I've always had an attitude that the distractions my older children have to endure will only serve to grow them to be more focused learners.

One thing I like about how we school is that we do not have just one block of time that is school. I am deliberate about when we do school, but it's not all at once. For example, Bible time is during breakfast, or immediately following and includes all ages. Then we have our morning routine (chores) and after that history. This works out because after chores the younger ones are ready to break off from me to play a bit. We always do reading during the younger children's nap (as it requires more quiet), memorization is done during each and every car ride, even if it's just around the corner, and living history stories are read before bed, or downloaded from the library and listened to during a family wide quiet time. In the end everything has it's time during the day. It's just not all at once.

One last thing I have learned is that it doesn't work out to let your kids wake you up. I know it's great that as homeschoolers we don't have to live by an alarm, but make a plan to get up a half hour before they usually do. I find my own attitude is much more optimistic when I can get even just a few minutes with my Lord to get my day started in His direction.

Each day is a new day. Have a plan and start each day off with a fresh attitude. Even if yesterday was a wreck, don't lose hope. Call on the Lord to give you strength and peace and courage! You are teaching His children, and He will give you what you need to do it! God Bless you!!

~Nicole

I find what works best for me is literature-based homeschooling--to be more specific Five in a Row. We all (older and younger ones) enjoy reading the books and then digging in with the suggestions the manual provides. On the practical side, our homeschooling includes feeding the animals, organizing laundry or fixing a dish of food. Kids can actually learn measurements when baking, or to tell time when we are trying to get out the door, or to read words from a cereal box, or count money when they want to buy a toy. The best gift you can give your children though is a cheerful mama. Pray, work on maintaining cheerful attitudes in the home, and your day will go a lot smoother regardless of how much you get "accomplished" that day. So I really can't tell you how to put more hours in your day or how to teach your individual kids about fractions, but just remember to enjoy and love them and that will become your legacy.

~Michelle

Please, please, please, read the Bluedorn's website www.triviumpursuit.com about 10 things to do with your child before age 10. You do not need to follow the Classical Method of homeschooling to implement their ideas. Character training, chores, and service work are much more important than conquering reading and math at this stage. If your kids don't respect you, if they are not willingly obedient servants at home, the homeschooling years will be many times more difficult than need be.

Remember, you are in the most challenging years. Those families that look like they have it all together have been working at it for many, many years. Be grateful for what you can accomplish, but recognize that just caring for basic needs is going to take up the bulk of your days. God knows that. He gave you those children knowing that you are exactly the parents they need. He wants you to trust in His provision, not your abilities.

~Sue

You need to be flexible and in tune to your family and the circumstances you are in at the time. When we start comparing our family to others, we become discontent and discouraged, remember it is God who has your family in mind and will help you in your every need. Do not be afraid to fall on your knees in front of the kids and they will see who
gives you the strength for the day.

~Karen

I was feeling the same way a couple of months ago and reached out for some advice and one of my homeschooling friends with lots of kids recommended the Raising Godly Tomatoes website. --- http://www.raisinggodlytomatoes.com/ --- I was so grateful that she did and I have been using their techniques and it is working great! If you want to have one of those perfect families I believe this lady has the "secrets".

~Deborah

God had called me to homeschool my children so I knew I was doing the right thing, but I was missing the mark somewhere. One day He spoke to me through a very familiar Bible story; the one about Jesus visiting the home of Mary and Martha. Mary sat at Jesus' feet and listened to His teaching, while Martha was busy making everything "perfect". When Martha complained to Jesus about Mary, he said "Martha, Martha, you are concerned about so many things, but Mary has chosen what is better."(Luke 10) As I read it this time, He said to me "This is how I want you to school your children, I come first, teach them about Me first, quit trying to do it all and trying to make it perfect, just bring them to Me first and the rest will follow."

So that is what I do. Our Bible lesson and memorizing verses is the first thing each day and they love it, they are always begging for more. It is so exciting to see my kids want to hear God's Word. I cannot know how God will speak to you or what He has planned for your home. But I do know that He wants you to seek Him first and teach your children to do the same. "Seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added to you as well".(Matt 6:33). Its not a cure-all, we still have rough days, but no matter what is going on around me, my heart is at peace when I am doing what He has asked of me. This peace calms my heart and clears my mind and allows me to see God's plan for us in practical things like activities for the little ones to keep busy, creative ways to teach my challenging child, organizing my home and schedule to suit our unique family, prioritizing other activities, etc. Talk to Him, trust Him, He will guide you.

~Erika