How do you deal with days off?

Days off, holidays, summer break how do you handle these changes in routine? Some say we need to give a summer break to let kids be kids. Then there is the general pressure to keep to a public school calendar. Many people need to account to the school board for a set number of days learning. On the other side unschoolers could be considered having everyday off “typical” schooling. Which is the right path? So how do you find your place in all this?

The right path is quite frankly what you and your husband decide. You can model it off of books, friends, or mentors but the end result should be uniquely your family’s!

1. Do you have a requirement by law to attend a certain number of days or hours of learning?

2. Do you want to homeschool year round?  Does that sound daunting? It’s not really. I homeschool year round and it has cut down on the bordom and learning loss in the summer. It also gives us extra cushion to spend more time on subject that don’t click while keeping the kids at grade level! One last plug. We get to take extended holidays or mini breaks all through the year making for a more convenient set up for my family.

3. Are you a big holiday person and need more time in November and December? We have a Christmas Party in December and I take the days before and after off for sanity’s sake 😉

4. This is SUPER important!! What we as homeschooler’s consider a day off is still packed with learning! Count that learning! Keep  a notebook near you and jot down learning experiences or service projects. Those hours of learning will add up quick!

Our days off are limited because of autism. Too many days off leads to anxiety (loss of routine), grumpy, and bored kids (lack of self directed play). Your home may look radically different from mine! That is great!  Let me know how do you handle your year? days off? I would love a snapshot of your homeschool or tips to dealing with paperwork verses a relaxed homeschooling program.