The Baby is the Lesson

In some ways I feel like I've been slacking with school this month.  I felt terrible for the first two weeks because I was so big and pregnant, so school time was getting shorter and shorter.  Then we've been adjusting to our first two weeks with a newborn, so again school time hasn't been complete.  (I also felt terrible with an infection.)  So I am grateful for the wisdom of women who have been here before me. 

 

At the beginning of my pregnancy, there was a discussion on my TJED MUSE group (see top right link) about homeschooling while pregnant/ with a newborn.  Several women who have older children chimed in to point out that it's okay to slow down the pace during this time.  One said that 'the baby is the lesson', and it stuck with me and comforted me these several months.  It's true.  My kids have benefitted from the lesson this baby has already been to us.  While I was pregnant they helped extra with the housework and helping me in general because I wasn't feeling good.  Contributing to our family in that way was good for them even if it meant our school lessons weren't as regular during certain parts of my pregnancy.  Now that the baby is here they are helping with her.  They have spent a lot of time holding her, and are still helping me in extra ways because I need to spend so much time nursing and holding her.

 

We've been averaging school time about every other day these two weeks, which I think is pretty good considering everything.

 

This picture is from the first few days after the baby and I came home.  We actually had a full school day!  The kids were writing letters here.  (Actually, Annie was illustrating her already finished letter.) 

Alex was playing at the other side of the table.

When we were hoping to conceive another child, I thought it would be really helpful if Logan learned to read by the end of my pregnancy.  I never thought that both Logan and Annie would learn to read!  It has been incredibly helpful.  This is mostly what these two do during the main part of the day.  Logan is reading the encyclopedia in this picture.  Hehe...

Annie has been diligently plowing through book after book after book.  She's not fast yet, but she's fairly steady. 

Here is our littlest, but most important lesson right now.  We love our little Abigail!

My Reward

Today we had a full, normal school day.  Those have been less regularly lately with how I've been feeling (plus some extra stress), so it was a big effort.  Mostly we've been having partial school days the last two or three weeks.  It was great, but my reward afterwards was even better.

I always ask the kids to straighten the house before they can play outside and today was no different.  They are good little workers, and sometimes even cheerful about it.  I admit that is not always the case, though.  Usually they just get it over with.  I'm grateful for that alone. 

Anyway, today we started with a load of laundry (I'm on top of laundry again!!!!) that needed to be put away.  My reward first began when Annie saw me bring the basket upstairs.  "Mom can I help you put away the laundry?"  (Um...yes...)

The boys joined in without being asked, and before I knew it they were running around pretending to be laundry fairies.  (This is a common game they play.)  They were actually trying to sneak the laundry away from me and put it away before I could catch them.  It was hilarious.  I think it took us all of five minutes to put away that load.

Then I asked the kids to straighten the house.  I expected them to just get it over with (without complaint since we were having a good day), but instead they decided they were house fairies and turned it into a game.  Not only did they do it at amazing speed and very thoroughly, but they were running through the house saying things like, "We love to work!  We love to clean!  What else can we do?"  I think it took another five minutes for them to straighten the whole house.  I almost wished I had more for them to do.  :) 

They also provided plenty of amusement with this.  I was informed that we have a 'make a mess fairy' (AKA Alex) who they have trained to make messes just so they will always have work to do.  (That sounds pretty accurate.)  Further, they have the ability to become invisible and while invisible fly around the house doing the work.  I LOVE it when they are cheerful workers. 

Something I have learned about these kids is that they are happier when they work.  I think that's true for all people.  So the fact that they cheerfully did their chores after working hard at school for a few hours is no coincidence; I'd say it was a side effect.

Playing Hookie

This is what we did on Friday instead of school:

Here are my justifications:

1. The weather finally warmed up.
2. These kids have been cooped up with a cranky pregnant Momma for way too long.
3. Odds are we won't be getting to the park with a newborn for at least a couple of weeks.

And, yes, I felt like superwoman for actually getting to the park.

Maintaining Freedom

We're reading a wonderful book right now during our family evening time.  It's called "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" and is another true story about an amazing man during the founding years of our country.  I highly recommend it to young and old. 

