married… so by the time my oldest was 3 I was excited to get started. Since I had taught pre-school up until she came along I had lots of ideas! Some of them were a hit with her, but fizzled with my second child, who has a VERY different approach to learning. By the time my third child was ready for pre-school I was knee deep in life and had very little time to plan elaborate days for him! Even so, few tried and true ideas survived the tests of time! 

1. ROUTINE:  life throws many interesting curves at us, so routine needs to be simple and flexible, but the predictability of a schedule helped keep us motivated. I believe that routine helps prepare the framework for future structure; it makes discipline a bit easier when you can just remind the child that it is NOT time for a certain activity and it gives the child a sense of the passing of time, which becomes more valuable later on! If a child knows that snack time happens every day after nap or that she may watch a video after dinner it creates a sense of security! 
    
2. PURPOSED PLAY: I believe that young children should learn without really knowing that they ARE learning! Learning will just pour out of everyday life:  counting, learning animal sounds, coloring, and such all come from natural conversations and play. 
    
3. BOOKS:  I cannot stress how important books are! They should be available all day and everyday! Read while you nurse the baby, read at bedtime, read during long road trips, read, read read! Encourage your little one to “read” to you! Books should be an early habit! 
    
4. NAPTIME! Both you and your little ones need down time each day. Even if your child has outgrown naptime, you can institute a daily “QUIET TIME”. A little rest refreshes everyone and breaks up the day into more manageable chunks! 
    
5. OUTSIDE TIME:  Children just need fresh air! Make time to be outside everyday… even if it is only for 5 minutes, but preferably longer. This was always hard for me to schedule, but I was amazed how much they always loved the great outdoors and still do today. If we train them to be couch potatoes, we shouldn’t be surprised when we can’t get them outside later in life!
    
6. CONSISTENCY:  Yes, it is so much easier said then done.  But we all know how very important it is to set limits that are accompanied by age-appropriate consequences and rewards. If you say something… MEAN IT!  

Before you know it, these years will have flown by and you will be parenting the product of this early molding period. Make sure you are diligent in these formative years!

 For more tips, check out THIS GREAT WEBSITE!  

Lovingly and Prayerfully,

Christina 

Christina and her family are in their 11th year of homeschooling.  They believe that it CAN be done despite the many challenges of life! Every member of a family brings its own unique needs and blessings.  Maybe some of what they have learned can be a blessing to YOU!

I promise you, I have never met a toddler with more energy than my oldest two had when they were babies! I even found my oldest on TOP of the fridge at 10 months of age!  Imagine my surprise! Taking her anywhere was a huge stressor.  That stress was multiplied by 5 in less than 8 years and taking the children to the dentist, the grocery store and to church was nearly nightmarish!

Two things saved my sanity… 

A Busy Box

and

Lap-Training! 

A Busy Box is a collection of items for the toddler that they are only allowed to have during a time that quiet is needed.  That way they do not tire of these toys and they become their special things. When they are younger this can be a favorite book, a teething toy, a snack, etc.  As they get older this can become  “SCHOOL” books. 

I enjoyed THIS article  about the office supplies in one toddler’s box!

My toddlers enjoyed toy tools, Color Wonder Markers that can only write on the special Color Wonder Paper, wooden blocks, a Giant Peg Board from Discovery Toys and usually a little container full of Cheerios!

Lap-Training is a great time for child training and bonding. The last 4 or 5 paragraphs of this article spell out one  method of lap-training.

I would usually just hold the baby on my lap during our family devotions and gently trained the child to sit happily for increasingly long periods of time.

 If done daily or even as a part of family worship each evening,  it will quickly be a great benefit that will enable your child to sit quietly in church, on a train, on a bus, in a plane...  this is starting to sound like Green Eggs and Ham!  It CAN be done!   

Lovingly and Prayerfully,

Christina 

Christina and her family are in their 11th year of homeschooling.  They believe that it CAN be done despite the many challenges of life! Every member of a family brings its own unique needs and blessings.  Maybe some of what they have learned can be a blessing to YOU!

One of the most common questions mothers of young children have when going into homeschooling is:  What do I do with the baby? 

Diane Hopkins answered this question brilliantly in her article: The Baby IS the Lesson.  This is one of my favorites to refer friends to when they need ideas in this area!

I know there are many schools of thought about the controversial word “SCHEDULING”, but for OUR family it was very important to have a routine… one with room for flexibility, but a routine… nonetheless. 

When I was pregnant, we would practice the new baby routine for several weeks before baby was born and give ourselves at least 2 months before really expecting it to start to take shape after baby’s birth.

