Homeschooling while pregnant

by Karen Edmisten | More from this Blogger

25 Jan 2007 12:48 PM

Recently, I posted about meeting, in general, the challenge of teaching various ages. I mentioned that so much comes down to me and to my attitude. When I can remain calm, patient, and flexible, our days are smoother and happier.

But, exactly how does one go about achieving that patience and calm? Some days, such as the one I described (in which my four-year-old was dying for glitter) we just wing it and find a middle ground that works for everyone. It's easier now than it was just a couple of years ago. (Four-year-olds, though mercurial, are much more reasonable than two-year-olds.)

But, a homeschooling mom with a wide variety of ages to deal with needs to have more than just the desire to wing it. She needs some weapons in her arsenal. A basic plan, solid ideas for activities, and a fallback position are essential.

Let's start with babies. And, let's go back just a little further: let's start with the pregnancy. Whether you homeschool or not, preparing for a baby takes a little planning and organizing. Homeschooling through a pregnancy takes even more planning. A homeschooling, pregnant mom is a tired mom. You know you're going to be tired, and that you may not be able to keep up with your normal routine and activities. How can you adjust your days without depriving your older, school-age children of all that they need?

The Basic Plan

Schedule according to the pregnancy. If you're always sick in the first trimester, or know that you'll feel weary down to your bones, that will be the time to schedule as much independent work as you can for your older children. It's not the time to plan on marathon read-alouds, or you'll end up as I did when I was pregnant with my last baby. I was trying to keep up with as many read-alouds as we normally did, and kept hearing from my kids, "Mom! What did you say? That didn't make sense. You're falling asleep again!"

If you generally feel good in the second trimester, plan to do more than you normally would in those months. Pump up the goals and the workload to make the most of your "best" months.

Solid Ideas

Don't wait for inspiration to strike when you need it but can't carry through. Plan ahead for the down months. Set aside new books that your older children will be able to read independently. Stash away some educational software. Stock up on some favorite videos (or, plan to allow a little extra Animal Planet or Food Network, as some of us have been known to do.)

The Fallback Position

Despite all your planning, things may not go as you hope or foresee. Pregnancy complications could derail the best-laid educational plans. If that happens, don't despair. Kids are learning all the time, and they truly will learn some valuable lessons from you if you end up sick for nine months, or on bed rest. One of the things they'll learn is that the precious new life you're carrying is worth the time and sacrifice it takes to care for it. And that, dear homeschooling mother, is one of the best lessons you can teach your children.

Learn more about Karen Edmisten

Karen is the homeschooling, chocolate-loving mom of three daughters, whom she has been homeschooling since their birth.

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Valorie Delp (49340) 25 Jan 2007 01:08 PM

Great Blog Karen! As a mom who has homeschooled through 2 pregnancies, and survived twinfanthood I can say you're right on the money. Flexibility and planning is the ONLY WAY to survive. Hmmm. . .and take out pizza once a week helps too!

Nola Redd (7081) 25 Jan 2007 04:20 PM

Great blog! If only I'd read it a few mos ago (I'm due in April). We also added a move to the mix. Thankfully, my kids are still small (oldest is only 5, although after reading Valorie's blog about her son, I'm wondering if I'm behind, LOL), so I'm trying to keep things light; lots of reading and writing, and they love worksheets. I know my energy peaks in the morning and then goes downhill from there, so we do whatever 'formal' stuff we are going to do in the morning, and then just sort of having free reading, play, or whatever time in the afternoon. Well, actually, we are napping, so it's quiet time after lunch so poor mom can sleep, LOL. I should be kicking up in the energy level soon, so I guess I should start the post-partum activity plans.

Valorie Delp (49340) 25 Jan 2007 06:14 PM

Nola--my son is not "normal"--that's the point. He's not even bright. (Lots of people get 'bright' and 'gifted' confused.) He got all this stuff pretty much on his own. (You should read some of my preschool blogs!) There is no way that during a twin pg and infancy I could've homeschooled him that much. Just can't happen! ;-)

Nola Redd (7081) 26 Jan 2007 08:36 AM

I totally got that Valorie. I was completely amazed at what your son can do. My DD tends towards more of a gifted reader than a math/science type anyway, she taught herself to read while I was trying not to push her, LOL. I was just totally floored to read your son was 5! It's amazing to look at various talents and abilities kids have, and how they develop when you let them.

Karen Edmisten (310) 26 Jan 2007 08:41 AM

Thanks, Valorie and Nola! Valorie, I'll second you on the takeout pizza. :-) And, Nola, I would say that with your oldest being only five, you have loads of room to relax (but then, that's just my philosophy.) But, truly, in many states, a five yr. old might still be in preschool, and isn't even legally required to be in school.

The giftedness in our family also runs to the reading end of things, rather than math/science (though my middle daughter might make me eat those words.) Valorie, I agree with your distinction between "bright" and "gifted" ... and with your view that gifted, but very young children, still need room to simply *be* very young.

Valorie Delp (49340) 26 Jan 2007 01:55 PM

Nola--we're floored too. We sit around every night and scratch our heads wondering what to do with the kid. Did you read my blog about driving through the tornado? It think it's called, "Don't Instill a Love of Learning in Your Child" that was last year so he had just turned 5.