Mom's Day Off Checklist for Independent Learning

In Jan 2024, I was in the hospital for major shortness of breath, which turned out to be heart failure. I was stabilized and have been on medications to keep it under control. I’ve only been hospitalized for heart failure one more time since then, so I’m doing well.

I was also in hospital for pneumonia and infections that year too. After being in the hospital a few times and being unwell at home, I noticed my kids still needed my help since we don’t use an open and go curriculum.

Mom’s Day Off Checklist 

It was then that I designed what I call “Mom’s Day Off” checklist. This could absolutely be a Dad’s Day Off or School Yourself or DIY School checklist too.

I started by thinking about the classes my children were doing that year and which ones were most important. I found a way that they could cover those subjects all on their own. After that, I typed up a checklist on Canva, but you can use Microsoft Word or Google Docs as well.

I keep it in a sheet protector in the front of their binders or in their bins, and they know to use it if I’m in hospital or if I tell them it’s a mom’s day off day.

It doesn’t have to be serious illness; you can use it when physically exhausted or mentally unwell too.

Which Subjects To Include 

This is up to you but generally Math and ELA (Language Arts) are considered the most important. If you’re only unwell for a short time Math and ELA may be enough. However, you might want more if you are out of commission for longer. I’ll give ideas for a few different subjects, but don’t feel like you have to include them if you don’t want to. Your mom’s day off day doesn’t need to be as long as your regular school day or anything. It’s just something to keep learning going while you’re off.

Math Ideas 

Take math, for example. If they have an open and go curriculum and can work independently already, then they would just do the next page. If not, though, you need something they CAN do. I had my kids play math games online from a free site. If you have an IXL subscription that would be good. Perhaps you have a math workbook from a grade lower that they could use as review.

It has to be something that isn’t specific to the topic they are learning in math right now as you don’t know WHEN you will be sick or in hospital and they will need to use it. So it’s okay if they are currently learning fractions but the review book or site is doing addition. It’s still math review.

Language Arts Ideas 

What about ELA or English Language Arts? ELA encompasses a wide variety of things so there are a lot of things to choose from. Depending on their age and independence level, you could have them do some free writing (writing on the subject of their choice for a certain amount of time or a certain amount of lines.) They could do a mad lib, read a book of choice for a certain amount of time, or go to a word of the day website and learn a new word and then use it in a sentence. For younger children, perhaps they listen to a book read by a sibling.

Science/History Ideas 

If you want to include science and/or history, I would stick with something like watching a video they select from a YouTube science/history channel for kids you pre-approved. Or read from a science or history encyclopedia or general science/history book you own.

Foreign Language 

Duolingo comes in handy for this whether you use it as part of your regular day or not. Also watching a tv show or movie in your foreign language of choice with subtitles works too. You can find these through YouTube or streaming services.

Other Subjects 

For anything else you want to include, just find something generic that YOUR child can do on their own. For Bible, your child could just read from their Bible or watch a video from a kid’s channel. Phys Ed could be playing outside or doing an exercise video. It’s up to you.

Test Drive Your "Mom’s Day Off" Plan 

If you want, you can test out the mom’s day off on a day you are feeling fine. Have them go through the checklist and try the activities. See if you are comfortable with how long it takes, how well they can do it on their own (or together.) Make adjustments when needed.

I use a sheet protector so they can reuse it after they mark it off. You could use a clipboard, post on the wall or as mentioned, in their binders or bins. Do whatever works for you and your family. Update your list every year if needed. Make it your own.

Have a GREAT Day Off!