I would plan longer periods than necessary for each activity knowing that an unexpected need for a diaper change can really affect the plan! In order to plan for extra time, it was necessary to expect to do less for awhile. Don’t expect to implement a full scale 20 subject curriculum at this time. For that matter, don’t ever expect that!  You will exhaust yourself! 

Older siblings can be a wonderful help during this time. I learned that sibling rivalry became pretty much non-existent when I would talk to the new baby about his or her big siblings! The baby really does not care what you are saying and the older child loves to hear you tell all about them!  

My children also learned that nursing time for baby was book time for them! We kept a basket of books right by my “nursing spot” at the end of the couch. Soon those many nursing throughout the day became a great time to implement short lessons based on whatever books we stashed there! 

Most of all, cherish this time. It is over far too fast and before you know it… it will be just a memory.

Parenting from the Heart: Practical Parenting from a Mom of 14 Children is available at http://www.christianbook.com and addresses this and many other relevant issues!  

Lovingly and Prayerfully,

Christina 

Christina and her family are in their 11th year of homeschooling.  They believe that it CAN be done despite the many challenges of life! Every member of a family brings its own unique needs and blessings.  Maybe some of what they have learned can be a blessing to YOU!

Whether it's morning sickness, the flu, or a chronic illness in a family member, sickness can really throw the homeschool family into chaos. When I was pregnant, I needed a lot more rest and it felt like so little was being done, or when one of the children came down with a flu… I knew an epidemic was likely on the way and when we had a chronically ill baby there were days when all I could do was hold a hurting child and pray for her pain to subside. 

How do you get through these times?  What if the other children fall behind on their schoolwork? What about the laundry and dinner? Unless you, UNLIKE ME, are super mom, you have certainly dealt with these same challenges and more. 

Before Sickness strikes: 

1. Have a freezer meal or two in reserves for just such an occasion (or some money set aside for ordering out).
2.  Prevent illness with good nutrition, but keep the first aid stocked up…  no one wants to run to the store with a puking toddler!
3. Have a routine that has room for flexibility…  having too many outside commitments can make these sick days even more stressful if you have many promises and obligations to fulfill that you “cannot get out of”.   

Bottom Line:  Always have a Plan B! (and possibly C and D!)

During Sickness: 

1.        Keep well hydrated and try to choose healthy snacks.

2.        Isolate contagious sickness, if possible.

3.        Watch an educational video. Listen to a book on tape. Enjoy classical music. This way you will feel like you are still accomplishing something educational! 

Bottom Line:  Remember that “This Too Shall Pass” and this is a great opportunity for the whole family to work on character traits such as patience, compassion, and serving one another in love. 

After Sickness: 

1.        Do not feel like you have to double on schoolwork to get caught up. Always plan in PENCIL and be prepared to erase and reschedule.

2.        Take it easy. Getting back into life too fast while immunities are still rebuilding can cause additional sickness.

3.        Do a unit study! I know it sounds silly, but children learn best through experiences. While it is still fresh in their minds, capitalize on it. Learn about Germs, Disease, The Respiratory System, etc. 

Bottom Line: The best way to REGROUP is to move FORWARD!   

Lovingly and Prayerfully,

Christina 

Christina and her family are in their 11th year of homeschooling.  They believe that it CAN be done despite the many challenges of life! Every member of a family brings its own unique needs and blessings.  Maybe some of what they have learned can be a blessing to YOU!

I don’t know about you, but I get overwhelmed sometimes.  It was more common when the children were younger and needed so much of me, but it still happens.  Things just pile up and I worry that I am not adequate for the task.

Let us all be the women of Titus 2  encouraging, mentoring and inspiring one another! We can do this through blogging…  I know I try to! We can also write a note, place a phone call, arrange a time to take her children for a walk, help her decorate for a birthday party, loan her your older daughter for a few hours, or just listen when she needs to vent! 

http://www.HopeChestLegacy.com has a great little booklet called 101 Ways to Bless a Homeschooling Mother. There are more than enough ideas to cheer an army of homeschooling moms!  

Devotional books 

 funny notecards,

 or a CD of encouraging music

are sweet gifts that can really boost a mom's spirits! 

I can’t tell you the power of an email with a Bible verse, poem or prayer.  Even a cheerful “just thinking of you” goes a long way. 

Lovingly and Prayerfully,

Christina  

Christina and her family are in their 11th year of homeschooling.  They believe that it CAN be done despite the many challenges of life! Every member of a family brings its own unique needs and blessings.  Maybe some of what they have learned can be a blessing to YOU!

Daddy’s Home!

When my children hear the garage door open its something akin to Pavlov’s bell! They all stop whatever they are doing and run to greet him! When my oldest was a toddler, she started a game of pouncing on daddy with shouts of “Daddy BOOM!” Even now, as a 15 year old, she and all of her siblings welcome their Daddy home each day with a joyous attack!

