This is one of my favorite subjects, as I tend to have babies or add a child or two through adoption just about every year or so!!! This is so true...take it easy on yourself while having a newborn and let the kids learn things that they WON'T EVER learn in a textbook!!!! :) That's the best part of homeschooling....hands-on experiences and life lessons! That prepares them for REAL life...and this is only for a season!
~ Lisa
| The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
Homeschooling with a Newborn
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Dec. 17, 2008
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Dear Lisa,
He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. Isaiah 40:11
As a mother, it can be overwhelming when you're trying to take care of a newborn, older children, the house, the bills, other responsibilities, and homeschool too. Especially since you're probably trying to do it all while totally sleep-deprived!
Give yourself a break moms. God doesn't expect you to be Superwoman. He knows that those years with little ones place extra demands on us. That's why He said that He gently leads those who have young. Your little ones are precious to Him and He carries them close to His heart. He'll be gentle with you too.
Enjoy every minute!
THM Editor
P.S. - Since Christmas is only eight days away and we're talking about newborns, here is the link to one of my favorite Christmas songs on YouTube, Mary, Did You Know?.
P.S.S. - You'll notice that we have a new contributor for our Freebie Finder this week, Molly Green from Econobusters.com. Our dear friend, Jamin, decided that she wanted to take a break (See, it's a good thing!) and spend more time with her family. We know you're going to love getting to know Molly, but feel free to stop by Jamin's blog and say hello! We're going to miss having her as a part of THM.
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Meet the MOMYS!
"Looks like you've got your hands "full!"
"Are they all yours?"
"How do you DO it?!"
Do you hear questions like these? These are common comments heard by MOMYS - Mothers of Many Young Siblings. MOMYS is an e-mail list that began over a decade ago to offer support to those families who have a quiver full of young children. The e-mail list has expanded to a whole range of support and encouragement. One area of our ministry that has been a particular delight is the family retreats sponsored by MOMYS, particularly the annual pilgrimage to Williamsburg, Virginia.
The early spring retreat is a trek back in time, into a fellowship of Christian history study and experience. All ages, young and old, have so much fun dressing in period attire, learning to dance colonial-style, enjoying family fellowship with other like-minded families, and making the kinds of friendships that last a lifetime. In fact, the 2008 retreat began the same day as the culmination of courtship, very first kiss, and wedding of two young adults who met while colonial dancing at a MOMYS Williamsburg retreat!! Very special friendships, indeed!
Join the MOMYS - Mothers of Many Young Siblings e-mail list:
Mercy Every Minute
Deborah Wuehler, TOS Senior Editor
I have had 8 babies in 17 years. That's about one new baby every other year. "Homeschooling with With Newborns" should be my middle name! I don't know that I have any good practical advice, but I do know that I am still alive! And, I can attest to God's faithfulness through every step of this homeschooling journey. He truly does fill in the gaps.
What my children have learned through each and every new baby has been priceless and cannot be tabulated on any academic test. They have watched mommy love and care for and find joy in each newborn. They have watched tireless dedication to the care and feeding of newborns. They have seen a glimpse of the God who loves His children and cares for their every need; the God who takes joy in His own precious creations. Newborns are dependent on their mothers for their very life's sustenance, just as we are dependent on God for our very breath and everything pertaining to life. We can learn eternal things from these babes.
Practically speaking, homeschooling with a newborn just means you do everything one handed. It's amazing what you can still do while nursing (like typing this!). You can turn your feeding times into reading times for the other children. With a couple of my newborns, I read the Bible to myself and to my newborn and to any other child that came and sat with me at every two hour feeding all day. This was because I wanted to learn to desire the "sincere milk of the Word like newborn babes. . ." Newborn babes feed very often. How often do we crack open the very Word of God that brings life to us: especially to drained, tired, poured out mother-teachers who need that life and strength so desperately?
Don't feel guilty about what you are not getting done when you have a newborn. God is a Good Shepherd who "gently leads those who are with young." He is not hounding you to get more done; He is leading you gently. Be gentle on yourself and don't listen to the accuser of the brethren. You are doing eternal things that last, and the academics can always be caught up.
As you have that newborn in your arms, remember your Father who has you in His arms like a newborn babe. You can rest there.
"The eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms"
Deuteronomy 33:27
~Deborah
Schoolhouse Spotlight
Angela Quigley, Director of the Schoolhouse Store
Having a new baby in the house is such a blessing, but can also be challenging while homeschooling older children. We offer a variety of products that can help you during baby's first year of life.
