…we take most of December off.
For years I’ve found myself stressed out in December. The schedule bursts with activities, places to go, and things to create. Instead of fostering an environment of peace, excitement and even joy — I let my home become a place of anxiety. Even simple things, like making cookies, became rushed. We were moving so fast that we lost Christmas.
Then, in the same breath, I’d be trying to cram in our studies. We’d work through the day, and due to the high level of activities, academics, and Christmas planning, we’d end our day exhausted and ungrateful.
So I stopped.
Several years ago, I realized that I needed to take most of December off from homeschooling. In fact, I also realized that it is okay to do this — it really benefits my family. We need the time to be a family. To serve others. To make cookies — okay, we don’t really need it, but cookies are important. When I overloaded our schedule we lost time to focus on our Savior’s birth. I’d rush through Bible lessons to get to Math to get to Spelling to throw some clothes in the dryer to switch out the cookies to knit a couple rows to shovel the walk to take them to ballet to change a diaper to wrap some presents to help with phonics to…..
It was simply too much.
Now, I plan our year knowing that December will be busy. I’ll tuck extra lessons in here or there, or we’ll do some phonics or math, or I’ll cross out the repeated lessons. I don’t follow my regular schedule. And I let it go. Sometimes that’s even harder as I’ll find myself worrying that we didn’t get any academics done. But, I overlooked all we did do. Like handwriting when we write out letters of thanks. Or math as we double (or triple — hee hee hee) cookie recipes. Or history when we read Jotham’s Journey and discuss nomads, and Israel, and more. I’m amazed at how much we’ve learned this month — I’m simply aware to what questions they ask or where their interest is piqued.
Learning doesn’t always need to come with a list to check off.
Learning can come in living life.
So there. I’ve admitted it. I am one of those homeschoolers who gives her kids a good 3-4 weeks off in December. And I’ll tell you one other thing — when we get to January my kids are incredibly motivated to do their work. They really are. And so am I. We’re refreshed from Christmas. Imagine that? Refreshed and revived instead of stressed and burnt-out. Oh yeah, and I’ve also discovered that at the end of the year we’re exactly where I need to be — in both scenarios — knowing that allows me to really relax for these couple weeks.
December, while still busy, is now a beautiful month of freedom, laughter, and joy.
21 comments
Way to go. During stressful months or weeks it’s time to lay low. We can do that. They are learning regardless. Maybe more: love, family, peace, patience, traditions, true meanings of things. I am learning this after 18 years. You are wise, and the thing that they will remember is not necessarily the accomplished academics; but mom being upset and stressed.
I wish I could take a month off from life sometimes! haha!
we are doing the same thing. School is not at the top of the list this month. I tried last year (our first year of homeschooling) to do school through the holidays and it was crazy! We didn’t get much done and I felt awful for not teaching them like we normally do. BUT! I learned from it. We started earlier this year so that I wouldn’t feel guilty taking of so many days/weeks around the holidays. This year has been wonderful! And, we are even still a little bit ahead of my “schedule” 🙂 that is a good feeling! 🙂
thank you thank you thank you for this post! We don’t intentionally take the whole month off, but lately we’ve done hardly any school work with everything else going on. Besides all the holiday stuff we had a death in the family last week which just added to the things to do. This week my girls only did math ONCE and nothing else {besides reading}. I’ve been feeling guilty and overwhelmed but I’m glad to know some others who take the time off too! I’m going to decide right now to stop feeling guilty and just do a little bit of what we can. I know Jan will be a long, cold month when we’ll have plenty of time to ‘catch up’. =)
Kathy K.
I agree completely. We take about 2 1/2 weeks off, and it’s been so nice since we started that years ago. We also take the whole week of Thanksgiving off. The stress was just too much, and like you, we all enjoy the holidays again. 🙂
JoAnn
Maybe I need to take some advice from you! I was just thinking this morning that I wanted to bake some cookies then stopped and thought of all the schoolwork that needs to be done. 🙂 We are avid unschoolers so we do a lot of learning by life. Cooking, in my humble opinion, is a better way to learn how to use fractions than just learning it on paper.. or shopping to learn how to add money 🙂
Thanks for the reminder to slow things down some.
Oh what a great idea! Although I love Christmas and the reason we celebrate this is not usually my favorite time of year. It is just SO busy that I feel like I’m run ragged. I should plan more of a break!
That sounds like the best plan. I don’t homeschool, but I could imagine the level of stress of trying to run a household, school and all of the extra things your children do. So thankful for a stress-free Christmas.
I just started to consider this concept last week. I think it is a real smart idea.
And that’s one of the beauties of homeschooling! It sounds like a smart idea, and I’m sure you still have plenty of time to cover curriculum.
What a great idea! I think we sometimes have to find what works best for our situation. And, that might not be the “norm” for everyone else, but that’s okay.
I always enjoy reading about you and your sweet family. Heavenly blessings to you.
Ahh yes, December and homeschooling. We don’t take the whole month off…but seem to like that idea…but I am more inclined to have shorter days or spontaneous days off. So much is about letting go. Such freedom when we do!
Love this post and love the picture at the end!
What a great idea. We go on a relaxed schedule; it just seems to happen naturally 🙂
Love the photo too.
I think that sounds like a great plan. I want to take a month off too. XOXO
i think this is perfect and one of the many benefits to home schooling! i’m so glad that you are doing december stress free… i want to too!
The Lord is with you right now, lifting you up, giving you strength! Always praying!
Isaiah 40:28-31 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
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The same thing happens in schools, ask any teacher. 🙂
I am so with you there. I take the last 2 1/2 weeks off with the kids. We have been reviewing some lessons here and there. But we take a break! It’s nice.
Thanks for sharing!
~blessings
Dorcas
Know that I continue to pray!
Psalms 62:1-2 Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.
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It is true that we learn so much from life in this month. Community service, the meaning of the holiday, the importance of family, and giving from the heart. 🙂
You’ve just become one of my favorite bloggers. I’ve been bouncing around your archives and loving everything. And not only yours, but your daughter Hannah’s, too! You both write with such a spirit of joy and peace. It is a pleasure to visit your corner of the internet.