Elizabeth in MN Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 My DD, eleven, has attention problems so I need to sit here with her and keep her on task. Drives me a bit batty to watch the dust bunnies get bigger and bigger, and I get rather bored. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simka2 Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 I have to be right with my kids as well. Which is probably why I spend way to much time on here!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kokotg Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Words with friends :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 "Becca, get back to your work." "Becca, okay, yes, now finish your grammar." "No, Rebecca, not right now." "After math." "Will you stop messing with your blanket?" (She gets "cold" and likes to be wrapped up in a blanket while doing schoolwork. Oh-kay.) "Finish your handwriting." "Are you done YET?" :glare: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3peasinapod Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Sounds like my DDs. I was wondering when they could be more independent. We've made some strides, but not enough in my bored opinion. I've been sweeping/cleaning the area they are working in, every once in a while checking to see they're not watching the hummingbird feeder or making faces at each other or staring at the trees... :glare: Sometimes I read while they are working, which really gets me caught up on that. This is my favorite! Though the dust bunnies call. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BMW Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 While my homeschooling years have come and gone, I still have several times when I am needing to occupy myself.... (Dh loves for me to go visiting with him to his parents or to another friends' home and the guys all get a lot of work done and I can chat a bit... but I get bored...)(Or times I am out on the boat... you cannot just get up and leave... ) This year I have worked on crochet and cross stitch... I have a VERY big difficulty if the time I am spending is not producing something... Or I read... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristusG Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 DD's are 7 and 4 so I have to sit with them every schooling minute as well. I write lesson plans, check things on my iPhone, file away their school work, tidy the area, use the computer, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrissiK Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 "Becca, get back to your work.""Becca, okay, yes, now finish your grammar." "No, Rebecca, not right now." "After math." "Will you stop messing with your blanket?" (She gets "cold" and likes to be wrapped up in a blanket while doing schoolwork. Oh-kay.) "Finish your handwriting." "Are you done YET?" :glare: :iagree: Just substitute "Daniel" for "Becca" and you've got our house! Even down to the blanket thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lara in Colo Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 I read a book :D I can direct 4 children, two dogs and a husband and not lose my place. Seriously, otherwise I go insane trying occupy myself and I can get snarky (more than normal) with the children Lara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmos Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 I do my own self-study in history, literature, math, or science. I usually have a couple of books I'm working my way through. Of course I have to be prepared to stop and answer questions, help with math, etc., but I can make some good progress and set a good example for ds on how to focus and study. ETA: Or I read ahead in ds' history or lit to prepare for discussion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Mending, folding laundry, or other task that I can do right there, doesn't take much brainpower, isn't interesting to DD, and that I can put down to get the next subject going or to work with her. There's usually not all that much individual time in our school day anyway. Today, I sewed elastics on ballet shoes during math practice and copywork. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athena1277 Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Words with friends :D Me too! As well as checking FB on my iphone. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommee & Baba Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 I have to sit with my dc during school. They are both still young to do too much on their own. When they are able to do some school on their own I will do some housechore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
momacacia Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Um, teach? Is that the wrong answer?:) I didn't know anything else was an option. But, dd is only 6.5 and we're in the heavy phonics/math teaching, read-aloud stage I guess. Other than that I try to keep the 2.5yo from distracting us or damaging something. 11 years old sounds nice!;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth in MN Posted August 25, 2011 Author Share Posted August 25, 2011 Right now I am on the laptop while the child is out finding something in the yard to draw. I'm arguing with a friend on Facebook about Mercury Retrogrades (I say it's ending tomorrow, he says it ended earlier this month). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 The majority of the time I'm either teaching/discussing or bouncing back and forth between kids. When I get a few minutes when both kids are working independently, I fold laundry, clean the kitchen (since we tend to be IN the kitchen), etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silliness7 Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Um, teach? Is that the wrong answer? I didn't know anything else was an option. That's my answer. I would love to knit or catch up on my reading but if I'm not interacting with one dc I'm interacting with another. All.Day. School starts Monday.:nopity::tongue_smilie: :crying: :glare: :w00t: :hurray: :willy_nilly: :blink: You could say I have mixed emotions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enviromommy Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 I have to be right with my kids as well. Which is probably why I spend way to much time on here!!! I wish I could be online! My kids get too distracted by my screen. My ds(9) wants me to watch him do math. If I get bored and try to get online, he will lean over and put my computer to sleep! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 When I have to be right at the table I knit. The big advantage to having the kids work at the kitchen table is, of course, that I can tidy (ha ha! As if all I ever have to do is just "tidy" it!) the kitchen and still be right there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sebastian (a lady) Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 My DD, eleven, has attention problems so I need to sit here with her and keep her on task. Drives me a bit batty to watch the dust bunnies get bigger and bigger, and I get rather bored. I had to learn to knit just for his reason. Anything else I did either was a distraction to my son or made me mentally check out so I wasn't helpful. Looks like my whole family will be getting scarves for Xmas . