I’m not an educator. I’m just a mom.

But when my four-year-old son, Parker, was diagnosed with metastatic Ewing sarcoma in 2023, I had no choice but to merge lanes.

Parker’s diagnosis necessitated medical homebound instruction during what would have been his kindergarten year. We were fortunate to receive 3–4 hours of in-home teacher support each week, but I quickly realized it wouldn’t be enough. If we had any hope of keeping him on track, I’d need to step in.

Between hospital stays, a full-time job, and round-the-clock caregiving, I spent what little time I had researching curriculum options. I needed something affordable, bite-sized, and easy to teach—lessons I could realistically finish on a lunch break. But most of what I found was either too dense, too long, or just not age-appropriate for a kid with a limited attention span and a lot on his plate.

So I started making my own.

Over the course of the year, I developed mini-lessons to use alongside Parker’s formal instruction. By the end of the school year, I’m proud to say that his testing placed him at a “first grade and a half” level in both reading and math.

This project is my way of sharing that approach with other families. Whether you’re supporting a child through medical challenges, trying to keep their mind sharp over summer break, supplementing what they’re learning in school, or just helping them explore something new, I hope these Lunch Break Lessons help you make the most of the moments you have.