Alberta Home Education Association

I'm looking after a 3 year old this fall (AND home schooling our 12 and 14 year olds)and it is a never ending battle to keep her busy while we home school, but it is a battle I am winning. I've spent considerable time over the last 4 weeks - thinking about and gathering items to keep her busy.

I WISH I had done this w/ our youngest;(when she was little)- it has worked so well now, but perhaps I needed to be an experienced mom to do it. AND there weren't the ideas around that there are now. Amazing ideas online.

Anyway, I was surprised at a couple of things I tried that worked and thought I would share them with you.

I have about 50 bags (big ziplock bags) of activities and last weekend, I divided them into days of the week baskets - well, actually 4 baskets. I didn't have room for one more basket, and I left a lot of unused items on the shelf - probably 8 to 10 bags in a basket.

I have found she loves items that are new to her (I have to leave about 10 days inbetween doing activities, so they are new for her again). I should make a chart of all the activities I have, too. We'll see when I have that much time. (I am planning on putting the used activites in a big bin and then to just keep cycling through until I use everything.)

(I'm also taking a couple of little boys to church and they are needing the same kind of activities - just little educational activities to keep them busy and happy - 3 year olds can be very busy.... And littler ones even more busy!

I do try to keep blogging on a variety of topics.  It is hard sometimes because there is so much out there for little ones and elementary, BUT there are ideas and links for preteens and teens, too.

I loved this tip about Don't Micro Manage Your Teens.  She also wrote a great blog on Discipline for Middle Kids which I really enjoyed.  It's never too late to get some parenting tip or advice to help us with our children!

Here is a blog talking about the Home School Exodus of Jr and Sr High Children and some tips about how to keep home schooling through High School.  It is a decision we all have to make, and sometimes (ok, most times!) it isn't an easy one BUT it can be done!

Here are a couple of Discussion Starters to have with our older children:  10 Job Skills You Need Now, and New Professions, Growing Salaries.

AND here is a link for tired Home School Moms - 14 Things to Do When You Are Very Tired.  Smile.  I hope your summer is going well, and that you are getting the rest and rejuvenation you need to continue home schooling your children this fall.  You can do this!  God will help you do it!{jcomments off}

Wow, there are so many good ideas here.  Tot Trays

Whether you do Workboxes, Tot Trays OR simply want to keep your little ones happy, occupied and learning, check out the above link.  There are so many easy ideas.

I loved the star cutting strips on Post 10.  As always, clothespins into a juice bottle or straws into a milk jug are great fine motor activities.

I LOVED the Stacking Clowns and Bug Making Play Dough idea on Post 8.

I LOVE the ThinkFun Puzzles and Games she mentioned.  I have several and kids love them.