Sick Day Survival Tips: Homeschooling When Mom is Sick

The following post is from Christy of Eclectic Momma:

It’s coming!

First, the  kids have the sniffles.  You nurse them, snuggle with them, love them back to health.  Then, it hits!  That little tickle in the back of your throat.  You try to deny it, and shrug it off.  YOU can’t get sick!  The kids have missed too many days already.

Getting sick is inevitable!  We’re human and it happens.  We CAN prepare for it and school can still happen, even when moms are sick in bed!

Sick Day Survival Tips for Homeschooling Families:

1.  Let It Go!  We’ve all heard that song dozens of times, but when you are sick is when we need to remember it most.  Yes, you can get some type of “school” in.  No, it might not look like a real structured day, but learning can still take place!  Older students should be able to carry on with regular school work even if you are sick in bed. Younger ones are going to need some suggestions.

2.  Be Prepared. 

Sometimes there is no one else to take the kids while you get over a sickness.  With a little preparation, things will go a lot smoother.  Pretend you are a preparing for a substitute teacher.  Write down a list of independent activities that your kids can do while you are sick. This is a great beginning of the school year planning project.  Put your list in a folder or your planner and it’s all set to go!  (Hopefully, you’ll never need it!)

3.  Build  an  Arsenal!

You need to have some things ready to go at a minute’s notice. (See #2.)  Build an arsenal of  learning activities that your child can do with minimal supervision.  These are the things you want in that folder.

• Audio books from the library or Books Should Be Free is a great website!
• Building sets– Have a list of challenges for the various sets you own.  I love this printable for Lego challenges or Keva blocks.
• Puzzles– Sick days are the perfect time to pull out those “lots of pieces” puzzles.
• Movies/Computer Games– Don’t be afraid to use educational movies or computer games to enrich your student’s learning experience.  It also helps you get some extra rest when you are sick!
• Mess-Free Art– In your folder above make sure to have some art projects that are easy and mess-free.  I love 3-D hand art or various doodle art projects.  Check out my Art Projects board for some great ideas!  The video “How to Draw” tutorials at Art for Kids Hub is also a great place for instruction while you rest.
• Writing Prompts- Internet4Classrooms   has a ton of links to all kinds of writing prompts.  With younger children,
• Games– Board games, card games are a great educational resource and also a great sick day tool!
• Listening to Classical Music and drawing pictures while they are listening. Dust off those CDs or pull up some music on the many online music sites.  As your child listens to the music, have them draw what they feel or what they think the piece is about.  You’ll be surprised at the results!

With a little forethought, a sick day for mom doesn’t have to mean “no school” for the kids.  If your kids are like mine, I get a lot more rest when they are occupied with productive activity.

What do you have in your arsenal for sick days?  We love to hear your suggestions.  Just leave a comment below!