What does homeschooling with a baby look like?

March 18th Update

Two words that come to mind, tote and intention.  W is toted here and she is toted there, and some days I never set her down.  She wants to be held, she needs to be held, so that’s what I do!

Would you like to be placed here or there? I would not like to be placed here or there. I would not like to anywhere.  I do not like this sitting down.  I do not like to, Ma’am-I-am.  I would not like to in a house.  I would not like to with a mouse.  I would not like to be placed here or there.  I would not like to anywhere.  I do not like this sitting down.  I do not like to, Ma’am-I-am.  Would you sit in a box? Would you sit with a fox? Not in a box.  Not with a fox.  Not in a house.  Not with a mouse.  I would not like to be placed here or there.  I would not like to anywhere.  I do not like this sitting down.  I do not like to, Ma’am-I-am.

Modified from Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss.

And, well, you get the point.  She is going through a phase of wanting to be held, constantly.  And so, my second word comes to mind, intentional.  I have to be intentional with my time.  When I’m tired from caring for both home and school, I still set it all aside to be intentional with her.  We read and read and read even when laundry needs to be folded and dishes put away.  I am finding ways to continually be intentional with her.  A read-a-loud meant for my six year old can be acted out, by doing this I can bring the reading to her level and enjoyment of all.  We send spies to the promised land and pretend to carry back huge grapes.  We march around the kitchen with Joshua and shout as the wall falls down.  While her participation is minimal in these things, she is never without a smile or laugh.

W is usually in my arms or in my lap for math lessons.  At any given moment you will find her sitting in my lap on the floor while I teach history or science.  I’ve learned that when baby naps, phonics + reading get done.  I’ve learned that breakfast, snack time, and lunch time are all amazing times to sit at the table and read-a-loud or memorize a poem.  When a new child is added to your family, you still have the same 24hours in a day, I choose to be intentional.

Now, if you think this is all a little much, it can be.  I am reminded everyday that home education is not about your degree, your intelligence, or your ability.  It’s about exemplifying the fruits of the spirit and a spirit of repentance.  The Good Lord has continued to shape and mold me on His potters wheel, adding a third baby to our homeschool has humbled me to continue to be dependent on Him for my strength.