The holidays are upon us.
How did that happen? It’s still 75 degrees here in Denver, but Thanksgiving is just 3 weeks away.
Historically, I have taken two different approaches to homeschooling in November and December:
- Completely give up on any homeshooling and “let the season be the teacher.” OR
- Try desperately stick to the plan while cramming in as many fun things as possible. Which often ends with me screaming “Get your math done or we can’t go the party!!!!” Which everyone knows is really just an idle threat.
The problem with the first approach is that, at least around here, “letting the season be the teacher” quickly devolves into hour after hour and day after day of Netflix. And not good Netflix either – stuff like Garfield and Littlest Pet Shop. <shudder>
The problem with the second approach is that it’s NO FUN. It just stresses everyone out and makes me feel like I’m always behind because I’m trying to cram too much into the limited hours of the week.
Knowing when it’s time to learn at home with our curriculum and when it’s time to learn from living life isn’t just a holiday problem. There was the year I had to decide whether to stick to the plan or head to the farm. After a tearful conversation with my husband I chose the farm, and I am so glad I did.
Since then, I’ve learned how to balance things a little better. How to make reasoned choices about what we do and what we don’t. How to plan our weeks so that we use the best of our curriculum and don’t sweat what isn’t critical for us. How to use a pre-planned curriculum as a guide rather than making it the boss of my homeschool.
I’d love to help you find that balance too.
Come to the workshop. Bring your planning guides and your calendars and we’ll work together to create a plan that will get you through the holidays. You’ll find that there’s room for carols and eggnog and math.
Click here to get signed up. And please, do forward this to a friend so they can bring some sanity to their holidays as well.
I can’t wait to see you!
