Does she still take a nap? As long as your 5 year old isn’t still napping, you could keep back the things you really need quiet and attention, like reading, for nap time. Are there things you can do, like crafts, that she can sit in a high chair or booster and do a version of along side of you. I know my 17 mo old loves to be included in the pledge, prayer and bible story, then she will go off on her own for a bit and come wandering back. When she really wants my attention I encourage her to get books, puzzles or blocks and bring them near me. Those are the kinds of things I can give her a little attention while she plays but still do lessons with my older kids. You can try a special school box just for her filled with things that usually occupy her for a little bit that you only pull out during lessons. I also get some lessons done during snack time. My 4 year old munches and works but my toddler is in her high chair.

Thanks for the suggestions! The two year old does not take naps anymore :-(. The one on one and her own school box might work great. The second part to my problem is that if I give my two year some cool new things in her school box my five year old will want to use and see what she has! Ahhh…..it never ends does it? Thanks again for your advice!

Try to keep the items in your special box school related. Colored sticky notes, special pencils and erasers, abc books, fancy crayons, stickers, puzzles. You get the idea. And put the same stuff in a box for your 5 year old so she has special school things too. Watch the clearance aisles at box and craft stores or search the dollars stores to keep adding to them during the year.

We love busy bags in our house. These two web sites have lots of ideas:

http://www.kidletoccupation.com/busybags.php
http://unsolicitedadvice-n-such.blogspot.com/p/busy-bag-swaps.html

Just sent an email to a close friend a couple days ago that sounded very much like what you are going thru.  I, too, feel like some here could do amazing things if given more of my help.  We do what we can.  I am doing what I can.  Depending on your kids’ ages you might consider talking to them about it.  All 6 of my school age kids want to remain homeschooled.  I laid it on the line for them.  I added up my hours for them.  Helping 6 students with math for even 20 + minutes a piece, 3 with reading, 3 with spelling, taking care of the infant and toddler, etc. really adds up.  They need to do what they can (i.e. read the lesson and take notes) and I am more than willing to help with what they don’t understand, etc.  Older kids can give their younger kids a spelling list (or type it into spellingcity.com for me), if my 4th grader has a math question he can ask his 6th, 7th, or 12th grade siblings just as easily as me, etc.  On top of that is laundry, meals, finding a child who didn’t do what they were supposed to, etc.  They need to help and I made sure they knew it.  Wow…it was amazing what they came up with and offered to do.  I know it won’t always run as smoothly as that day, they are children, they will still disappear to play if they are waiting for my help, etc.  I think it’s good for us to take some time to write things down - pros and cons of homeschooling.  I am not against sending my kids to a school.  I really do prefer this lifestyle and watching the little lightbulbs go off, and I made sure I told them that.  But, writing everything down helps me to see the pros that we wouldn’t have if they weren’t in school (days off around my dh’s work schedule, etc.)  then those things that I see that if I had more time they would excel in don’t look so bad.  We still have lots of positives.  My prayers are with you.  I know exactly how you feel.  Also…make sure you are getting enough sleep.  Peace.

Lynnea,
hang in there!  I don’t have any practical advice, but I have listened to my mother and my sisters, all dedicated stay-at-home wonderful homeschoolers—worry year after year that they were not giving their children enough.  It is just something every mother goes through.  And at some point, you do what you can, and I think God picks up right where you left off.  How our kids turn out is not entirely up to us—they could have some serious gaps in their education and upbringing and still be fine, or their parents could do everything perfect and they could still mess up their lives.  That’s kind of scary, but I find it helpful to remind myself that it’s not all up to me!  Also, I wanted to remind everyone that it’s February, the winter and the school year have been dragging on, and it’s prime burnout time for everyone!  hang in there till the Spring!  Prayers for you.

Hi Kate,

When my kids have talked about going to school (which has been rare), I have asked them why it is that they want to do things differently.  And then we have a discussion.  I point out the advantages of homeschooling that I see from their perspective, and the reasons (at least the ones they can understand) why I think homeschooling is the best solution for us.  From your description, I doubt the problem is really that she is unsatisfied socially.  The most likely explanation is that she is getting another parent’s negative view of homeschooling through the mouth of another child.  You can educate her about why you homeschool and help her to support your lifestyle only if you know what that view is, which is why the discussion is so important.

If you think homeschooling is the best answer for your family, then you can also say that you are making this choice as her mom, and that you are asking her to trust your judgment on this decision, which is an adult decision.  I don’t live near you, so I can’t help you find a homeschool group - but I know that it is life-changing when you do find one.  My first year of homeschooling, I made no connections because I knew we were going to move.  I think that may have been a mistake.  After we moved, we made a connection with a couple of groups.  It took us another couple of years to find the group that has worked for us.  The first year all that happened was that I went to the support group meeting.  Gradually we have become more and more active, and now I am sad that we are outgrowing most of those activities.

Good luck and God bless.

“Bible for Young Catholics” from Pauline Press is excellent, aimed at ages 5-12.

