The spring rains have finally come to northwest Ohio. After all the snow and rain we had in February and March, it was hard to believe that it was actually getting a little too dry. But now everything is greening up like it’s supposed to.

Hope we haven’t put some kind of jinx on ourselves by wishing for rain–next thing you know, we’ll be backing out of our driveway in a boat. Be careful what you pray for… 

Some of our newsletter readers have asked: How do you teach older children when you have one or more toddlers demanding your attention?
 
This is obviously something that adds to the stress of a home schooling day (as if there wasn’t enough stress already from trying to squeeze everything into your daily schedule).

Here are a few simple tips that can help make life easier:
 
1. If you can, have one of the older children play with the toddler
while you teach the first child, then switch and let that child play
with the toddler while you teach the second.
 
2. Have someone (maybe Grandma or a friend) watch the toddler
while you teach.
 
3. Enlist the father of these children to teach some of the subjects
and/or play with the toddler.
 
4. Do a fun activity with the toddler before starting class.
 
5. Don’t try to have a solid block of “school” that lasts four or
more hours. Divide up the time. Do an hour in the morning, maybe
two in the afternoon (during naptime) and finish in the evening.
 
6. Don’t think you have to do every subject every day. For example,
you can double up on science on Monday & Tuesday, then do history
Wednesday & Thursday and review Friday. Enjoy and take advantage of
the fact that your home “school” does not have to resemble public
school.
 
7. Use curriculum or an online academy that allows the older
students to work independently.
 
8. Have special toys and books your toddler can play with only
during class time. Make sure these are quiet toys
 
9. Don’t allow yourself to become agitated by interruptions (we
know, this is easier said than done). They are going to happen.
Pray BEFORE they happen.
 
10. Take one day at a time. It can seem so overwhelming if you think
about how many weeks and months of teaching there are ahead.