Momma’s Sanity Saver School Closure Schedule

3

This is not a guide to be taken too seriously.  It is not meant to be a “I know better than you” in ANY way. This is a schedule to give you ideas, tips, tricks, and breathing space while you manage this unplanned quarantine.

Some people will have virtual classes, and others will be asked to continue with certain subjects, feel free to add these subjects either in morning or afternoon time, but don’t feel burdened to recreate a school schedule at home.

If you are ready . . . buckle up, take your vitamins, and remember to smile. (It boosts the immune system.)

The first task in your week is to set your intention as a mom for these weeks you will be together.  To help with this, we are going to identify values that are important to YOU, the acting adult in this situation.

To start identifying your values and practice living in harmony with them, you will choose three values that are important to you. Reflect on your experiences to help identify your values: look at your daily routines, how you use your time, what creates strong emotional responses in you, and the things you are passionate about.

Think of yourself in all different scenarios in life. What do you value?  Maybe you value connection, serenity, or leadership.  You could value fulfillment or adventure. Your school closure intention is reflected in these things. Choose at least 10 values that speak strongly to you. Write these down on a sheet of paper.

Now pick the three values that you believe will most help you during these 3 (or more) weeks. This is not an exhaustive list. I am NOT asking you to pick your absolute TOP THREE VALUES, just three important values from among the many you have.

Write this intention where you can see it throughout the time your children are at home.  Notice when you are in alignment with your chosen values and when you are not (no judgement, just awareness of how it feels)

My intention is to create _(value 1)_, _(value 2)_, and _(value 3)_for myself and everyone involved.

Week 1: The DeSchooling Phase-

Don’t worry that your kids will forget about school. THEY WON’T. But they will need an adjustment time to get used to being home. DeSchooling doesn’t mean you are taking all the school out of them. It is just a name for this adjustment period.

  • Let your kids sleep in as long as they want. 
  • Parents of teenagers ,REJOICE!
  • Parents of toddlers, prepare for them to wake an hour earlier than usual.
  • Let schedules be loose. Plan maybe 1 firmly scheduled event per day.
  • Make sure to get at LEAST 20 min of sunshine per day. (That applies to teenagers as well).
  • Plan simple, fresh meals that kids can help prepare. (Grocery delivery and pick up needs to be ordered a week in advance now, so prepare accordingly).

If you are worried about not having enough books to read aloud, or for your kids to read, the library has an app called LIBBY, where you can download digital versions of all sorts of books, and even listen to audiobooks (all for free) using your library card. 

Here is a sample schedule for this first week of deschooling:

At the end of the week, make sure to take note of intricacies in each child’s schedule.  When they wake up, when they are in angel mode, what time they start triggering you, what they enjoyed most, and what caused you the most stress.

Week 2: We’re SO BORED!

Once your kids have made it a week, the novelty has totally worn off. 

Social isolation means no museums, zoos, or even your favorite parks. So let’s shake things up. Morning movement, afternoon creation time, and board games come to the rescue.

Each morning, after breakfast, turn on COSMIC KIDS YOGA (but take care not to let them get sucked in by YouTube or Amazon Prime).  Move outdoor time to the afternoon, or break it up in small recesses morning and afternoon. Gather kid friendly art supplies (based on age) and give them a project to work on for the week.  Then, in the evening, break out the board and card games.

Sample schedule

At the end of the week, make sure to take note of intricacies in each child’s schedule.  When they wake up, when they are in angel mode, what time they start triggering you, what they enjoyed most, and what caused you the most stress.

Week 3: I’m getting desperate!

You have probably noticed how it feels when your values are present with you, and when they are not. You have also probably noticed your energy levels throughout the day, when you have more energy to do activities with your kids and when you do not.  Take notice and adjust your schedule accordingly.

Maybe you want more connection with your kids. What is preventing you from sitting down with them? Maybe you want more quiet time. What time of day is quiet time a good transition between activity and a meal?  Take the schedules given above and write your own.  Take notice of your values and activities and actions you can take to feel those values yourself (because when you feel the values, they are MUCH more likely to) throughout the day.  

Here are some QUIET TIME ideas:

  1. Reading aloud.
  2. Coloring
  3. Listening to a podcast (Story Pirates is one of our favorites).
  4. Cuddling.
  5. Story telling
  6. Yoga
  7. Guided meditations for kids (they are usually in the form of stories, and are WONDERFUL)
  8. Quiet time toys (make a box),
  9. Build a fort and read together.

Here are some Outdoors Ideas

  1. Backyard fort
  2. Fairy houses
  3. A bucket of water (literally, just a bucket of water)
  4. A bucket of water + paint brushes to paint the patio/ fence/ wall.
  5. Chalk (preferably done the day before the water)
  6. Picnic!
  7. Tape around the wrist (not to bind), sticky side out, for flower/grass/weed bracelets (free weeding),
  8. Toys they usually aren’t allowed to take outside, but fit the outside environment (like animal toys or cars).
  9. Get up to watch the sunrise
  10.  Sunset hike
  11. Start a garden or garden pot or just play in a bag of potting soil.
  12. Leaf study
  13.  Rock study
  14.  Make a cozy spot and read aloud outside.
  15.  Beginner birdwatching
  16.  More water.
  17.  Study your favorite animals and start a pretend zoo.

Here is your printable, customizable schedule

It includes each hour of the day. But please, please, please don’t schedule every hour.  By now, you have an idea of when your kids wake, when breakfast is usually done, when their crazy hours are.  Have fun with this, block out times for different activities, and take time for yourself, and for connecting with those you love.


About our Guest Blogger

Suzanna Haltern is a California native and mom of 4 who has schooled, homeschooled, and unschooled. Having lived the past 11 years in the Southwest, she is well versed in BIG changes, BIG moves. and BIG emotions.

She is a Certified Coach and Certified Emotion Code Practitioner, who assists women through emotional transformation, helping them break the chains of habit and conditioning and create a home life they don’t want to escape from. 

She has a special gift for understanding how the limiting views of our parents and society are affecting women’s souls and the souls of their children, and is dedicated to giving women the tools they need to heal themselves and through their healing, the next generation.

You can follow her on Facebook, on Instagram @sincerely.suzanna, and her website.


Pin this post, and follow us on Pinterest. 

3 COMMENTS

    • I think that’s a little tricky since every job is so different and has it’s own time requirements & constraints, which is one of the reasons there is a blank schedule at the bottom of this post, so you can figure out what works best for your family. I know for me, as a working mom whose kids are now suddenly with me 24/7, the blank schedule is helpful. And I’m waking up really early to get things done before they wake up. But I know that’s not possible for moms who have to physically go some where. It’s pretty tough to address each individual situation in one blog post. Here’s a post written a few weeks ago for moms who work outside their homes. https://abqmom.com/current-event/working-parent-covid-19/

Comments are closed.