Extended Isolation vs. Full-Social Living
It’s unnatural to be confined in a single location all day with the same people. In traditional home school, you are home a lot less than you would think. Why? Because “The world is your classroom,” as we say. So how can you get the best of homeschool life while in isolation?
Home schoolers get together with friends (of your own choice!) a lot. Try video chatting with encouraging friends.
Home schoolers encourage multi-generational experiences. You can’t visit a retirement home now, but you can video chat with grandma. Or, if that’s too technical for her, you can use that app on your iPhone called “Phone,” and just call her and talk.
You can’t take them to dance or exercise class, foreign language class, or music lessons, but there are plenty those online these days! To make up for your educational isolation, go online to virtual experiences, like a virtual zoo trip (https://www.housebeautiful.com/uk/lifestyle/a31955902/virtual-tour-zoo-trips/) Take advantage of the time, do a search online, and get busy!
Force vs. Freedom
The government is making you homeschool and use their curriculum. Relationally, it could be a good thing to temporarily have school days at home. Many are pointing this out these days. As my father used to say, “Look at the doughnut, not the hole.” It’s temporary. Don’t waste time and energy focusing on the stressful part. Take a moment and look at this as a limited opportunity to have some time with your kids. After they finish their work, pretend it’s Sunday at home with the family, and do what you like together. That’s what traditional homeschoolers can do when they so choose.
It’s beneficial that the schools have given your kids material to study for three reasons:
You get to actually see what they are learning.
It’s planned for you.[*]
It gives you the chance to think about what YOU would be teaching your kids instead if YOU were in control. Real homeschooling = Freedom. Let your mind think like a free person and see where it leads you. You may like it. Uh-oh, homeschooling might not be temporary for your family, after all. :)
Relief money vs. Self-funded
The government usually doesn’t send you $500 per child and postpone your taxes until July 15. Another one-off reality: this may be the first time the government gives you some money and doesn’t dictate how you can or cannot spend it. You can do something homeschoolers do. Use it on great books for your children (after you pay your rent, of course).
Have your child read.
Read aloud to them.
Listen to audio books. (There are plenty of free books and audio books out there, too.)
Here is whole article with some tried-and-true books guaranteed to turn your kids into readers and entertain them for hours: How to Get Your Kids to Read in These Days of Isolation
[*] There are groups who provide ready-made curriculum for homeschoolers and even have tutors who instruct your children so they will know how to study on their own at home. For teenagers in Cincinnati, OH or Jacksonville, FL, here is an excellent option: www.pep1.org