How do you juggle 4 kids?

[mryann]

I have 4 kids, 12, 10, 7 and 4. I'm having trouble juggling them all and getting everything done. I've tried making a schedule, having a list of things to cross off when they are finished, but the problem seems to be that the kids end up waiting for me to help them and get distracted. The 10 yr old will wander off and the 7 and 4 yr olds will go off to play and trash whatever room I'm not in. Math and LA require the most time from me for each kid. I don't know whether to ask for someone to look and my list of curriculum or just tell me how they juggle their own kids. I'll take any suggestions.

 

We are using NEM (7th grader) and Singapore math, AAS, IEW ancients, basic outlining, Noeo Chemistry (3 levels), Rosetta Stone Spanish, Typing, and Sonlight Core 6 as a unit study. The littles are also using HWT and ETC. I do religion (Faith and Life and Catholic Mosaic) at breakfast. I cook hot meals and they are also taking some time.

 

Help!

[anneofalamo]

I have 4 kids albeit, 14, 12 and twins 11, but the first thing that popped up is How much do your kids do to help?

We came from PS to HS last year, and my home making had to be spread out to them, due to the amount of time spent teaching (and prepping).

I seriously schedule our day from 7am to 4pm! They all have a schedule and the little ones will get on the bandwagon after a bit!

Please pop over to my blog, I recently blogged about the system I use, perhaps it may help?? if not, you can see my kids, I ♥'s them to pieces!!

[MamaAkins]

My kids (13, 9, 6 1/2, and 3 1/2) are relatively comparable in age to your children. I will say that it required a change in my entire thought process to be able to juggle everything each day. Are you new to homeschooling? If so, know that it will take a year of trial and error to figure out what works for you...and then another few years before you feel like you actually know what you're doing! LOL! And each time you think you have it figured out, your kids will grow and change and you'll have to figure out a new stage!

 

That being said, what has worked best for me is to have everything ready at the table before we start school so that the kids have something productive to work on if they are in a "waiting" period while I work with another child. I try to have fun, educational puzzle books, math drills, extra reading, etc on hand so the kids don't wander off while they are waiting. We also incorporate their chores into our school day....so, if they are waiting for me, they work on a chore (like emptying the dishwasher or wiping down the bathroom counters) until I'm at a point where I can work with them.

 

Another thing is that you may need to adjust your cooking style. You mentioned that you are making hot meals during the day. With four kids, I can't do hot meals everyday for breakfast and lunch--we need that time for our schoolwork. Breakfasts are usually quick (bagel, waffles, premade pancakes, cereal....we usually have a hot breakfast once per week). Lunches are usually leftovers or something that can be made quickly and easily (pasta, salad, or sandwiches). If I need to prep something for dinner, I try to get it done before we start school or I do it while my oldest reads our history aloud.

 

I hope you find a system that will work for you!

[joni470]

I agree about spreading the household chores out. My husband recently broke his back and we have had to reevaluate and give the kids even more chores. I was amazed at how much they could do. I felt a bit silly for not considering this beforehand. Unloading the dishwasher, sweeping, raking, picking up sticks and doing their laundry keeps them out of trouble and out from under my feet. I too, schedule the day from 7am until 4pm. We start Algebra at 7am because it is difficult for my daughter and we need a quiet house. My children are 20, 17, 9 and 5. I hope this helps.

 

-Savannah

http://www.hammocktracks.com

[mryann]

Anneofalamo,

My kids help a lot, especially the 12 yr old. I can see that an idea would be to have them do chores while they are waiting rather than doing them after school work is finished. I'm looking forward to seeing your blog - it really helps to see how other moms work their days.

 

MamaAkins,

I am not new to hsing, I've been doing it since my oldest was 3. But, every year has been different, and this is the first year with no baby or toddler so my expectations are higher. This year also seems to require so much more attention - my 4 yr old is an early reader (when do I find time to read books to her?) and my 7 yr old needs phonics work, my 10 and 12 yr old need work outlining and writing and my 12 yr old is beginning NEM which is an adjustment.

 

When do you get your table work ready? In the morning when you get up? I really like the idea of them doing their chores while they are waiting for me. I hate to adjust the cooking style, but I do see your point. I will start breakfast early before they get up and see if that gives us more time.

 

joni470, do your kids mind the day scheduled from 7-4? I'm not sure that I want to go that long! Maybe my problem is really that the day is too long for me?

 

thank you so much for your suggestions. I see that I really need to do more prep or scheduling work to get the days to run smoothly.

[Leanna Tomlinson]

Juggling is always a challenge and has never been completely smooth or easy. Two things have helped me this year: dispersing chores throughout the morning, and creating a flow chart for each child which prescribes the order of their individual school day.

 

This year, I have found it helpful to abandon "morning chores". My kids used to have a list of things to do each morning: get dressed, basic hygiene, feed animals, clean kitchen, clean room, put laundry away. School didn't start until those were finished.

 

This year, all I require is brushed teeth before I start school. I still require the chores, but they are dispersed throughout the morning so that the kids aren't off somewhere "trashing a room" ;)

 

My 6yo and I can get about 20 minutes of reading accomplished right after breakfast even if she's still in her pajamas.

 

My 11yo, who is very distractible, has a schedule that alternates school with movement (chores).

 

My 9yo has three independent things first on her schedule: penmanship, Spanish on computer, and reading. When she finally needs me, 6yo is ready for a break. Then 6yo can go do her morning chores.

 

My 13yo knows I am not available to him until at least 11:00. I have a scheduled time with him at 1:00. By this time the 6yo is finished. 9yo and 11yo need my help at 2:00, but are working independently at 1:00.

 

The big rule is that everyone has to follow their well thought out, cleverly devised flow chart in order It took some time to devise a way that I would not have 4 kids needing me at the same time. No one does school in the same order, and I don't try to stick to specific times except my 1:00 meeting with my 7th grader, and my 2:00 writing time with my 9yo and 11yo. It still is not perfect, but things are running much more smoothly than in past years.

 

HTH

Edited November 4, 2010 by Leanna

[....]

This is what I've started doing this year - shhhh...don't tell anyone. :leaving:

 

I did away with any grade levels with my two oldest kids and they are doing EVERY single thing together. They do Latin, Social Studies, Science, German, Reading, Art, LA and Math at the exact same time (they are in different spelling, LA and math programs - but sit down with this together at the same time). We've also been covering Social Studies with a Charlotte Mason approach. To make this even more complicated, we're going through the Core Knowledge Sequence for 3rd and 4th grade and just reading through topics (like we're reading through Norse Mythology right now, so I have several books on their myths and we're reading about the Vikings...because we read about the Vikings, we had to read about the Inuits...because we read about the Inuits, we read about Life in the Tundra). :tongue_smilie: When we do a Unit Study, I also have the 5 yro and 3 yro join them.

 

The 5 yro is working through MFW K, reading through HOP K and going at snail-speed through CLE LTR. It sounds like a lot, but it's really about 40 minutes a day of work.

 

I've started having the 3 yro and 5 yro sit in on the older kids' art class.