As a homeschooling mom, your day is full. When you add infants and toddlers into the mix, things can get downright hectic. The Growing Homeschool: Integrating Infants and Toddlers into your Already Busy Schedule can help you not only survive, but thrive! You will discover the difference between balance and integration, and how to leverage both for maximum effectiveness. Learn from an experienced, but in-the-trenches homeschool mom of six.
We also have another very special book just for mothers called Baby's First Foods, A Mother's Guide to Nourishment. This is a wonderful resource for mothers to learn how to make baby food out of whole foods. It also includes chapters on a variety of help topics and projects like journaling your baby's life stories, herbal remedies, how to make a baby blanket and simple sewing techniques, to mention a few. This is a beautiful, well-made book with old fashioned pages and lovely illustrations that can be passed down to your daughters.
With this book you'll also receive Baby's First Foods Starter DVD: Whole Grains and Methods. This book and DVD set would also make a great gift for an expecting mother.
If you're looking for a way to keep your baby entertained while you're homeschooling your older children, here's a fun and exciting video for your baby to enjoy! The athleticBaby Basketball!- DVD, is just one of the 5 athleticBaby DVD's offered in the Schoolhouse Store. Your baby will enjoy the colorful settings, original music and real-life images while being inspired to get up and get moving towards a lifetime of health and fitness. These videos are recommended for ages 3 months to 3 years.
Remember, at the Schoolhouse Store, there's ALWAYS Free Shipping!
~Angela
It's Just Common Sense
Ruth Beechick, Curriculum Specialist
Homeschooling with a newborn? Is that question still being asked? In the early days moms got into the teacher role and then they were stumped when a diaper needed changing. They asked at seminars what to do in such a case.
Today, I read wonderful stories about moms who don't try to be two people, and who creatively make babies and even sick moms a natural part of living and learning. I bow out and let the moms above give you tips about how to do it.
--Ruth
The Familyman
Todd Wilson, Familyman Ministries
I'm no expert, but we seem to homeschool with a newborn all the time. The important thing to remember is to adjust. It is unrealistic, detrimental, and even ludicrous to think that you can add a newborn child to your family life and homeschool, and just keep on as you did before.
Yet, that's what many homeschoolers attempt, and then they're surprised when they feel overwhelmed and frustrated. You have to adjust. Your homeschool days might be shorter, less frequent, or you might have to take an extended break from the bookwork. It doesn't mean that your children will learn less, in fact, they might even learn more.
I know for a fact that my children learn invaluable lessons when we have a baby in our house. They learn to serve, pitch in, be selfless, and care for a baby.
But adjusting is required for many other reasons besides having a newborn. You might have to adjust for sickness, adoption, depression, hospitality, or celebrations. Adjustments are just part of life and demand that we flow with them and around them. Yet, we've been duped and misled into thinking that we just need to set the curriculum course and trudge through it no matter what life throws our way.
No more. Stop it. In fact, I'm going to ask you to do a little flexing this week. . .because it's Christmastime. Throw your schedule in the toilet and enjoy your children. Instead of doing school, play games, read Christmas stories, bake goodies, or just goof off. Who cares if it doesn't fit with the school vacation schedule. . .it's Christmastime!!!
I know some of you barely take off Christmas day, let alone enjoy a Christmas vacation. May I say to you in my best Gomer Pyle voice, "Shame, Shame, Shame"? Your children need the break and so do you.
So, close the books and make Christmas cookies with sprinkles instead. Believe me, that's way more important than math lessons.
Dad, make it happen!
Be Real,
Todd
Homeschool Freebies
Molly Green, Econobuster
Hey guys! Molly here, and have I got some great freebies for you. Since this week we're talking about newborns and homeschooling, I thought you could use some freebies to keep your children occupied while you take care of your new little bundle of joy. Storyline Online is a great online reading source. These books are interactive and read aloud by members of the Screen Actor's Guild. They also offer free activity guides to go along with the book being read, and some great discussion ideas.
Another free resource for kids of all ages is DLTK-KIDS. They have tons of free coloring pages, crafts, puzzles and much more! Even though my kids are much older now, we still use this site frequently, when we need a quick coloring page or puzzle.
Last but not least, a wonderful interactive site for preschool through age 6, Boowa and Kwala. This activity site is built for preschoolers, and is jam packed full of fun and interactive games and craft activities.
Remember, while the newborn is napping, and the other kids are working, catch up on your rest!
Enjoy those freebies,
Molly
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