Texas’ Special Kids Presents:© 2006 Texas’ Special Kids

INTRODUCTION

• Are you juggling too many tasks?• How do you do it all? • Not all at once!• Glean• Implement one thing at a time.

I. Mom Needs a Quiet Time

A. Designate a Space1. Chair in corner of

bedroom2. Put your Bible in the bathroom!

B. Timing1. May need to think outside the box-

Not the usual “early morning” concept2. Make it a consistent time3. True Confessions- Patsy’s Q.T.

C. “What do I study? I have so little time!”1. Read the “Proverb of the Day”2. Read the same chapter every day for a week

D. What about interruptions?

I. Mom Needs a Quiet Time (cont.)

II. The Blueprint

A. Expect interruptions1. Year-round school BONUS: Academic Benefit2. Consider the entire day your “school day”- NOT 8 to 3

B. Appointments1. Schedule control

a. Set aside one day for appointments

b. Schedule appointments at the same time of day

2. Other children’s schoolworka. Little ones need short time/day- don’t need

“school” all day anywayb. Older children- Begin to develop their learning independencec. Create a take-along box or bag for each child

~ Paper, crayons, pencils, clipboard~ Appropriate-level books for silent reading ~ Read-alouds (you read to them

or they read to each other ~ Hand-held educational games

(turn off sound!) Hangman, Yahtzee, Boggle, Simon

II. The Blueprint (cont.)

3. Academics for the other childrena. Always have one subject to fall back on in case of emergencyb. Consider Unit Studies

~ older children might read to younger

~ you can work with more than one child at a time

4. Enlist helpa. With the special needs childb. With the older children

5. Start the day out right

II. The Blueprint (cont.)

III. Tidy Up the Work Bench

A. Trading Spaces- Want your house to look perfect all day every day?SELL!1. The two extra “people” in your home:

a. “Homeschooling” has as much “stuff” (books, manipulatives, etc.) as anyone in your home. Give it space.

b. “Therapeutic tools” for a special needs child take as much space as a person. Define the space.

2. Keeping a level head

Keep two spaces neat above all else in your home:

a. Some place where you can entertain guests

b. A space for YOU to escape when chaos reigns

III. Tidy Up the Work Bench (cont.)

B. Simple Systems1. Laundry

a. Put a basket for “reds” or new dark clothes beside the washerb. Cut sorting time by doing one person’s clothes at a time and wash all in cold waterc. Wash sheets from one bedroom each weekd. Don’t buy dark-colored towels!e. Teach little ones to fold towelsf. Teach children to do their own laundry

III. Tidy Up the Work Bench (cont.)

2. Feeding the Crewa. Two Words:

~ Meat and marinade~ Buy pre-cut veggies (fresh or frozen)

b. Double your recipes and freeze half for a rough dayc. When someone says, “How can I help?”, say “Bring dinner!”d. Teach kids how to make PB & Js so they can make them for everyonee. WalMart honors competitors’ ads- shop the ads for value!

III. Tidy Up the Work Bench (cont.)

3. Employ the Unemployeda. Teach children to participate from an early age; Think: “Can a child do what I am doing here?”

b. Remember:

People do not do what you EXEXpect. They do what you ININspect.

III. Tidy Up the Work Bench (cont.)

4. “Where is that thing?”- Stuff Control!a. Boxes in the attic- rotate seasonallyb. Loretta’s closetc. Overhead shelvesd. Locked rooms/closets

III. Tidy Up the Work Bench (cont.)

5. Work Your PlanMost systems start in the living

room/kitchenREVERSE THAT!Start in your bathroom as you get readyStraighten your bedroom. Make the

bed!Move to the kids’ bedrooms/bath- hold

them accountable for pick-upTHEN do the common areas

III. Tidy Up the Work Bench (cont.)

6. The Measure of a WomanI do not measure myself by anything

that has no end:Dishes

Laundry

Or … Anything that anyone else can mess up!

III. Tidy Up the Work Bench (cont.)

IV. More Power (Rrr, Rrr)

What’s a father to do?A. For the family as a whole

1. Occasional dinner prep2. Laundry – his own, linens, help fold, one child’s…3. Big breakfast4. Character training and Bible study

IV. More Power (cont.)B. With the special child

1. Help with therapy / exercises2. Teach some academics3. Entertain4. Stretch him socially

C. The other kids1. Take along on errands2. Read to them3. Train in household chores4. Entertain / play games5. Supervise bedtime routine6. Teach / accountability for some academics

V. Break Time“When did you start feeling like you were

going to survive?”Getting the rest you need:A. The old adage – “Sleep when he sleeps.”B. Enlist some help

1. Outside helpers2. Mom goes to bed early while Dad puts the kids to bed3. Evening naps after Dad gets home

C. Creative schedulingDad takes the kids to church on Wednesday night and Mom stays home for a nap.

V. Break Time (cont.)

D. Desperate times call for desperate measures

A good video buys you a 30 minute nap on the couch!

E. A special note about safety:If you are concerned about a child getting

out of the house while you sleep, ADD LOCKS!

VI. Home Depot vs. Harbor FreightThe “Lowe” cost of homeschooling a special

child

A. Lose your pride. Ask for what you need.

B. Be specific about gift lists.

Family members who want to help will appreciate a detailed list of toys, books, games, or equipment will help. Be sure to include a wide price range.

C. Think creatively about educational and manipulative materials

1. Reuse/Recycle/Renew

a. Look at containers differently:

film canisters / margarine tubs / Quik boxes / new mayo containers

b. Borrow an idea from Grandma – Wear an apron to carry reinforcers or frequently needed items

VI. Home Depot vs. Harbor Freight

2. Create alternative equipment / therapy productsa. Need a “hugger”? Try a life jacket!b. Make your own “weighted vest” with a walker’s neon Velcro vest. Sew on fishing weight “medals” for outstanding performance.3. Make your own “plumbing builder” out of PVC pipe and joints.4. Wal-Mart ball vs. catalog ball

VI. Home Depot vs. Harbor Freight

VII. True Confessions

Patsy’s Encounter with The Messies Manual

This is not a sprint…it’s a marathon

“Poco a poco se llega lejos”

This is not the end of the process… we are always available to talk further through our website.

Visit us at:

Visit our vendor booth for a private consultation. Visit Our website for email consultation any time. Contact TSK for

seminars for your support group or church.