We all get tired at times. Are you tired all the time? Have you been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? Or do you have a chronic illness such as Multiple Sclerosis? Many chronic illnesses wear on the energy system leaving you exhausted. So how are you supposed to get homeschooling done when sitting up is a chore?
First if you are blessed with older more independent children this could be turned into a delightful lesson in responsibility. When you make your lesson plan be sure to add in tired days. Items or small projects that your child can do while you are resting. Be clear with the directions for your projects so that you are not having to remember and then rewrite them the day that you are exhausted. Face it if you are like me when I get a tired, sick day my brain is fuzzy and thinking can be muddled.
Also I read an article (dear article writer I can’t remember you sorry) where the mom had two schedules. One schedule was a normal day and one was a sick day. On the sick day schooling was more self directed and had lots of reading and quiet projects. This is a great idea, again more for someone who has children that are more capable.
If you are blessed with younger children or a child that is not capable of being independent you need to provide an activity as well as being sure of proper care. If when you are sick you can prop yourself up and watch the kids maybe trade this day with Saturday. Or homeschool all year round with week breaks at regular intervals. This gives you enough of a cushion so that you meet all law requirements and you have enough learning time to excel.
You can ask your relatives to help. Ask dad to take on some schooling in the evenings and weekends. You could even ask another homeschooling mom to help you out. This might work great if you have a carpool to a local co-op and you can stay home and sleep.
Please try to understand those of you who do not have chronic fatigue. We don’t sleep and feel better afterwards. Our bodies are so tired that they shut down and we can literally fall over and not be able to get up off the floor if we push ourselves too far. The sleep that we do get is not restorative the moment we open our eyes we are bone weary. With this constant draw on our systems we can get aches and pain like the flu but for days or weeks on end. We can get fuzzy mentally, so forgetting to bring that food to the meeting, or forgetting your name is not because we don’t care. Our emotions are right on the surface, I cried because a friend offered to clean up and change my daughter after playing outdoors.
The best thing you can do is be a friend. Listen to us. Encourage us. Help if you can. A little help goes a long way if for no other reason than we don’t feel alone.
For those of you who deal with chronic fatigue, be of gentle of spirit. Talk to those around you so they know how best to help you. Rely not on yourself or on what others should be doing for you. Here is the scripture I turn to…sometimes many times a day.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Isaiah 40:29
Rely on the Lord and you will succeed! Trust in Him and your homeschooling will thrive!
I don’t have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, but I do struggle with migraine headaches. I’ve had them for 23 years but for the past year, they’ve gotten more frequent, averaging about one a week. I have medication that gets rid of them, but the medication leaves me very drained and it’s very difficult to function. Thankfully, my kids are pretty independent, and can make their own lunch on those days. This year, with homeschooling ( last year we cyberschooled), I made up a basket with file folders for each day of the week with their worksheets in it. I type up a daily list of their assignments ( I do it for the entire week)and they work on what they can independently, and what they need my help with, just waits until I feel better.
Ouch I have had by share of migraines. Mostly before I was found to have lupus and began treatment. I pray that you will get some relief.
Your idea of the preset file folders is great!! I have a couple of bookmarked sites to print off worksheets when things are really rough.
Thanks for sharing! Are there any more great ideas out there?
I have CFS and celiac and POTS so I know EXACTLY where you are coming from. I schedule for 4 days a week and 9 weeks in a 10 week cycle… to allow for extra room. We also schedule year-round to cover when we have good weeks and bad weeks.
Unfortunately my son has dyslexia and is not terribly independent. But he can go get the books and bring them and sit on the bed with me. Or watch videos that I pre-record for particularly bad days.
The good side is that he can take responsibility for so many things – he can prepare meals, put his brother to bed, do the dishes, and put things away for me. It has made him a more independent child.
Something I have been using is binaural beats – these sounds are amazing and can help you achieve more energy – better focus – more relaxed and for a good nights sleep.
Again, very interesting as I was just recently thinking about my fibromyalgia. Part of that was wondering how would I ever homeschool if I need to. Thanks for these ideas!
http://manyhatsmommy.blogspot.com/2010/10/little-more-about-me.html
Have many of the same problems, fibromyalgia,CSF,joint issues.
Is is hard to find people with similar differculty that understand what you will are going though.
Thanks for this! I have fibro, CFS, thyroid issues, probable RA, etc., etc….it’s nice to hear from other parents who are homeschooling with these challenges.
I am in a little different position. My husband is the one with chronic illness, but it has definitely affected how we homeschool. He had to quit his job because of his severe chronic fatigue, and since that time, we’ve learned that he has multiple food allergies that are causing the fatigue. Two years later, he’s had some part time jobs, but no steady work…and I’m thrown a whole new ball to juggle with diet changes. Chronic illness doesn’t just affect the person suffering, it affects the whole family. It’s been hard having to take on the responsibilities of both parents at times – but I’ve learned to be flexible, and we may not get EVERYTHING done in a day or a week like I want it to be done – but I’m trying to teach my children to be more servant-hearted, to put someone else’s needs above their own, and to remember that God is control of EVERYTHING.
I stumbled upon this blog on facebook and although I do not homeschool my daughter, I am finding great comfort reading these posts. I have multiple allergies (foods, chemicals, etc.) and CFS+adrenal fatigue. My life has changed dramatically as a result and my husband travels for a living so even though my daughter goes to school I am the primary parent most of the time. It can be very difficult to get everything done and get my daughter to school and to her various after school activities. I am not the mom I had hoped to be as far as family vacations (travel has become too hard for me), volunteering at church or school, etc. Most days I can get the basics done but I get so weary of being so limited.