Help for the Bored Child

Brave Writer

As you enter an exciting season like the holidays, remember—everyone may be feeling a little bored by the routine (you can see pumpkin pies and twinkle lights on the horizon). So here are some tips to help break through the boredom so you can finish strong!

Strategies to try:

  • Make the lesson cozier—snuggly blanket, cup of tea, a pet to pet!
  • Change the order of the activities.
  • Give a child a candle to light and extinguish.
  • Add a clipboard.
  • Practice the skill in a board or card game.
  • Move the lesson outside, weather permitting.
  • Use colorful paper and pens/pencils.

Need more ideas?

Here are a few blog posts to check out:

This post is originally from Instagram and @juliebravewriter is my account there so come follow along for more conversations like this one!

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Friday Freewrite: Lots of Leaves

Friday Freewrite Leaves

Today’s freewriting prompt:

Over the years, we’ve shared a bunch of writing prompts that feature leaves! Pick one (at random or on purpose) for today’s freewrite:

New to freewriting?

Freewriting is that wonderful key that unlocks the writer within. It’s the vehicle by which we trick our inner selves into divesting the words and ideas that we want to share but are afraid won’t come out right on paper if we do. So, read the freewriting prompt, set the timer for 5-10 minutes then write whatever comes to mind. Just keep the pencil moving!

Need more help? Check out our free online guide.

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[Podcast #261] How to Care for a Caregiving Friend

Brave Writer Podcast

Chances are someone you know will have a sick child hospitalized at some point. In this Brave Writer podcast episode, Melissa explains how you can best support that parent and caregiver. Melissa herself has had two of her kiddos hospitalized so her suggestions come from lived experiences.

First, Melissa discusses the practical physical items you can bring to a caregiver in the hospital. She also describes some digital gifts that you can send. Then she shares what little acts of service you can do: doing the laundry, lending an ear, and taking care of the siblings of the hospitalized child.

Sometimes caregivers are so overwhelmed or shy that they don’t know what to ask for. If your friend is having trouble expressing what they need, start with the items in this episode and then go from there.

Show Notes

Physical Items

  • Toiletries: hair ties, scrunchies, contact case with saline, Advil, chapstick, and socks
  • Medical journal: notebook, pens, binder, and even a medical summary template
  • Quality food and drinks: protein snacks, fresh fruits and veggies, and a kettle or wand for making warm drinks
  • To keep busy: puzzle books, phone and Kindle chargers and batteries, Apple Arcade gift card, embroidery kit, and coloring pencils

Kind Acts  

  • Do their laundry.
  • Be a good listener.
  • Take them for a walk outside.
  • Babysit the child in the hospital.
  • Babysit the child’s siblings.

Often, caregivers won’t know how long their child may have to stay in the hospital. It could be a day or it could be weeks. Sometimes the child is discharged, but then has to make an emergency return soon after. There are so many unknowns, surprises, and obstacles that your friend will have trouble meeting their own basic needs. Start with the basics on this list and then follow-up frequently. Your support is so important. 

Resources

Connect with Julie

Connect with Melissa

Produced by NOVA Media

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The Dreaded Holiday “Pop Quiz”

Brave Writer

It’s that time of year when some family and friends decide to quiz your children to prove that you’re doing a good job home educating.

Here are three tips if that happens to you and your kids.

Tip Number 1

“Please don’t quiz my children. We’re on holiday break.”

When the relatives ask your child what 2×3 is or hand them a book and ask them to read it aloud or test them on whether they know their own address or the capital of their state, you step in and remind them that your kids are on break.

Tip Number 2

Alternatively, some homeschool parents coach their kids to give outrageously wrong answers to startle the questioner into a laugh. Others have their kids flip the Q&A around by asking the adult a question drawn from the child’s unique area of expertise (seems like every homeschooled kid has a store of obscure facts ready to share!).

These ideas are a little more antagonistic, but in playful families, they can break the ice and create some humor.

Tip Number 3

Feed them pie!

Need more help?

When They Don’t Get It: Surviving the Holidays

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Friday Freewrite: Letter “H” Words

Friday Freewrite

Today’s freewriting prompt:

Write a story using as many of these “H” words as you can.

  • Haunted
  • Hippo
  • Hinge
  • Happy
  • Hallway
  • Hasty
  • Hush
  • Hiccup

New to freewriting?

Freewriting is that wonderful key that unlocks the writer within. It’s the vehicle by which we trick our inner selves into divesting the words and ideas that we want to share but are afraid won’t come out right on paper if we do. So, read the freewriting prompt, set the timer for 5-10 minutes then write whatever comes to mind. Just keep the pencil moving!

Need more help? Check out our free online guide.

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