Hsing with health challenges…..

I had some temporary health issues last year when I was pregnant… not sure if it would be to the same scale, and it was definately temporary… 

There was a couple of periods where I had to go for an IV daily.  My husband (who works nights) did watch the kids while I did that.   I was unable to walk for the most part without a cane (and that was difficult), and the doctor did not confine me to bed rest (but I think only because he knew that I had 3 kids at home… they were age 6, 4, and almost 2. – and no one to really help.) I was to stay with my legs elevated as much as possible – but at the same time I was to occasionally walk around to help keep the blood circulating.  My husband could not take time off work to help (although he ended up on disability for his own health issues for a small period of time during this.

My son did a lot of work for making breakfasts… he had already been taught a lot of this – so he could make eggs in the microwave (I would take them out), make toast, and open juice.  We also did a lot of frozen waffles, bagels, and fruit for breakfasts.   My husband would often put on a slow-cooker supper when he got home from work… and I’d do lunch, which was generally leftovers from the day before or sandwiches.

For homeschooling, I would sit on the couch with my legs up, and my son would bring the various books to read to him.  We have a portable table that he would use to do math.  I’d also do that for my daughter with working on reading.  In the afternoon, weather permitting, they would play outside while the toddler napped and I might nap.

It is doable.  We did miss the nature walks that we did before – and haven’t yet started (I still find walking a lot harder than I’d like, and the baby is still only 8 months…)  

Although I didn’t have the resource before – check out  http://www.URtheMom.com  – she has information on helping kids become independant learners.  Of course at the early years they aren’t very independant…  but they can get to be. 

The main part of an education for a young child CAN be done with health issues.  Main things to work on are – some math (using something like Khan Academy, or Math U See, or teaching textbooks (haven’t used these) allows this to be mostly self-taught.); how to read (can be done lying on a bed or couch), and work on how to write. (again, depending on method used – can be fairly independant.)  Add in reading from a good book.  Do those 4 basics, and the kids will be fine until they can be even more independant and then add in stuff like history etc.  (of course, you may need to check the laws where you live on what MUST be covered…)   

Add some classical music in the background, and a good book showing an artists pictures – and even more of CM’s ideas have been added with no real effort.   If there is a safe place that the children can play outdoors (fenced backyard) – that gets in some nature…. or possibly getting a bird feeder or other things for nature.  (or if nothing else, some nature videos is better than nothing.)

I hope this helps.  Of course, if she decides she can’t homeschool, that is ok too.

One other thought… if they can afford it…  there might be some homeschooling moms that could use a little extra money that could watch or even homeschool the children some each week – or a teenaged homeschooler that could be hired to come in some days to watch and work with the children (tutor them, so to speak).  I’d almost lean towards the 2nd option – having one come in a couple of days a week, and maybe another on a couple more…  with them teaching what the mom has laid out….

Good grief! I was trying to edit my post and it got deleted!

To the above I wanted to add…put a cd in while eating or taking a bath. Use educational dvd’s and shows ..not CM but you do what you have to do.

There are some days I feel like throwing in the towel. But I think of all the reasons why I homeschool. Just thinking of sending them off to school wears me out! Especially is you have health issues. Get up early, rush to eat, send off on the bus..or get all the littles dressed to take older one to school. Dealing with possible bullies, kids who don’t like my kid etc.. My child being labeled ADD because he learns differently or has lots of energy. Him coming home to do homework, eat dinner, play a little, go to bed to wake up to do all over again! Me having to re-teach something he didn’t get in school. Conferences, plays, field trips, let alone the secular teachings make my head spin! I cannot imagine this with my health. As crazy as it sounds, HS looks easy when I compare!

I am sure her children are learning very much in character lessons. This is just by being at home. Honey, mom doesn’t feel well today. Can you do this by yourself? A lesson in independence! Or, mom is sick can you take care of your little sister? A lesson in leadership. Can you help mom around the house, can you pray for me? A lesson in compassion!

You can encourage her to try not to do it all! If she wakes up in pain, delay school a while until she feels better. Who says school should start in the morning? If she feels better at night, work then. Or take a little bit at a time. Do an hour here and there…take a break. It doesn’t have to be all at once. Take it slow. Try to enjoy the children. Lie around and just talk about things.

I had so much more in my last post but it got deleted! Will write more as I think of some! I would encourage her to think about why she wanted to homeschool in the first place. And daily pray for strength to do so. It is not easy when you are well let alone when you are sick. If the determination is there, she can do it! And not worry that she is not making a difference. If she is real bad health, then I can understand where she might want to have help. If she has family around, maybe she can ask if they can pitch in. A grandma can tell what it was like when she grew up or when her mom grew up etc.. Her husband can pitch in by leading Bible.

If you or your friend wants to PM me, I will answer your questions if I can!

I will pray for you and your friend!