 

 

You're right, teaching 4 kids is rough. The way I see it, you could combine (or use a program that combines them), do a One-Room Schoolhouse approach to schoolwork, print out a syllabus and have the older kids "knock it out" while you tutor the younger kids... Either way, you're going to end up giving a lot of responsibility to the 12 and 10 yro.

 

As far as trashing the house, we are very strict. We don't watch much TV and there aren't a lot of video game-type stuff in here. Our kids are pretty quiet and can entertain themselves. They do like to spread their toys all over the house, though. :D

 

I've also found that playing outside for about 45 minutes before school REALLY helps us with the craziness. I think it wears 'em down so they can do some schoolwork. (except for today, we're going on a field trip with our hs group :))

 

Good luck. There are lots of other parents who will have great suggestions, too. I hope your day runs smoothly!

[JudoMom]

I have 4 kids, 12, 10, 7 and 4. I'm having trouble juggling them all and getting everything done. I've tried making a schedule, having a list of things to cross off when they are finished, but the problem seems to be that the kids end up waiting for me to help them and get distracted. The 10 yr old will wander off and the 7 and 4 yr olds will go off to play and trash whatever room I'm not in. Math and LA require the most time from me for each kid. I don't know whether to ask for someone to look and my list of curriculum or just tell me how they juggle their own kids. I'll take any suggestions.

 

We are using NEM (7th grader) and Singapore math, AAS, IEW ancients, basic outlining, Noeo Chemistry (3 levels), Rosetta Stone Spanish, Typing, and Sonlight Core 6 as a unit study. The littles are also using HWT and ETC. I do religion (Faith and Life and Catholic Mosaic) at breakfast. I cook hot meals and they are also taking some time.

 

Help!

 

It's hard, isn't it? In some ways, it's so much easier (no diapers, everyone usually sleeps through the night, etc), but it's also so much more demanding in different ways.

 

A few ideas:

 

 

• Each boy has a laminated card that says "Help!" with a clip on it. When they have a question, instead of interrupting while I'm working with someone else, they are supposed to bring the tag and either clip it on me or place it on my desk, and when I have a minute I answer their question. They know to keep working on whatever they can until I am able to help them.

   

• I do our SL Read Aloud & Poetry Reading while they eat breakfast.

   

• My older 4 boys aren't allowed to leave the school room without permission. Keeps the wandering down.

   

• This year I made each boy a 3 ring binder. They have a tab for each task they need to complete (so instead of just having a "Math" tab, they might have a Saxon tab and a Daily Word Problem tab). I place several weeks worth of work or notebook paper behind the appropriate tab. This way I'm not scrambling to find notebook paper or make copies when I should be teaching. It's also cut down on my prep time on the weekends.

 

 

I hope some of these suggestions help!

[speedmom4]

My kids are 15, 13, 11, and 8.5. I have always had a hard time keeping up with school. I made some choices last year and this year that have helped me in that department.

 

Last year I signed my oldest daughter up for a class through Write at Home. It was wonderful. It was just one area I no longer had to worry about. She enjoyed the writing assignments and having positive feedback.

 

This year I have my three youngest children all doing Teaching Textbooks. They are all automated grading so they are able to math on their own with me nearby to help when necessary. When one is working on math I'm able to work with someone else on other subjects. It has been wonderful. I know some don't like Teaching Textbooks and I had to get over it. At this point it's about getting it done not being perfect.

 

Also, I have combined my youngest two for Spelling. The oldest is a little above the youngest but not by much. We just do it together. Makes it SO much easier. They also enjoy doing it with each other. We are using AAS.

 

We have always combined history and Bible. When my oldest was 13 she began doing her own but I still combine the three younger ones.

 

The other trick I do is I get dinner started in the morning. I use my crock pot a lot. I have great recipes. That way dinner is ready and I don't have to worry about cooking when I'm exhausted from homeschooling all day.

 

I sure hope some of these ideas have helped. I do believe it gets much easier as each child becomes more and more independent.

 

God Bless,

[mryann]

Juggling is always a challenge and has never been completely smooth or easy. Two things have helped me this year: dispersing chores throughout the morning, and creating a flow chart for each child which prescribes the order of their individual school day.

 

The big rule is that everyone has to follow their well thought out, cleverly devised flow chart in order It took some time to devise a way that I would not have 4 kids needing me at the same time. No one does school in the same order, and I don't try to stick to specific times except my 1:00 meeting with my 7th grader, and my 2:00 writing time with my 9yo and 11yo. It still is not perfect, but things are running much more smoothly than in past years.

 

HTH

 

I like this idea. Each of my kids has a chart of subjects and they are listed as to things they can do independently and things that require my help. I need to tweak this so that the flow works better. Today I tried to spend 30 min with each kid (combined the littles) and then move on to the next kid. I need to teach them to work on their own and wait for their turn. It did go so much better today.

 

This is what I've started doing this year - shhhh...don't tell anyone. :leaving:

 

I did away with any grade levels with my two oldest kids and they are doing EVERY single thing together. They do Latin, Social Studies, Science, German, Reading, Art, LA and Math at the exact same time (they are in different spelling, LA and math programs - but sit down with this together at the same time).

 

 

 

I'm with you here - we combine as much as we can. Here's my problem - if everyone is doing math, then everyone is wanting help. The 12 yr old forgot how to divide fractions, the 10 yr old is struggling with multiplying 2 digit numbers and the 7 yr old is learning how to borrow when subtracting. They EACH need me to sit right next to them and show them how to work the problems. And whomever I pick, the others are not thrilled to be waiting - again. How do you get this to work for you?

 

 

It's hard, isn't it? In some ways, it's so much easier (no diapers, everyone usually sleeps through the night, etc), but it's also so much more demanding in different ways.

 

A few ideas:

 

 

• Each boy has a laminated card that says "Help!" with a clip on it. When they have a question, instead of interrupting while I'm working with someone else, they are supposed to bring the tag and either clip it on me or place it on my desk, and when I have a minute I answer their question. They know to keep working on whatever they can until I am able to help them.

• I do our SL Read Aloud & Poetry Reading while they eat breakfast.

• My older 4 boys aren't allowed to leave the school room without permission. Keeps the wandering down.

• This year I made each boy a 3 ring binder. They have a tab for each task they need to complete (so instead of just having a "Math" tab, they might have a Saxon tab and a Daily Word Problem tab). I place several weeks worth of work or notebook paper behind the appropriate tab. This way I'm not scrambling to find notebook paper or make copies when I should be teaching. It's also cut down on my prep time on the weekends.

 

I hope some of these suggestions help!

 

These are excellent. I already do the read aloud at lunch. I read religion at breakfast and the girls read aloud at bedtime.

 

 

 

Last year I signed my oldest daughter up for a class through Write at Home. It was wonderful. It was just one area I no longer had to worry about. She enjoyed the writing assignments and having positive feedback.

 

Also, I have combined my youngest two for Spelling. The oldest is a little above the youngest but not by much. We just do it together. Makes it SO much easier. They also enjoy doing it with each other. We are using AAS.