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 Um, teach? Is that the wrong answer?:) I didn't know anything else was an option. But, dd is only 6.5 and we're in the heavy phonics/math teaching, read-aloud stage I guess. Other than that I try to keep the 2.5yo from distracting us or damaging something. 11 years old sounds nice!;) Teach? What planet are YOU from? Stop spreading your weird and crazy ideas here please. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2squared Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 That's my answer. I would love to knit or catch up on my reading but if I'm not interacting with one dc I'm interacting with another. All.Day. :iagree: I usually have one dc being actively taught, and I am always, always sitting next to someone who is working on schoolwork. If I have a few minutes of breathing time, I am hands-on with my baby, 3yo or 4yo (nursing, playing, butt wiping :tongue_smilie:). If I'm really, really lucky I can squeeze in a few read alouds to the 3yo & 4yo while I'm sitting next to my 9yo. I guess my time-fillers are my littlest people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WishboneDawn Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 That's my answer. I would love to knit or catch up on my reading but if I'm not interacting with one dc I'm interacting with another. All.Day. . If I'm not knitting, I'm not focused and I'm invariably daydreaming in the quiet moments. Then the kids have to pull me back to reality. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thescrappyhomeschooler Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 My kids require my constant attention the whole time. I've tried slinking into the kitchen while they are working on a math sheet or something, but I get the "Mom, I need you!" as soon as I try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted August 25, 2011 Share Posted August 25, 2011 I try to hide my yawns, mostly. It's pretty boring watching them work. I also sneak online and read these boards. But sometimes I have to stop myself from doing that b/c ds will be done his work, but I'll say, "Just a minute...lemme finish reading this..." :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medieval Mom Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 I try to hide my yawns, mostly. It's pretty boring watching them work. I also sneak online and read these boards. But sometimes I have to stop myself from doing that b/c ds will be done his work, but I'll say, "Just a minute...lemme finish reading this..." :D :lol: This is why I can't read the boards during the day. :tongue_smilie: I mostly chase after my toddler, read him a story, etc. Hsing with toddlers is challenging! And I only have 2 dc! I do look forward to the time when I'll be able to knit, read, etc. Sigh! ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curlylocks Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Teach... :D Correct/grade papers... Check email... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2scouts Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 I use a lot of teacher intensive curriculum, so I'm usually right there with my children. When I'm not teaching and reading, I need to stay very close to keep my son on task. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 The majority of the time I'm either teaching/discussing or bouncing back and forth between kids. When I get a few minutes when both kids are working independently, I fold laundry, clean the kitchen (since we tend to be IN the kitchen), etc. Yep, me too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ereks mom Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 I guess it's a holdover from all my years as a professional educator, but I actually teach the lessons just as I did when I worked in the classroom all day. These days, my class is just a bit smaller. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rafiki Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 I use a lot of teacher intensive curriculum, so I'm usually right there with my children. When I'm not teaching and reading, I need to stay very close to keep my son on task. I guess it's a holdover from all my years as a professional educator, but I actually teach the lessons just as I did when I worked in the classroom all day. These days, my class is just a bit smaller. :D Yeah, I teach the lessons, too. But then it's time for ds to do his MUS page or try to figure out his Brain Teaser page on his own. I don't want to do it for him, or make him nervous by staring over his shoulder....but I do need to be next to him. And that's when I find myself starting to yawn....and slowly reaching for the keyboard and typing "welltrainedmin...." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alice Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 My kids are still young so school is all very teacher intensive. On the rare times when ds needs to do something independently and I need to sit with him I would read a book of my own or work on something else school related. For example, preparing whatever we are doing next. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
springmama Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 I knit, text my friends, check facebook...stuff like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThelmaLou Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Do lesson planning on my laptop, surf pinterest :tongue_smilie:, fold laundry nearby, dust bookshelves, etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 My DD, eleven, has attention problems so I need to sit here with her and keep her on task. Drives me a bit batty to watch the dust bunnies get bigger and bigger, and I get rather bored. I have to sit with my kids too. I post here, work on volunteer stuff or play Runescape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pie Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 Teach? What planet are YOU from? Stop spreading your weird and crazy ideas here please. :D wishbone dawn, you made me laugh out loud! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pie Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 my dd started doing a lot of her schoolwork alone in her room last year (6th)...prior to that though, there was quite a bit of "dead" time for me. She didn't really need help, but wanted me near her. I would dust, pick up, start laundry..quiet, boring chores that I could be in and out of the room quickly. If I tried to get online, though, she would always call for me, so wasn't worth trying to check wtm board or my email. Her change was sudden. One day she wanted me - next day wanted solitude! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AvasMom Posted August 26, 2011 Share Posted August 26, 2011 "Becca, get back to your work.""Becca, okay, yes, now finish your grammar." "No, Rebecca, not right now." "After math." "Will you stop messing with your blanket?" (She gets "cold" and likes to be wrapped up in a blanket while doing schoolwork. Oh-kay.) "Finish your handwriting." "Are you done YET?" :glare: Yeah that. Some days I just drag him room to room with me (dd is independent mostly). :auto: He can sit at the dining room table when I do the kitchen, coffee table while I do living room, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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