How to Homeschool with a Baby In-Toe (for fun, not for real advice)

If you have ever wondered, "How do homeschooling moms of babies do it?" Have no fear. I ask myself that question often. Well, sometimes my question is, "Why would..." Never mind. :) Yes, it's crazy, and it's loud, but if you love homeschooling, and you love your baby, rest assured the two can coexist. Here are some helpful pointers:

1. While the older kids work dutifully on independent study spend some time having fun with the younger students in the family. Get out one or two good hands-on activities for the younger age kids. Here the youngers and I were reading "Mr. Popper's Penguins". I had a Tupperware for both preschoolers filled with ice and polar animals. Always make sure that activities done on the floor are safe for babies who put everything in their mouths. In this case a small plastic whale made a good teething toy. That's when you can add, "Simon, can you say orca?

2. Nurse for as long as humanly possible. This can sometimes be a life-saver while you're trying to read library books and the baby throws a temper tantrum on your lap. Nursing can calm the baby and bring peace back to the couch of books and children. In my house nursing often puts the baby to sleep. If you have friends who like scheduling babies and tell you often that you should have encouraged structure with sleep-eat-play, this is the time to tune their judgement out and enjoy the peace that a sleeping baby can bring. In the above picture he fussed on my lap until he nursed and fell asleep. A small cat nap can do wonders for both mom and baby! And about that schedule... better luck next time, right? If you can't nurse the baby and bring quietness to the reading hour... read louder.

3. Legos can be one of those great hands-on during Math lessons.  While Kaeley works on Math by herself Nathan will often pull out the Legos. He studies weaponry and aerospace as he builds spaceship after spaceship and throws in the occasional dagger or gun. No, Legos are not the safest thing for babies to experience, but those large-enough pieces also make a good teething toy. Adult supervision is a must in this situation. The almost five-year old doesn't count as "adult" supervision. I wish. Another great opportunity to encourage child-prodigy, "Can you say square, Simon?"

No, I did not put him in the box. That comes naturally to Simon at this time.

4. Every day items can bring much joy to a baby. A brush. A measuring tape. Real Scotch tape! No, I did not say duct tape. 

5. Always keep the bathroom door closed. Your living room will be TPed many times if you are not vigilant on this point. I've lost whole rolls of toilet paper due to the failure of implementing this rule. While you don't want your living room TPed more than maybe once a week know what messes the baby enjoys that are easy to clean up. For example, in our house the baby can throw down books from a particular bookshelf. It's great fun for him sometimes and will often buy me five minutes of quiet time. The clean up is minimal. Note that libraries don't appreciate this method at all! Other hot topics: DVD cases, coupons (a huge no-no in our house that he still partakes in), computer wires that connect your house to the internet (a huge, huge no-no in our house that still happens about twice a week), mixing bowls, etc.

6. The greatest tip of all... enjoy the craziness while it lasts. One day this baby will be a full-fledged student of his own right who will most likely complain over having to do a certain subject in school and there will be a whole new craziness at home.

Want tips on how to keep the house clean during this crazy season?
Me too.