Posts in the series:
Preparing for Baby
The First Weeks
A New Routine
Helpers – Big & Small
Unexpected Circumstances
So far, we’ve talked about what homeschooling with a newborn looks like under normal circumstances; however, not every birth, baby, and postpartum goes smoothly. Sometimes events surrounding giving birth are less than ideal.
Until my 7th birth, the only outside-the-norm circumstances I had ever experienced were 2 c-sections. While c-sections are often difficult to recover from, I was back to normal in 2-4 weeks, and thankfully, both babies were very good-natured.
But, Baby #7 made homeschooling quite a difficult task. His pregnancy was difficult and drug on through a very hot summer. Finally, he came (rather quickly) into the world, and I was so relieved to have him here! However, 5 hours after his birth he began to cry. He was 4 months old before he became the happy-go-lucky little boy his is today.
Add to that the fact that the difficult emotions I dealt with during pregnancy followed me and became full-blown postpartum depression.
I was a hormonal, exhausted mess caring for a fussy uncomfortable newborn. Homeschooling felt like an impossibility.
These are the times in life when you have to just let go. You can’t control what is happening to you. You are not a failure, and there is so much that can be learned through crisis.
The number one piece of advice I can give you when it comes to homeschooling with a newborn when circumstances are difficult is to hand it all over to the Lord, and trust that He will supply your every need…including your homeschool needs.
“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:30
Here are some resources you might find helpful when those early days are not what you envisioned and you find yourself in the midst of a crisis.
*Homeschooling During Crisis mp3 – Even though this session from the TPA convention in Wichita, Kansas was born out of the loss of a child, it is very relevant to any crisis you might face.
*The Colicky Baby – my story with Baby #7
*Staying On Top of Your Game When You’re Tired – How to handle exhaustion as a mom
*How To Help NICU Families – guest post
*What Can I Do? – What others can do to bless a grieving parent – these ideas can easily translate into other crises.
*Homeschool Survival website – stories of homeschooling through crisis
*Homeschooling with Preschoolers & Postpartum Depression on Visionary Womanhood
Posts in the series:
Preparing for Baby
The First Weeks
A New Routine
Helpers – Big & Small
Unexpected Circumstances
Laura says
Just wanted to say “Thank You!” so much for this series. I will be having baby #4 in November and we will be in our 3rd year of homeschooling and I feel a lot of fear and worry about the coming year. Thank you for this sound advice and encouragement. I get excited to see your posts pop up in my email as I know they will be full of brave honesty and practical wisdom. Thank you!!!
Amy says
Wonderful! Have a blessed day!
Nikki says
Thank you so much for this. What a blessing! We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of baby number 4 (she was due a few days ago), and will have three in school this year… 5th grade, 3rd grade, and kinder. Add to that my oldest is dyslexic with a few other “issues” and we suspect the middle one is too. And I suffered terrible post partum depression and anxiety after the birth of my third and am fearful of what will happen with this one. I am already feeling overwhelemed and was looking for good advice (that’s what google is for, right? lol) and stumbled upon your blog. This series was exactly what I needed to read today… thank you, thank you, thank you!!
Amy says
Welcome, Nikki!
Mickey says
Maybe you say more in a book, but ” give it to the Lord” isn’t advice. I wish you had blogged about what you actually do to handle the competing demands, the constant interruptions, the keeping kids on track through months and months of a baby needing sleep, eat, adjust to growth spurts, or other transitions. ay yi yi, i am finding this impossible. but oh well.