Sleepless In Idaho
I've written several times about how smooth the transition to homeschooling has been for my son. He took to it so easily, I was kind of surprised at first. The only negative aspect to him being at home has recently revealed itself with the onset of cold winter weather.
All of a sudden we're not outside that much anymore. During the fall, my son had regular breaks in the backyard and at the park. We rode bikes, threw a Frisbee around, hiked near the lake. But for the past several weeks it's been cold and rainy. So we're stuck inside with more sedentary activities.
But that's not the bad part, because my son is an expert at entertaining himself. Last week he pulled out the box of Legos and has been having a grand time building miniature versions of Athens and Rome. He also loves to read and draw. No, keeping busy during the winter months is not difficult for him.
The problem comes at bedtime, which is 8pm on schoolnights in our house. He's still wide awake, ready to play and have fun. We let him read or listen to quiet music. Anything to calm his brain and body. By 9pm I'm insisting on lights and CD players off. But he'd lay there for hours, thinking instead of dreaming.
A few days ago we bought a sound machine to help him get to sleep. It has one good sound on it - falling rain. So far I think this is working. He's been out by 9:30 the past few nights. But that still doesn't solve the problem of remaining physically active through the winter. He's in a weekly PE class at the local gym, but that's about it. Any suggestions?
All of a sudden we're not outside that much anymore. During the fall, my son had regular breaks in the backyard and at the park. We rode bikes, threw a Frisbee around, hiked near the lake. But for the past several weeks it's been cold and rainy. So we're stuck inside with more sedentary activities.
But that's not the bad part, because my son is an expert at entertaining himself. Last week he pulled out the box of Legos and has been having a grand time building miniature versions of Athens and Rome. He also loves to read and draw. No, keeping busy during the winter months is not difficult for him.
The problem comes at bedtime, which is 8pm on schoolnights in our house. He's still wide awake, ready to play and have fun. We let him read or listen to quiet music. Anything to calm his brain and body. By 9pm I'm insisting on lights and CD players off. But he'd lay there for hours, thinking instead of dreaming.
A few days ago we bought a sound machine to help him get to sleep. It has one good sound on it - falling rain. So far I think this is working. He's been out by 9:30 the past few nights. But that still doesn't solve the problem of remaining physically active through the winter. He's in a weekly PE class at the local gym, but that's about it. Any suggestions?
Permalink posted by Idaho Dad at 11:12 PM
11 Comments:
I have no idea if you have a gaming system, but I understand that Dance, Dance Revolution is a great way to get kids moving. And from what I understand the new WII will have some non-sedentary games as well.
I was going to suggest the local gym or workout club, but you go once a week, can you up it to twice a week?
When I was home taught we lived in Arizona so we didn't have so much as a winter or fall as just some rain here and there.
Side note, have you seen the site: Homeschool Hacks? http://homeschoolhacks.com/
I really enjoy the site, they might have some suggestions for you as well.
oh yeah, this was exactly our situation with BK. He'd claim that he'd be awake for hours just thinking and dreaming. Fortunately he was in an afterschool program at our neighborhood school, and the guy there would run the kids ragged in the winter -- though once the snow came he'd have a blast just playing outside in it. Yeah, the hard times are the cold rainy days.
We also bought a sound machine, one of those big bubblers, and that seemed to work. But some kids need less sleep than others.
These days he does a martial arts class 3 days a week. I'm also thinking of sort of finishing off our basement at a very basic level so he has a rumpus room to be active in.
Good luck!
We have a big sound machine: it's called Lake Shore Drive.
Do you have a basement? My brother and I used to race back and forth for hours on end during bad weather days. We came up with all kinds of physical games down there.
Also, we decided to go out even during bad weather. We found exploring in the rain was cool because everything looks so eerie.
By they way, love the new look.
What about something like kiddie yoga?
Flexibility has the benefit that it prevent sports injuries and keep him in routine of feeling worked out?
Wonder if there is such a dvd or something out there.
MY kids do the same, it's bed time 8pm and reading untill 8:30pm and then suddenly late after 9 you'll suddenly hear "Hey mum, did you know..." or "Hey mum, do you think?"
We use an air purifier for a sound machine, we bought it because of my allergies, now my husband hates to sleep without it. Do you live near an indoor pool? Winter is a great time for swim lessons in our area. Martial arts can also be fun. Even games like Twister can be physical. We just recently picked up a cheap DDR set at http://www.kraftbrands.com/activegame/pad.aspx
I found this deal through a cheapskate blog and my daughter loves it-only $6.00.
We are having the same problem now that soccer is over. N is active during recess, but it is not enough. P has middle school PE every other day and walks the 3/4 mile home, but is still up a lot longer at night, then when he had soccer practice. I know that Hayden has that Kid's Gym, I wonder what kind of programs they have during the day? We are going to try running in the evenings, as a family, until it gets too cold.
I agree with the folks who urge more exercise. Once a week doesn't cut it. The first comment mentioned some dance game with a mat. There are lot's out there. Just dancing would be great too.- Arpie
A small exercise trampoline might do the trick ... can be stored away easy enough. I gave my ten year old an eight inch Nerf soccer ball and took everything off his bedroom walls ... He gets lots of exercise in his room now :) ... he's a bit on the small side though.
I don't know the size of your town, but mall walking works for older people.
It's a lot of work, but a well planned walk in bad weather that isn't a hurricane can be even more interesting than a walk in the summer. We call them "nature walks" and we accept that our clothes and bodies will need to go directly into the washer immediately upon arrival back at home.
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