After writing that title I remember how terrified I was to have my 3rd baby and try to maintain homeschooling my oldest with 2 kids under 2. I was due in September, so that was already going to derail homeschooling for a while. And I had just had my second baby in July of the prior year. So needless to say some panic was setting in! So here’s How I Survived Homeschooling and a Newborn…or Two!

How would I survive homeschooling with a newborn? And then Another!

How was I going to manage all this? Was my daughter going to fall behind? I remember so many nights lying there worrying about how I was going to make it all happen. It is enough having babies 14 months apart because they both depend on you so much, but I worried I wouldn’t stretch far enough for everyone.

But it’s funny as I passed my last baby’s 1st birthday and I look back on the past 2 years of homeschooling with 2 babies, that I did it! And it wasn’t horrible! In fact I learned a lot about myself, God stretching me and learning to accept a lot of grace! It all worked out, and now we are moving into toddler phases with both littles and I love those stages! We have been dabbling in some “tot schooling” while older sister does school this year!  I learned so much and God saw me through every moment, and has blessed me beyond belief with the littles! And…we even homeschooled through it all!

How I survived homeschooling with a newborn or two!

Was it tough; Yes! But it CAN be done, and here is what I learned while having 2 babies and trying to maintain homeschooling my daughter at the same time:

1. Don’t plan out an “over achiever” scholastic year. You know maybe latin or that  intense writing program take the backburner until next year. Plan what you know you can handle. You will need to have more flexibility in your homeschool schedule now more than ever. You might even need to start more independent studying for your older kiddos if they are at an age to start that. We began choosing a few online classes in subjects that she could work on without needing me right next to her. You will know what subjects your child needs more of you to assist in than others.

2. Don’t underestimate the level of how tired you will be, and how little energy you may have at times with a new baby or even older babies, not all babies cooperate with your sleep or your homeschool schedules right! Your kiddos will benefit more from the best you, so don’t over do it when planning your outings or daily schedule. Focus on resting whenever you can, you will feel better and be more energetic by resting up! Try to maintain a healthy diet too, the impact it has on your energy levels is huge!

3. If you miss some key element to teach your child this year, there is always next year and that is OK! Give yourself GRACE, and accept it!You can still homeschool well enough and come back to anything that you didn’t get a chance to cover. You have many school years, summers, or whenever you want to add in missed subjects. Don’t forget that is a huge reason we homeschool, you make your own way! There is no perfect plan.

4. This is NOT the time to compare yourself to any of your friends or moms in the homeschool group. Just don’t compare yourself on any level to anyone. You really need to be kind to yourself during this season!  I know it’s hard not to, but this just isn’t the season to worry about what everyone else is doing socially or academically. Honestly I probably lost a few connections with friends and other moms from not being active in a lot of social realms, but I couldn’t keep up. If I wanted my home to function properly I have to prioritize babies & kids, naps, meals for everyone, laundry, sticking to basic needs. I had to focus on me and my immediate family first. Most of all my husband, ladies it is so easy to forget about your husband while trying to balance all of our other responsibilities in a season like this, but if it comes down to making sure your husband has your attention, clean underwear, and possibly a meal; do that before heading out with friends. Now many may not agree but we are to serve our husbands and put them first if we are following Christ. In all seasons.

Ephesians 5:22 (CEV)

²² A wife should put her husband first, as she does the Lord.

And let me clarify friend! I definitely don’t mean that you don’t need your friends, you do! But what I do mean is consider your season, rest in it, enjoy it – there is no need to try to keep up with attending All the events, if they are your true tribe they will be there as soon as you are ready to jump back in.

5. Take the help! If you feel that drowning sensation momma…please just take the help! If a friend or family member offers to bring a meal, help with some chores, or babysit you should most certainly take them up on it. I regret this, I had a few offers and because I didn’t want to impose on anyone or seem like I wasn’t in control of it all; I passed on the offers. Worst thing I could have done, for one it helps to solidify your tribe! Those people who want to help you, they feel good to do so. And secondly as I look back on it, I could have really used the break for my own sanity. But we live and we learn don’t we!

If you are feeling any anxiety or panic about having a couple of littles at the same time, or maybe homeschooling your olders while having a newborn, just remember it’s just a season and for some the season may be longer than others. But in a blink of an eye that precious newborn will be on to the next phase and more adventure awaits! So enjoy the little things in this sweet season friend! Take pictures, snuggle up, kiss them, read to them, all of that! Soak it up!