Troubleshooting: Can I Get Anything Done With a Lot of Little People?
Monday, May 2, 2011 at 12:43AM Emily asked:
Just here to say that I'm very interested in all the questions asked so far! I'm just starting homeschooling with my oldest (3yo girl), with a 17-month old (active climber boy) running around and our third due in July. I feel like I have no idea how I'm going to get anything productive done after the baby arrives. I'm completely freaked out about how the fall with go this year!
♥
Emily, are you willing to listen to a little gentle advice from a seasoned mom? Here it is: RELAX. There is absolutely no reason to do anything formal with your 3-year-old in the fall. No, really! Instead, can you think of the following activities as "school"?
puzzles
reading aloud with mommy while baby's being nursed
sand & water play
play dough
naming fruit and vegetables in the grocery store
sounding out letters as you say words together
help Mommy mash bananas for banana bread, slice bananas with a table knife, pour cereal into a bowl for breakfast, stir, set the table (forget perfection and take delight in sweet attempts), vacuum with the long nozzle of a canister vacuum, water plants, feed pets
As for getting anything done? Well, that's a slightly different story. Right off the bat you are going to need to change your expectations about what you can accomplish this summer. When I am dead on the couch with debilitating morning sickness, I have two goals: 1. feed my family 2. survive. I'm not kidding.
Now is the time to jot down what your top five non-negotiable items are for the summer. My list might look something like this:
1. Be in the Word and guard my time with God
2. Feed my family
3. Keep the laundry going
4. Keep the bathrooms and kitchen clean
5. Care for the children (which includes playing, reading, and getting out of the house as much as needed for mom's sanity)
Five is it. Total. And obviously you can expand a single item to include some little sub-categories, but once the shortness of breath and elevated blood pressure kick in, it's time to stop ;)
And all those other things that seem so monumental? They can wait until the weekend or when dad's home to lend a hand. If dad can't or won't lend a hand, then can you ask a friend for help? Your mom? A sister? Your hobbies and interests might need to take a little rest for a season, but don't lose them altogether. Just think in terms of seasons and delight that you can get back to those things when you have children who are a little older and more capable.
~Kendra
Reader Comments (5)
Thanks for posting. I have a 7, 5, 3, 2, and 1 year old and I need to sit back and enjoy them.
Ah, such great wisdom here from Kendra. I could not agree more!
I just wanted to add, for the sake of perspective (of which I had very little when I was in Emily's season of life) that having 3 little ones who are SO little is a unique season that you never experience again. Even if you have 10 children, the unique level of intense physical needs you are experiencing now will never quite be the same. Moms of large families have confirmed this over and over. Things really change as children grow up, as your family becomes balanced by "olders" and "youngers" and as we as moms transform in our hearts and minds and habits to be able to manage our large families.
The season of life when ALL your children are little is a season of surrender and patience. Try not to wish these years away, and as Kendra said, set your expectations appropriately.
Hi Kendra,
Saw your post and thought it was very helpful! I thought that you might be interested in using some of the Preschool Worksheets that Education.com has available: http://www.education.com/worksheets/preschool/
A lot of mom's find them particularly helpful when they need something quick and entertaining for their little ones :)
Great advice! I also wanted to say that my 21 month old taught himself all his letters and sound through watching Super Why and Leapfrog Letter Factory every morning while I laid on the couch sick as a dog in my first trimester. He's now almost 3 and reading, like literally read me "Are You My Mother?" the other day. So there's no shame to be had in making use of that silly little glowing box ;) Who knows, your kid might teach themselves to read, or at least they won't get into any mischief, both are admirable goals, lol!
Oh, and when little brother was born with reflux and colic and cried for 2 months straight, guess what? Big brother (then 2.5) still wasn't damaged and his learning didn't slow down. I learned I can both give instructions and answer questions and nurse or rock a baby at the same time, which is really most of what a 3 year old needs anyway; a little structure to their day and a mommy to answer life's biggest questions, like :"what's that?" and "are you a boy mama?"
{{Hugs}} to you Kendra. You are so wise. Your words comfort and build up. Love this site!