6 Weeks In
Wow, what a whirlwind these past six weeks have been! As you can imagine, life with a newborn, can get a little chaotic, especially when you’re also homeschooling a freshly five and seven year old. But, we are finding a groove that works for us, and I’m so grateful for how smoothly things are falling into place.
If you’re familiar with our homeschooling journey, you know that we’ve always been a family that loves the flexibility and freedom that homeschooling brings. But now, with a newborn on top of everything else, I was admittedly nervous about how we would manage it all. Would I be able to keep up with lesson plans? Would the older kids get the attention they need? And how in the world would I keep a newborn happy while doing all this?
Turns out, we’ve adapted quicker than I thought possible. Maybe it’s the adrenaline that comes with a newborn, or maybe it’s just that our family has learned how to be flexible, but we’re making it work. Let me share how we’ve gotten into a rhythm and what homeschooling with a newborn looks like for us.
1. A Good Start: Baby and I Settling into a Routine
I’ll be honest—when our baby arrived, I was expecting things to be rough for the first few weeks. But she’s been an absolute angel! The first couple of weeks, we mostly focused on bonding and establishing a feeding and sleep routine. With this solid foundation, I found that she could sleep or rest in between feeds, which meant I was able to give attention to my older kids without too much of a hiccup.
The older two are also really understanding about needing to keep things a bit quieter or helping out when they can. I think, for them, it’s been a huge bonding experience. Seeing their baby sister as part of our homeschooling routine—whether it’s watching a quick science video with me while she naps or helping with a quick diaper change—has been a learning experience in itself!
2. Homeschooling Adjustments: Shorter, More Flexible Days
Homeschooling two kids while juggling a newborn means we have to be a bit more flexible. I’ve found that shorter, more focused sessions work better for us right now. Instead of a traditional “full school day,” we’ve been doing bite-sized chunks of learning throughout the day. Whether it’s a quick reading lesson first thing in the morning, a math activity after lunch, or an art project in the evening, we’ve embraced the flexibility.
The beauty of homeschooling is that it doesn’t have to be confined to a strict schedule. If the baby needs extra attention or we need to take a break, we can easily adjust. Some days we focus on one subject for a longer period of time, and other days we fit in a little bit of everything when we can.
3. Group Learning: Working Together
One of the things I love most about homeschooling is the opportunity to learn as a family. Now that we’re all home together, we’re getting creative with our learning. We’re reading books aloud together, and I’ve also been incorporating videos and online resources that keep everyone engaged. It’s a great way to give the older kids a chance to work on a project while I nurse the baby or rock her to sleep.
I’ve also found that group learning really helps my kids stay engaged. We have been attending our weekly co-op events without missing a beat. I had my husband and mom take the kids the first few weeks, but now the baby and I are already getting out and about, too. And surprisingly, the baby enjoys being included in the family’s learning moments, even if she’s mostly watching quietly from her swing!
4. Teamwork: Big Siblings Helping Out
My older kids have really stepped up to the plate and helped more than I expected. I’m amazed at how much they want to help with the baby—whether it’s bringing me a diaper, fetching a bottle, or just playing with her for a few minutes. The little moments of assistance have been so helpful and also have allowed them to feel involved in the new family dynamic.
On the homeschooling front, my older kids have enjoyed being more independent with activities. They are developing so quickly, it’s amazing! The baby? Well, she’s mostly along for the ride, but I think she enjoys the sound of us all working together.
5. Self-Care and Finding Time for Me
It’s easy to put everything else on the back burner when you’re taking care of kids, a newborn, and homeschooling. But I’ve learned that I can’t pour from an empty cup. I’ve had to find little moments to care for myself—whether it’s a cup of tea while the kids work on a project, a quick walk around the block when the weather’s nice, or even just taking 15 minutes to breathe and reset.
It’s okay to let go of the idea that everything has to be perfect. I’ve learned to embrace the mess and the flexibility of the homeschooling lifestyle, especially now with a newborn. Some days are messy and unpredictable, but it’s all part of the adventure.
6. The Beauty of the Journey
It’s not always easy, but watching my children learn and grow together—especially with the baby—is a constant reminder of why we chose this path. There’s something magical about witnessing the bond between siblings and seeing them learn from each other. I’m amazed at how adaptable we all are, even the baby who has become part of our homeschooling routine. I’m excited to see how our routine continues to evolve in the coming months.
If you’re a fellow homeschooling parent or someone trying to balance multiple kids at home with a newborn, my advice is simple: lean into the flexibility that homeschooling offers and give yourself grace during this new chapter.
Here’s to the next six weeks and beyond—learning, growing, and loving every moment!