I know it is not strictly a Catholic Bible, but I purchased it at a Catholic book store for my children at Christmas. It is called “the Jesus Storybook Bible… Every story whispers his name.” I too was looking for a bible that wasn’t too low/ high for my 7, 5 and 3 year old. My 7 yr old loves to read it.

My 6yo really enjoyed the Jesus Storybook Bible too, tho the 3yo wasn’t quite as crazy about it.  Both boys loved the Read-Aloud Bible Stories, volumes 1-4, by Lindvall.  They also are enjoying The Illustrated Gospel for Children put out by Ignatius.  The Rhyme Bible and The Rhyme Bible for Toddlers are also good.  The non-Catholic Christian Bibles for kids are generally fine - just don’t count on them to mention the Eucharist.

I love this Claire!  What a great idea!

In a way, you are *already* homeschooling….at least a little!  I’m sure you will make the best choice for your lucky little son…

Thanks Donna!  I definitely have been teaching him at home since toddlerhood, and will continue to do so even if he ends up in public school.  I love being part of his education.

I like your rhyme!  My kids are more visual learners so I had them make pictures of each month and stapled them into a “book” (I gave them ideas on what to draw for some months).  Same thing with the mysteries of the rosary.  We are only just now starting to exit the years of visual learning for my 9 year old.

I like that book idea.  I scrapbook, so I could probably do something like that.  Our calendar has pictures of each season, but not each individual month, so he has to use his imagination to fill in the gaps.  Luckily, he loves music and rhymes, so that helps.

I would love a recommendation for a book that will help me not to still lie down with my daughter every night until she falls asleep.  She is 6.  My huge mistake, I know.  She is an only child, and I know this sends the message that the world revolves around her.  Aaaaaagh-what have I done.  Made tons of food mistakes also.  She eats different food to us and most of it is white (carbs).

denon, I’m not sure if this is quite the right answer, but when I read Dr. Ferber’s Solve your Child’s Sleep Problems, it talked about all kinds of problems for all ages—not just infants who didn’t sleep through the night.  I know a lot of people take issue with the “cry-it-out” method, but the rest of the solutions in the book are gentler, as I remember.  he deals with kids your age and similar sleep problems—I think he even deals with your exact problem.  Can’t quite remember.  And he offers modifications if his methods seem too abrupt or too harsh.

denon, I wouldn’t consider it a mistake.  She won’t want you there forever   I can’t recommend any books but I can tell you what we’ve done for our toddlers, seems it would work for a 6 yr old too?  Get her all tucked in then “remember” something you need to do, tell her you’ll be right back, and only make it a couple minutes.  Next night, a little longer.  Maybe even start saying before bed, “I’ve got laundry to fold but I could read you a story now instead and fold it after I tuck you in, I’ll be in right after I’m done”, etc.  You may just need to get her comfortable and relaxed laying there without you, knowing you will come soon.  she’ll probably start relaxing to the point she falls asleep without you.  I’m certainly no expert, but I think at age 6 you need to focus on keeping her relaxed when you aren’t there.  If she gets upset its only going to make it harder to fall asleep.  Bribes may work too.  But again, I think she really may need to know you are coming soon so she learns to relax without you.  It’ll happen.

I highly recommend Kimberly Hahn’s new book entitled, “Legacy of Love: Biblical Wisdom for Raising Teens and Young Adults.”

I could use the same teen book suggestion——don’t you wish that each age came with a specific instruction manual!!

Dr. Ray Guarendi- Good Discipline; Great Teens

We’re running out of time, but if you can get to a Catholic or Christian Bookstore, I’ll bet you’ll find some “Veggie Tales” and other Valentines (they can also be found on amazon for $3) - I avoid secular ones completely.  We just make them.  I cut heart shape cards and let them go to town decorating with stickers, stamps, glue, glitter - etc.  It’s usually our activity for the first snow day of the year, but the weather did not cooperate this year.  For birthdays, ands sometimes for Valentine’s Day or St. Patrick’s - if we are really organized, we make Saint Cards - like Holy Cards.  Use a Business Card Template on your computer and have them laminated (we have a little laminating machine from Micheal’s) - put a picture of St. Valentine on one side and a prayer to St. Valentine on the other - I just googled for some ideas, and this seemed like a good one for little ones:  http://www.mcparish.org/index.php?entry_id=1297527452&title=prayer-to-st-valentine—-love .  Hope that helps - you are doing a wonderful thing by focusing on the LOVE of St. Valentine, the LOVE he reflected that only Christ can bring - and guiding the little souls in that first grade class to reflect on that LOVE.

Check out the blog: http://www.catholicicing.com.  Lacy just posted some great biblical valentine’s that you can use

Wow!  Those are so cute!  Thanks - we may use those!

Have you asked the teacher if she/he is planning to talk about St. Valentine?  It may be in the plans or it might give a spark to do so.  And if this is a pattern (K and now 1), I would let the principal know that you are expecting more from your school.  If you want to make Holy Cards, great, but don’t imply you are doing it to pick up the slack if you haven’t even spoken to the teacher.

Great idea! Thank you!

That’s awesome!