Tips for Homeschoolers: Take a Break

Homeschooling afternoon (hbakkh)

by Tawnee M Hinton

Taking a break can be very important to a successful homeschool.

I do not mean that you need to take a lengthy summer or Christmas break several times a year and I don't mean that schooling year-round is bad.

I mean, that you need to recognize when your kids, and YOU, need a break.

There are many ways to take a break so you can recharge and be ready to get back into the swing of things and your normal schedule.

• Have an UNSCHOOL DAY - If you are a traditional homeschooler, and not an unschooler, you may wish to have an UNSCHOOL day to break from the norm. Tell your kids that you they can pick anything they want to work on and learn about today. See where the day takes you (don't worry, one day won't kill the schedule!). If you are an unschooler, maybe plan the day for the kids with worksheets and reading lists and see what happens.

• Take an unplanned fieldtrip - Feeling like no one wants school today? Take an unplanned fieldtrip to a park, museum, library, even the shopping mall. Decide to walk around, talk about whatever you want to talk about, stop and relax (and don't think of the schedule). Have a lunch out. Walk outside. Go to the dog park and name the types of dogs. Look at nature and talk about trees. Just get out of the house and away from the schedule for the day and see how much more focused everyone is the next day.

• Let the kids teach - Tell the kids that today, they do not have to do school, but you need to learn. Have them teach you for the day. It's silly but everyone will have fun and both you and the kids will be surprised how much you learn.

• Have Game Day - Spend the entire day playing board games, cards games, and physical games. Have everyone play even if it's a game for little ones or big ones. Help the little ones by working in pairs. Have big sister suffer through Candyland. Everyone will have fun playing games, taking turns picking what is next, and just spending time together.

• Take Dad lunch - Need to take a break from the grind and get out of the house? Take dad lunch at work. Meet him in his lunchroom, at a park, or, if that's not feasible, find a restaurant nearby and take him there. Enjoy talking to dad over lunch for a change. Maybe show the kids around his office. The kids will like to see dad and even dad will enjoy the break!

• Don't be afraid to have movie day - If you really need a total break. Head over to the library or local movie store and rent some movies. Make some popcorn and cuddle up for some movies. They can be a mix of educational and fun. Let each person in the family pick a movie. Movie day can be fun and educational.

• Take it outside - Even in the winter months, you can take some time outside to enjoy the weather and take a break from school and chores. Got snow? Build a snowman or have a snowball fight (look at you sneaking in PE). Walk around the block and enjoy the beauty (name a few trees and you have Science). Just get out and breathe in that rejuvenating air.

How do you take a break in your school?

Tawnee is a freelance writing, homeschooling mother of. When she isn't reading to her kids, planning a science experiment, or figuring out the next field trip, she loves getting the kids outside and getting active. She does writing on many topics including real estate, business, and education.

Tawnee loves the freedom of writing on the topics that are of interest to her and is thrilled to be blessed with the opportunity to homeschool. When not teaching or writing for a client, Tawnee enjoys working on her homeschool blog, http://www.adventuresinhomeschooling.com.

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