Let's face it, Momma. You are a REBEL.
If you weren't you would have simply put your kid on the big yellow bus when he was "of age" at five years old, and not thought a thing about it. But you DID think about it, and even "worse," you acted on it! And beyond that, you're MORE of a rebel, because you're looking at adding in SPANISH to this sweetie's daily life.
You took the hard way. There was an EASY choice, that receives no questions, no flack, no eye brow raises, and you took a WAY different path, and let's face it... you probably made "off brand" choices in a BUNCH of other arenas, too, like health, food, and parenting in general.
That being said, you think for yourself, and you probably don't think of obstacles of problems as a reason to change your patterns or daily expectations.
Like me.
I LOVE homeschooling. I LOVE my online sessions with my Spanish Geniuses, and have been quite surprised to find out that I'm enjoying my Leadership Course online sessions just as much! So, like you, when we had a GIGANTIC eight hour away move happening sometime this month, I figured it would be fine, I could keep my current schedule and daily expectations, and just be flexible.
I was silly. We're moving an entire farm, we still have one kid at home, the business, inventory, the shop full of homesteading stuff, three cats, and 7 of my beloved chickens. So all the Spanish Geniuses Live sessions form NOW through October 19th are canceled. I felt TERRIBLE about that. I will miss my students on Oct 10,14 & 16th. But to try and push through was not a good plan for the family. And why do we do this, after all? It's for family! (Right???!!)
So - when do you push through and WHEN do you call off school for a day, a week, or more? Here are my guidelines, I hope they help you!
When to push through with close to regular school day - for any ONE of these cases:
- One child is sick (but the others aren't)
- Mom has a cold, but nothing contagious
- Dad has a new job
- Dad stays home from work
- Unexpected visit from church member/neighbor/acquaintance
- Power goes out (school outside!, or CAR school, or mall school!)
- You have to pack for a future trip or move that is more than a month away.
- Water is shut off for any reason (school at the park, go to a friend's, time for a lesson in pioneer days, or grocery store run)
- Snow day - school is canceled for everyone else. (NOT US!)
When to take the day off:
- Any TWO or more of the above scenarios on the same day
- Family visit from anyone out of town
- Dad wants you to.
- Church or community service day takes a lot of time
- Co-op Day (we do not double up - we EITHER do co-op, OR we do home school stuff, never get home from co-op and do more work.
- "Nice day" off (No snow days.... take the NICE days off!)
When to take more than just one day off:
- Surgery or hospital stay for ANY family member
- New baby
- Any of the above plus a visit from an out of town family member
- Moving houses
- New Job for Dad that changes his hours/schedule/vacation time
- More than one kid is sick.
- Area flooding, extreme weather, community emergencies
- Major travels for sports
Ok! I hope that helps you to decide when you can push through, and when, maybe you decide NOT to. At my stage, with just ONE kid left, and she's a senior, SHE STILL is getting all her work completed! I am AMAZED at her discipline and drive, but I would've JUST as satisfied if she were skipping her school work and 100% focused on packing, trailer and moving truck rentals, turning on the power and transferring accounts!
I'd love to hear your experience - have you ever pushed through and regretted it? Or vice versa?