Balancing Act

I love teaching and I love my kiddos, so homeschooling is perfect for us. My son is loving school and wants to do it most days. I like it too, but I'm still working on getting into a routine with it. Some days/weeks are great...everything works according to plan and goes smoothly. Other weeks...look out! I suppose that's the benefit of homeschooling, but I am an orderly, list following, organized person that likes to be on schedule and on time. So, sometimes I just have to take a deep breath and go with the flow. Hmmm...still working on that one.

I am having trouble finding things to occupy my 2 1/2 year old daughter. She does do "school" type activities with us, but there are times that I need one-on-one with my son. I generally have her in the kitchen with us during school, so that I can keep an eye on her and so she feels included. She loves to pass things out like manipulatives for math or collect the colors and put them away. I have several tubs of manipulatives just for her like large stringing beads, linking cubes, lacing animals etc. And, I spend time with her when my son is working on individual work.

I suppose my problem would be solved if I did school during her nap time, but alas, I like the quietness of our home during naps/rest time. I'm not quite ready to give that up just yet, although the time is fast approaching that it will all end.

So, this whole rambling post is to ask fellow homeschooling parents what you do with younger, non-school aged children during school? I eagerly await your genius ideas that I will make my own! :)

Ciao,
J