Homeschooling - Rancho Cucamonga,CA

I am a daycare provider and homeschool my ten year old daughter. Most days I have eight children in my home. She does the things that require less of my assistance in the mornings (reading, writing, review of math) while I teach a preschool program to the other children. Sometimes she likes to help teach them, read to them, or assist with projects. During naptime I work with her one -on -one. You can accomplish a lot in only a couple of hours. If we don't cover everything I planned for the day (which is very rare) then I spend some more time with her after my little ones go to bed. She doesn't have nightly homework like she would in public school so if she occassionally needs to do something in the evening it isn't a big deal.

A lot of homeschooling is independent work, not one-on-one. So that will give you time for your daughter. And if doing it all at once doesn't work, break it up. Do a few hours in the morning, take a break and go to the park or library. Then finish up after lunch while she's napping. You can do it. Just be a little more flexible.

Though we do not home school our son I do know parents that do. There are alot of resources online and could be other local homeschoolers in your area. Though you have a younger daughter, you might be able to get her involved in the lessons but with something more on her level. She is at an age where should would adapt eventually to your homeschooling schedule. You can always look for a local high school or college student to come help out a couple times a week.

Abeka is a good program but very time consuming. I am using it for phonics only because of this. I have 3 kids and have always homeschooled. My daughter is 7 and in second grade and my boys are 4 and 1.

My 4 year old does preschool with us at the table each morning- coloring, dot to dots, matching numbers, counting objects ect. The baby just creates messes while we do school. :) He does still take 2 naps a day so we get a lot done during his morning nap. I say if your daughter naps do teaching time during her nap so your son has your undivided attention.

Look for fun activities from these great homeschooling mom's. They offer a lot of free printables you can use for your daughter.

http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.net
http://www.homeschoolcreations.net
http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com

Good luck and I hope you enjoy homeschooling. You can PM me if you have any questions.

I would say that it would be difficult to homeschool him if you are also watching your daughter. homeschool is work. You are working and your child is at school.
Could you hire a mother's helper, though? to come and watch your daughter at your house while you are teaching your son? Until he can read, it will be hard for him to work without your attention.

Hi! Why do you have to be his teacher, can't you just be his mom? Think of all the things you have taught him - why should it be any different now? When Steve was little he used to tell people he went to school on mommy's lap. You can make it work with your daughter. Give her things to do, involve her in learning, work while she naps - the others have great ideas. Just take a deep breath, it isn't nearly as hard as you sound like you are worried it will be (but I've never used ABEKA). There is a big world out there to use as a learning tool!

OK, you've identified that there are NO OPTIONS and this is what you're doing. SO, you must EMBRACE it. No feeling worried about the 2-year-old, the relationship as being a teacher, etc. This is NOT uncharted territory, it's EXTREMELY common and many large families do exactly what you're doing with even more distractions. I homeschool my first grader with two younger sibs. My extended family has large broods of kids all the way through college who were homeschooled and excelled academically and professionally (they have more free time so start working and doing community things younger and gain more experience)You need to know your goals for the STYLE of education you want him to have. Cyber? Classical? Unschooling? full curriculum? pieced together? Charlotte Mason?...if you're already confident in your choice of curriculum, great, but you should join a homeschooling network-even just online if there isn't one where you live, and start learning from other moms in case you need to make changes down the road. Some moms in my network like Abeka, some don't. Some only use parts of it.

You need to have a well-disciplined two-year-old and a structure. I find lots of moms with wily younger kids give up (because yes, it's IMPOSSIBLE to focus with one kid ripping things up and yelling all the time etc), while the moms succeeding with their various kids have very well-behaved kids. You need a positive attitude and passion for what you're doing. Remember, if you start to feel like you are not offering a great education and teaching him to love to learn, you can put him back in school and supplement his material to stay academically on par. So don't feel trapped!

That's my advice, get the right curriculum for him (you may already have it), join a network, and be willing to change the more you learn about your son's learning style. Personally I love the History of the World history program and Math U See Math program, Writing With Ease, First Language Lessons, and lots of classic literature from library etc. We're following the Well Trained Mind and so far it's perfect for my daughter. But there are sooo many good options.

Embrace it, love it, get ready to spend wonderful time together and learn tons. One of the greatest parts is learning by getting out and doing fun things rather than being stuck in a classroom all the time. Go on field trips-make up your own! Even the silliest local places can provide great lessons.

I homeschool 3 kids and have a 2 almost 3 year old at home. As many said she can work along side him, also don't be afraid to just let her run the house during certain times. Yeah there's gonna be a mess, but hey as long as she is safe.

Another aspect is educational video's, I gotta say I love youtube for this. My little one knows all of her ABC's, can count to 20 (sometimes higher) colors, shapes and can recognize some letters and numbers..youtube, and watching me with older brother on occasion.

Also expect and accept that the first few weeks are going to be a little difficult while you work it all out. It's okay, you will find your groove.

I always worked with both of them together. While my oldest was working on addition I was having my youngest telling me what colors were on the page or what animal something was and other age appropriate things. When it was nap time for the youngest I could give the undivided attention for the things my oldest needed the added attention for. I gave my youngest his "homework" ie a color book or paper. I would let the youngest watch a favorite show on TV for a little bit then I'd let the oldest watch a favorite TV show while I gave the youngest one on one attention. My oldest loved reading to his little brother.
When we had our third I do a similar thing only split 3 ways. There are 8 years between my first and third so he can entertain her so I can give my second one on one time as he needs a bit more help right now.
My mom is local so she'll come over maybe once a week and help with the kids and we arrange to go to her house so the kids have a change to do projects we can't do here due. She's got more space and doesn't have 4 very inquisitive and "helpful" cats.
It takes a little creative thinking but you can take care of everyone.

Check out your local home schooling community. There are often a lot of resources to be found locally including groups for museums, sports, and arts.
also check your local library and see if they also cater to homeschoolers.