Homeschool Survival: Schooling While Sick

     Having been sick for the past few days, and it only seems to be getting worse, I figured I would write this and hopefully help to relieve some homeschooling parents' concerns. It's pretty much a fact of life that we are all going to get sick at some point, or maybe sprain an ankle, or have some super-important something that requires our time, or, like me, you get pregnant and aren't able to keep up with the typical routine. Any number of things can knock us parents off of our typical schedule, thus our homeschooling schedule too.



     Here are a few tips/things to remember if/when this happens:

1. RELAX. If you are unable to do anything at all for one day, your kids will still be fine. They will not suddenly get stupid or fall so behind that they are scarred for life. Just pick back up where you left off when you do get back to normal. No worries. That's the beauty of homeschool. It's FLEXIBLE. Allow it. You'll be a lot better off for it. Stop stressing. It's all going to be okay. You will not have the Homeschool Police busting down your door. I promise.

2. EDUCATIONAL DVD's. A treat for my son is blowing up the air mattress, putting it in the middle of the living room floor, and letting him lay on it while watching educational movies we get from the library or on Netflix. As I type this, that is exactly where he is, watching Bill Nye the Science Guy of his own accord, and perfectly content. I find that he learns more from visualization anyway. Even if he is watching television, he is still learning. A few of our favorites are: Bill Nye the Science Guy, Sid the Science Kid, Super Why, Mighty Machines, Signing Time, Handy Manny, Reading Rainbow, and The Magic School Bus. Your child will think it's a treat and you will get the rest you need.

3. COMPUTER PROGRAMS. Each child is different, but most enjoy doing things themselves and playing games or being entertained. Don't we all? My son definitely enjoys doing things on his own and loves some of the websites on the computer that are all educational and that he actually ASKS to do. If you trust your child to be alone on a computer, this is a wonderful resource and backup to use when your routine gets messed up. A few of our favorites are: ABCMouse.com (only $7 a month),
Veritas Bible (about $10/month), Khan Academy (FREE), then there is pbskids.org that is also free. Do some research and explore with your child a bit for what types of websites they really enjoy. Set those sites up on your computer so that they can easily access them, or go ahead and open them in different tabs, then rest while your child gets to explore and enjoy those sites on their own.

4. ARTS & CRAFTS. Just like a rainy day, it's totally cool to bust out the arts & crafts when you are not up to par. A good tip is to go ahead and have a "Sick Day Activity Bucket" ready. Fill it with crayons, glue, scissors, tissue paper, googly eyes, coloring books, or random activities that they can do on their own. Let them build or create something awesome. Cut and paste, glue, and no rules are typically something my son gets very excited about. While supervised, you could also include watercolors, modeling clay or play-doh, glitter, etc. The possibilities are endless. If this is not a common thing, it makes it even more exciting for your child.

5. SNUGGLE.    Utilize this time that you are sick to spend more time with your precious little one(s). While you are resting in bed, let them snuggle up with you. They can bring their books and read quietly, or pop in a movie to watch. You'll get a child that is occupied and you can rest in the process without worrying the house will be demolished. Use the snuggle time to read to your child, or better yet, have them practice their reading skills by reading their favorite story to you. You still get to rest and they are still learning.


     I hope those simple tips/advice helps. I'd love to hear any other tips for sick days or other days when the Homeschool routine gets thrown off track. Leave a comment if you'd like.



     Happy Homeschooling,

   ~ The Starving Artist ~


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