The following is a post from Tabitha
I recently read a post by a homeschool blogger about a reader who asked, “Should I continue homeschooling while pregnant? My family wants to put the kids in school.” After thinking about this topic for a while, and reliving a LOT of memories, here’s how I would respond:
Don’t change everything just because you are expecting another little life. Don’t disrupt your routine anymore than it has to be. Each of your children were welcomed into the world before this one, and things were just fine. Even if you weren’t homeschooling then, your world now includes homeschooling as part of your everyday routine, and those educational goals you have made don’t need to be sacrificed. Life goes on!
Small children understand changes. Older children understand changes. Even with difficult pregnancies there are things you can do for your family’s learning and growth. The pregnancy itself is a wonderful learning experience. Schoolwork can be rescheduled. Life doesn’t need to be, and what is more symbolic of the miracle of life than a new baby growing and developing inside their mother.
Welcoming a new family member
Since my oldest started ‘school’ at about age 5, I’ve had (or will have) 7 more babies. We’ve homeschooled different ways through all of those times and we can look back and laugh at the sometimes fun, sometimes funny memories of what worked and what didn’t. Some of those pregnancies were harder than others, including one on bedrest.
Yes, pregnancy can cause a lot of disruption in a household, between morning sickness, doctor’s appointments, and then just the changes in Mom’s mood and energy levels. They can be worked around if they are minor issues, and they can take over the family schedule somewhat if they are serious. However, that doesn’t mean putting the kids in school is the answer.
If your family is committed to homeschooling and your reasons for doing so don’t allow for putting the kids back in school and taking them back out again in the future, or even if homeschooling was just a temporary thing for you, but it wasn’t in the plans to send them back yet, you can work it out while pregnant.
Some things that have worked for us on the days when I cannot be as involved in the kids’ learning times:
- Skip the stuff that is too time consuming, it’ll still be there on the good days
- Use multimedia- computer, movies, books on CD (or MP3), TV shows, etc
- Take a break!- extended or just for the day
- Plan things that everyone can do on their own
- Have older children help younger children
- Review!
- Ask for help. Friends and neighbors are more willing than you think!
- Lots of books, and more books, reading together, individually, to each other…
- Board games
We’ve schooled during the summer after a springtime baby. We’ve worked through Christmas break to catch up after a November baby. This may not even matter if your other children are still small. I know that we need to still keep with some schedules as we have an AP test to take right after our new baby is due.
Life is for keeps, and your kids will remember that you were with them and taught them what was important. Remind them that they were once in the same position their little brother or sister is now, and that it is a special time for your family. They may forget that they didn’t have math one day, but they won’t forget that just like they were loved and prepared for, this baby is too.
Sheri Speegle says
I saw your blog on a friend’s FB page. I am considering Homeschooling one or more of our children. The one who we will start with has Cerebral Palsy and is as smart as a whip but… she is also a type “A” personality. She is 13 in 7th grade and her migraines and daily headaches are starting to wear her down. She and I are considering HS and if I do I have several others who are probably going to want to follow persuit. What curriculum do you suggest for Math? I am thinking of Saxon b/c I know it flows pretty easy. BTW I am a mom of 8 children. Two biological sons…24, and 23… then we adopted 6 more from the ages of 15-4. Any info that you deem useful (ie. websites) I would appreciate. Thank you for your time.
Sheri Speegle
940-766-3487
Tabitha says
There are a lot of great ideas for curriculum on this site, some might be a better fit than others. I personally love Life of Fred because it lets my kids work almost completely independent of me, but everyone has different needs! I hope you have a great start to your homeschool journey.
Amanda says
I’m 16 weeks today and have been struggling with homeschooling due to lack of energy. We haven’t stopped, though we have slowed. One thing I Have done has taken all the memory work and made it into recordings. This way, I can play it and nap while the kids listen while they play it and still absorb information!
