I am due with DS3 in a couple of weeks. I am so tired. It's been a complicated pregnancy (high blood pressure, insulin-dependent gestational diabetes, a clotting disorder, pre-term labor scares). Now I'm very swollen and miserable from that as it's causing carpal tunnel in my left hand, can't sleep at night due to that and the million bathroom breaks...most of you know what that last month is like! I can't even drive myself anywhere because this baby is really big and my OB said I had to stop driving when my belly got within 3" of the steering wheel. It touches it now! We started early to allow us to take 3 to 4 weeks off after baby comes. But I'm finding that some days (OK, many days) I am lacking the energy to really DO everything we're accustomed to doing for school. History and science projects get delegated to the bottom of the priority list for the day and are often replaced by watching a documentary once or twice a week. Art is non-existent except for the class they attend on Mondays. Even Bible has become more of a catch-it-when-we-can thing. Language arts, reading and math do get done every single day. But I feel guilty not having the energy for the more "fun" stuff. Because I've been on modified bed rest for months, my DH has to do a lot of the household stuff when he gets home at night, and the kids help with that, too. So I don't feel right saving any of the school stuff for him (though the kids usually do wait to do their math close to when he's expected home...DS1 likes it when his dad helps him with math). What have you ladies done when you had a baby? How long did you take off and was it before or after the baby came? I just feel so guilty that I don't have the energy to do it all right now, and know that I won't for weeks (months?) to come. I'm ready to move on to the next stage of "normal" for our family, KWIM? (Even though I know that with the new addition, it'll be a whole new definition of normal!) :lol: Survival tips welcome!
No advise, just encouragement. You are almost there, hang in there sweetie. I too had the issues you are currently having though I was on strict bed rest. Take it easy! Things will get better and fall into place. Lifes lessons after the baby comes, diapering, feeding, etc. School is in! (((( ))))
You've no need to feel guilty. You are doing what you can. What ARE the kids learning? They're learning that sometimes they need to pitch in and help. They're learning how to care for one another. They're learning more independence and to work more on their own. They're learning that people are more important than textbooks. OK, maybe the science and history can wait. It can! You'll pick it up later, and that's just fine!
My last few months of pregnancy taught my girls how to run the house. My husband taught them how to clean the bathrooms, vac, dust, and etc. They gained life skills and I was able to rest. We sat around together and read stacks of books. We watched educational shows we normally ran out of time for. We did free form art--anything they wanted to do with our art supplies. They still talk about those days of storytime. They enjoyed the more relaxed schedule and once I was feeling better we jumped back into our regular routine. Do what you can and don't worry about it. Make it a special time for your kids.
I second what Jackie and Michelle said. Jackie is dead-on as far as focusing on what they ARE learning. These are life lessons that would be overlooked if they were in PS. This too shall pass. And you'll be surprised at how quickly they are able to catch up.
No guilt. You have enough other emotions on your plate. We took off the last month before, but we tended towards unschooling at that point, plus my kids were 6,4, and 2 and we were living in a motorhome with a husband gone all the time so...we did a lot of reading.
I didnt look what ages yoru kids are, but I would just let them take it easy and let them know you need to be doing baby time, make them do reading, and watching educational videos and things that will keep them on task without needing you so much. Dont follow a plan just do it relaxed so you can get you back to health and baby regulated to the family. Take as long as it takes ! Little by little make lists while the baby is content, for the school kids to do for school work. Theyc an check itoff, you can keep track of "points" for thier good behavior and when all is said and done you are better and baby is aclamated you can reward them for thier good behavior and work done. just my little 2 cents worth, Breath a little!
Let them play educational games on the internet. iknowthat.com has many good ones. If you let us know the ages of your kids, I - and I am sure many others - can post our favorite online sites. Meryl
you're doing wonderful. I hope you have an easy delivery. As for the kids, educational DVDs, audiobooks are great help. and believe me kids love them. Also, I've been introduce to www.cosmeo.com kids get to watch any topic or subject. they get help on math/grammar/etc. $9/month we use it a lot for history. the best advice is:REST. you need it
