Ugh, Scheduling Woes

[SilverSabre25]

I homeschool my daughter. I'm finding it very difficult to get all the schoolwork I want done, done with our current schedule. basically my original plan was to do a bunch of it during naptime. Well, reality is that my two year old gave up his naps this summer and the 6 month old dcg naps at other times and is usually awake from 1-3 right now. So, the naptime thing isn't working.

What we had been doing was eating breakfast/snack around 9, then she was supposed to be doing school work from 9:30 to 10:30, then we went outside from 10:30 to 11:45 or noon, then came in for lunch. Naps started by 1 and I was, in theory, going to do the more hands on stuff with her from 1-2 or so. Then after naps, there was snack and then by 4 we were back outside for another hour or hour and a half.

but that's just not working. Her attention gets too fragmented after that outside break and I NEED that time during nap to attend to other things and other people, and recharge my own batteries.

I'm looking at dropping or drastically reducing the morning outside time to try and finish all of the school work in the morning...but I am worrying about reducing the outside time.

Any ideas?

[Cradle2crayons]

I homeschool my daughter. I'm finding it very difficult to get all the schoolwork I want done, done with our current schedule. basically my original plan was to do a bunch of it during naptime. Well, reality is that my two year old gave up his naps this summer and the 6 month old dcg naps at other times and is usually awake from 1-3 right now. So, the naptime thing isn't working.

What we had been doing was eating breakfast/snack around 9, then she was supposed to be doing school work from 9:30 to 10:30, then we went outside from 10:30 to 11:45 or noon, then came in for lunch. Naps started by 1 and I was, in theory, going to do the more hands on stuff with her from 1-2 or so. Then after naps, there was snack and then by 4 we were back outside for another hour or hour and a half.

but that's just not working. Her attention gets too fragmented after that outside break and I NEED that time during nap to attend to other things and other people, and recharge my own batteries.

I'm looking at dropping or drastically reducing the morning outside time to try and finish all of the school work in the morning...but I am worrying about reducing the outside time.

Any ideas?

Well, you gotta do what yu gotta do. So, if changing morning outsidetime works for you, then do it. As long as they are still getting e afternoon outside time I wouldn't worry about it. At least thats my thoughts.

[momofboys]

I homeschool my daughter. I'm finding it very difficult to get all the schoolwork I want done, done with our current schedule. basically my original plan was to do a bunch of it during naptime. Well, reality is that my two year old gave up his naps this summer and the 6 month old dcg naps at other times and is usually awake from 1-3 right now. So, the naptime thing isn't working.

What we had been doing was eating breakfast/snack around 9, then she was supposed to be doing school work from 9:30 to 10:30, then we went outside from 10:30 to 11:45 or noon, then came in for lunch. Naps started by 1 and I was, in theory, going to do the more hands on stuff with her from 1-2 or so. Then after naps, there was snack and then by 4 we were back outside for another hour or hour and a half.

but that's just not working. Her attention gets too fragmented after that outside break and I NEED that time during nap to attend to other things and other people, and recharge my own batteries.

I'm looking at dropping or drastically reducing the morning outside time to try and finish all of the school work in the morning...but I am worrying about reducing the outside time.

Any ideas?

What time do your kids get dropped off in the morning? Can she do the work at 9:30-10:30 on her own without your guidance? I personally would try to move the other kids' nap up a little, possibly cut your morning outdoor time by 15 min so the kids can get down for p.m. naps 15 min earlier. They would still be outdoors for an hour. Not sure if that would help you accomplish much but every minute counts.

[SilverSabre25]

What time do your kids get dropped off in the morning? Can she do the work at 9:30-10:30 on her own without your guidance? I personally would try to move the other kids' nap up a little, possibly cut your morning outdoor time by 15 min so the kids can get down for p.m. naps 15 min earlier. They would still be outdoors for an hour. Not sure if that would help you accomplish much but every minute counts.

No, she's only in first grade, and only 5 (six at the end of the month). she still needs a fair amount of guidance (mostly reading instructions and explaining lessons...this stuff is handwriting, language arts, and math). It's the more hands on stuff of literature, history, and science that's getting missed because I intended on having one-on-one time with her.

I just feel bad about cutting that outside time....but between the homeschooling, our new dog, and a dcb getting picked up for preschool, I just feel like outside is getting more difficult to manage.

[Cradle2crayons]

No, she's only in first grade, and only 5 (six at the end of the month). she still needs a fair amount of guidance (mostly reading instructions and explaining lessons...this stuff is handwriting, language arts, and math). It's the more hands on stuff of literature, history, and science that's getting missed because I intended on having one-on-one time with her.

I just feel bad about cutting that outside time....but between the homeschooling, our new dog, and a dcb getting picked up for preschool, I just feel like outside is getting more difficult to manage.

How many hours and days a week do you need to get everything accomplished?? We only did 2-3 hours a day, Monday through Thursday

[SilverSabre25]

How many hours and days a week do you need to get everything accomplished?? We only did 2-3 hours a day, Monday through Thursday

I don't know :P I've not managed to accomplish everything ever! Okay we've only been at this since mid august...but still....

[momofboys]

Don't feel guilty about cutting morning outdoor time! You have to do what is important for your family, Silver! If it was me I would cut it by 30 min if it meant it would make it easier to help my child in the afternoon. The DC kids aren't getting a raw deal - they would still be outside 45 min.

[momofsix]

How about just bringing some schoolwork outside for her?