 

 

The other trick I do is I get dinner started in the morning. I use my crock pot a lot. I have great recipes. That way dinner is ready and I don't have to worry about cooking when I'm exhausted from homeschooling all day.

 

 

 

I would love to hear how WaH worked for you. I am inches from putting my oldest in a Bravewriter course. How do you combine 2 kids in AAS? I absolutely love AAS, but it takes almost an hour each day.

 

I am really bad about getting dinner figured out early. I so need a menu plan. It's 4:30 and I'm scrambling for dinner tonight. I'd love to hear your crockpot recipes.

 

Thanks so much for all of your suggestions. I sure do appreciate the help.

[katilac]

• Each boy has a laminated card that says "Help!" with a clip on it. When they have a question, instead of interrupting while I'm working with someone else, they are supposed to bring the tag and either clip it on me or place it on my desk, and when I have a minute I answer their question. They know to keep working on whatever they can until I am able to help them.

   

 

 

This is just tickling me :D. I have this vision of my kids with a whole slew of laminated cards for every purpose, with a dozen or so dangling from me as I walk around the house . . . actually, it's my dh who needs these. He's always trying to tell/ask me things at the MOST inopportune times. Are you seriously telling me we're out of peas while I'm in the bath? Write it on the list!! Maybe I'll hand him a stack of laminated cards, and a dry erase marker so he can add comments :lol: :lol:

[....]

I'm with you here - we combine as much as we can. Here's my problem - if everyone is doing math, then everyone is wanting help. The 12 yr old forgot how to divide fractions, the 10 yr old is struggling with multiplying 2 digit numbers and the 7 yr old is learning how to borrow when subtracting. They EACH need me to sit right next to them and show them how to work the problems. And whomever I pick, the others are not thrilled to be waiting - again. How do you get this to work for you?.

 

Mine don't ask for help very much. Sometimes, and it is usually with Language Arts and not Math. We use a lot of CLE and the 8 yro and 7 yro can open to the next lesson and start on their own. Sometimes they have questions and I just move around the table as questions pop up. Also, with CLE Math, they see those problems over and over again (they have constant review), so nobody forgets how to do something.

 

I'm not sure why my kids work independently - not sure if it's the CLE or just their personalities or the fact that they went to ps and weren't used to getting any help or maybe I just got really lucky or maybe they know I'm probably too tired to help them :D... I'm not sure what we're doing differently. :confused:

 

What kind of math do you use? I purposely use CLE because it's written to the student. It can be really, REALLY dry and repetitive, though. :tongue_smilie:

[Sasharowan]

I keep mine set up centrally so that I can rotate between them as needed. I use Homeschool Tracker to set up weekly sheets with all their assignments on it. They work through their list, asking for help as needed. This usually ends up with all 3 having a question at the same time. But they are used to my juggling them by now. Of course, my 4yo doesn't do more than 15 min. a week at this time. His biggest school type thing is a computer game. He doesn't have the attention span to sit very long even though he asks to learn to read.

[Sasharowan]

This is just tickling me :D. I have this vision of my kids with a whole slew of laminated cards for every purpose, with a dozen or so dangling from me as I walk around the house . . . actually, it's my dh who needs these. He's always trying to tell/ask me things at the MOST inopportune times. Are you seriously telling me we're out of peas while I'm in the bath? Write it on the list!! Maybe I'll hand him a stack of laminated cards, and a dry erase marker so he can add comments :lol: :lol:

Mine called me at Girl Scouts, where I was helping the leader out since the other leader was unavailable, to ask where the 4yo's bag of Halloween candy was.

[mryann]

Mine don't ask for help very much. Sometimes, and it is usually with Language Arts and not Math. We use a lot of CLE and the 8 yro and 7 yro can open to the next lesson and start on their own. Sometimes they have questions and I just move around the table as questions pop up. Also, with CLE Math, they see those problems over and over again (they have constant review), so nobody forgets how to do something.

 

I'm not sure why my kids work independently - not sure if it's the CLE or just their personalities or the fact that they went to ps and weren't used to getting any help or maybe I just got really lucky or maybe they know I'm probably too tired to help them :D... I'm not sure what we're doing differently. :confused:

 

What kind of math do you use? I purposely use CLE because it's written to the student. It can be really, REALLY dry and repetitive, though. :tongue_smilie:

 

I'm finding that math is very intensive for my kids right now. We use Singapore. At the very minimum, I need to read the text to the kids before they begin their workbook pages. Everything I'm doing this year requires so much mom time. Winston Grammar, AAS, Outlining, etc all require me to sit next to the child and help them. The only independent subjects are Spanish, typing, history and science.

 

I keep mine set up centrally so that I can rotate between them as needed. I use Homeschool Tracker to set up weekly sheets with all their assignments on it. They work through their list, asking for help as needed. This usually ends up with all 3 having a question at the same time. But they are used to my juggling them by now. Of course, my 4yo doesn't do more than 15 min. a week at this time. His biggest school type thing is a computer game. He doesn't have the attention span to sit very long even though he asks to learn to read.

 

I agree, keeping them all centrally located is a good idea. I have never used Homeschool Tracker. Did it take you a long time to input 3 grades?

 

 

Here is what worked for me this week:

Do not answer the phone until 2pm.

Do not schedule any repair persons until after 2pm.

Have no sick days! (We had an emergency run last week for a possible kidney stone.)

Give each kid 30 min of attention and tell the other children to work independently until it's their turn.

Teach the children to work until they are stuck. Review the math instructions and see if they can figure it out for themselves. If they are still stuck, move on to something else.

Get the laundry and dishes moving before breakfast.

Eat leftovers for lunch rather than making a meal from scratch.

Limit outings before 2pm to 1x per week.

Have materials ready the night before.

Do not get on the computer before 2pm.

 

It's still not the way I want it - my 7 yr old is still not getting what she needs. I'm still working on squeezing it all in.

 

Thanks so much for your advice!

[jlovebaker]

is a life-saver - I so agree with other poster on that one. And Teaching Textbooks has been a great thing for my two youngest. Love the self-grading part and yeah, yeah it's not ideal but both scored 100% on grade level CATs last year!!! It's not any better in a classroom of 20 or 30 when the poor teacher is trying to provide differentiated instruction. Now that's difficult!

 

You'll are doing a great job because you care - and kids do need to learn to wait and to fill their extra/downtime with reading or chores. Nothing wrong with that! It's something they have to learn ... Not sure what my advice is except it all sounds normal to me and still better then the excellent public schools my kids attended before we moved across country (where the schools are in the news all the time and not for positive things - we're in DC after all). 4 to 1 ratio is to die for!

 

I must say now that my kids are 11, 11 and 13 ... I wish they needed me more. I love the times when I get to read aloud to them or provide them one-on-one with math or chemistry. I do think it's much harder with more then two different grade levels. I hear you there! I hope this bit of advice helps ... I think that teaching is a big job and you are all on the right track!!

