Yard Work can be family time

This week as we set down to plan the schedule of lessons and check the calendar for doctor and therapy appointments I realized how thankful I am that my child is in a school system that allows me to flex his lessons to meet his needs.  First of all this week, we have Dad out of town for part of it which always causes issues, along with 2 Test, a Doctor appointment and this month’s occupational therapy visit oh and if that was not enough we also have a belt testing graduation this week for Kempo karate.

This is why I set down on Sunday’s and make the schedule for the week.  Typically we follow much along the lines of a ‘normal’ school day.  Our school day starts at 9am, we have a morning break at 10:30 am, Lunch at 12 noon, afternoon break at 2:30pm and most days are finished with school by 4pm.  However this flexes based on what work we have to do, or what live lessons are scheduled.  Today the schedule is not real full so school will be done early which means free reading time! (This is a big deal to our child)  The school year is winding down so I am also balancing the remaining lessons with the fact that he must attend school through May 23^rd this year.  I love that I have the chance to show him nature and work in the moment however having as autistic son means in the moment is not as spur of the moment as you might think.  For example I knew he would be done fairly early today but I also realized that he knew this and was planning on getting to read on a book from the library for awhile.  I had to allow him time to read before I could ‘spur of the moment’ get him outside to enjoy nature.  We actually spent an hour of fitness time outside pulling weeds, raking, and trimming trees.  How many kids can say that for PE they did yard work?  It may seem a little strange but it is a great way to teach kids that you can be active just doing what needs to get done.  It makes sense to me to

work on this yard work during the week as we have time left at the end of the school day rather than spending a huge part of our weekend tied up in the yard.  I am trying to teach the lesson of working on ‘chores’ a little each day spreads the burden rather than scarifies an entire day on the weekend.  Teaching a child how to manage household maintenance chores now is going to make life easier.  I am also a firm believer in a child helping around the house as this is our home and that means that we can all help take care of it.