Cough Drops and Chapter Books: How We Keep Going

 I'm Back... finally! (And Here’s What We Do When I’m Too Sick or Tired to “Do School”)

I know it’s been *months* since I’ve posted. I’m so sorry for the silence! Life hit us hard this season — we’ve had one sickness after another rolling through our house like a parade of germs. Just when one person started feeling better, someone else went down.  Then we had so many places to go and things to do, then right back to sickness all over!  And let’s be honest, when Mom’s sick or completely drained… everything slows down.

So today I wanted to share something that’s been on my heart — how we’ve still managed to keep learning going at home during those days (or weeks!) when I just couldn’t manage a full lesson, printables, or anything that looked like our usual routine.

Because learning doesn’t have to stop just because you’re on the couch, in bed --- or even in the van!

Here are some of our go-to simple, fun, and creative learning ideas for those “Mom is sick/tired/overwhelmed” kind of days:

Audiobooks and Story Time TV

If I can push a button, we’re doing school. Audiobooks are a lifesaver. I queue up favorites like Magic Tree House, Winnie-the-Pooh, or Little House on the Prairie. For the older ones, Harry Potter or Fablehaven, and we snuggle under blankets while they listen. Sometimes I even just play old episodes of Reading Rainbow or Storybots — and you better believe that counts as learning.

Books, Books, and More Books

Reading is always a win — especially when I'm low on energy. I encourage the kids to get creative with how and where they read. They’ve built forts and turned them into cozy reading caves. They’ve read under tables, in closets, and behind couches. I don’t care where they’re reading — I just love that they are. When I can’t do much, I pile a bunch of books in the living room and say, “Pick some and read however you want.”

Tell Me What You See

If I’m horizontal on the couch and can’t even talk much, I open up a famous painting, photo from nature, or even a picture book page and say, “Tell me what you see.” It’s amazing how much language, storytelling, and observation skills come from something that simple.

Life Skills Count

If I’ve got enough energy to stand at the stove, I’ll ask one of the kids to “be my helper.” Reading a recipe, measuring, stirring — all of that counts. If I’m not up to cooking, I let them do something small like sorting socks or matching lids to containers. Is it glamorous? Nope. Is it real life math and problem-solving? Yes.

Board Games & Building Stuff

Uno, Memory, Zingo, Super Why, or even a pile of magnetic tiles = instant learning. It builds focus, turn-taking, pattern recognition, and strategy. Best of all? The kids think it’s just fun. No lesson plan needed.

Yes, Screens Can Help (But They're Not the Whole Plan)

No, this doesn’t mean I park them in front of a screen all day and call it school. But yes — educational shows and even some games can help fill the gap when I can’t. I just try to be intentional. Wild Kratts, Octonauts, Numberblocks, Bluey, Super Why, Word World, and kid friendly baking shows still offer vocabulary, science, and problem-solving. A little screen time isn’t the enemy — especially when I’m running on empty.

Sticker Workbooks & Independent Drawings

If I can set them up at the table with a pencil or stickers and say, “Can you show me how to make a story with pictures?” — that buys me rest and gives them practice with creativity, focus, and storytelling.  Sometimes I have them draw me pictures of stories they read or the show they just watched. Zero prep. Zero expectations. Total win.

Teach Me Something

My kids love pretending they’re the teacher. I’ll say, “Can you teach me something you remember?” and suddenly I’m learning all about dinosaurs, letters, Mario Kart, or jellyfish. They feel important, and I get to listen and relax.

Car School Counts Too

Sometimes it’s not sickness that slows us down — it’s just real life. We’ve had weeks where it feels like we live in the van. Between appointments, sports, church, errands, and all the other places we have to be, it can feel like there’s no room for “real school.”

But here’s the thing — learning still fits, even on the go.

I keep a basket of books and brain-boosting games in the car. We’ve practiced skip counting at red lights, listened to scripture or chapter books on long drives, and turned grocery store runs into scavenger hunts for colors, prices, or categories.

Sometimes the best discussions happen in the car anyway — especially when everyone’s buckled in and can’t wander off.

So no, it doesn’t have to look like desks and notebooks to count. Drive time can be school time, too.

If you’re reading this in bed with tissues in hand, or feeling like you’ve failed at homeschooling this week because you’ve barely managed to feed everyone — you’re not alone. You’re doing more than you think. And learning is still happening, even on the hard days.

Letting go of the perfect plan isn’t giving up — it’s just adapting. And sometimes, survival mode school is exactly what’s needed.

Sending love and a reminder: rest is part of the rhythm.