A Day in the Life: Jenei Family

Happy Tuesday, everyone! We’re eager to share our next A Day in the Life post of the year with you. If you missed the first one, feel free to go back and read about the Dow family. A Day in the Life, if you’re new to the blog, was started about a handful of years ago and its main purpose is to peek inside what real SLOCA life looks like behind closed doors. We value community and camaraderie and as we share in this educational journey together, it is always so encouraging to hear stories of how others are doing this path less traveled life.

Joining us today are the Jenei’s, one of our Track B families, with dad as the main educator of the home. We believe it is important to showcase the diversity of family dynamics and how each uniquely designed home creates their space in learning together. Richard and Kelly, with their son, Cyrus, have been with SLOCA for 6 years. Grab your warm drink and read on…

6:35am I am awakened by the clanging of our dog’s tags. Read the daily news in bed.  Check my emails and for any sales orders since my brief hibernation. In my free time, I buy and sell items mainly on eBay and Amazon.

6:55 Tip-toe downstairs and prepare for the troops. Ready the coffee, make the breakfast and lunch for my only wife and child (Kelly and 10 year old Cyrus).

7:15 I hear the pitter patter of little feet-most probably mom is awake getting her hair and face ready. In most cases, this means that Cy is now up in bed reading. Today’s breakfast menu: Momma gets an over easy egg with cheese, sliced tomato with her homemade bread. Cy is presented with a panini grilled slice tomato, provolone cheese and pepperoni sandwich topped off with a peach. Dad gets a cup of watered down apple cider vinegar.

7:55 mom arrives, grabs a cup of joe and takes her food to go.

8 I beg Cy to come downstairs, he argues with me that our homeschool starts at 9am.  I remind him that mom and I have agreed that it should start between 8:30-9. I also mention to him that I am documenting our homeschool day. He sighs, he gets up and dons some clothes.

I run a load of darks.

In order to avoid the arguments, we have created chore list for Cy to follow and the first thing on the list is to let the dog out to potty. Once the list is satisfied, Cy earns an allowance, gets to play video games and watch lots of episodes of the Flash!

8:30 Cy begins to eat and reviews today’s grid.

8:42 He places his plate and silverware in the dishwasher and anything else he finds laying around.

9 Cy provides nourishment and fluids for the dog. Dad is still working on downing his drink and attends to some shipments which need to go out with the mail person at 10:30am. Cy’s choice is math first! Glad to hear, as he is great in math which means that dad can do his work with little interruption.

10:30 Cy finishes his math!  Dad checks is work. Cy corrects his mistakes and goes to walk the dog for at least 15 minutes. Dad prepares a brain snack of hummus and corn chips.

10:40 Dad informs Cy that he needs to run around just a little longer. Over the years, we have come to realize that some kind of exercise is essential for our homeschool days. It helps him to focus.

We live in a co-housing community and since we are social butterflies, this means that we are more likely to have impromptu visits which is what just happened.

Cy takes this opportunity to read while I say hello to our neighbor and gossip for a quick visit.

Cy helps with hanging up the laundry-most of it is his anyway!

Noon Lunch consisting of what I like to call a modified caprese salad, Thai dumplings and a side of Harry Potter (he enjoys reading while eating.)

12:30 After a quick Beowulf recitation, Latin is next on the list which goes very smoothly!

1:30 A great thing about this homeschooling is that we get to take a break whenever we wish. This was needed as I received a Skype call from my cousin in Hungary. I warned him that my family is coming to visit next year after our Europe through the ages SLOCA trip! Cy demonstrates to my musically inclined family member what he has learned recently on the guitar and uke. Ok, that’s enough, back to work!

2:45 We all can use some more exercise. Dad has the brilliant idea of taking the tandem and the dog to run an errand. The ride was a short one due to a blown sidewall!  Dad needs to purchase a new tire already! After a pleasant stroll back, we have to settle for plan b which is to utilize a motorized vehicle instead.

A quick trip to the dog park where we happen to spot a neighbor in distress and return to prepare dinner while Cy finishes his chores in order to play his latest favorite video game called Fortnite!

5:00 My son is craving tuna. I discover a tuna casserole recipe online. My first attempt and it ends up being a 2 pot meal (I am the king of the one pot meal). The extra work is worth it as it is a colossal hit! Cy has 4 bowls of the stuff! I dare not mention that hid some zucchini in it!

6:15 Dinner is ready just in time for hard-working Nurse Practitioner mom’s return.

6:45 Cy walks the dog and returns to finally game while mom takes a break from her relaxing which is watching/listening to politics online and coaches the gamer.

I wash the pots and put away the leftovers.  Cy will frequently help put away the dishes into the dishwasher.

I escape to my office while mom puts Cy down for bed.

Bedtime is usually around 8:30-9.  Time permitting, Cy gets an opportunity to read before lights out

Mom binge watches a TV show. I plan out what will be for tomorrow’s meals.

12am Mom retires for the evening.

How do I end this great day?.. A hot bath watching my new favorite show-a 20 year old episode of Forensic files, of course! Amazing what science can do nowadays!

Our day has been edited to save you the occasional unpleasantries. It is not always easy, but we feel that our effort is well worth it or we would not still be here after almost 6 years. We are constantly modifying our homeschool day.  Of course, every child is different, but, here is what has worked well for us. I apologize in advance if most of the suggestions are obvious but I feel that it is easy to overlook the obvious.

• Setting a specific schedule. Even to the minute as we follow on Sloca days.  If not, our day disappears and school work is still being performed at 8pm!
• Instead of taking away privileges (which are negative consequences), we create a list of tasks that is expected to be accomplished daily. Once the list is complete, the previously agreed upon reward(s) are received. We have found that if rewards are given sooner, promises are usually not kept and arguments ensue.  
• We will frequently remind our child that, “Electronic devices, tv, video games are a privilege and not a right.”
• We have found that regular, more intense exercise (shameless plug here) such as after school SLOCA sports have been very beneficial. Fidget spinners and the like do not work for my son.  He gets too distracted manipulating them. If I was allowed, a simple straight-jacket and padded room would be the only items that I would allow for!
• When left unattended in his homeschool room, I will check in on a regular basis to make sure that he is keeping on track.
• Always check the child’s work! What my child perceives as complete can be very different than what the teacher envisions.  
• We ask that he pack his school bag immediately after his work is done. This has worked better than waiting until the following morning where things are forgotten in the chaos.
• Lastly, and no joke, get a panini maker and an instant pot.  These 2 devices have not only made my life significantly easier by saving me lots of  time!

Thank you for joining us today!  Questions? Suggestions? Please let me know…

*UPDATE We have recently banned the playing of Fortnite and have instituted freeze of all video gaming/tv watching until the weekend for multiple reasons My wife and I are in agreement that our family is better off as a result.  

Thank you so much Richard, for your transparency and sharing your home day with us! It is always so refreshing to see how other families thrive in this journey we call, SLOCA. Your honest suggestions are very helpful and we hope other families are able to glean from yours.

For you readers out there who are current families at SLOCA, we welcome your contributions! If you are interested in participating in a Day in the Life post, email us!