Would a tutor help in this situation?

[emy72]

Hi there,
I have 4 children 5yrs and under. My DD1 in in reception and my DS1 is starting reception in September. I am finding supporting my DD1 at home in her learning quite difficult, and just about manage at the moment. Think of the scenario: DD1 trying to read her school book whilst I am holding a screaming baby, a toddler climbing over me and a demanding 3 year old....when DS1 starts next year AND I am also working, I think we will seriously struggle. I was wondering whether in this scenario it would be helpful/useful to have a tutor once a week or so who can just take DD1 to her room (away from screaming toddlers) and do a bit of homework with her whilst I do a bit with DS1. Has anybody been in this situation and has it worked/do you think it might be worth investigating, and if so how did you go about it/did it work out?
Thanks in advance!

Or a Mothers help to look after the youngest 2 while you try and spend time with the eldest 2?

yes we've been there only with three tho - and done what mnistooaddictive (great name!) said - got mil in for a bit twice a week so that the littles were sorted, mil and dh played and then put the littles to bed, so I could spend a bit of time with ds1. If you are able to do this more than once a week then get grandma or whoever to play with the tiny folks and you and your OH have the older ones - my dh hadn't really done anything like this til two of ours were in school, but loves listening to ds2 read I'm not sure a tutor's the answer, more inclined to think in terms of a babysitter, but obv you know the situation best.

Thanks for your replies. Grandparents would be great and the best option as suggested, but unfortunanately that is not an option in our case ( and I think finding a babysitter who would pop over just now and then for half an hour or so is very hard. Also, my DD1 would be in Year 1 not Reception by September. I like the idea of a teenager who might come and help listen to them read - I might ask locally and see what I can find.....!! I hadn't thought of that one xx

I sent my son to Kip McGarth when I had a truely hideous pregnancy. The tutor made sure that my son did his homework and also gave him extra help with hand writing. I had SPD and I was in constant pain. I just did not have the energy to make my son do his homework so I outsourced the problem.

I think the mother help idea would work as well, but it is finding the right mother's help. Also its unlikely that someone would want to work for the short time that a reception child can concentrate for. A good tutor might prove cheaper.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

I had friends who used to advertise at a girls school for 6th formers to help out in this situation, they can either spend time with the younger ones or help with homework and should be free at this time of day. Good way of getting babysitters who then know the children as well.

I'd have thought that a babysitter for the littlest ones would be much better than having someone else listen to your dd read - much cheaper than a tutor too! Then it's special 'mummy time' rather than boring old school work