While this may not be exactly what all men have in mind to start their “down time” for the day, I have to say that at least my husband knows that he is very much LOVED.

Many times, it is easy for homeschooling moms to think of all the things that they need from their husbands.  Whether it be a break from a toddler, help with dinner, a chance to sneak away for a walk or an uninterrupted bath, but make sure that you take time to give Daddy what he needs too.

Three of the most basic things that dads need are:

1.Respect

2. A chance to do what they love, and

3. Opportunities to get involved in the homeschooling process!

I would like to encourage families to enter the A TRIBUTE TO MY DAD Contest. 

Make sure to read your entries to Daddy! What a great way to Bless and Honor him TODAY!

Lovingly and Prayerfully,

Christina

Christina and her family are in their 11th year of homeschooling.  They believe that it CAN be done despite the many challenges of life! Every member of a family brings its own unique needs and blessings.  Maybe some of what they have learned can be a blessing to YOU!  

Do you remember when Katie of Team Bettendorf was having a quilt drive for critically ill children?  There is an organization that does basically the same thing called Project Linus and they have chapters all over the U.S.!

I first read about Project Linus over at Organized Chaos.  I went to check it out because my oldest daughter loves to crochet and sew and I thought this might be just the kind of project she would like to be involved in.  So, for all you crafty mamas out there, here is an on going worthy project for you.  They even have links to some of their favorite patterns.  (Some of these patterns are easy enough for a terrible crafter like me!)

It's fun, it's easy, and it helps to comfort a child who needs extra comforting. 

Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB

I have a child that takes a lot of prodding to get going in the morning.  I have to remind him constantly what it is he is supposed to be doing next and checking to see if what he did do has been finished. 

An amazing thing happend when we bought him an alarm clock.  He set it to wake up in the morning, jumped out of bed when it went off, completed all of his chores, and moved on to his schoolwork.  He's had his alarm clock for several years now and whenever we decide to wake up whenever we feel like it he is slow and plodding.  This can be hard to fathom for a girl like me who just gets up and does what needs to be done until it's all done, then I rest. 

Time motivates my son.  He needs a schedule, not just for his morning routine but for his whole day.  He likes to know that he has accomplished something by a certain predetermined time.  Once done he is very pleased with himself!  I guess I better make it clear, you only need the alarm to start the day off, like a starting pistol.  The rest of the day my son has little blocks of time for each activity.  He needs to know that this is when we eat, this is when he does school, and then this is when we take a break and so on.  He lives by little blocks of time and I live by big chunks of time.  It can be done in the same household. 

So if you have a child that seems to have his internal clock set to "Hawaiian time" (My son is Hawaiian) then setting an outer clock and schedule just might do the trick. 

Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB

When buying our first house one of our creditors claimed that we had not paid one of our bills.  This was a shock to us and the missed payment was supposedly over a year before.  My check register showed that I had paid the bill and that the check had cleared the bank.   The creditor refused to believe me and I had to offer proof or we might not get our loan.  After digging around in a box marked for that years bills I finally found what I needed.  From that experience I learned a few things to make finding the information I needed easier on myself. 

When I pay a bill I write across the portion that I keep, PAID.  Under that I write the date, the amount I paid, and the check number. 

When my checks are returned with my monthly bank statement I take the check that goes with the bill and staple it together.  Now I have a record of the bill being paid in two places, my check register and the physical evidence in the bill and check together.  The check number on the bill statement helps to match quickly which check went with which statement in case I paid a bill early or late, and a year later I've forgotten that, and which month's statement does it go to anyway? I don't  have to check the check register to match the dates so it saves time now and later. 

At the beginning of each year I go through the paid bill statements and make sure they are in order and put them in a box marked for that year.  This way if a creditor wants to know anything about that particular payment I can go right to the year, right to the statement, and have proof of the payment. 

While the first experience taught me to keep better records, the second time we bought a house and again a creditor claimed we hadn't paid a bill, this time three years previous, it proved a breeze to deal with.  I wasn't stressed or worried while digging around for the statement and cancelled check.  I found what I needed and the problem was solved quickly. 

Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB

I keep scrap paper by my computer to write notes on to myself.  These little bits of paper are easy to throw away when I am done with it but usually they have a way of getting lost.  I've tried sticking notes to my computer monitor but the sticky portion doesn't last long and you can only have so many before you can't see the screen.  

I mentioned to my friend Nancy, the Senior Editor over at HomesteadBlogger.com that I needed to put up another sticky note to remind myself of something.  She told me about 3-M's Post-It Notes for the computer.  