 

Ok one more thing - we do PE to the excess with rec and travel teams plus private coaching. When my kids have down days (no extra sports), I go nuts and yell at them alot ... I am mucho academic but I believe in getting the kids moving and grooving - they need to be outside doing their thing as much as possible. If only because it makes me happier!

[4besitos]

Our children are almost the exact same age!!! Mine is 6 instead of 7 and is a really immature 6 so he requires my attention/time for "school". We start the school day at 9am. Hats off to all those who can get it together at 7. They get up between 7-7:30. We do cereal for breakfast most of the mornings. The older 2 are responsible for getting one younger brother his breakfast. All the daily things (room tidy, morning offering, teethbrushing, dishwasher chore) are supposed to happen before the 9 start time. We have started the same way for years and it kind of gets them settled into the day (we do Saint of the Day and prayers together). For the older 2, I made a master list of where they are supposed to be in each subject by term. I wrote it out longhand (it didn't take that long) and they can check each chapter, pgs, etc. off daily. My oldest is a boy and he is not as good as keeping himself on track but I am trying to instill that in him so I try not to be too naggy. Natural consequence, he is stuck doing school work instead of earning video game time or has to miss a Boy Scout camping trip. Next come my daughter and she loves checking off those little boxes; she likes to be a little ahead. My younger too are the big energy drainers. They are super active and LOUD. They have to be in another room or no one can think.:001_smile: If they thrash a room...they have to pick it up. They are both highly motivated by video game time so I can get them, most days, to get through the school stuff fairly quickly. Lunch is usually sandwiches which is their preference for the most part, they can have leftovers. I have been trying to have the olders help with this as well....but seriously....how can so much mayo miss the bread???? I like to be done by 3pm. I have to have some QUIET TIME before the whole dinner thing begins. When I am good, I cook meat or meals ahead to save on time and have my menu working with the weekly schedule. I do not enjoy cooking at all. Love to bake, can't stand "what should I make for dinner"!!! We use Faith & Life as well, the older ones read this independently and generally review with me rather than doing the workbook. I do the younger ones. We have Catholic Mosaic and I try and pick 2 Saints for each month that we will spend some extra time on. One just at home and one with another hsing family. They really enjoy celebrating with another family and this helps us to have some regularly scheduled playdates. I have really concentrated more on making the Liturgical Year come alive for them the last couple of years.

 

Lastly (this is sooo long) I would say that it is not the lack of schedule that messes up my day....it is my lack of energy/excitement to actually go around and check things, did I follow through? Did the rooms actually get tidied before 9 or do I go upstairs during the lunch break and then I am the Mad Mommy? Did the littles quietly make a mess in their room that I didn't catch and they still got to watch a movie at lunch? Did chores actually happen or have I let slackerville come and rest at our house? Did I put the laundry away or do I have piles sitting on the sofa, on the floor, making the room look messy? Follow through is the killer of my day....not the schedule, lack of orginizational techniques, saved blogs on how to make the day go smooth....did I make my rounds and handle things in a nice Mommy voice when I was supposed to; rather than finding everything at the evening tidy-up when I am stressed trying to make dinner and have the house look halfway presentable for Dad. 'Cuz there is no nice Mommy voice then!:tongue_smilie:

Edited November 11, 2010 by 4besitos

[mryann]

is a life-saver - I so agree with other poster on that one. And Teaching Textbooks has been a great thing for my two youngest. Love the self-grading part and yeah, yeah it's not ideal but both scored 100% on grade level CATs last year!!! It's not any better in a classroom of 20 or 30 when the poor teacher is trying to provide differentiated instruction. Now that's difficult!

 

You'll are doing a great job because you care - and kids do need to learn to wait and to fill their extra/downtime with reading or chores. Nothing wrong with that! It's something they have to learn ... Not sure what my advice is except it all sounds normal to me and still better then the excellent public schools my kids attended before we moved across country (where the schools are in the news all the time and not for positive things - we're in DC after all). 4 to 1 ratio is to die for!

 

I must say now that my kids are 11, 11 and 13 ... I wish they needed me more. I love the times when I get to read aloud to them or provide them one-on-one with math or chemistry. I do think it's much harder with more then two different grade levels. I hear you there! I hope this bit of advice helps ... I think that teaching is a big job and you are all on the right track!!

 

Ok one more thing - we do PE to the excess with rec and travel teams plus private coaching. When my kids have down days (no extra sports), I go nuts and yell at them alot ... I am mucho academic but I believe in getting the kids moving and grooving - they need to be outside doing their thing as much as possible. If only because it makes me happier!

 

I know that 1:4 is better than a brick school ratio of 1:20 but still I feel that I could do a better job. Now that my oldest is headed to private high school, I really want them to be prepared. I totally agree with you about PE. My kids play baseball, swim and play soccer. We are on break before indoor soccer begins and so no one is moving enough, including me! Do you send your kids outside to play or do you have any ideas for activities? We have recently discussed letting each kid pick an activity and the rest of us have to play that game/activity for 1 hour.

 

Our children are almost the exact same age!!! Mine is 6 instead of 7 and is a really immature 6 so he requires my attention/time for "school". We start the school day at 9am. Hats off to all those who can get it together at 7. They get up between 7-7:30. We do cereal for breakfast most of the mornings. The older 2 are responsible for getting one younger brother his breakfast. All the daily things (room tidy, morning offering, teethbrushing, dishwasher chore) are supposed to happen before the 9 start time. We have started the same way for years and it kind of gets them settled into the day (we do Saint of the Day and prayers together). For the older 2, I made a master list of where they are supposed to be in each subject by term. I wrote it out longhand (it didn't take that long) and they can check each chapter, pgs, etc. off daily. My oldest is a boy and he is not as good as keeping himself on track but I am trying to instill that in him so I try not to be too naggy. Natural consequence, he is stuck doing school work instead of earning video game time or has to miss a Boy Scout camping trip. Next come my daughter and she loves checking off those little boxes; she likes to be a little ahead. My younger too are the big energy drainers. They are super active and LOUD. They have to be in another room or no one can think.:001_smile: If they thrash a room...they have to pick it up. They are both highly motivated by video game time so I can get them, most days, to get through the school stuff fairly quickly. Lunch is usually sandwiches which is their preference for the most part, they can have leftovers. I have been trying to have the olders help with this as well....but seriously....how can so much mayo miss the bread???? I like to be done by 3pm. I have to have some QUIET TIME before the whole dinner thing begins. When I am good, I cook meat or meals ahead to save on time and have my menu working with the weekly schedule. I do not enjoy cooking at all. Love to bake, can't stand "what should I make for dinner"!!! We use Faith & Life as well, the older ones read this independently and generally review with me rather than doing the workbook. I do the younger ones. We have Catholic Mosaic and I try and pick 2 Saints for each month that we will spend some extra time on. One just at home and one with another hsing family. They really enjoy celebrating with another family and this helps us to have some regularly scheduled playdates. I have really concentrated more on making the Liturgical Year come alive for them the last couple of years.

