Pregnancy and postpartum can be difficult—and even more so when you have other children. Add in homeschooling, and the thought of another baby amid everything else can feel daunting! In preparing to welcome my third baby, my mind swirled with questions: how am I going to continue educating my oldest, wrangle a toddler, and manage a newborn?
If you find yourself asking similar questions, I have words of hope for you! While those first weeks adjusting to a new family member certainly have their overwhelming moments, you can do it. Here are a few things that helped me navigate homeschooling and caring for my other kids while having a newborn! (And, if this phase of life doesn’t apply to you, know that many of these ideas can apply to other seasons of transition and change, too.)
Have Realistic Expectations
After a new baby, you’re adjusting to a new normal. Don’t expect to jump right back into homeschooling (and life in general!) during that initial postpartum season. Eventually, your children will adjust, and you will have a new daily rhythm that you can count on. Maintaining realistic expectations for this season will prevent you from being frustrated!
Prepare Your Older Children
Our older kids were ecstatic about welcoming “baby sister” to our family. While I was still pregnant, they loved to talk to her, feel her kick, and even give her kisses. I used this time to talk with them about what life would be like once their sister was here. I demonstrated how to hold sister using a baby doll, about helping with diaper changes, and other things to get them used to the idea of having a newborn in our home.
And, preparing for homeschooling post-baby was no exception! We talked about how grandma would be helping more, how mommy would need to take some time off, how their work would change (more “fun” projects and less activities that need hands-on, dedicated adult attention), and more. The more the kids can understand what is going to happen prior to the baby’s arrival, the easier I have found the transition to be.
Get Creative!
New babies mean new demands: feeding time, rocking them to sleep, diaper changes—the list goes on. Be creative with how you handle these new needs! Babywearing is a great way to get baby to sleep while schooling (some wraps and carrier can even be adjusted to allow baby to nurse in them if that is helpful to you).
If being outside calms your fussy baby, use that time to do some science with the older kids using the nature in your backyard. If baby likes the car or the stroller, increase the amount of field trips that your family participates in during this season. This is the beauty of homeschooling: your homeschool works around your “real life”!
For toddlers, I have found it particularly helpful to have activities prepared and new, engaging toys for them. When I need a few minutes to feed the baby or work on phonics with my oldest, having things on hand like a busyboard, entertaining books, or sensory play bins has been a lifesaver. These can keep the toddler busy for 15–20 minutes, giving me the time I need to focus on my other children.
Personal Preparation
The hardest part of this new transition was preparing myself. In prepping mentally for labor and delivery (a whole challenge in itself!) to being ready for new rhythms and routines and demands, keeping my focus on what is most important was key. It can be so easy to lose sight of the end goal when you’re in the trenches and you don’t know how you’re going to get through the day!
My faith is vital to who I am, so this was touchpoint number one for me. I knew I would have to set aside in this season: this isn’t the time for waking up an hour before the kids for my coffee and quiet time (although if you can do that with a newborn, more power to you!). However, when I’m up in the middle of the night feeding the baby, instead of mindless scrolling on Instagram, I choose to read (or listen to) Scripture and pray for my new baby. While my faith journey looks different right now, being able to still spend time in Scripture and prayer are key for keeping me grounded.
Another thing I found extremely helpful was proactively communicating needs to my husband. Since this is my third baby, I knew the likely pitfalls and struggles I would face in those first weeks post-delivery. When I didn’t have to worry about the little things like “can you check to make sure my snacks and water are stocked before you come to bed” to “can you be the contact point for our meal train with our friends” made a huge difference in the rest I was able to get.
Keep Life Simple
If you are preparing to welcome a new baby (or facing other changes to your family), you got this! While each transition will look different based on your personality and your baby’s temperament, there are many things you can do to make it easier for yourself. Even if the only homeschool you’re able to do in a day is reading aloud to your older children while nursing the baby, that’s okay!
Routines, expectations, and taking things slowly once baby does arrive can help set you up for success, even with a severe lack of sleep. Embrace this season, enjoy the slower days, and know that “this too shall pass”!