Dear Mom,

Other than finding a time when the two younger children will be napping or preoccupied, it is probably going to be necessary for you to think in terms of your school day including the younger children. I as well do not agree with television as a babysitter, but used properly it can be a handy teacher. Are there special videos, etc. that may be entertaining for the younger children? Remember that a child is always learning and in this it is important that we teach well. Many experienced homeschooling families find that homeschooling becomes a lifestyle whereby the teaching is paced with the rhythm of the home. Two solid hours of uninterrupted time of tutorial is wonderful, but it may not be a reality everyday. However, by making the most of the time that you spend with teaching, and by gently including your younger children with activities that they enjoy, you may find that their interest for 'school' wanes and they are content to play nearby. You may discover that you will have two hours one day followed by more time the next day and less time later. Be flexible, remembering that learning is an ongoing, every minute of the day activity for children. We speak in terms of teaching moments, those blessed times when tutorial and mothering come together. These are the best days and the best lessons.

Let us pray today for all those families that find they are experiencing the challenges of homeschooling with smaller children. Lord we ask that you surround them, keep the moms healthy and able and sprinkle generous amounts of grace and patience in their lives. Amen.

Rita Munn