Karen Can Do

“Selfless” is the first word that comes to mind when I think of Karen… spunky, passionate, busy and determined are close seconds. Karen has four kids (three boys and a 15-month-old daughter) under the age of nine. Her black “Kenneth Cole Reaction” messenger-style diaper bag that she’s carried for nine straight years reflects her selfless nature.

Packed with books, toys, wipes and more, the only personal items Karen carries are gum and lipstick. The most used and important article in Karen’s diaper bag? “Definitely the first-aid kit, Band-Aids and ointment are essential with three active boys,” Karen says without a moment of hesitation. “I use the first aid-kit daily.”
A personal favorite in Karen’s diaper bag is the Old Maid card set with pictures of extended family members. The cards are a great way to remind kids of family members, especially when time and distance makes it difficult to see relatives frequently.
Making each child feel loved, appreciated and important is a top priority to Karen. During afternoon quiet time, she spends a half hour with each child – one on one. “I do whatever they want during that time,” she says. “If there is a board game I hate and Aiden wants to play it, we play it… or if Cameron wants me to watch him skateboard, I’ll sit outside and watch him.”
In addition to one on one mom time, Thursday night is “Daddy Hang Out.” On Thursdays Tim (Karen’s husband) takes a child out to get a slurpy, hit golf balls or just spend time together. Having individual time with each parent helps each of the four kids feel uniquely loved and cared for.

Most impressive is Karen’s “can do” attitude. Following several run-ins with the public school system, Karen decided home school was right for their family. Since she does not have a teaching certificate Karen admits to feelings of trepidation when she first began home schooling. But she took courage and believes that the same qualifications she has to be a mother are those that help her tailor lesson plans for the needs of each of her children.
“Having a schedule really helps me and the kids,” Karen says. “They know what to expect and it is just easier to plan.”

On Sundays, Karen creates the classical style lesson plan for the rest of the week’s teachings. Then each week day morning from 8:30 until 11:30 Karen’s boys go to the “school room” in their home. In the afternoon there is quiet time, followed by the park, then dinner and finally bed time around 7 pm. Three times a week Karen takes the family to the gym so she can work out and have some personal time. “I love home schooling,” Karen says, adding she plans to continue for as long as possible.
“My husband is number one,” Karen says. “The kids know Tim comes first, and that gives them a sense of security.” She adds that although it sounds old-fashioned, each day when her husband comes home from work she “drops everything to go give him a kiss.”
Being an effective wife, mother and teacher takes hard work, and means she has to enforce rules. “My job is to teach my children values as well as education, not to be my kid’s friend.” She’s quick to admit that being the disciplinarian is not an easy task, “but that is the job of being a parent.”
Best advice: Relax, kids are more survival prone than you realize.
Worst advice: the book Baby Wise, it’s too militaristic for infants. A schedule is important but not for infants.