Homeschool moms get no sick days. Instead, we walk around with tissues stuffed up our noses, hot tea in our hands, and eye masks on our forehead ready to spring to action when we get a moment’s rest. Here’s the problem though…not only are we walking around the house like this…we are also taking care of and educating our children! Oh, and we still feel like we need to, no actually, we feel like we HAVE TO teach our kids - with our aches and pains and snot rags. Why do we put this pressure on ourselves? Almost every other occupation lets their employees lay around all day (while their kids are in school) to get better while binge watching The Office. Why can’t we? Well, I’ve figured out how…and it’s genius!

It’s called The Sick Bin.

I figured it out when we were recording our podcast on this subject - right there on the spot! This idea comes from when I was a traditional school teacher, and I was required to keep three days worth of substitute plans ready for a “sick day.” Well, we can do that in our own home! It’s The Sick Bin to the rescue! Here’s what you do.

How To Make A Sick Bin

1. The Bin: Get a medium size plastic bin. Make sure it’s a size that can be stored in a place easy for you to access in the midst of your sickness.

2. Activities: Fill up your bin with activities, crafts, and fun projects that do NOT require your help. For my kids, ages 6-10, inexpensive Lego kits, new free play Legos, beading kits, slime (with instructions to use a tray or plate), an “About Me” journal/book, topical books that peak their interests, and toys that would go with their collections would do the trick. Make sure the kits and toys you pick are ones that they would still be interested in for the next 6-12 months. If your children are pretty young, new Melissa and Doug puzzles, stackable blocks, and Duplo Legos may buy you an hour or more of rest. Note: If your children are the same ages as mine, or even older, they may have fun filling up The Sick Bin with you. Ask them what would make this bin’s activities fun and special - and let them pick out what goes inside.

3. Read-Alouds: New CD’s of stories and songs to play on your boom box might also help enrich their day while you can just listen and enjoy the colorful experiences as well.

4. Videos: Curate a list of documentaries and educational YouTube videos from a trusted educational or how-to channel, and write them all down on a list to put inside the Sick Bin. If your children know how to work the TV remotes, this is a golden educational option.

5. Rewards for Service: Include a list of rewards (like 10 minutes of tablet time or 15 minutes of video games) for each time they serve you your requested meals and drinks. Yes, your children should be able to serve you with no rewards, but we are just trying to make our own day easier for us - and this may do the trick!

6. Chores: A chore chart may be a great addition to your bin. These chores can be ones that you normally would do if you were not sick, but could also be things that just really need to get done - like Windexing your sliders or dusting the piano. On your chart, list the amount of money they would make normally and double it - just for that one day if they get it done well. Include a Ziploc of quarters and dollar bills so they can pay themselves. My kids are super trustworthy in this department, so this is how we normally pay them already for chores. (Tip: Make sure you review this list with your children prior to putting it in the bin and make sure they know how to complete the chores to meet your standards.)

7. Personal Letters: Put in a pre-hand-written note addressed to each child with oodles of love and encouragement. Write a Bible verse or words of wisdom in each one that will be a helpful motivator for being responsible, helpful, or thoughtful of others.

8. Permission: No one expects you to homeschool when you are sick. So maybe write a note to yourself to be opened by you on your first sick day morning. It can say something like the following:

“Let your children serve you. Let them handle themselves. It’s good for kids to learn to be responsible and independent. It’s necessary for you to get rest all day today so that you can get better faster. If you need your spouse to take a sick day to care for you and the kids, ask him to do so. Your health is very important to the health of your family - physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Love, Me”

Of course you don’t need all of that in a Sick Bin…but it might help to try some of these items. If you don’t use the Sick Bin for 6 months or so, revisit it, cycle in some new goodies, and take out the old ones to wrap up for your kid’s next birthday or Christmas.

I know my kids would love for me to be sick if they knew about The Sick Bin…so maybe, even if I’m not actually sick but just want a “mental health day,” I can turn to my Sick Bin and say, “Your turn!”