Homeschooling When Mom Is Sick

I was feeling pretty good. Our curricula seemed to be working well for each child, our routine was consistent but flexible, and we’d been enjoying the homeschooling process most of the time. The kids were learning, we were making progress, and I was congratulating myself on how I actually seemed to have this whole homeschooling thing down.

And then I got pregnant.

From almost the moment the stick showed 2 lines, I felt terrible. Weak, exhausted, and often unable to even stand up without feeling faint, pregnancy hit me like a tractor-trailer. Everything in our household came to a screeching halt.

Regular tasks became insurmountable burdens. Cleaning went out the window, laundry piled up, and food didn’t get prepared.

The good news is that we made it through. It was a long three months, but eventually, I got better and was able to move back into the world of normally functioning adults. And, yes, we even got school done.

The lessons I learned from that period helped me realize that homeschooling can occur even under duress, even when Mom isn’t feeling well. With some patience, flexibility, and plenty of accommodations, we were able to homeschool from the sick bed. And you know what? I think in the long run, it actually made us all stronger.

Here are some things to keep in mind if you are homeschooling while sick:

• Kids don’t die from eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for days at a time. If it’s the only thing they can fix on their own, sometimes nutrition has to give way to bigger issues.
• Just about every academic subject can be taught while lying under the bed covers together.
• Paying for a house cleaner once a month is worth every dime when you can’t clean yourself.
• You never know how much you need family and friends until you can no longer do things on your own. Always accept help when it’s offered.
• Children can be surprisingly responsible when Mom can’t do things herself. Kids will step up to the plate if they’re expected to.
• Children can still learn and enjoy it, even if science experiments, art projects, and fun learning activities are put on the back burner.
• Sometimes, the normally off-limits screens can be a tremendous blessing. If you investigate, you will find a surprising number of great educational video options.
• A lap desk is just as good as a table. And in some cases, a lot more comfortable.
• Sometimes, just reading a great book together (or lots of great books together) is the best education there is.
• Kids as young as 4 can do some pretty decent housecleaning if Mom gives clear directions from the bedroom.
• Perfectionism is your enemy. Figuring out what is most important and focusing on only those few things helps you keep your sanity.
• iPads have some wonderful, creative, and educational apps that make learning fun when you can’t move past the bed.
• Take-out is your friend. Use all the money you save on gas from not going anywhere to get food brought in.
• Children have a surprising ability to entertain themselves nicely when a parent is not available to keep them engaged.
• By humming the correct note and naming note names, Mom can even help the kids practice the piano while she lies in bed.
• Music appreciation takes on a whole new dimension when you’re listening to the songs on the bed without any distractions.
• Even kids who struggle with attention can work independently for short periods of time if given specific guidelines and lots of encouragement.
• Husbands have a new appreciation of what homeschool wives do when those wives can no longer do it.
• Siblings who might normally tend to bicker pull together nicely to help each other when there is no other option for getting things done.
• “Good enough” is the new “Excellent” (or "done is better than perfect").
• The main caretaker being out for the count brings the family together in new and wonderful ways.
• The inability to run around for extra-curricular activities makes family time more precious and more creative.
• Adversity makes people stronger, and sickness helps us put into perspective what really matters.
• Children can get a good education, and families can be strengthened, even if life has to happen from the sickbed!