It was the twenty-ninth of December. Three more days will be the New Year. The Christmas-y feeling is still there, but we are already looking forward to some Auld Lang Syne and a fantastic New Year’s Eve spread. However, something is wrong with my little boy. He complained of a scratchy throat—oh no!—I am already imagining the worst (Covid). A member of our household was already down with the virus. And did they say a scratchy throat is one of the first symptoms? The next day my boy’s condition worsened—he is very, very sick. And I started coughing as well too. Bam! Our little family became infected and upon doctor’s orders were immediately quarantined.
It was definitely a scary period in our life—waiting it out and totally dependent on others for your needs. By God’s grace, my little boy had a fast recovery. Doctors say kids are affected differently from the notorious virus so my fears were unfounded. But my throat was burning by the fourth day. I cannot speak anymore, let alone swallow water, without feeling as if I have a huge open wound on my throat.
Our homeschooling consists of a lot of reading aloud, mostly me. My child was already bouncing around the room while I was still feeling weak. I suddenly had an idea. I took out a piece of paper and wrote a note to him: “Mama’s throat hurts. That is why I can’t read aloud now. I’m sorry. Can you read for Mama?” To my amazement, he wrote: “Yes, I can read for you.” Correct spelling and all just without the punctuations and proper capitalization. And so that is how we homeschooled most of the time we were isolated.
Learning Accelerated
It was really amazing. My boy already knew how to read, but me being sick somehow pushed him to read aloud more on his own. Before, he would complain when I would ask him to read a passage for me. I wanted him to practice his reading. Now, he was more motivated. During our sick days, he started composing stories on his own too (language arts!). Of course, the grammar was wrong (a lot of run-on sentences and mixed up letters and words), but the creativity and heart is there.
Somehow, he continued absorbing and learning when I was just helpless and weak. We were having video calls with my parents, sister, and brother. It helped that he had an audience to show off his work.
During the 14 days that we were quarantined, no math was accomplished. We were using an online program at that time. It was difficult to keep up with it. (We did not have a proper desk for the laptop, but my son was already hating it at that time so we stopped it, finally). But a lot of other things were done: we were reading more books than ever and our room accumulated a lot of beginning creative writing and drawings. When my voice got better (although there were still coughing fits), we went back to our regular schedule of Bible reading and singing.
Lessons Learned
What lessons did I glean during this time of sickness? Temporary setbacks like this have a way of humbling us. In our pride, we plan as if we know everything that will happen in the future. I had a plan that we will finish our math program in a few months (I was pushing my boy.) so we could skip a grade level in a new curriculum I have been eyeing. It was a terrible idea (character-wise for me and learning-wise for my child). “A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps” (Proverbs 16:9).
Occasionally, we just need to pause and reset in our lives. What are the really, really most important things? Even my working (not just homeschooling) sometimes has “busywork.” Can these be eliminated? Every time I engage in busywork, there is more time away from exercise (very, very important to our health!) and spending time with my family.
And finally, there is nothing wrong with indulging yourself. If you have been meaning to watch that show (just 20 minutes!!!), go ahead. It does not make you a lazy parent! I think this was just the rest and relaxation I needed.
Your family is definitely different from mine. You may be dealing with longer-term sickness. Your child sees you when you take care of family. They are learning patience, kindness and gentleness from you. Or maybe you are the one who is sick and needs help. Take heart as God is able to always provide. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
From my experience, homeschooling can be done in a lot of ways and not just book work. You’ve got this, Mom/Dad!
Written by Katherine Tanyu
Aside from God, her family, homeschooling (and books!), Katherine's love lies in stationeries. She and her husband manage growing stationery brands Forestmill®, Prevailed® and Boss StationeryTM in the Philippines. She is also the community moderator of a Facebook group for Office and School Supplies Wholesalers. Feel free to reach out to her via their Facebook page or email kmtanyu@gmail.com.
"Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).