I will heretofore, henceforth, and from this day forward (did I mention hitherto?) be unavailable (except for emergencies) during school hours.
You would not believe the number of interruptions we received today! And since I have naturally squirrelly children, and two new ones I am trying to incorporate into our routine, and my being even remotely distracted or unavailable causes them to think they can do whatever they want, wander away, or cause mischief...
I have to put up some barriers. And it's going to be very difficult for me. But so much time has been wasted just trying to get everyone back on track. And there were two phone calls while I was having a very important conversation with my daughters, (that I didn't answer, but the girls were still distracted by it... and I think if they got in the routine of me ignoring those rings during the day, they could ignore them, too.)
SO... if you call during the day and I don't answer, it doesn't mean we aren't here.
And if it's urgent, leave a message. I'll hear it.
If it's not an emergency, but you just need to tell or ask me something, send an e-mail. I'll respond as I have time throughout the day.
I'm going back to educate my children now. Thank you for your understanding!
Hilary :)
You go girl!
Posted by: tami s | 05/05/2010 at 05:04 PM
This is how I handle it too. I don't answer the phone, but listen to the msg when I can (keep the machine turned down).
There are already so many distractions/interruptions that nothing would get done if we answered the phone!
Is it summer yet?
Posted by: AmyH | 05/05/2010 at 07:42 PM
I'm not even officially homeschooling yet and I do the same thing quite often. I guess I'm as bad as a child when it comes to distractions, it's almost impossible to get myself back on track with housekeeping if I don't. Do I feel guilty about doing this? Yes sometimes. But we gotta do what we gotta do to accomplish certain things. Keep up the good work Hillary.
Posted by: Barbara | 05/06/2010 at 07:57 AM
I love your post! I decided a long time ago that I will not be held hostage to the "Tyranny of the Urgent". Whether it is during homeschool hours, an important conversation with my husband or children, caring for my grandparents, dinner, or coffee with a dear friend...it is very rarely so important that I have to interrupt the real time interraction I am involved in. I love that my dearest friends and family know this and very graciously will leave a message or email and know I will get back asap. If I can "dig" a little deeper it has some roots in my recognition, a few years ago, that the Lord wanted my FULL attention and contentment IN my home...not outside of it. Running to the phone, thinking it might open the door to my "next exciting activity or conversation" was hindering me to not fully seeing, loving and embracing what the Lord had for me within my home, husband and children. Sorry for the extra long comment....just a little window into my heart girl. Thanks again for a great post!
Chessa
Posted by: Onlyonelifehoneyhome.blogspot.com | 05/06/2010 at 05:12 PM
Repeat after me: THE TELEPHONE IS FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE PERON BEING CALLED. Not the other way around--although as a society, we usually treat it that way! ;-)
I have the same rule. If you call me during school hours, I will not answer. If you need me to babysit your kids during school hours, I will not be available (unless it's an emergency). And no, I'm not mean. I'm doing my job. They don't pay me the big bucks for nothin'. LOL!
Posted by: Mary Grace | 05/06/2010 at 07:25 PM