8 Lifesaving Tips on Homeschooling While Pregnant

Well, homeschooling Moms and Dads, I have some fabulous news.

Just because Mom waddles around the house like an injured duck, can’t stand the smell or sight of raw beef, and falls asleep in the middle of correcting math pages (on top of the pages, that is), your home school will live on — it must live on, and wonderfully so.

The great thing is that homeschooling families are as creative as they come, so even a pregnant Mom in the mix can serve to the educational advantage of the entire family.

Here are some tips on how to help everyone handle her pregnant state with ease.

• Take advantage of the incredible opportunities to bring the pro-life message to the hearts of your children, such as by watching videos of a growing baby in a uterus, or referring to baby books that show vivid photos of the baby’s growth at each stage of development. You may even prayerfully consider bringing your children to view ultrasound photos. They will always remember what is inside Mommy — definitely a real little person!

• Stock up on books geared for children that talk about what a new life in the womb is all about, and what a new pregnancy can mean for the family. Angel in the Waters is a fantastic choice for younger children. Mom may also enjoy Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle’s lovely book, Prayerfully Expecting, or on a practical level, books like Healthy Pregnancy by Dr. William and Martha Sears (A Catholic couple who had eight children).

• Let Mom put her feet up and enjoy one of the most pleasant and effective parts of homeschooling — reading aloud to the rest of the family. With Mom needing to rest and the kids dying to hear the next chapter of Pegeen, all will be well! Thankfully, most school work can be done while Mom is sitting. In fact, when I am pregnant I find I have plenty of bonding and reading time to share with my kids, because I can’t run around like a wild turkey and do all kinds of other busy-body things like I usually do!

• Have the children take on extra chores. With Mom “out of service” many days, it’s the perfect opportunity for children to step up to the plate. Older children can learn home management skills and tougher chores like cooking, while younger children can learn to get things for Mom and pamper her a little — it’s her turn!

• Spend some time educating the children on all that goes on during a pregnancy. Not only will they learn a lot about the human body and the period of gestation, but they will also understand why Mom is in a blessed position in life, and why she just isn’t “herself” some days, needing more rest, medical attention, a special diet, etc.

• Finding a pro-life doctor that is respectful of children can greatly help the family’s homeschooling situation as well. Children may even be welcome to come to some of Mom’s less private appointments, or complete homework assignments in the car or the waiting room.

• When Mom is really in need of a break, educational videos or a new stash of interesting books can come in handy more than ever. Mom’s time of pregnancy may be an ideal chance for children to embrace some more independent and individual learning styles as well.

• Last but not least, it may be truly edifying to lead the children in meditation on quotes about the gift of bringing forth new life. Examples of beautiful quotes are: “Human life is sacred — from its very inception it reveals the creating hand of God,” by Pope John XXIII; Pope St. John Paul II wrote: “A woman is … strong because of the fact that ‘God entrusts the human being to her’ always and in every way, even in the situations of social discrimination that she may find herself. This awareness and this fundamental vocation speak to women of the dignity which they receive from God Himself, and this makes them ‘strong’ and strengthens their vocation. Thus the ‘perfect woman’ (Prov. 31) becomes an irreplaceable support and source of spiritual strength for other people, who perceive the great energies of her spirit. These ‘perfect women’ are owed much by their own families, and sometimes by their own nation.”

As in all things, we entrust our pregnant Moms, our babies in the womb, our families, and our home schools to the intercession of the Blessed Mother.

All shall be well when she is at our side.

Queen of Families, pray for us!

Header photo CC drubig-photo | adobestock.com

About Amanda Evinger

Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Amanda Evinger now lives in rural North Dakota with her husband Michael and their three young children. Together, they have two home businesses, keep a bountiful garden and care take St. Clement's Oratory. Amanda is passionate about being a Seton homeschooling Mom and dedicated homemaker. She also works from home as Senior Writer for Catholic Stewardship Consultants. Although raised Calvinist, she became Catholic in 2001, and then spent several years living with Blessed Mother Teresa's sisters and the Contemplative Sisters of St. John. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from Hope College in Spanish and Theology with minor studies in Creative Writing.