Homeschooling from my sick bed

by Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger

16 Feb 2007 08:47 AM

Like I mentioned yesterday, I felt like BLECH! I feel like I my body is trying to fight off the flu. Yesterday I stayed in bed.

So how does a mother homeschool from bed? Actually, it is quite easy. We have laptops and TV trays that we can use in bed. If you do not have a laptop, you can still bring books and paper to bed and keep homeschooling without missing a beat.

Yesterday my daughter was in my bed with me. Her face was covered to protect her from my germs. She did all of her work by my side. She actually got more attention than normal, as she often completes her work independently. My son brought questions to me and reported to me, from time to time.

When the schoolwork was done, I suddenly found myself in the patient role. My 10 year old daughter removed all authority I had to parent and forcefully took charge. I tried to fight and give direction, but I was too weak to hold my ground. My daughter fed me soup, apples and oranges, and Emergen-C and orange juice. She insisted I had a fever and kept cold, wet, washcloths on my forehead, in spite of my protest. She and my 12 year old were even so forceful and resourceful as to order Chinese for dinner, as there was no way I could make it downstairs. When the day was done, my daughter decided I had done enough and confiscated my laptop, forcing me to go to sleep.

I do not feel nearly as bad today, and it is a good thing, because I have to clean up all of the "helpfulness" from my kitchen before my husband gets home this evening (he works out of town). I also have a few errands to run.

During times like this, I am really glad I homeschool because just by being around the house and watching me in action, my kids know how to take charge when necessary. Not only did we still get our homeschooling done yesterday, but I got a much needed break as well.

Learn more about Andrea Hermitt

Andrea Hermitt is a native New Yorker currently residing in GA. She has been married for over 16 years and has two teenage children.

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Valorie Delp (49340) 16 Feb 2007 07:54 AM

No such things can happen in our house yet. . .but oh am I looking forward to that day!

Karen Edmisten (310) 16 Feb 2007 07:57 AM

Oh, Andrea, get well soon!

Andrea Hermitt (5512) 16 Feb 2007 08:05 AM

Valorie... I should have said "don't try this at home with kids under 9"!

Thanks Karen!

Valorie Delp (49340) 16 Feb 2007 10:22 AM

Andrea. . .one of the twins is probably the sickest I've ever seen her and so I spent two days commanding post from my office chair. I am now spending today homeschooling. Want to know what we're studying? How to clean house: best ways to get jelly off of where it shouldn't be, best ways to get crayon off the wall. . .UGH! I wanted so badly for the other kids to be quiet so Emily could sleep. . .but she had to be held to sleep and I didn't want to let her cry bc it would make her croup worse. . .let's just say my house isn't pretty!