Unschooling plus a newborn
verde_mama
I have 2 daughters (6 1/2 and 3 yrs) and am expecting another baby in about a month. My energy level is going down toward the end of this pregnancy and also we're trying to "fit everything in" before the baby is born. By "everything" I mean the drama class my daughter desperately wanted to take and classes at the nature center, gym days, playdates, etc. I'm definitely doubting the wisdom of loading everything on right now, but my very social older daughter jumps at all of these opportunities if I offer them.
My question is: what activities, ideas, or thoughts have been most helpful for unschoolers as they go through the transition of adding a new life? I'm a little worried about my ability to keep up with my current daughters as well as giving birth, healing, and caring for a new little one in our family.
My husband works full time (plus some), and is going out of town next week for work (probably adding to my anxiety)and we don't have grandparents or other family nearby. I'm looking forward to your input.
Thanks,
Nikole
My question is: what activities, ideas, or thoughts have been most helpful for unschoolers as they go through the transition of adding a new life? I'm a little worried about my ability to keep up with my current daughters as well as giving birth, healing, and caring for a new little one in our family.
My husband works full time (plus some), and is going out of town next week for work (probably adding to my anxiety)and we don't have grandparents or other family nearby. I'm looking forward to your input.
Thanks,
Nikole
Sandra Dodd
-= I'm a little worried about my ability to keep up with my current
daughters as well as giving birth, healing, and caring for a new
little one in our family.-=--
It wouldn't be easier if the oldest were in school, though. You'd need
to get her up in the morning, dressed, homework, lunch...
So don't look at it as an unschooling problem.
-=-I mean the drama class my daughter desperately wanted to take and
classes at the nature center, gym days, playdates, etc. -=
There might be other moms who would be glad to take her for gasoline
or lunch money for them and their kids.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
daughters as well as giving birth, healing, and caring for a new
little one in our family.-=--
It wouldn't be easier if the oldest were in school, though. You'd need
to get her up in the morning, dressed, homework, lunch...
So don't look at it as an unschooling problem.
-=-I mean the drama class my daughter desperately wanted to take and
classes at the nature center, gym days, playdates, etc. -=
There might be other moms who would be glad to take her for gasoline
or lunch money for them and their kids.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Robin Bentley
On Mar 10, 2010, at 5:03 PM, verde_mama wrote:
Maybe you could have playdates at your house. Maybe the moms will
bring you food or do your dishes!
Robin B.
> I have 2 daughters (6 1/2 and 3 yrs) and am expecting another babyI could say "don't offer them" <g>, but I won't!
> in about a month. My energy level is going down toward the end of
> this pregnancy and also we're trying to "fit everything in" before
> the baby is born. By "everything" I mean the drama class my
> daughter desperately wanted to take and classes at the nature
> center, gym days, playdates, etc. I'm definitely doubting the
> wisdom of loading everything on right now, but my very social older
> daughter jumps at all of these opportunities if I offer them.
Maybe you could have playdates at your house. Maybe the moms will
bring you food or do your dishes!
Robin B.
Su Penn
On Mar 10, 2010, at 8:03 PM, verde_mama wrote:
My kids are spaced very much like yours, about 3 years apart. I didn't give birth to #3, so didn't have that pregnancy-and-recovery piece, but she seems to have responded to me being a "replacement" mom by deciding that I should hold her all the time, waking or sleeping, for the first three months of her life. David and I figure we did literally hold her (or have her in the sling) about 23 1/2 hours a day for those months. So I know a little bit about the challenges.
As far as activities, depending on your energy level and motivation, you can either remind yourself that a baby in a sling is incredibly portable and just go do stuff anyway, or settle in to enjoying a quiet time with your kids. We watched a lot of movies together, played video games, played board games, and also went to some activities that we didn't want to miss.
As far as thoughts, I would remind myself (and am doing so now, during an extended period of ill-health) that life is long and goes through seasons. You may have a time of lower activity for awhile, but as the baby gets older and you get your energy back, your life will become more active as well.
I think Sandra mentioned asking other moms for help. You may not have family in the area, but I have found that other moms involved in activities my kids are in are very happy to help out, especially when there's a new baby. Some people are actually flattered to be asked for help, because it says to them that you see them as a friend. I once had a woman gush about that to me when I asked her if she would come clean my bathroom, for heaven's sake, when we were moving into a new house and I was exhausted and overwhelmed and everything was covered with dust from having the floors redone.
If you're involved in a local homeschool group at all, that can be a big source of help. I don't have a local unschoolers group, but I hang out with a mixed group, and they are like an army ready to mobilize when somebody has a baby or a husband having surgery or whatever.
