Toddler tales

August 23, 2010 by Filed Under: homeschool, kids, tess

If there were ever a reason I’d want to call it quits, pack up my datebook and Sharpies and put my kids on a bus every morning the reason would be Toddlers!

school

Toddlers turn the organized, functional school room into a zoo.

school c

Toddlers make those quiet moments of gentle, inspired learning, little more than noisy chaos.

school d

Toddlers laugh at your silly ideas to keep them busy and occupied while you attempt to teach 3 other children.

school f

And make you regret ever believing those books that tell you all kids should have opportunities to be creative even if it makes a mess.

school e

Toddlers make even the calmest, kindest mothers resort to threatening words when they find them standing on the table for the 10th time that morning. (not that I would fit into the kindest, calmest category)

school b

Toddlers make life and learning very challenging for their older brothers and sisters.

school a

But, life challenges make for a more well-rounded education. Don’t you think?

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12 Comments
  • KathrynL

    My “baby” just started Kindergarten so I'm well out of the homeschooling with a toddler phase but it's still fresh enough in my mind to make my stomach hurt! ha! It also seems like forever since I've had a squishy toddler hand to hold and a cute little diapered bum to sit on my lap. There's blessings both ways, I guess. Hang in there! Drink an extra Coke….or two! :)

  • http://twitter.com/SavannahB Savannah B

    Replace the pictures of your kids with my Bees… and this is my life. My as-of-today 4 year old does ok, but it's the 20 month old who wreaks havoc on our school day.

  • http://www.partofthemiracles.blogspot.com/ Beth

    She is just so adorable…trouble and all!

  • Maury

    Thanks for posting this, and reminding me that it isn't just my toddler giving a momma fits!! I just about lost my mind this weekend.

  • http://www.fourshadows.blogspot.com Tracy

    This is my first year home schooling my 4th grader. I have one in his first year of middle school, a three year old and a ten month old. Feeling your pain today the toddlers do make schooling at home a bit of a challenge.

  • BranchofWisdom

    Ahh..such a darling post :) I have a few recent toddler tales I could tell, too…hehe! Treasuring each moment because they grow up too fast. Thanks for sharing.

  • mamaduso

    ARe you insane letting your toddler paint? I didn't let my kids paint until they could wash their own hair! I hate paint. Now, they just paint outside on cardboard.

  • http://afamiliarpath.com/ Melissa Stover

    LOL! maybe i am insane. if i'm not i will be after this child. any other
    suggestions to keep her occupied?

  • http://www.othersuchhappenings.com marsha@othersuchhappenings

    i am assuming that is washable paint. one can hope!

    i have lots of entertain toddler ideas… one of our faves was a big plastic bin that i filled with dried beans. throw in some cups, spoons/shovel, small plastic bulldozer and dumptruck– and you're set! fun and sorta easy to clean up, easier than sand anyway!

    i suppose it's only a bad idea if you have a kid that will shove the beans up their nose or in their ears. surely your sweet little blonde not-quite-a-mullet-anymore girl wouldn't do such an unladylike thing as that, would she?

  • http://afamiliarpath.com/ Melissa Stover

    yes. she absolutely would.

  • http://momentsofwhimsy.wordpress.com/ Cate

    I take my hat off to you Melissa! I only started homeschooling when my kids were in highschool – and being an ex highschool teacher myself, it didn't scare me too much. Trying to teach with toddlers around – wow – you get a medal :-)

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