For the last six months, I have been hesitant to schedule anything more than a week or two out, because we’ve been under the assumption that the finalization could happen “any time now…” As I homeschool, it’s been hard to schedule outside classes (particularly multi-part classes that you pay for up front with “no refund” policies!). I teach classes and camps as well, so I feel as though I am making up dates as I go along!

It’s been this way since December, so one might legitimately think I would be used to this by now, or we might actually be getting to that finalization point. Well, ever the optimist, I really do think we are getting there, but sans an actual date, here are some tips on how to handle having your life on hold:

Explain: In addition to classes and the like, both my son and I have had medical procedures scheduled. At the time that I schedule anything, I am sure to let the person I am coordinating with know that we might be called out of state and that it’s all tentative. Then I get a sense of the cancellation and or refund policies, if any. I then have enough information to make a decision about if I want to proceed with scheduling whatever it is I’m trying to schedule.

Be myopic: I try to schedule as close to the vest as I possibly can. I try to keep things within a one to three week range if possible. Of course, the above-stated explanation phase applies, however, I figure, I’d have to be notified of a court proceeding at least 20 days in advance, as would any other party in our proceeding!

Have a contingency plan: As with anything, make sure you have a “Plan B.” I try to have a substitute teacher lined up for any of my classes, preferably one who knows my students, etc. I also try to have all my paperwork in one place so I (or anyone else) can follow up with whoever I spoke to when I set up the original date (for class, surgery, whatever … )

Hopefully, all of this foresight will pay off soon, and I will have my precious sibling pair with me before you know it!