Hello,
I've been lurking on this board for months, maybe a couple years in fact! But this is my first post. :-)
I have an 11 yr old, a 9 yr old, and 16-month twins. Homeschooling with the twins underfoot is so exhausting. Once upon a time, homeschooling involved sitting together on the couch, reading lots of good books, and doing cool art projects and science projects. Now, sitting on the couch to read is almost impossible (the twins come and grab the book, pull down on me, etc.), and art projects or science projects are extremely difficult to find time for.
Lately, homeschooling has been limited to book work they mostly do on their own (maps, vocab, phonics, reading) or work that is very high priority (math, writing, spelling). They also have a private Hebrew teacher, but that I have nothing to do with, except making sure they do their homework. They also have other extracurricular activities, like martial arts, art classes, and social homeschool gatherings.
But when it comes to me sitting with them and reading, it isn't happening. When I do need to sit with them, for math or writing, it's in these little bits of times, and it's not uncommon for a baby to be crying or pulling on my leg at the same time.
History has been coming from a history TV program, and literature is basically what they read themselves. Science is taught here and there, and I try to comfort myself with the idea that they watch a lot of Discovery and National Geographic. So between our own science breaks, at least they are getting something. Art they get from three art classes they are taking, so technically, there's no reason they have to do projects at home. But still...
I'm not sure what to do, or if there is something I can do. A babysitter isn't an option... I try to do history, literature, and science with them during baby naps, but lots of times, the babies won't sleep at the same time, so this doesn't work. I can't teach them at night because that is when *I* work (at home, as a writer.)
Next year, my plan is to get science programs that they do mostly on their own. For history, I have high hopes it'll get better and we'll have time again... But this year, science and history have been so lame.
I'm not sure if I'm just venting, looking for advice, or just BTDT stories. I keep thinking, "It'll get better when the twins are..." whatever age, but that hasn't happened! When WILL it get better??
Thanks for any words of wisdom,
~ Rachel