[butterfly]

I do NOT homeschool. I have so much respect for someone that can do it AND daycare! You are amazing!

My outside time naturally gets cut down this time of year as it gets cooler. We tend to do less and less outdoor time and eventually outdoor time comes only in the afternoon when it's the warmest.

I certainly wouldn't feel bad about cutting the outdoor time down in your situation (I already do, without all the responsibility that you have!).

I often replace outdoor time with structured activities. We'll do table activities for part of the time and often we'll clear all the toys from the floor and create obstacle courses so they can still burn some energy and get the gross motor skills.

You're amazing! lovethis

[SilverSabre25]

How about just bringing some schoolwork outside for her?

She wants to play. Or can't focus. Or a toddler drops dirt on her book. Or the table had a spider on it. Or the sun is too bright. Or she's cold. Or she wants to go back in to do her work (and ends up watching TV/playing Minecraft instead) (Yes that last one got her in biiiig trouble).

In other words, that's the obvious answer, and i tried.

[SilverSabre25]

I do NOT homeschool. I have so much respect for someone that can do it AND daycare! You are amazing!

My outside time naturally gets cut down this time of year as it gets cooler. We tend to do less and less outdoor time and eventually outdoor time comes only in the afternoon when it's the warmest.

I certainly wouldn't feel bad about cutting the outdoor time down in your situation (I already do, without all the responsibility that you have!).

I often replace outdoor time with structured activities. We'll do table activities for part of the time and often we'll clear all the toys from the floor and create obstacle courses so they can still burn some energy and get the gross motor skills.

You're amazing! lovethis

Aww, thanks! I don't usually feel amazing. I usually feel overworked and pulled in 34 different directions.

I was wondering about outside time dropping naturally. Ours hasn't needed to yet because it's still warm, but that's a good point that it will eventually.

Don't feel guilty about cutting morning outdoor time! You have to do what is important for your family, Silver! If it was me I would cut it by 30 min if it meant it would make it easier to help my child in the afternoon. The DC kids aren't getting a raw deal - they would still be outside 45 min.

Thank you that perspective helps. I was just looking at how much I was chopping off, not how much was still left.

[Maria2013]

I homeschool my daughter. I'm finding it very difficult to get all the schoolwork I want done, done with our current schedule. basically my original plan was to do a bunch of it during naptime. Well, reality is that my two year old gave up his naps this summer and the 6 month old dcg naps at other times and is usually awake from 1-3 right now. So, the naptime thing isn't working.

What we had been doing was eating breakfast/snack around 9, then she was supposed to be doing school work from 9:30 to 10:30, then we went outside from 10:30 to 11:45 or noon, then came in for lunch. Naps started by 1 and I was, in theory, going to do the more hands on stuff with her from 1-2 or so. Then after naps, there was snack and then by 4 we were back outside for another hour or hour and a half.

but that's just not working. Her attention gets too fragmented after that outside break and I NEED that time during nap to attend to other things and other people, and recharge my own batteries.

I'm looking at dropping or drastically reducing the morning outside time to try and finish all of the school work in the morning...but I am worrying about reducing the outside time.

Any ideas?

this year I tried cyber schooling 2 of my kids(what a nightmare) after 3 weeks they begged me to send them back to regular school and I was glad they changed their min,d cause even though they had teachers my husband and I did all the work, (the teachers just handed over the curriculum)
we felt we were doing school lessons or plans every single day of the week into late hours, it was stressful for everyone, I imagine homeschooling is a lot of work but if one is free to pick their own curriculum maybe it can be organized better than cyber school, I know some providers on here will have great advises for you
good luck:hug:

[kathiemarie]

Can you do school work after the kids get picked up? I don't know anything about homeschooling but maybe that might work? While your making dinner or cleaning up she can sit at the table and you can be there for her but still get your evening things done. Just a thought.

[countrymom]

Maybe spread the lessons out. Like for math spend a half our, then do something else, reading could be done at bedtime, science outside. Don't worry about the dcks not going outside that's why they have parents

[Cradle2crayons]

I don't know :P I've not managed to accomplish everything ever! Okay we've only been at this since mid august...but still....

Ok. Don't panic.

Tis is what I used to do. Mainly because my daughter is severely abbreviated.

I sat down every weekend and prepared what needed to be done every week related to homeschool.

I knew exactly before Monday came how much time each day was needed.

Come Monday morning, everything for that day was laid out.

I set daily goals. Every morning at breakfast, I would go over on the white board what had to be accomplished that day so that she was aware and I was aware.

Then I broke up the day and the stack of work.

My daughter couldn't focus on doing all of her work at one time, at least not at first.

So, we did the most focused things FIRST. which, in our case, was math.

Once we accomplished our math goals, we did outside time, morning snack etc.

Then, during nap time, the ones who weren't napping did a quiet activity while I did the next goals with daughter. In our case that was reading, language arts.

Then, in the afternoon, sometimes even during outside time, we did science. Sometimes I even made it a group activity.

By the time afternoon snack came around we were done for the day and our goals were met.

Some days, those goals were met early, depending on what needed to be done that particular day.

If yu don't start e day known exactly what needs to be done... You are going to stress all day... Then the next day the stress starts all over.

It also really helped her see the goals and see her progress.

I think a lot of time, homeschooling parents think they have to do X hours each day to be successful. But every child is different and some kids accomplish much more with three very small sessions per day.

When I split it up, we accomplished all her goals plus more, every day, in rarely over 2 hours total during that age group.