 

Lastly (this is sooo long) I would say that it is not the lack of schedule that messes up my day....it is my lack of energy/excitement to actually go around and check things, did I follow through? Did the rooms actually get tidied before 9 or do I go upstairs during the lunch break and then I am the Mad Mommy? Did the littles quietly make a mess in their room that I didn't catch and they still got to watch a movie at lunch? Did chores actually happen or have I let slackerville come and rest at our house? Did I put the laundry away or do I have piles sitting on the sofa, on the floor, making the room look messy? Follow through is the killer of my day....not the schedule, lack of orginizational techniques, saved blogs on how to make the day go smooth....did I make my rounds and handle things in a nice Mommy voice when I was supposed to; rather than finding everything at the evening tidy-up when I am stressed trying to make dinner and have the house look halfway presentable for Dad. 'Cuz there is no nice Mommy voice then!:tongue_smilie:

 

Not only are our kids the same ages, it sounds like we have a lot in common! I thought hard about follow through being my problem. I'm sure that I struggle with that in the afternoons but I'm not sure that it's my problem during the school day. Getting school done for 3 grades plus preschool and lunch in 5 hours is hard. Are you able to get every planned subject finished every day? I know that I need to work on slackerville in the afternoons! I think I will keep a chart tomorrow where you write down what you are doing every 30 min.

[AngelBee]

I have 4 kids, 12, 10, 7 and 4. I'm having trouble juggling them all and getting everything done. I've tried making a schedule, having a list of things to cross off when they are finished, but the problem seems to be that the kids end up waiting for me to help them and get distracted. The 10 yr old will wander off and the 7 and 4 yr olds will go off to play and trash whatever room I'm not in. Math and LA require the most time from me for each kid. I don't know whether to ask for someone to look and my list of curriculum or just tell me how they juggle their own kids. I'll take any suggestions.

 

We are using NEM (7th grader) and Singapore math, AAS, IEW ancients, basic outlining, Noeo Chemistry (3 levels), Rosetta Stone Spanish, Typing, and Sonlight Core 6 as a unit study. The littles are also using HWT and ETC. I do religion (Faith and Life and Catholic Mosaic) at breakfast. I cook hot meals and they are also taking some time.

 

Help!

I thought it was only me! :lol: I can't stand the wandering off! Seriously drives me batty! :tongue_smilie:

[Melissa B]

I have four the same ages - 12, 10, 7 and 5. We also use Singapore math.

 

One thing I had to start doing this year was keeping the younger two up later at night so they would get up later in the morning. Dd 12 starts school at 6 and we begin with math followed by language arts. Dd10 begins school at 7 and we begin with math followed by language arts. The youngers get up around 8:30. Once dd7 has finished breakfast/morning chores she does her three subjects she can do alone - typing, math facts, Latin (all on the computer.) I focus on the older two in the morning. After lunch they work independently while I work with the younger two.

[4besitos]

Getting school done for 3 grades plus preschool and lunch in 5 hours is hard. Are you able to get every planned subject finished every day?

 

We are more Charlotte Masonish in our house...so we use the Mater Amabilis schedule except for Science & Latin, I use different books. I would say that for the most part, my older 2 do not need intensive time with me. They might need help with something or for me to review....but they are beyond needing me for a lot of one-on-one time. By 9:30, the littles go and play or they can choose a Magic Schoolbus or Catholic movie to watch. I have lots of hands-on, learny type toys that I need to get better at rotating. My olders generally start with math as this is the area giving us more fits right now. English is usually in the early morning as well as this is an area where I am needed. Then they will usually start working their easier things that they don't need me constantly for. A page of spelling, Bible History, Catechism, 10 m handwriting (this will either be a prayer....English or Latin or a poem they are supposed to be memorizing), 20 m keyboarding, 20 m instrument practice, reading is a big chunk of their schedule: History both national and world and a related book per term, Shakespeare play a term, book club book a month, Saint book a term and one other religious book by grade. These are staggered and at level; but by the end of the term certain books are supposed to be done and new ones assigned. My oldest is a voracious reader and this comes easy, my daughter doesn't enjoy reading as much so I have tweaked her schedule a little. Science and Geography are 2x week. While it looks like a lot....they can easily have 7 or 8 things done before lunch and that is with a snack break thrown in. I work with the littles in the next room starting between 10 and 10:30 and we can get through the prek/K/1st grade combo in 1h 1/2. I break it up in 10 to 20 minute bites but unless my 6 yr old is pitching fits he is done before lunch. And those rotations are also about changing tasks. So if we've been sitting down doing reading. Then we'll switch to the other room and do math. Or play a game. Do some oral questions. He can do some computer time with a learning game. The littles are doing Song School Latin....they think it fun because there is a monkey on the cover. Spend some time on the artist or composer for the term. *The artist/composer thing has been harder for me to manage because each child has a different artist and composer by term. I have started combining them for my own sanity.*

 

The older ones need me to review a lot with them (all that reading) so this is a more time consuming method for me than if they had a bunch of workbooks....but they like this a lot better. CM is really about training the children to do their work quickly and to their very best ability. As a child gets older, more time is allotted for them to complete subjects. For us, if we are doing school at 3pm and it's not because we had a field trip, then we are having a bad day. The nature walk is the funniest part of CM but can also be the hardest. If I don't schedule it....very easy to skip. I try to work it in when we are already out and about somewhere.

 

This has been are hardest year schedule-wise since we have day things out of the house 3x per week. But I think the children are happier so they are more motivated to get their work done.

 

If they aren't done by 3pm because they were slacking, then they have to finish their work instead of having free time. Since I look more by term, I would say by day, there are supposed to be 8 to 10 things done and there are certain things like Math, English/LA, all the daily practice things that have to be done each and every day. I am trying to give them some freedom to do their schedule how they feel it works best for them (except Math....I tried to let them do that in the afternoons and it just didn't work). If things aren't getting done (which is very easy to tell by their check-off sheets) then I manage that child's schedule more.

 

Hope that helps. For me, the chores, meal planning, shopping/errands, follow through are the things that created stress in/for me. Which trickled down to stressed, acting out children, and more bad school days. I have really been working on decluttering, planning the meals more and starting the whole dinner thing earlier; like 4 or 4:30 I am totally about "what does Mom need to have done or be doing". There is no more teacher to help you. Teacher is gone. The better I am about my role as wife and homemaker, the better my role as teacher goes. Tonight there was no follow through on after dinner chores because I went to Target to exhange/return things and try and Christmas shop without the children. So we will start the morning with a messy downstairs. I will start my day feeling behind and that I didn't do good as a wife/homemaker. That will make my mood not that great and decrease my patience. If I am not careful....it will translate into a bad school day.

[Sasharowan]

I agree, keeping them all centrally located is a good idea. I have never used Homeschool Tracker. Did it take you a long time to input 3 grades?

There was quite a steep learning curve for HST, but they have excellent videos up on their site that really help to understand the program. Also, a lot of more popular curriculum have been uploaded to the yahoo site that really helps with setup time. The easy part comes in when it only takes me an hour to schedule out the week (including marking last weeks work done), except for the printing things out part. And at the end of the year, there is a nice neat record to include in the porfolio.

