Need encouragement -nervous about taking the plunge!

[blessed2fosteradopt]

Hi....it's me again! Thank you to those who have provided support thus far.

To reiterate, I am strongly considering HS'ing my son who will be starting 5th grade next year. He is in a wonderful private Christian school now but the drive is becoming very taxing (45 minutes each way) and I really think because of attention issues, he would benefit from learning at home.

Here are my fears in addition to the normal "just starting out" jitters that I am sure everyone has.

I am a foster mom. I will be completing the adoption of my 20 month old foster daughter and I also have a 20 month old foster son (not related) who will be adopted in a few months. After both adoptions are final, I will be taking placement of a newborn. I also serve on the board of directors of a 501c3 that serves foster/adoptive families and we are fairly new but growing by leaps and bounds. I can fulfill much of my responsibilities at home but still I am so nervous. Why? I know there are many here with lots of littles and various responsibilities so give me your best tips. How do you manage ?

Looking forward to your replies!

Lisa

[Sue G in PA]

all at one time! You can do it, but don't try to jump in head first. Take it slow with your 5th grader at first. He'll need some time to adjust, just like you will. I've never fostered, but provided a home for my godkids for several months after their mother died. In addition to my own 6 dc, caring for them (ages 3 and 1) was a challenge in addition to homeschooling. It's doable, but don't try to "do it all". Can you take some time off from the board while you get acclimated to the new lifestyle and the new little ones? That's a big responsibility right there! After you get settled, go back to the board responsibilities. Just a suggestion. Good luck to you! You can do it!

[prairiegirl]

I don't have any 'littles' any more, but when I did, the thing that helped me was to be organized.

Organized with school work--I made sure that I had everything that I needed for the week close by. I put any papers, worksheets that I needed in a folder so I knew where they would always be. I went over what I wanted to do for that week on the weekend before, so I would be semi-prepared.

Ogranized with house work-- I had a mental schedule of how I would spend my day. The schedule wasn't time-oriented but rather more of a rhythm. Our days always started with breakfast, doing chores, cleaning the house a bit and then school time. Our days never varied from that. This helped the kids with stability as well as helping me. Our whole day was like this.

Time with littles--I would spend time with the younger kids first before I worked with my oldest. This seemed to help. Also, you could work with your oldest while the younger ones nap.

The most important thing, though, is don't do too much too soon. Start out with just the basics. When you have them well underway, then add one or two subjects to the mix and work your way up slowly.


hth,
Julia
mom of 3 (8,7,5)

[Cadam]

My sling was my best friend with a baby. At 20 months they are getting to the point of being able to play with play dough and color without eating the crayons. This is good! Count on the toddlers wanting to "do school" with big brother. There are little plastic scissors that can only cut paper. I have found these very useful with my 24 mo.

You can do some book work with your oldest while the toddlers sit at the table "doing school" with you. This table time can be coloring and then a snack and then play-dough and that might get you 30 min. depending on how well they do. Add in Mr. Rogers for 30 min. and you are most of the way through school with a second grader. Finish up the rest of school (a project or something else you don't want them into) during nap time and then send your little scholar to his room for "quiet time". Take a nap. Repeat the next day!

It's not easy but it can be done and you will be amazed and how quickly he learns with the one on one attention.