setting school hours
By Kellrae
@Kellrae (69)
United States
March 6, 2007 8:52am CST
Why is it that when other people know we school at home, they continue to call during school hours? I keep my phone in another room to limit interruptions.When I call them back later I always explain that we were having school and I couldn't get to the phone. That seems to irritate them. Sometimes I feel like saying, Hey, would you like your kids' teacher to take personal phone calls during the middle of teaching math?
How would you handle this? So far,I just bite my tongue, but patience is wearing thin!
3 people like this
7 responses
@malcido (422)
• United States
20 Jun 07
We are also all day any day learners! I try to make learning a lifestyle and not just about sitting at the table working in a text...
I turn my ringer off on my phone when we are doing something that I don't want to be disturbed. Everyone, regardless of schooling situations, has times when they are too busy to talk on the phone. I don't think this needs to be explained---just return the call and don't bother mentioning why you didn't take the original call. If they ask just say something nebulous like, "We must have been busy..." and begin the real conversation! ;)
@michmdmama (77)
• United States
7 Mar 07
We unschool so I don't have an issue with people calling during "school hours", but sometimes people call when we are in a deep discussion or simply just spending time together and I don't feel like interrupting the moment so I don't and when I call them back I don't make excuses. I don't have to. This is my life and I choose to live it by my rules.
1 person likes this
@wahmbrendamh (576)
• United States
8 Mar 07
You know, I agree with you. We unschool all but 30 minutes per day. I have a few things I like to do with my dd. I don't think that I should have to make excuses for that LOL
Brenda Marie
Homeschool 4 Us (My homeschool blog): http://homeschool4us.blogspot.com/
My ebook: "Homeschooling Without The Headaches" http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=812683
1 person likes this
@Kellrae (69)
• United States
16 Mar 07
I guess most people don't understand homeschoolers, anyway. My dad's about to retire and he told me the other day that he plans to spend lots of time with the grandkids. I told him he's welcome to pick them up anytime after school. I think it surprised him, but he agreed.
1 person likes this
@wahmbrendamh (576)
• United States
7 Mar 07
I have that issue sometimes too. I don't have a lot of people who call me but when they do and I don't answer they get irritated. We only school about 30 minutes a day and unschool the rest but it seems to never fail that someone will call during that time. The only people who truly seem to understand my not answering the phone are other homeschoolers.
Brenda Marie
Homeschool 4 Us (My homeschool blog): http://homeschool4us.blogspot.com/
My ebook: "Homeschooling Without The Headaches" http://stores.lulu.com/store.php?fAcctID=812683
1 person likes this
@cjthedog64 (1552)
• United States
30 Mar 07
I don't get many personal phone calls, so it might not be a problem for us. ;) We're not homeschooling yet, but I understand you problem. DH works nights in the winter time and has to keep the phone turned off. He has his cell phone on, but set so that I'm the only one who can call him, in an emergency.
I guess it all depends on how involved you are during the entire "school day". If the kids do more work on their own, then it might not be as much of a problem. You just don't answer or turn the ringer off if you don't want to be disturbed.
I find that most people make calls based on whats convienent for them, not for the people they're calling.
@Kellrae (69)
• United States
4 Apr 07
I think you're right. I try to make my calls when I know the people won't be bothered. My sister's baby naps at the same time every day, so I try not to disturb her then. There's elderly people at church who sleep in. And some who go to bed at dusk. I try to be respectful.
@HSMomma (23)
• United States
1 May 07
I have a message on our voice mail that says what hours we school, and for them to feel free and leave a message, then I turn the phone off ;) Friends and family know that if it is an emergency, they can contact my husband who can get contact me.
I had to do this, because my mother and father, both would call me during the day...and even I told them what we were doing, they still wanted to chit chat. *scratch head*
@Modestah (11179)
• United States
29 Mar 07
I do not have the phone problem too much but I do have a neighbor who bangs on my door... so, I finally put a sign up to not knock but leave a message (left a magnetic dry erase set available for this). this also helps my dh because he works over nights, no more banging from neighbors or delivery people to disturb his much needed sleep.
1 person likes this
@lordwarwizard (35747)
• Singapore
6 Mar 07
People are just inconsiderate? Or they prefer to try their luck? Or they think their call is more important than your lessons? :P
@LadyK2 (71)
• United States
14 Jun 07
Personally, I'd turn off the ringer and have the answering machine pick it up. I'd also have a message on there that states (in effect) school hours are from (for example) 9am to 2pm and all calls will be returned at the end of the school day.
And if that irritates them - your idea of asking if they'd like their kids teacher to be taking personal calls during class is a great one!
I won't answer my phone, unless it's a call from my hubby or long distance family on my cell, during our school hours. not even during our lunch break. That is our time and I don't care what anyone else thinks! I've been homeschooling my kids for 3 years and if people haven't figured it out yet that I am unavailable during parts of the day, that's just too danged bad!
Sorry - had a few people that were like what you explained, upset that their call got ignored. I just told them off - but that's just me. My patience is reserved for my kids and my hubby - not for people who haven't got a clue about my daily schedule after 3 years.