[mryann]

We are more Charlotte Masonish in our house...so we use the Mater Amabilis schedule except for Science & Latin, I use different books. I would say that for the most part, my older 2 do not need intensive time with me. They might need help with something or for me to review....but they are beyond needing me for a lot of one-on-one time. By 9:30, the littles go and play or they can choose a Magic Schoolbus or Catholic movie to watch. I have lots of hands-on, learny type toys that I need to get better at rotating. My olders generally start with math as this is the area giving us more fits right now. English is usually in the early morning as well as this is an area where I am needed. Then they will usually start working their easier things that they don't need me constantly for. A page of spelling, Bible History, Catechism, 10 m handwriting (this will either be a prayer....English or Latin or a poem they are supposed to be memorizing), 20 m keyboarding, 20 m instrument practice, reading is a big chunk of their schedule: History both national and world and a related book per term, Shakespeare play a term, book club book a month, Saint book a term and one other religious book by grade. These are staggered and at level; but by the end of the term certain books are supposed to be done and new ones assigned. My oldest is a voracious reader and this comes easy, my daughter doesn't enjoy reading as much so I have tweaked her schedule a little. Science and Geography are 2x week. While it looks like a lot....they can easily have 7 or 8 things done before lunch and that is with a snack break thrown in. I work with the littles in the next room starting between 10 and 10:30 and we can get through the prek/K/1st grade combo in 1h 1/2. I break it up in 10 to 20 minute bites but unless my 6 yr old is pitching fits he is done before lunch. And those rotations are also about changing tasks. So if we've been sitting down doing reading. Then we'll switch to the other room and do math. Or play a game. Do some oral questions. He can do some computer time with a learning game. The littles are doing Song School Latin....they think it fun because there is a monkey on the cover. Spend some time on the artist or composer for the term. *The artist/composer thing has been harder for me to manage because each child has a different artist and composer by term. I have started combining them for my own sanity.*

 

The older ones need me to review a lot with them (all that reading) so this is a more time consuming method for me than if they had a bunch of workbooks....but they like this a lot better. CM is really about training the children to do their work quickly and to their very best ability. As a child gets older, more time is allotted for them to complete subjects. For us, if we are doing school at 3pm and it's not because we had a field trip, then we are having a bad day. The nature walk is the funniest part of CM but can also be the hardest. If I don't schedule it....very easy to skip. I try to work it in when we are already out and about somewhere.

 

This has been are hardest year schedule-wise since we have day things out of the house 3x per week. But I think the children are happier so they are more motivated to get their work done.

 

If they aren't done by 3pm because they were slacking, then they have to finish their work instead of having free time. Since I look more by term, I would say by day, there are supposed to be 8 to 10 things done and there are certain things like Math, English/LA, all the daily practice things that have to be done each and every day. I am trying to give them some freedom to do their schedule how they feel it works best for them (except Math....I tried to let them do that in the afternoons and it just didn't work). If things aren't getting done (which is very easy to tell by their check-off sheets) then I manage that child's schedule more.

 

Hope that helps. For me, the chores, meal planning, shopping/errands, follow through are the things that created stress in/for me. Which trickled down to stressed, acting out children, and more bad school days. I have really been working on decluttering, planning the meals more and starting the whole dinner thing earlier; like 4 or 4:30 I am totally about "what does Mom need to have done or be doing". There is no more teacher to help you. Teacher is gone. The better I am about my role as wife and homemaker, the better my role as teacher goes. Tonight there was no follow through on after dinner chores because I went to Target to exhange/return things and try and Christmas shop without the children. So we will start the morning with a messy downstairs. I will start my day feeling behind and that I didn't do good as a wife/homemaker. That will make my mood not that great and decrease my patience. If I am not careful....it will translate into a bad school day.

 

this was really helpful. I have read and re-read it several times. I started off using CM methods and still strive to follow that philosophy. Sonlight is CM style. I find that I"m not getting to the fun stuff - nature study, art or composer study. So what is taking up so much time for me? I find that 20 min math lesson wasn't really enough to sink those concepts. My oldest handled Singapore math easily. We moved to NEM this year and it reviews first. I realized that he has forgotten how to divide fractions, convert mixed numbers, find primary numbers, etc. and that he needs review on multiplication tables. IMO, 20 min of math a day just wasn't enough for my kid.

 

I'm curious as to how your kids are 'beyond needing you for one on one time." Do they read their math/language arts books and just know what to do? It sounds like your kids read a lot to themselves. Do you go over what they've read? Are they doing narrations? Do you do dictation with them? Do you read aloud? When do you fit all of that in?

 

I planned to keep track of my time this week, but it was so nice that we took our books outside. We got a lot accomplished, interspersed with pruning and bike riding, but it was way past 4 when we put our book bags away and even then, we didn't finish every subject. Today we have a fieldtrip but I'd like to keep track next week. I truly am beginning to think that it is not possible for me to get every subject finished for 3 grades plus preschool in 5 hours.

 

 

Sasharowan, thanks for the homeschool tracker info. If you weren't keeping a portfolio (we test at the end of the year) would you still use it? Currently, it's not taking me an hour to plan out the weeks' worth. But maybe that's my problem?! Maybe I'm not planning enough?

[Tarreymere]

My juggling at this point in time is different from yours, but maybe some of my ideas might help.

 

I cook a hot breakfast, but DD either does chores or starts math while I am cooking. As soon as she is done she works on math by herself while I clean up and get the littles organized. DS and DGS are boys and not interested in writing so no worksheets or early workbooks for them. They get legos, clay, songs, ect. I start them with legos right after breakfast because they play with those on their own. DGD is two months old.

 

We stay in one room all day, a combination kitchen/living room, so I have eye contact with everyone and I can control all toys, games, or electronics. I can also work on chores myself. We are a no-tv family, so that helps. I do put on audio stories sometimes, we like greek myths right now. Other days are 'genre days' for a particular genre of music and I just play it during school and mention a couple things about the genre.

 

I don't have room for a workbox system but I have a folder system. I put either the worksheets or a paper with instructions on it in a folder for each subject. I put the folders for DD in two piles, one pile is of folders with stuff she can do on her own, and the other is files for stuff she is going to need me for. She has a clipboard and puts the stuff she is working on on the clipboard. School is pretty much on the couch. Files that are done go on the kitchen counter.

 

This way if I am singing alphabet songs or something with the littles, she can pick up a folder with stuff she can do on her own while she waits, or I can pause with the littles to help her out for a few minutes, or I can grab a finished folder to look over. I want all of them to work as independently as possible, so I expect her to read instructions, ect. and she also reads aloud to the littles and helps them with counting and colors and that sort of thing.

 

I read history and historical fiction out loud and they all listen, more or less. We practice latin out loud and the littles listen, and I can work with them on their colors or counting while DD and I practice her latin. DD reads her science out loud, we were doing animal classification, got to vertebrates, and now we are on mammals so she reads aloud one book or printout about a particular mammal and then fills out an animal report form. She is a great reader but when she writes I need to be on top of her as she doesn't like to make her letters correctly unless I am watching. I can do that while I am sitting next to her and playing uno with the littles, for example, but I can't do that and still see her well enough if I am at the stove or the sink.