Some of my friends modeled a really wise behavior when they had their first baby: if people called and asked to come visit the baby, they would say, "Sure, and can you just swing by the store and bring some diapers and a gallon of milk on your way?" Or when people were there, they'd say, "Hey, would you mind emptying the wastebaskets while you're here?" or sweeping the kitchen floor or whatever--these little five minute jobs that people are happy to do but that can really add up and feel overwhelming.
Su, mom to Eric 8; Carl, almost 6; Yehva, 2.5
tapeflags.blogspot.com
> My question is: what activities, ideas, or thoughts have been most helpful for unschoolers as they go through the transition of adding a new life? I'm a little worried about my ability to keep up with my current daughters as well as giving birth, healing, and caring for a new little one in our family.I waited to answer but I haven't seen you get a lot of replies yet, so I'll say a few things.
My kids are spaced very much like yours, about 3 years apart. I didn't give birth to #3, so didn't have that pregnancy-and-recovery piece, but she seems to have responded to me being a "replacement" mom by deciding that I should hold her all the time, waking or sleeping, for the first three months of her life. David and I figure we did literally hold her (or have her in the sling) about 23 1/2 hours a day for those months. So I know a little bit about the challenges.
As far as activities, depending on your energy level and motivation, you can either remind yourself that a baby in a sling is incredibly portable and just go do stuff anyway, or settle in to enjoying a quiet time with your kids. We watched a lot of movies together, played video games, played board games, and also went to some activities that we didn't want to miss.
As far as thoughts, I would remind myself (and am doing so now, during an extended period of ill-health) that life is long and goes through seasons. You may have a time of lower activity for awhile, but as the baby gets older and you get your energy back, your life will become more active as well.
I think Sandra mentioned asking other moms for help. You may not have family in the area, but I have found that other moms involved in activities my kids are in are very happy to help out, especially when there's a new baby. Some people are actually flattered to be asked for help, because it says to them that you see them as a friend. I once had a woman gush about that to me when I asked her if she would come clean my bathroom, for heaven's sake, when we were moving into a new house and I was exhausted and overwhelmed and everything was covered with dust from having the floors redone.
If you're involved in a local homeschool group at all, that can be a big source of help. I don't have a local unschoolers group, but I hang out with a mixed group, and they are like an army ready to mobilize when somebody has a baby or a husband having surgery or whatever.
Some of my friends modeled a really wise behavior when they had their first baby: if people called and asked to come visit the baby, they would say, "Sure, and can you just swing by the store and bring some diapers and a gallon of milk on your way?" Or when people were there, they'd say, "Hey, would you mind emptying the wastebaskets while you're here?" or sweeping the kitchen floor or whatever--these little five minute jobs that people are happy to do but that can really add up and feel overwhelming.
Su, mom to Eric 8; Carl, almost 6; Yehva, 2.5
tapeflags.blogspot.com
diana jenner
-=-Some of my friends modeled a really wise behavior when they had their
first baby: if people called and asked to come visit the baby, they would
say, "Sure, and can you just swing by the store and bring some diapers and a
gallon of milk on your way?" Or when people were there, they'd say, "Hey,
would you mind emptying the wastebaskets while you're here?" or sweeping the
kitchen floor or whatever--these little five minute jobs that people are
happy to do but that can really add up and feel overwhelming.-=-
If I had a dime for every "anything I can do?" I let slide by :::bg::: I
learned quickly, in moments of overwhelm, to take advantage of those offers
by saying "YES! I'd love to have the dishes done! (or vacuum run or laundry
done)." "I need to get DD to X by 3, can you hang out with her?" "Oh, while
you're here, would you be so kind to __________??"
~diana :)
xoxoxoxo
hannahbearski.wordpress.com
hannahsashes.blogspot.com
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
first baby: if people called and asked to come visit the baby, they would
say, "Sure, and can you just swing by the store and bring some diapers and a
gallon of milk on your way?" Or when people were there, they'd say, "Hey,
would you mind emptying the wastebaskets while you're here?" or sweeping the
kitchen floor or whatever--these little five minute jobs that people are
happy to do but that can really add up and feel overwhelming.-=-
If I had a dime for every "anything I can do?" I let slide by :::bg::: I
learned quickly, in moments of overwhelm, to take advantage of those offers
by saying "YES! I'd love to have the dishes done! (or vacuum run or laundry
done)." "I need to get DD to X by 3, can you hang out with her?" "Oh, while
you're here, would you be so kind to __________??"
~diana :)
xoxoxoxo
hannahbearski.wordpress.com
hannahsashes.blogspot.com
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]