Christy says
I absolutely agree! I’m about 3 weeks from giving birth (c-section) with our 6th blessing and although we ended up taking our Christmas break (which I hadn’t planned), so they’ll keep schooling even when I’m in the hospital, because Dad will just step up to full time “teacher” vs secondary, he’s done it before and they have loved it and he’s grown to really grasp what each of our kids need in their education! We have already decided no school the day mom and sibling comes home from the hospital, but otherwise life keeps going! I’m so thankful we homeschool and think that it’s easier with my pregnancies because my older ones can help out with the younger ones. Having them all home, and seeing that as a family sometimes they all have to step up (even the 4 yr old) in certain area’s.
We also don’t give anyone a say at all in our families choice to homeschooling (grandparents, aunts/uncles, etc)…this decision is between God, my husband, and I, that’s it. We told all of them from the begining they are welcomed to ask questions, but that their opinions and comments are only welcome if we ask them, that’s it. We had to be very hard-nosed since they were very vocal in not supporting our decision in the very beginning.
Chelsea says
What an encouragement this was to me this morning! I am 7 weeks pregnant with #4. I homeschool my 2 oldest( (ages 7 & 5) and we have a 10 month old and I am STRUGGLING with keeping up with homeschooling because I am so tired. Well…homeschool, housework…pretty much everything right now. A great reminder to keep plugging along – thanks!
Kristen says
It is wonderful to read the encouraging words of the brave women on this site However, I still feel daunted.. My 8-year old son, an only child, has been diagnosed with ADHD, resulting in memory retrieval problems and of course, a high level of distraction. I started homeschooling him this year because he absolutely hated school. He was separated from his classmates for reading and math, felt frustrated that he could not yet read the instructiosn on the smartboard or on paper, and consequently, felt excluded and “stupid.” My husband and I decided to take him out of public school in favor of homeschooling. Since then, however, I have become pregnant, at age 43, with my second child, I have been nauseated, exhausted, and impatient. Not exactly the ideal homeschooling mom! There are no other kids at home for my son to work with, and I fear that when the baby arrives, I will be even more exhausted. I feel that I’m not able to enjoy this pregnancy, and worry that I won’t be able to school my son with a newborn to nurse and care for. Help… Private Christian schools seem to be about 1 grade level above where my son is academically right now, and the public school in our area is not quite ready for ADHD kids without excluding them from class activities. I need a clone, but a clone of my not-pregnant self a few years ago when I had more energy!
Toni Anderson says
Kristen, first I recommend getting connected to a homeschool group in your area. They can help provide support. I would also consider hiring some help. Whether it’s paying a teen to help with housework or cooking or to help with schooling your son, or just entertaining him while you take a nap, I’m sure that would relieve some of the burden on you. It would be an expense, but I’m sure it would be cheaper than private school. A homeschooled teen in your area might be available at hours that a public school student wouldn’t be.
Tabitha Valencic says
I second what she said, ask for help where you can, and where you can’t, just take it one day at a time. I am expecting as well, and some days we just can’t do it. We focus on the easy (for me) stuff, skip the mom-intensive stuff, play computer games, watch History channel or something we all like,
I just know that especially at age 8, there will be time later to learn the things you miss now in favor of living life without too much stress. I wouldn’t put him back in school when his stress was the reason you took him out. Read with him, that does SO much! I know that can be done with very little effort and might help both of you. Have playdates with either other homeschooling families or friends at times you need the most rest.
Pregnancy doesn’t last forever, and he can remember this as a time of learning family lessons rather than academic. It will work out!
Good luck, and let us know how you are doing!
Christina says
Hi everyone my name is Christina and this will be my 2nd year if homeschooling, i have 4 children ages 13,11,5,3 and I’m
Currently 13 weeks pregnant . I love homeschooling but I can honestly say it has become very stressful, my laundry all over , the house needs to be kept up and I feel like I’m falling behind in schooling. I have take Wednesdays as family fun day where we just do educational projects, reading and fun things together. I have been debating on sending my children to school next year because I’m struggling to basically catch up and also my oldest is not taking things serious when it comes to his school work, I don’t want to give up I love my children and want to keep homeschooling but it’s just getting over whelming between the housework, appoitments and appointments for my sons braces. I’m scared that my children won’t do good on there last year exam at the rate we are going, how do I manage?
Christina