I don't know how I survived without this handy program!  I can have different message boards to sort my digital Post-It notes on or I can stick them up on my desktop.  I can change colors for different subjects, add pictures, and even change the stickies size.  When I'm done I just right click and trash the note.  No trees are harmed, no glue residue is left behind, and they don't fall off the monitor.  I love it! 

If your desk is littered with stickies and bits of scrap paper you need to try out the 30 day Free trial for 3-M's Digitial Post-It Notes!

Tia Linschied
Senior Editor of HSB

Today's tip is to make time for Mother Culture and Mother Care. 

Charlotte Mason advises the homeschool Mom to make Mother Culture a priority.  Mother Culture is living a life of learning, of filling your mind with new thoughts and new experiences:   reading quality literature and non-fiction, exploring poetry, enjoying music, and studying God's Creation.  Taking time to fill our minds with beautiful things, and enjoying the beauty of God's world, helps keep our minds active, alert, and creative.  It inspires and encourages us, which better enables us to serve our children and teach them.  Just half an hour each day, or even 15 minutes, helps to brighten our minds and our spirits.

"Mothers should cultivate their souls, so that in turn they may cultivate the souls of their children."  Rev. Billy Graham. 

A vital part of Mother Culture and Mother Care is caring for our spiritual selves.  We need to make it a priority to spend time reading God's Word daily.  We need to meditate on His Word as we go about our day.  And we need to set aside time to spend in prayer.  We can't lead our children spiritually, and answer their many questions, if we aren't developing our own relationship with God.  And we can't have the love and patience raising our children requires if we aren't spending time in God's presence.

There have been times in my life when EVERYTHING seemed to be TERRIBLE.  I was discouraged and everything seemed to be failing.  I felt like a failure, and I gave into despair.  I cried.  I ranted. I lectured my family about all the ways they were failing, as well.

And then I went to sleep.  I might have even cried myself to sleep.   When I woke up, I felt better.  What was so terrible, disastrous, and failing the day before looked better in the light of day.  And I realized that I had allowed myself to reach the bottom of my physical reserves. I had not cared for my body, and it affected my spirit, as well.

Besides Mother Culture, we need to care for our physical selves.  Mother Care includes getting enough rest, taking quality vitamins, eating nutritious foods, avoiding junk foods, and getting some physical exercise.  For me, it also includes drinking my Red Raspberry Leaf tea to stabilize my hormones. 

When I hit the bottom of my reserves and sink into despair or depression, I have to look at my life.  What areas of Mother Culture and Mother Care am I neglecting?  What can I do to correct that?

 
Here are some suggestions of things you can do to enrich your Mother Culture and provide Mother Care for your body, as well.

• personal devotions, Bible reading, and prayer
• journaling your prayers, insights from God's words, quotes from books or poetry, creative writing of your own
• music that uplifts and encourages you
• calming classical music
• reading quality books  (and some fluff every now and then)
• time alone to think and pray
• exercise
• rest
• vitamins
• good food
• get outside, take a walk, enjoy nature
• gardening (even if you only have a couple indoor plants)

It's easy to say we have no time to care for ourselves in this way.  But if we don't, we will burn out, and be unable to meet our family's needs.  There is a fine line.  We shouldn't selfishly (and routinely) seek "Me time" above the needs of our families.   But we do need to find simple ways to provide Mother Culture and Mother Care for ourselves, so we can better care for our families.

April E.  (ElCloud Homeschool) is a Homeschool Mom of 6.  She has homeschooled for over 7 years, and enjoys sharing the things she's learned in her homeschool journey with others.

Today's tip is to simplify by combining subjects.  In our home, we use the unit study approach to combine subjects (and ages).  However, this can be done in other homeschooling methods, as well.  Look at your curriculum.  Examine it carefully for ways to simplify and combine subjects.

• If their workbook pages have lots of  "filling in the blanks", then don't assign handwriting that day.
• If their social studies assignment includes writing a paragraph or essay, then don't assign additional writing that day.
• If they have vocabulary words in their science or social studies lessons, then don't assign additional vocabulary words.
• Use words from their vocabulary lists for their spelling list.
• Is there an overlapping of subjects? 
• Can one of the workbooks or textbooks be skipped for the day, or removed completely? 
• Can you alternate days or weeks with certain text/workbooks instead of doing them all on the same days? 
• Can you add a writing assignment to science or social studies, and eliminate a separate writing curriculum?
• Can you assign a historical fiction book for their history lesson, and count it as literature, as well?

Think and plan creatively to decrease the work load on your children, and yourself.

April E.  (ElCloud Homeschool) is a Homeschool Mom of 6.  She has homeschooled for over 7 years, and enjoys sharing the things she's learned in her homeschool journey with others.