 

DS and DGS are still in the stage of needing me or DD to pretty much do anything, so I have different 'stages' for their day, like the 'lego stage' which is independent, the 'coloring stage' which usually happens during the history/science read alouds because I need them to be quiet, the 'clay stage' which is now more of a handwriting practice/PR1 kind of thing because clay really gets their attention and DD is really resistant to making her letters right even though she knows her letter sounds really well, and then the boys have their time with DD or me 1:1 singing songs, counting, putting the ten million plastic toy animals in different groups, ect.

 

I guess for us the key is really creative multitasking. If I need to be more with DD, then I need the boys to be doing something that requires less of my brain to be on them. I am never really totally focused on just one child. Sometimes I need to be physically closer to DD to watch her writing but my brain and my mouth are singing with the boys, sometimes I am at the stove cooking but my brain is listening to DD read aloud and I am watching the boys to make sure they don't fingerpaint the dog (it has happened in the past, he is a white dog so it is very tempting).

 

I know we are all different, and whatever works for us won't work for you, but maybe one of us will comment on something that will help you come up with an idea that will work for your family. Good luck, and hang in there.

[braymalena]

I have 4 kids as well... 12 (ds), 10 (dd), 7 (dd) and 5 (ds). I am still in the throws of figuring things out, but one thing I had to do mid-year is to re-evaluate the curriculum we are using. Math, LA and Reading are now pretty independent subjects for my older 2. We use Saxon Math and CLE for LA and Reading. I feel confident that they are getting a good, quality education in those subjects and there is no prep involved (They are taking Saxon at a co-op and they receive instruction there. If they weren't doing that, I would be using CLE for Math as well). While they do those subjects and some other independent work in the morning, I work with the younger 2. In the afternoons I do "together work" with my older 2. We use Winterpromise for History and Science. There is a lot of reading and hands-on with their curriculum and I wanted to be in the thick of that. I am also in the middle of switching Writing curriculums. We were using IEW and although it is an excellent program, it just wasn't a good fit for us. This year has been a challenging one in a lot of ways, but I am finally feeling like we are getting into the groove and I feel more confident than ever about our curriculum choices. It just took a lot of time to get there. I can't change things up every year for sure, but I figured that I needed to do what was best for our family and find things that made life work. And believe you me, it wasn't working well before... :)

And here's my latest thought process... I have been seriously considering the idea of year-round homeschooling. My kids were set against it at first, but I think they are warming to the idea. Homeschooling year round will give me some breather room. I don't want to always be about staying on schedule and miss out on so many other ways we can learn together... Anyway, there are some thoughts from someone who doesn't have it together FOR SURE, but I feel more like I am on the right road at least!

[Sasharowan]

Sasharowan, thanks for the homeschool tracker info. If you weren't keeping a portfolio (we test at the end of the year) would you still use it? Currently, it's not taking me an hour to plan out the weeks' worth. But maybe that's my problem?! Maybe I'm not planning enough?

 

I like HST. Most of my hour is spent on the little stuff that I don't oversee during the week and checking that it got done. Or trying to decide how many chapters in this book will equal about 30 min. reading for this kid. Because of course they all have to read at different speeds for different types of books. I also have to shuffle the schedule each week to accomodate the different things going on. Like Mon. 2 kids have dentists. What I like the best about HST is that stuff dd does this year, is already set up for ds9 next year.

[yellowperch]

thanks for the wonderful visual. I just pictured myself in a circus costume juggling my terrified kids, and saying "well, this is how it is done, madam."

[Chloe]

My four dc are 12, 11, 7 and 4. I struggle with juggling them as well. So far what we have been doing is starting the oldest two off with math, which they do mostly on their own at the kitchen table. While they do that I work with my 7yo in the family room on reading, math fact flashcards and AWANA verses. My 4yo will either play quietly on the floor with puzzles or Legos, or color at the kitchen table. She knows she has to be quiet and not interrupt the others or she has to go play in the basement playroom. When my 7yo finishes the above, he's free to go in the basement to play with her or they go outside to play in the backyard. Then I am able to give one-on-one time with my older two in their area of weakness (spelling for my dd, writing for my ds). Later I call my 7yo back to do his table work (math lesson, handwriting and Explode the Code). I try to do a history related read-aloud during lunch, but the bulk of their history is done through independent reading. The same goes for science. In the evening my dh does "Reading Camp" (laying on the floor with blankets and pillows while dh reads to them) with the 12, 11 and 7yo. I take my 4yo in another room and cuddle up with her to read picture books. She doesn't do any formal schooling, but loves to draw and write words. She's constantly asking me how to spell words. She has asked me to teach her to read, but she still has trouble blending three-letter words and gets VERY frustrated, so I don't do anything with her unless she specifically asks.

[Caitilin]

thanks for the wonderful visual. I just pictured myself in a circus costume juggling my terrified kids, and saying "well, this is how it is done, madam."

:iagree:

I was going to say "I practice with flaming torches!" :D

[Rosy]

4 kids is hard. Sure, it's not 20-30...but they are all (presumably) in different grades. 4 levels at once is a lot to teach.

 

What works for me is the fact that the oldest is very independent. She prefers to self-teach and self-schedule. She does Teaching Textbooks for math and will ask for my help when she needs it. Sometimes she wants to sit by me and have me look up and grade her work as she's doing it so she doesn't finish the whole thing and then have to spend another 15-20 min. fixing mistakes. But mostly she works on her own.

 

The other three do WWE together, and we all do science, history and Bible together. DS8 and DD5 do MUS, and I do have to juggle them a little. DD7 does Saxon and honestly I'm not sure it's going so well for her. She doesn't learn well 1 on 1, so she either figures stuff out from listening to me work with the other kids or on her own. I think Teaching Textbooks might work well for her when she gets to that level.

 

Also, I make DD10 work with the younger kids for 15 min. It's good for her, and it helps me during our peak learning period.

 

The 10 yr old will wander off and the 7 and 4 yr olds will go off to play and trash whatever room I'm not in. Math and LA require the most time from me for each kid. I don't know whether to ask for someone to look and my list of curriculum or just tell me how they juggle their own kids. I'll take any suggestions.

 

I would have them bring a book to the table to read while they're waiting for your help. Also, I don't help DD10 until I'm done schooling all the others. She has enough she can work on independently until I'm available.

 

Also, I don't make hot meals. DD10 will make mac & cheese for lunch once a week, and she usually makes sandwiches. Everyone's mostly on their own for breakfast.

 

This year also seems to require so much more attention - my 4 yr old is an early reader (when do I find time to read books to her?) and my 7 yr old needs phonics work, my 10 and 12 yr old need work outlining and writing and my 12 yr old is beginning NEM which is an adjustment.

