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Do you continue homeschooling during a crisis? Can you or should you? As waves of COVID-19 ebb and flow across the country, homeschooling during a crisis is a popular topic. For those who have been homeschooling for years, the daily schedules may not seem much different. But if you live in a harder-hit area, you may be feeling overwhelmed or having a hard time completing a normal day's lesson plan. You may be caring for other family members or neighbors, affected financially, or simply overwhelmed by the news. Your friends in other areas may not understand why you are upset, but I do.

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 I have seen this virus affect our area, and I know what it can do to a homeschool family. You may have days as the homeschool parent that you have trouble focusing. Some days may feel more overwhelming than others, but that's ok.

What should you on days that feel very heavy during this heavy season? 

You can take a break from homeschooling.

Why you can take a break from homeschooling​ 

1. Homeschooling is a long-term situation. Taking a few days or even weeks off won't hurt anyone. As homeschool families, you have the ability and the blessing to adjust your schedule as needed.
2. Schools are taking a break, and we can take a break, too. A lot of schools have measures in place for the children to do school at home. Others are still working out the details. All in all, there will be days schoolwork is missed. And that is ok, for both homeschool parents and all others.
3. COVID-19 is a national emergency and treating your homeschool that way makes sense. 
   
   

Ways to bond with your children during COVID-19​ 

• Read aloud as a family
• Daily time in the Bible and discussing God's eternal love for us
• Regular and frequent hugs with an "I love you" to each child
• Allowing children to talk about feelings and fears together
• Withholding adult-level fears and concerns from children
• Encourage daily vigorous exercise for everyone
• Limiting online exposure to a reasonable amount, enjoyed together as a family
• Find alternative fun, like these board games for the entire family or arts and crafts

Daily homeschool activities for children during COVID-19 

• Read real books. Here is a reading list for middle school students and a reading list for high school students.
• Journal each day. This will not only become an amazing keepsake, but may also help some children process their emotions.
• Whether it be a worksheet, a textbook, or a math game, do a little bit of math each day.

​As I sit here in Seattle, where the COVID-19 outbreak began in the United State, I've had trouble keeping my mind at work. I know that it would be even harder if I was homeschooling right now. Local news is important, to keep us safe, but it is also emotional to listen to and is often draining. During our local outbreak, of course, I worry about my extended family with pre-existing conditions, and my children.

I encourage all homeschool parents with this: it's ok to take a break.  This is a season, not forever. Homeschoolers have the flexibility to adapt. We are the teacher, administrator, principal, and school superintendent. We get to choose when we have school, when we have a vacation, whether it's a half-day or late start. It's ok to take a break.

When things get back to normal, remember that you can adapt your homeschool classes and curriculum to take advantage of current events and maximize learning.

After 9/11, we quickly changed our world studies to teach about the Middle East in our homeschool. You can take this opportunity to discuss statistics, STEM careers, history and government, civics, and voting. The teaching opportunities are endless when you homeschool.

As a homeschool parent in the United States, you are the one making the decisions and you get to decide.