The art of distraction
So here we are home schooling! Yay us! The kids are situated, my plans are planned, breakfast is consumed and we are ready to start our home school day.... And then it happens.
The phone rings, a neighbor stops in, the dog needs to go out (or worse), the baby needs changing, nursing, to be retrieved from a nap, or a million other things.
I excuse myself to tend to the business that has interrupted the business of learning, 5 min later I return to an empty school table. No students. Not one. So I gather my sweet offspring and start the entire process again. Can you say exhausted by 9am?
OK here is the insight that changed all of that.
>The Waiting Project.
Every child that is at the table (for us that is every child) has a “Waiting Project” .
The Waiting Project meets the following criteria for the child to whom it belonged:
It must be (almost) entirely independent activity for the student.
It must be easy to start and easy to stop (ie, not a jigsaw puzzle)
It must be in a reasonable sized container so it can be accessed by child independently,
Clean up must be immediate, and completely child managed.
Examples
A shoe box size lego project IF your kid can start and stop, some of us can't.
A coloring book, or pages (age appropriate, this may even work for teens)
For older kids "homework" that was left over from another subject (maybe proofing their writing) Logic puzzles, or one page projects.
Letter writing Thank you cards
Magazines (age appropriate of course, for younger elementary we love "Cricket", "Hidden Pictures" and "Highlights" magazines.)
Have the kids think of 5-15 min activities that they enjoy.
What this looks like.
Phone rings, I see it is a Dr. that I have been trying to reach. “Ok guys, waiting projects, GO!” Kids get out projects and stay put, I handle call and return to students still in learning mode.
This may sound obvious, simple or silly, but I tell you this was a game changer for us!
>What to allow into your day.
YOU are the gatekeeper, the holder of the schedule, the scepter wielder of home school time management, interruptions must go through you.
But that’s impossible? Now wait, hear me out.
I can’t stop who will come by, who will call, or what a client may need. I can however control my reaction to it. I cannot control per se when my toddler will need to use the facilities, get bored with a lesson, or have the urge to strip naked and paint a picture with her elbows, but I can control the expected outcome to those requests. My dogs, while needy, can be predictable and coaxed into a schedule.
Here are the daily solutions that have worked for us.
>Work/business/ministry
We own a business, I have work hours. We believe very strongly that regardless of your business, customer service is a paramount factor in it's success. I am a customer service snob, and if a customer is inconvenienced it pains me (no really, like physically, I should maybe get that looked at, but I digress). That said, people are also very reasonable and just need to know what to expect from you. My voicemail response states that I will return your call between stated hours. If there is an actual emergency please feel free to text me the details, or call our emergency number. THEN I RETURN CALLS PROMPTLY. I have a scheduled plan. If that means the kids watch a 30 min alphabet video (AKA screen time, gasp! ) while I call from a quiet spot, if that has to be the porch or a the closet, so be it.
Now here is the tough part for me. I turn my ringer OFF, and put my phone in the other room. I check for messages (text notifications, voice mail, etc) at 11am, 1pm, and 4pm. Then I handle what is there immediately.
>A schedule
If kids know what is coming they won’t beg for paint time, screen time, snack time etc. Look at the schedule (pictures are helpful). Click here for more about schedules.
>Call of nature.
Infants, toddlers, pets, and parents can all get into habits and schedules mandated by diet and an attentive gatekeeper. When we sit down at the table everyone goes to the bathroom first, whether they have to or not. Just like a car ride. Until you are completely autonomous in the use and proper care of bathroom functions. If you need my help you are on my timeline.
Pets too. If they know when they will be going, they don’t need out every 15 minutes.
For more about schooling with toddlers click here.
>Obligations
Please do not feel obligated to drop everything for a visitor, or requests to go somewhere for or with someone. Have a schedule (even if it's flexible!) and keep it in mind. We have had many opportunities as my kids aged, to babysit at functions, studies, and events because “they are home anyway”. No. They are schooling, just like the other teens you know. For an emergency YES, we will drop and roll to your side and pick up the slack and save the day. We believe people take precedence over schedules. However, a daily occurrence this is not.
Remember you are the choreographer of your daily dance, it is an art that can be learned and everyone will learn more (about more) the more we take on each day with intentional direction!
~Jeanette
