Unexpected Nuke

by Suzi
(Deltona FL)

Suzi is hoping to receive April's Free Giveaway!
Add a comment and vote for Suzi!

Your Complete Homeschool Planner

- DIY!

I don't know how to make you smile with a disaster story, but perhaps an organizational tool would help me to smile better. I've been doing well for 22 1/2 years at homeschooling, but this spring has been the ultimate test.

My husband, who is a self-employed sole provider for our family of 10 children (now down to 5 at home), was just diagnosed with a rare cancer -- carcinoid syndrome. We knew that he would have to have surgery for the cancer, thought that it would help the heart trouble it caused, and looked forward to a time of healing. Little did we know that when we went to the specialist on the other side of the state, we would be told that it is so rare that he will have to go to the other side of the country for open-heart surgery before he can even have the cancer surgery.

Never having left my children without a parent for longer than the time it took for the specialist appointment (a full day), we are now looking at possibly 2 or more weeks of having them home alone to home school. Older children are planning on taking turns coming home to oversee, but trying to organize school work that someone else can supervise, house work to be done by the children without adult supervision, and trying to keep them all consoled with their own fears for Daddy has been a task.

I need a method for organizing it for someone else to work from easily. Show me how!

Comments for
Unexpected Nuke

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Feb 04, 2010
Rating

Thanks for the update
by: Anonymous

Hi Suzi,

Thanks for your update.

I am glad to hear that the latest news is positive and pray that God will continue to strengthen your husband, yourself and your family.

I'm sorry that your computer crashed. I know how frustrating it is when your tools do not work. You should have let me know because I am happy to resend you another planner key if it will help you.

Marianne

Feb 04, 2010
Rating

Latest News
by: Suzi

The last half of the year was rough. The children at home, and the older ones who came back home to help, did great. We traveled to the top of the country for heart surgery, and my husband came through well. The kids needed the stability (and distraction) of a somewhat regular schedule, so they followed modified plans with the older ones taking them on outings. By the fall when my husband had his abdominal surgery, we were more or less into a more relaxed way of doing school. When one week stretched into two because of complications, they were able to do activities on their own.
Unfortunately, the planner did not help much, as the computer onto which it was downloaded also died while we were away (very bad viruses). But the ideas I got before that happened were greatly helpful.
Latest update from the surgeon this week was that the surgery was very successful, with almost all of the cancer being removed and only a very small amount of residual symptoms with which to contend. Thank you all so much for your interest and help. God bless.

Feb 02, 2010
Rating

break time
by: sylvie

i do believe that your family is very close, this i can tell be the story in your words. therefore you chould consider giving your kids a break for the time you are gone. they will be distracted with worry and fear the entire time your gone. let the older children decide what activities to do with the younger ones to keep them busy but i feel that anything productive would be far below what they would usually produce, and that i fear has its own negative impact on a child's learning. i wish you and your husband well in this difficult time.

Oct 31, 2009
Rating

Praying for you
by: Anonymous

We will pray for you, your husband and your whole family. And remember "The Lord is my Strength" Exodus 15:2

Aug 17, 2009
Rating

Blessings
by: Jackie

A planner would certainly make things easier but you could also give yourself and the kids a break? Maybe they could research something they are interested in or start that project they've always wanted to do and you never got around to it. Gosh! 22 1/2 years - you are amazing. May blessings abound. Your older kids might like to teach something they are interested in too.

May 11, 2009
Rating

I hope this helps
by: Nelson

Hi Suzi,
I hope a homeschool planner will help your family - it would be great if you can just print out the forms you need, fill in the spaces as required and then have one of your older children oversee that the work gets done.
I hope you win the planner.