When we began homeschooling, I was pregnant with my now
three year old. So for the first year it was pretty much just me teaching the
two older children. Fast forward three and a half years and we have a three
year old, two year old and a three week old. Getting through a school day is
much harder these days, so when I was given the opportunity to review the
e-book, Preschoolers
and Peace: Homeschooling older kids with success while loving the little ones
at your feet, I jumped at it. The title itself represents what I try to do
on a daily basis. Preschoolers and
Peace has created this e-book for moms just like you and me.
The book is written by Kendra Fletcher, a veteran
homeschooling mom of 8 kids who has been actively teaching at home for over 16
years.
“Homeschooling works. Homeschooling successfully with little ones
underfoot is entirely possible. You will be tired, sometimes frustrated, and
always needing to lean on Jesus but you can also be joyful, excited to dig in,
and totally blessed.”
The 47-page e-book is comprised of 13 chapters, a Meal
Planning 101 section and a Resources section at the very end.
The 13 chapters are:
1.
What a homeschooling Mom Needs
2.
Preparing yourself to homeschool older kids with
little ones underfoot
3.
Planning around preschoolers
4.
How do I keep them busy?
5.
What does a 2-year-olds day look like?
6.
How do I get any preschooling done?
7.
How not to just kill time
8.
Circle time , or how we pull the little ones in
9.
Preschool boys
10.
When all of your kiddos are preschoolers
11.
Preschool chores
12.
Planning for preschool
13.
When mama is worn out (or pregnant)
From chapter one, Kendra’s love for and faith in Christ is
evident. Her love for her children is visible on every page. In the first
chapter she writes about how she realized that even though she began serving
God at a young age, idols (like interests, friends, college, career, marriage, and
children) had stolen her identity.
“So, why all this gospel and identity talk in an e-book about keeping
your little ones content? Because simply put, there just isn’t any other place
to begin. This is it. The gospel is where we begin, dwell, and end. The gospel…
is the lens through which we see everything else. It’s the center from which
the Old and New Testaments radiate; it’s the crux, the pinnacle, the end-all,
be-all. And the good news of our creation, fall, redemption, and restoration by
Christ should be what we remind ourselves of each and every day.”
There is so much good advice and so many good ideas in this
book that I had a hard time narrowing down what I wanted to share. If I shared
everything I liked about the book, there wouldn’t be much left to read on your
own when you purchase the book… which is a steal at $2.99!!
A few things that I plan to implement into my own life from
Fletcher’s book…
1.
“Determine
what you can do in the presence of toddlers and what you would rather not do
with them there.” This was such an ah-ha moment! Why had I not scheduled
our day around nap time before??
2. Circle
time, circle time, circle time. “Circle
time is our fabulous, all-ages-are-welcome, group teaching time that allows us
to pray together, laugh together, and to get to things we often run out of time
for.” Bringing circle time into our
home is something I really look forward to. I’m currently making a list and
prayerfully considering what the Lord would have us do together. I really
believe our own Circle Time will be a great blessing to our family as whole.
3. In
Fletcher’s book, you’ll find lots and lots of helpful ideas for busying your
toddlers and preschoolers. Her idea to make a list of activities your little
ones could do during the day, along with how long each one will take is
GENIUS!
My Bottom Line
My overall problem is lack of organization and motivation,
especially since Ana was born. Things in the house have fallen to disarray to
say the least. Schoolwork is behind, housework is behind and I don’t even want
to talk about the laundry. Why is it always the laundry that suffers the most
when a new life event takes place?? Anyway, Kendra Fletcher’s book have given
me so many ideas and a bit of motivation as well! I highly recommend the book.
It’s an easy, enjoyable read that any mom could benefit from.
Thank you Preschoolers and Peace for the opportunity!
Click the link below to read more Schoolhouse Crew Reviews about Preschoolers and Peace!
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