Four Flexible Ideas on How to Homeschool Through Cancer
Life, since my cancer diagnosis, has been a bit of a blur, and I have been learning about how to homeschool during cancer treatments.
You can learn more about my diagnosis and how I’m handling it here.
Breast Cancer Stories Health Single Mom Out West –
A cancer diagnosis usually comes as a shock. I’ve heard so many people say that this was so very unexpected.
However, when you are homeschooling your kids, there is a bit more to consider.
After the whole, you have Stage 3a breast cancer shock. My second thought was, how in the world am I going to do this?
I’ve seen too much progress to quit now.
Homeschooling as a single mom was always a high endeavor. However, after making the commitment and seeing the progress, it has become too important to me and to them.
I figured I was tough enough. Nope. It was way more than I could’ve imagined.
I quickly realized that I needed a different plan!
Embrace a flexible or extended school schedule.
The first thing that I looked into was state requirements. I live in a state that is very supportive of homeschooling. I do turn in paperwork, but that’s about it.
Talking to the state liaison gave me the realization that homeschooling through the summer was an option.
Here is a link to see the required school requirements for your state.
Homeschool Laws By State (hslda.org)
Due to surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation, you may need to consider homeschooling throughout the summer. Or year-round schooling.
We live in the mountain west, and giving up our warm summer for school is less than desirable, but sometimes that can’t be helped.
There are options, such as a fall vacation and mini-vacations, that may make the whole summer school experience just a little more bearable.
Side effects make homeschooling challenging.
I’ve always been a stubborn, “heck, no, we are getting this done!, kind of gal. Until I couldn’t sit up, thanks to chemo.
My first round of chemo about killed me. (I’m still not sure if I’m exaggerating.)
Just admit them. Admit that some days, schooling will not be possible. And plan around them.
Beating yourself up over it will just make things worse. On your school calendar, keep track of the days that will need to be caught up over the summer or on weekends.
Keeping track of this will alleviate stress. Remind yourself that this is only temporary and that things will eventually return to normal.
Practical ways to fight side effects can be found here on Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center:
Managing Your Chemotherapy Side Effects | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (mskcc.org)
Consider your online schooling options.
I prefer hands-on work simply because I think there is a hand-brain connection that occurs when children write something down or work out a math problem on paper.
This might just be me, and that’s ok.
However, I can acknowledge that online schooling options are improving, and some of them may help you get through this difficult time.
I am not an affiliate marketer for any of these, but I have seen very good results from them! And want to pass them on to you!
Phonics
Explode the Code for phonics can be found here at EPS learning. I am a big fan of Explode the Code, and finding out that they have an online program is huge!
Math
Time4Learning has been a great asset for my children! Specifically, the math programs. It keeps track of their progress and what they are struggling with.
https://www.time4learning.com/
Language Arts
IXL Language Arts has been very helpful during this time.
I know that they are utilized by many public schools and appreciate that it gives my kids some insight into how testing and practice occur in additional situations, such as college
. I can also clearly see where my kids need additional practice and guidance.
General subjects:
I use Power Homeschool as a supplemental basis. However, they cover all subjects. They are easy to use and quite economical.
Elementary Homeschool Curriculum | Power Homeschool
Hopefully, this will give you more ideas on how to continue homeschooling during cancer treatments!
Give yourself grace.
Grace, grace, grace. Start the day with it. End the day with it. Cancer is hard. Processing cancer is hard for kids and parents alike.
Consider professional counseling to work through this time:
Find A Christian Counselor or Christian Therapist | Christian Counselor Directory
You may want to become involved in a support group:
How to Find and Join a Cancer Support Group | CaringBridge
Cancer is scary and new, and you will need to give yourself a lot more grace.
If you’re unable to cook, consider having a friend pick something up for you. If you cannot attend school that day, do not add on condemnation; settle for a book or an educational video.
Cancer is hard. Give yourself the same grace you would give to someone else going through it!
For additional hope during this time, please consider an earlier blog post:
how to feel more positive about life Faith (singlemomoutwest.com)