 

When do you get your table work ready? In the morning when you get up? I really like the idea of them doing their chores while they are waiting for me. I hate to adjust the cooking style, but I do see your point. I will start breakfast early before they get up and see if that gives us more time.

 

We do a read-aloud in the morning, and then DD5 will read to me while I'm doing other things (on the computer or whatever). So do the middle two. I can usually listen pretty well and do mindless work on the computer. I am REALLY relaxed with DD5. She gets her work done because she likes to, but I don't feel pressured to make sure she does it all.

 

Organization: for me, I did the file folder system (do a search and you'll find the epic thread about it from about 3 months ago). So it takes me about 10 min. Monday morning to transfer their work from the file folders to their clipboards. DD10 also has a chart on her clipboard that contains all of her assignments for the week. We don't do much of anything that requires a lot of prep. They do get hands-on stuff at co-op, though.

 

I also just switched to a 3-week-on, 1-week-off schedule. This gives me a catch up week for chores/organizing/etc. We just started it, but I really think this will make it so the house never gets to be a disaster (as long as we maintain it during our school weeks) and no one gets excessively burned out. We'll see if this helps or makes it worse.

 

I don't think there's a perfect way of schooling 4 at a time. It is HARD. But for us it is our best option, and my kids are thriving even if we don't get to everything I'd like us to be doing.

[swellmomma]

I am still trying to figure that out. My kids area fairly close in age to yours 12, 11, 7 and 3. They do very little chores, not because I do not expect them to help it's just the way things are given the situation in my home. I have finally figured out how to get school done with all of them, and how to be out the door at work on time with all 4 in tow, BUT I have not figured out how to keep my 7 & 3 year olds from trashing a room, or how to maintain the rest of my chores with them around.

[AngelBee]

Rereading and thinking.

[simka2]

Very Carefull!!! :D I have loved reading this thread and hope to catch up more later!!!

[Pretty in Pink]

I have four kids. My house looks like hell. My laundry is never caught up. I also need help!

[mryann]

Okay, it's been 3 months since I posted this. I've improved in many ways - I've got a menu plan so there is less time wasted figuring out meals, I'm using leftovers or convenience type foods for lunch. We are going out less - have cut outings to piano lessons one afternoon and 1 day off for errands, fieldtrips, group meetings etc. I've been working at teaching the kids to move on if they are stuck. Thank you so much for your many suggestions; they've been very helpful.

 

By the end of every day, I still look back and wonder who didn't get what they needed that day. Every day, it will be someone who didn't get all of their subjects or that we didn't get to art or tea time, etc. I can't seem to fit everything in that I want to do. Am I expecting too much? If you have 4 kids from preK to 7th grade, how much time do you think it would take to get all subjects finished if the kids need help with LA and math?

[BlsdMama]

I have 4 kids, 12, 10, 7 and 4. I'm having trouble juggling them all and getting everything done. I've tried making a schedule, having a list of things to cross off when they are finished, but the problem seems to be that the kids end up waiting for me to help them and get distracted. The 10 yr old will wander off and the 7 and 4 yr olds will go off to play and trash whatever room I'm not in. Math and LA require the most time from me for each kid. I don't know whether to ask for someone to look and my list of curriculum or just tell me how they juggle their own kids. I'll take any suggestions.

 

We are using NEM (7th grader) and Singapore math, AAS, IEW ancients, basic outlining, Noeo Chemistry (3 levels), Rosetta Stone Spanish, Typing, and Sonlight Core 6 as a unit study. The littles are also using HWT and ETC. I do religion (Faith and Life and Catholic Mosaic) at breakfast. I cook hot meals and they are also taking some time.

 

Help!

 

I keep anyone who can't be trusted out of sight in my sight.

 

Doesn't that sound too easy? But, no, truly. We have our toys & activities near the main area of the house, not in the bedrooms. And, frankly, it just isn't an option. I *try* to alternate between free play, structured play, and structured activity.

 

We do chores, prep, etc. as a FAMILY. Which means if I'm cleaning up, everyone else is pitching in. Many hands make light work, kwim? I might wash 3-4 loads of laundry before we all fold it but we're ALL putting it all away so it's done. In the AM, I wake up before them (necessity & sanity saver) and then they get up. Each knows to take off their pajamas, tuck them under their pillow, get dressed for the day, clean up their room, and THEN come downstairs. Well, not the two year old, but certainly four and up.

 

My 14yo or 11yo or 9yo is in charge of making breakfast, I'm in charge of cleaning up while they start and concentrate on school.

 

Lunch is usually kept very simple. We usually do a hot breakfast but leftovers or something easy for lunch. Lunch can be healthy and easy.

 

Then you're at naptime. Naptime is time for Mom to do what she needs to do, or help the big kids one on one, do phonics with the middles, etc. The rule is if you aren't reading or learning to read, you're sleeping.... No debate.

 

After naptime life gets a little more chaotic. Generally snack & outside time.

 

But if you don't train them to play nicely near you, chances are good they're getting into something out of your sight. Then, while you clean THAT up, they're getting into something else. It's TOO MUCH WORK for me. It's easier to just keep them near me. :)

[myranneluis]

Seriously? Be a fine example. :iagree:

[swellmomma]

I posted earlier but now that I have found something that is working I am adding this post.

 

What I have been finding to work this year is a)write everyone's lessons up on teh white board, even the 4 yr old's, the night before and get everything ready. Then when we begin, I usually start with the big 2. I will teach them each their math lesson and set them to work at the table. Then I have the younger 2 join us. I will get ds8 started on his math and then help dd4 with her math/ We cycle through their list of assignments this way. Everyone stays at teh table with me as they are all prone to distraction and will not work if I am not monitoring them. On dd4's list there is also activities I have for her to work on while waiting for ds8 to finish up, (lacing, beading, do-a-dot markers, stamps, etc) Her actual "work" takes about 20-30 minutes but her extra activities take up another hour. During that time I work with the older 3 going back and forth between teaching the bigs and setting them to work at an assignment and working with ds. DS8 finishes all of his work including me reading to him within 1.5 hours. Then he and dd4 go play. Chances are they will destroy the room they are playing in, but there is guidelines to it. They can only play in the livingroom or the boys room. Any mess they make they help clean up with me when the bigs are done school. Once I send the youngest 2 away I can focus on the more teacher intensive subjects with the bigs.

 

I do our read aloud reading (using sonlight) during our school day. Sometimes I use it to break up other subjects, sometimes I do it all at the end. I have tried to do it at mealtimes, but really that is my only break during the day so I prefer to turn off the school work and go check my email or read my own book during that time.

 

While there is a couple things the bigs do differently, over all I teach them the same stuff at the same time. DD is about 10 pages ahead of ds in math, and they each use different spelling programs and different levels of cursive but everything else is together. It does help as then I am *only* planning and teaching 3 grade levels. Still lots but definitely helps to combine them.

I do AAS with 2 kids. DD12 and DS8 both use it. They do not however use it together. Between the 2 of them we spend 30 minutes a day on AAS but it is not all at once. DS8 will do his 15 minutes and later in the day dd12 does her 15 minutes.