Seasoned homeschoolers all know it – winter, especially February and March, can be rough. It can be easy to get stuck in a rut of too many gray days and lose your enthusiasm for homeschooling. It is tough with little kids, but this challenge doesn’t go away in high school. Spring will come and it will get better. But, until then here are fifteen ideas to help make it until spring. Even if they don’t work, you’ll be busy…
Hello Sun: If you see the sun outdoors, even if it is cool outside, go out and grab some Vitamin D.
Acknowledge that winter is lousy : If you start thinking “oh I hate homeschooling” stop yourself. Winter is not the time to make decisions about homeschooling. Mark it on your calendar for the first week in April and think about it then.
Snow day: Why homeschool if you can’t take the day off sometimes?
Self care for the homeschool parent: Recognize the risk for burn out and do what nurtures you – long bath, good book, yoga, etc.
Field trip: Any place local you’ve not visited since the kids were little? Maybe a historic house or local museum? Aquarium?
Reassess what is working and what isn’t: It is okay to let go of curriculum or courses that aren’t working.
Dance: Crank up the music and show your kids you had good moves once too.
New project: If you enjoy crafts February can be a nice time to get some new yarn or start on a new project.
Matinee: Hit the dollar theater on a weekday afternoon.
Playdate: Yes, by high school they are a bit old to call it a playdate, but how about inviting old friends over for the afternoon? Bake something, hang out, have some tea.
Note progress: It can be easy to get caught in a negative cycle thinking nothing is working, but take the time to acknowledge the positive ways your kids have grown and developed. Look at what they’ve learned since they started high school and note how much closer you are to reaching your goals.
Spring planning: Gardening catalogs and gardening planning sometimes offer hope in the wintertime.
Food: If your teen doesn’t cook perhaps this is a good time for a cooking lesson. Maybe they’d like to try some new international foods or take over cooking for a night.
Fresh Flowers: This is one of my best ways to beat the winter blues. It doesn’t have to be a big bouquet, just some color to brighten things up.
Space: Try to get a break from your kids on the weekend. Find what recharges your batteries – nature walk, time alone, or time with a friend.
I hope there is some idea there that will help you get through the winter homeschool blues. If your family has found something that helps you get through the dark days please share it in the comments section.
