Homeschool mom's guide to a really bad day. . .

I have four lovely children at home every day. Two are well into elementary school, one is starting first grade, and one just likes puzzles, blocks, and toys. When my kids are having a good day, it's a pretty good day. When they are having a bad day... well, let's just say that mom's day could very well go south too. Days like this will happen, and when I'm 100%, I know exactly what things to try to get our day back on track. Unfortunately, I'm not always 100% either.

I've written down a bit of a cheat sheet, here. This is what my 100% self would do, or what my best friend/homeschooling goddess would tell me to do when I called absolutely frustrated. Thank goodness I can still read even on the worst of days.

Homeschool Mom’s Guide to a Really Bad Day
If the Big Kids Are Useless for Schoolwork (if They're Tired, Sick, or Distracted):

Take a 15 Minute Break (Yes, even if they haven't gotten anything done in the last 15 minutes)
-No phone or screens
-Go outside if it's possible

Send the Big Kids to Their Desks for an Individual Assignment
-This will give the little kids more time devoted to them and separating the older two often helps the rest of an off day go by more smoothly.

Change the Subject, Literally
-Try something less challenging on the list. Save the troublesome stuff for last.

Ditch the Subject for the Day (Especially for math, or a spelling test)
-Let him double up on the trouble spot tomorrow. Remember, you aren't just letting your child loaf here. This is a really bad day for him or her too.
-Have your child do tomorrow’s assignments in less challenging subjects today, to make time for the extra load in that more challenging subject.

Schedule a Friday or Weekend School Day
-No sense pulling your hair out now, and you're still letting the kiddos know that the school work must be done.

Get in the Van and Drive
-Yeah, this costs a bit more these days, but having the kids buckled in and anticipating something just gives my nerves a chance to rest.

Drive thru somewhere.
-If this seems like rewarding poor behavior, just get a pop or fries and call it “a snack to adjust your blood sugar and get a little caffeine in.” Low blood sugar or tiredness are usually the culprits anyway. Get yourself something too.

***2 Subject Van Rule (This applies to good days too)
-If you must do an errand and have schoolwork to finish, bring only two subjects, one for the van ride and one for the destination. (Thank you Activities Coordinator from Life on the Planet). More than that will not get done and will clutter the van. Also, a natural consequence is the reward of accomplishment of a task. If they are really having a bad day, do not run any errands. Make arrangements with your honey or someone else to avoid putting them in that situation.


If the Smaller Kids are Too Distracting (They Need Attention, or They are Tired, Irritable):

Let Them Watch Some TV
-Only if they haven’t had much today.

Don’t Forget Their Schoolwork
-This might be a good time to do their schoolwork. Don’t push this and make it worse though. Helping them calm down now will make schoolwork easier for you to accomplish later in the day.

Have some Circle Time (yeah, that fun singing, dancing, finger play, parachute playing stuff)
-Again, only if they want to. . .
-Do it outside if you can.
-Make a production of getting ready to go outside and go. Big kids can do individual assignments or read literature or Bible.

Storytime?
-My littlest one always loves this. Sometimes the Gameboy does too. Try it.

Feed the Squirts
-The little ones often need a snack to optimize blood sugar. This and tiredness often lead to the same behavior. If necessary, get in the van and drive thru somewhere.

***If all else fails, Put Them Down for a Nap
-At our house, this will probably be a futile effort, but even laying down quietly is still better in the long run. A glass of water and a story might make this more palatable. If your kids are not all out anti-nappers, you might try this one first!