I am “great with child”. It’s all consuming at this point. I have 3 to 5 weeks until this little darling decides she is ready to enter the many loving arms that are waiting for her. Being this pregnant affects how I sleep, what I eat, how I move, my energy levels and everything I do. I have found that learning in my life and following my interests allows for wonderful teaching moments with my children. By choosing to learn about what I love and what consumes me, every “school” subject is covered.
Science: Pregnancy is biology. We learn how a baby is made, how a baby grows, and what happens to a woman’s body during pregnancy. There is proper nutrition to understand. There is plenty of science to learn connected to pregnancy. I am frequently reminded of the amazing things my body is doing as I go about my day. To duplicate it would require many machines, incubators, tubes, and close 
observation to keep an early baby alive. What does science tell us about what is really healthy for pregnancy and childbirth and how do they compare to common practice in our local hospital?
Child development becomes far more fascinating and real when you are feeling a baby’s hiccoughs and watching your body grow.
With my children I always answer whatever questions they ask at an age appropriate level. You never know what children will ask. Some of my favorites are “what man put that baby in your belly?” and “what happens when the baby comes out ?” That with a follow up question led to the child’s real question: “do you have to get shots when you have a baby?” And when we had twins I heard: “what do mommies with one baby do when they are nursing, with their other breast?” And there are constant questions about what the baby is like at that moment. Our most recent science question discussed how the baby is currently living in a fluid. When my daughter discovered that she could breathe that way-though not breathing water, she declared “She’s a mermaid!! Have there ever been babies that didn’t change to breathing air and stayed a mermaid?” The curiosity of children is surprising.
History and social science: I have this amazing book from my mom from when she was pregnant. Back then they tended not to even acknowledge a pregnancy until 20 weeks, unless a “kill the rabbit test” 
was done. So although a woman would know, it wasn’t really considered official until the pregnancy was half way through. History is interesting with how pregnancy and delivery were handled. What was considered normal for rich or poor? Who helped with delivery? It’s fascinating. How do different cultures handle pregnancy and childbirth?
How does law affect birth? I’m currently 37 weeks, so it is now legal for me to have a home birth. If I carry this baby to 42 weeks, in most states your are greatly encouraged to be induced at the hospital. In some states, home birth is highly regulated, or not allowed at all. Insurance standards can begin to feel like law. Hospital common practices may be encouraged by law or insurance or even traditions. Discussing the difference is interesting.
English: The vocabulary involved in a pregnancy is immense. Communication under stress is a basic need of pregnancy. Record keeping is wonderful in pregnancy, not just for health reasons but to help process all of the emotions and growth during pregnancy.
Physical Education: When I’m not pregnant I prefer to exercise hard and fast. My children tend not to be involved. When I’m pregnant exercise changes completely. It’s slow and careful, it’s more casual. My children love doing yoga with me and showing off their flexibility and strength. Even just sitting still my body is doing so much.
Home economics: Independence is a powerful way to promote self esteem. Being needed is a great feeling for a child. I’m a fairly independent woman but with pregnancy I need help. There is motivation for me to teach them practical skills that will aid them their whole lives. Laundry, cooking, basic first aid, how to interact with others, and how to take care of ourselves are fabulous skills. They are more easily taught when there is a real need and pregnancy provides that need.
Math: When is the baby coming? I can answer with fractions or represent it graphically. How big is the baby? I can respond with averages of pounds or grams. I can use fruits and vegetables to represent the size or weight of the baby. I can show pictures or other visual representations of size. My weight and belly size are measured and can be graphed. Genetics and probability are interesting subjects to consider. In the child’s mind this comes out as “do you think we’ll have another red haired baby?” There is a basic math level needed to understand why to take which tests and how effective they really are and what they mean. Do my actual risk factors substantiate the fear a google search might encourage?
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My pregnancy hasn’t been our sole source of education, but it provides diverse learning opportunities. Whenever people ask how we cover various subjects, I wonder how to answer. Leaning in to any life situation or passion always covers every possible subject. Sharing it with our children frequently bounces from subject to subject in one simple conversation. Being willing to take time away from entertainment and lean into our lives as they are is a powerful learning and teaching tool. All it takes is effort to study and the willingness to answer questions when they are asked.
Britt grew up in a family of six brothers and one sister and gained a bonus sister later. She camped in the High Sierras, canoed down the Colorado, and played volleyball at Brigham Young University. She then served a mission to South Africa.
With all of her time in the gym and the mountains and South Africa, she was totally prepared to become the mother of 2 sons and soon to be 9 daughters. By totally prepared she means willing to love them and muddle through everything else in a partially sleepless state. She is mostly successful at figuring out how to keep the baby clothed, or at least diapered, though her current toddler is challenging this skill.
She feels children naturally love to learn and didn’t want to disrupt childhood curiosity with worksheets and school bells. She loves to play in the dirt, read books, go on adventures, watch her children discover new things, and mentor her children. Her oldest child is currently at a community college and her oldest son is going to high school at a public school. She loves to follow her children in their unique paths and interests.
She loves to write because, unlike the laundry and the dishes, writing stays done. Whenever someone asks her how she does it all she wonders what in the world they think she’s doing.
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