Moms of Many and Homeschooling Moms - What does your day look like?

[tmotley]

I have 6 at home right now. My oldest has moved out, but I homeschooled him for the last 3 years of high school. (He was getting in trouble a school)
I homeschool all the rest now. The next oldest went to PS through 5th grade and I have homeschooled her through high school. She'll be finishing up her senior year this coming spring with college classes.

We started out more eclectic, we did lots of learning videos, assorted workbooks, some field trips, lots of library classes/events/trips and reading. My older two who had been in PS for a while didn't "feel" like they were learning an my oldest DS was worried about the curriculum. So I ordered SOS from Alpha Omega which is a complete curriculum on cd's for the computer.

Now they are all doing that, except the youngest two who are 4 and 3. We have 2 "school" computers and the kids work in shifts. In the morning, 2 get on and do schoolwork, and after lunch they switch. Then in the afternoon/evening, whoever needs extra work time gets back on the computer. Usually, they don't need too much extra time and they spend about 3 hours a day on the computer. We still like educational shows and videos and I try to get them out to library activities, etc. On wednesdays, we now go to a homeschool co-op where they have a craft class, P.E. and, and a class about ancient Egypt. These classes are taught by the parents. (I teach P.E.) The two little ones do the P.E. and craft classes. At home, they watch some educational shows, play educational computer games (reader rabbit) and do some workbooks once in a while. The 4 year old is also starting to work with a hooked on phonics reading kit we just got. When the older kids are not working on schoolwork, they sometimes read to the younger ones or help them with their games or worksheets. They all read a lot during the day too.

I mainly keep track of the little ones during the day and "remind" the older ones (constantly) what they are supposed to be doing. I also grade homework while they are working. (The computer program grades about 3/4 of the assignments, but I have to grade things like essay questions, projects, sentences, etc. I also help out when they get stuck on something.)
The one thing don't do a lot of during the day is clean. I figured out when I first started homeschooling something was going to have to give and a clean house was what it was. Now, it's not dirty, just messy. The kids have regular chores every day and I do some cleanup at night. But it is never totally clean or "put together". With that many people at home every day, it just gets so much messier than if they were in PS. It drives me nuts sometimes when I look around the house, but it's worth it to me to be able to do what I do.

Oh, and I hate cooking! My main job is the grocery shopping and the budget. But we all take turns cooking. My husband will cook about 2-4 nights a week-he's a great cook. The 3 oldest kids usually cook one night each (or will cook together) and I end up cooking 1-2 nights or will cook part of the meal with a child or with my husband. (My kids are already better off than I was when I moved out. I could only cook a few things-hot dogs, mac & cheese. At least I know they will be able to feed and cook for themselves.)

[wendypsaves]

Are you contemplating having lots of kids and homeschooling

I think if I would have started having kids earlier, I would have enjoyed a larger family. I'm one of four, so it's something I'm used to. Things get so crazy with just two - I thought I could get some good tips on managing a household from moms who handle so much more than I do!

Homeschooling is something that DH and I have been interested in. I saw several posts referring to it on here, so I thought I'd go ahead and ask about it. My DD has down syndrome, so she will, at least in part, always be involved with the school system for her various therapies. A lot will depend on which school's special education program we are able to get her into - but that's years down the road. My DS is very bright. We can't afford private school and I'm torn between trying to get him into the best public school in our area (there are a few spots open every year) or homeschooling. If we do homeschool, I really want to find a local group to be involved with.

We have a couple of years to decide. I'm really just starting to research our options. Thanks so much for all of the wonderful input!

Wendy