How to Handle Homework?

I think this is what I was most worried about with the kids going to school
Yes, homework.
No, not the amount, just how to handle it...ya know, the logistics of having 3 doing homework, that is obviously parent guided.

And I know there are people out there that 3 kids but they are different ages.
Let's face it, you can't compare apples & oranges.
Here is a perfect example of what I mean.

We have to read with the kids for 10 minutes a day.
I have interpreted that to mean 10 minutes with EACH child, not collectively although it will happen like that on days we have gymnastics.
The kids aren't ready to read alone, they need us to read to them or guide them through the reading.

So, 10 minutes just turned in to 3 minutes.
And while 30 minutes doesn't seem all that long, when you run a tight schedule, it is a bit of an imposition.
Not complaining at all, this momma loves to read so I know how very important this is!

But, for those that have 3 kids, different ages, the older ones can often do things like this on their own with little to no parental supervision.
As they can do their math homework, or science, history...you get the picture.

We finally got real homework this week.
They send it on Monday, to be returned on Friday.
2 assignments besides reading 10 minutes a night.

For one, the kids had to cut out environmental print and glue it to a piece of paper.
They are going to discuss it in class.
And yes, it took about 45 minutes to really finish it all.

As you can tell, they loved doing it.

Which made it so much easier for me to go through it with them.

Of course, there are still challenges.

Even being a previous 4th and 5th grade teacher can't really prepare you for your own children as students.

The relationship is completely different.

And while they seem to know how to wait, take turns, and use their pleases & thank yous in the normal classroom setting, they somehow forget all that the moment they see mommy.

Lots of interrupting each other.

Lots of me saying, "I can only work with one of you at a time."
No, there are not three of me contrary to popular believe.

That has been the biggest challenge thus far.

And fighting over who gets their reading time first!

In other words, it is a work in progress.

Once we get the dining room back, I hope to have more space for homework because frankly, the kitchen table is not big enough and ultimately, I would like them to have their own space to work in.

But that is a pipe dream for now.

In other news...I have surgery tomorrow.

I'll be laid up for about 3-7 days.

It's gotta be done & thankfully I have Todd, my parents, and my inlaws to help out.

Hope you all have a beautiful weekend!

MWAH!

Class Placement in Kinder

{Angie, I hope this answers your question & thanks for asking!!!}

{Sofia, Ian, Gabi}

This is probably the.most.talked.about.topic. when school starts.
I will admit, since we had PK3 & PK4, we had an opportunity to experiment.
Let me go in to it a bit for ya!

For PK3, there were only 2 classes.
We didn't have much of a choice how they were place, only who would be together,
and who would be alone which is a pretty big deal since triplets have a certain dynamic.

Sofia, at the time, seemed to be the most "independent".
We lovingly refer to Sofi as the "only child"  because I have a feeling
she would absolutely LOVE to be alone more than to be with her siblings.

This made our decision easy.
Sofia would have her own teacher.
That put Gabi (our best communicator) with Ian (our speech therapy boy).

The cards fell perfectly the first time out of the gate.
And it went smoothly until mid-year.
Sofia so badly wanted to be with her siblings really she wanted to be with their teacher.

But we didn't switch her.
The year finished out.
Everyone seemed to thrive.

{Gabi, Sofi, Ian}

As quickly as their first year in PK ended, it was time for PK4.
We originally were going to put all 3 in the same class since Sofi wanted to mid-year.
But we had a great opportunity for Gabi to join the Bridge class (advanced PK4).

Of course, we ran with it & quickly decided to separate them all.
Sofi was placed w/ the same teacher as the year before which was great.
Ian got a new teacher, as did Gabi.

They absolutely LOVED being apart.
It worked really well...until it was time for class parties.
Then the crazy triplet momma was in for a huge mess.

Unfortunately, the bad about separating them is that you don't get to be with them the whole time.
I would literally run between the 3 classes.  Never spending too much time in one class.
It sucked because I felt they were losing out on Mommy/Daddy time.

That was the downfall.
It also spurred discussions between the hubs & I about how we were going to place them in Kinder.
We automatically thought all together.

One, to ease our pain.
Two, to ease our pain.
Three...well, you get the picture.

I mean, in a perfect world, separate would be best.
But our first year in public school, we wanted a smooth transition.
One teacher, 3 kids.

That meant only having to communicate with 1 person.
One class for parties.
One set of rules to teach the kids.
Homework assignments being the same.

We were set.
So it was decided.
I called the school to make an appointment with the AP for Kinder.

In Texas, parents of multiples have the law on their side.
You get to decide placement and they have to comply.
Period.

But then I really started to think about it.
We didn't even bother to ask the kids.
How could we not ask the kids?

I mean, they have a valid opinion.
So I sat down with them.
And the truth came out.

Gabi said, "Mommy I want to be alone.  I don't want my brother and sister telling me what to do in class and interrupting my learning!"

How could we say no to that?
Sofi and Ian were happy to stay together.
Game plan change.

{Gabi, Sofi, Ian}

Meeting with Mr. P was amazing.
He heard our concerns and answered all our questions.
We decided partner teachers and a 2/1 split.

Everyone walked out happy.
I was comforted.
Hubs was content.

And that is how we started off the year.
This doesn't mean we won't do something different next year although I have a feeling Gabi will continue to want to be alone in class.

As their kinder year comes to a close in May, we will revisit this discussion.
Until then, I am so excited for my babies & their future!

It has been a LONG TIME...

Life took over.
You know, the doldrums of every day life, routine.

Building my business.
Saving my marriage.
Kids starting elementary school.
Becoming a fitness coach for Beachbody.
Family vacations.
Couple's getaways.

Yeah, that kind of life.

It dawned on me yesterday.
I haven't written in ages.
And we are starting a BIG, new chapter of our lives.

The kids started kindergarten.

Yes, you read right
They are almost 5 1/2 years old.
And on August 26th, they started full day kinder.

So, with the new daily routine, I decided it was high time I started blogging again.
I mean, you see plenty of blogs w/ triplets when they are little.
BUT, the fact remains, not many write about the school years.

My hope is to impart some knowledge about these years & how we steer the road.

I bet you are wondering if we put them all in the same class.
We didn't.
Per their request.

Gabi, my academic gal, wanted to be alone.
We honored her request.
And as of Day 3, she is thriving alone.

Sofi and Ian, on the other hand, requested to be placed together.
The school & principal were more than accommodating!
So far, they are doing fine in class together although they sit across the room from one another.

We are on our 3rd day of the new routine.
It gets easier every morning.
I will say this, they were tired when I woke them up.

Doesn't help we have to be up at 6:15 in order to get everything done.
Yeah, a little early in my opinion but with 3 to feed, brush teeth, brush hair, & dress,
I need the time (and I wake up at 4:30).

So there you have it.
Our triplets are now in kinder.

Loving the new routine & life that we have.
Hoping to keep up with the blog a bit better.
And always, feel free to comment or leave a question!