It's really an interesting story about Nathaniel Bowditch's life, and there was one part that really stuck out to me the other evening.  It's the only political argument we've read thus far (I think...considering it's not really a political book), but was so good I wanted to share it.

Nat (Nathaniel) was appalled that a newspaper reporter was speaking against the President (who was George Washington at the time). 

"No!  I don't want to hear it!"  Nat said.  "And I don't think editors have any right to talk against the President.  Americans ought to stand together!"

Behind Nat someone chuckled.  Nat turned.  Dr. Bentley was looking at him with a twinkle.  "Is this a political argument?"

Nat shrugged.  "No argument at all.  Ben's got an article there that talks against the President.  I said I didn't want to hear it.  I said that sort of thing ought to be stopped."

To Nat's amazement, Dr. Bentley shook his head.  "No, Nat.  We can't have freedom- unless we have freedom."

Nat stiffened.  "Does that mean the right to tell lies?"

Dr. Bentley smiled.  "It means the right to have our own opinions.  Human problems aren't like mathematics, Nat.  Every problem doesn't have just one answer; sometimes you get several answers- and you don't know which is the right one."

Nat felt his face get hot.  "But people don't have a right to talk against the President, do they?  That's going too far!"

"Years ago," Dr. Bentley said, "before we won our independence, the Essex Almanac published something about freedom of the press.  It was true then; it's just as true now.  I may not have the exact words, but it went something like this:

"The Press is dangerous in a despotic government, but in a free country it is very useful, so long as it is free; for it is very important that people should be told everything that concerns them.  If we argue against any branch of liberty, just because sometimes people abuse that liberty, then we argue against liberty itself.  In a free country, the press must be free."

"Well, Nat?" Dr. Bentley said.

"I never thought of it that way," Nat admitted, "but I guess that's the way it has to be; 'we can't have freedom unless we have freedom.'  And that means freedom to speak our minds."

Dr. Bentley nodded soberly.  "Remember that, always."

I added the emphasis to what stood out in my mind the most.  Much of our press is no longer free because it is controlled by politicians and men with lots of money, and that is dangerous.  It greatly controls the minds of the masses.  Thankfully, it isn't completely controlled, so we do still have access to a variety of opinions, and have the ability to seek out the truth.  It's becoming increasingly difficult though. 

I think this also applies to just about anything that is attempted to be controlled by law.  People will ever abuse liberties; that's part of being free.  We are on earth to use our agency, or ability to choose.  By choosing we grow and learn.  That's the point.  Inevitably someone will abuse their freedoms.  Does that mean that all things should be controlled?  No!  The more restrictive laws become, the less free a country becomes.  Maintaining freedom is extremely important, even if it means that some citizens will choose to abuse those freedoms. 

I agree with Dr. Bentley here, we should remember this always.

My Sanity Break

...happens now. 

This is very much an element to our family's homeschool.  I'm not sure I could survive without it.  The kids know this time as 'quiet time'.  We've been having it since Logan was born, except then it was called 'nap time'.  In any case, it's a consistent afternoon break that allows me to re-charge for the evening.  Having my kids around all day is fabulous, but it's easy to get overloaded with all that energy and noise (not to mention the many things they need me for).  There are countless wonderful things about homeschooling, but I imagine this is one of the more prevalent trials among other homeschooling mothers.  As the older ones have quit taking daily naps, I've maintained this time with a few rules. 

1. Leave mom alone. 
2. If you are on the main floor of the house you must be reading or napping. 
3. If you want to talk or play you need to be outside or in the basement. 

During this time I'm able to study, read, relax, rest, and work on my projects (blogging falls into this category).  It's a wonderful time.  I can calm my brain, my body, and my stress levels.  The kids have had my attention all day up to this point, so they are content to give me this time.  For us this lasts about 2-3 hours every day.  It also works out that they get a break as well.  On days they are tired, they will choose to read or nap.  On days that they've been feeling cooped up, they run around and get their energy out.  Lately this time has been a huge blessing because I've often needed an afternoon nap; they are so great about letting me rest!  I know of other homeschooling families that have required this time even as they've had teenagers, and I can totally see that happening for us.  Hooray for this little element!