I bought Sue Patrick's book about using Workboxes and it has transformed our learning times.  We've been using workboxes for almost a month now and it has been such a blessing to all of us, momma included. 

I really encourage you to get Sue's book (buy, borrow, or check-it-out) to understand the purpose and structure of the program.  If you want to learn more about how to set-up your own workbox system please be considerate and get your information from the source rather than combing the web and trying to piece it together.  I believe Sue deserves compensation for her time, energy, and creativity that she shares in her book.  That is why I purchased the book and starter sets for Pickles and Pumpkin. 

I was concerned about....

1.  Finding time to teach Pumpkin.  Pickles is a very distractible learner and it seemed that all my time was spent "directing" him to what he should be doing, or trying to refocus the attention off of him or giving him instruction.  It really was feeling that my day was all about one child and it drove me crazy.

2.  Helping Pickles to learn to do things on his own....ie, Math, Copywork, etc.

3.  Help me remember what comes next....in a busy house with three littles it is easy for momma to say, "Oh, I don't remember what we were doing because I just took a call from the doctor.  Hmmm, guess were done with school."  Now we know what comes next.

4.  Teach the kiddos using several different methods.  I don't like to be a "lecture" mom and now I can add in "fun" learning things without feeling like it takes all day.  Let me explain....before I would struggle with a hands-on project, movement activity, or something like that because it seemed to interupt me right when I was getting in the groove of teaching or helping Pumpkin.  Now, it is simply something I delegate to Pickles (he's getting more freedom in this process) or it is something that I've already planned to use my time for...so it fits in.

5.  Something to help break up Pickles day so he isn't sitting all the time....(remember the highly distractible learner).  Now he can do different things without it being dependent on me all of the time.  He is learning how to direct his own energy.  I find that he pays more attention to his work because he knows something else worthwhile is coming up. 

I do admit that it was a splurge or impluse buy but in my gut I knew it was what we needed.  I've been praying for direction or inspiration to address several frustrating issues that had risen this year in our homeschool.