Large families and getting a good education

[Zola78]

I am pregnant with no.4 and have had a few weeks of thinking that everything will be ok but now I've started getting a real bee in my bonnet over the children's education. I really want to raise good citizens as well as children that have reached their full potential academically. My oldest starts school in september and I keep thinking about fitting in reading and spelling etc.
How do you do the 'school' thing, looking after the other children, the housework and your dh? I think I've become a little overwhelmed.

it works out, do not fret.

you will have a different routine with yours once they are in school, and also, as they grow, you will find that older siblings help out yournger siblings with certain parts of their homework, which is actually great all ways round......helps me if I am cooking, helps child doing the homework as the elder siblin knows the phonics needed (I don;t as different teaching methods now), and the elder child feels good for helping teach.

don;t panic over that which has yet to pass.

congrats on impending #4

I pay for help if i'm honest, the eldest (age 8) has a tutor twice a week to make sure she's at least where she should be if not further along and the school will have TA's and parent helpers if yours need any extra one to one, that's what schools are for, mummy is for having fun with after school in my opinion.
By the time my biggie gets to 11 when the serious stuff starts my baby will be 2 and at nursery for a few hours whilst I concentrate on her needs for a few hours after school.

hi zola
congrates on no.4 am also expecting no.4
I think the thing is right now you are thinking of them in terms of demanding toddlers/tots. My eldest is in reception and does his reading every night. He also spends some time on weekends practising writing. At the same time DD1 is 3 so she will sit and try to write her name while DD2[2] will draw pictures.
I think it all just fits in. I spent 20 mins with ds in the evening because during the day I will havespent all day with the girls and make sure housework is mostly done.

I agree it all should work out. Well, that is what I tell myself expecting number 4, with DC1 1 in year 1, DC2 starting reception in September (DC3 in September 2011). Currently I spend quite a lot of time relative to other kids doing homework with DC1 but I have realised his school (an all boys' pre-prep school) does give them quite a bit and also that he likes to complete his homework and reading even though he doesn't have to if he runs out of time. DC2's new school has a slightly different approach it seems and apparently does gauge it differently according to the child which is great because she is not quite as quick as her older brother (just yet...) I can see with DC3 that the benefit of older siblings will soon play a role. It already does and she is a very bright independent spark and I am sure a lot of this is down to watching and learning from the elder two.

I know it will work but in the back of my mind I keep thinking "Is it good enough?" I suppose I won't know until much later. I guess I'm hoping my decision to have a large family doesn't cripple any of them academically. More guilt!!!!!

Zola78 - you will never know so stop worrying! In the nicest possible way, no offence intended, but I think your pregnancy is taking it's effect on you !

MoshiMoshi - maybe!!!! I know I definitely need to stop worrying and start being more proactive i.e do what I can and stop worrying about what I can't.

I do it by Home Educating them

My five are in private schools and they do most of their prep at school. I listen to my younger two read each evening before they go to bed. It is manageable.

Being in a big family, they learn a lot of useful lifeskills - they are things that are second nature as they won't know any differently. They have to learn to cooperate, compromise, take responsibility etc.

We also are a home educating family

zola it is hard!!

I try to teach mine to read before school and dc4 i did not - i really regretted it and then had to work extra hard through the last summer holiday to make up for it...

silly example but...

it is hard i agree. You just have to find time somehow

take the opportunity when you can. Dc4 reads his book quite soo after coming home from school ir at the island whilst i prepare supper...

if you are prepared to work at it - it soon fits into place. i know mums of 2 dcs who struggle to hear them read etc etc and although far from perfect i pride myself on hearing dc4 read every night

they need you most academically at 4 -6 i think and unless you have a multiple birth - you can usually put baby on boob or in cot - toddler doing a jigsaw(!) or having a nap and snatch 10 minutes for reading alone with your dc1

It IS hard sorry o repeat myself but i must add this time - i find it intensely rewarding

well done with number 4!