by Deborah Moomaw

Created on: May 24, 2008

When to Close the Books

After a gallon of coffee and you still cannot get your mind to focus on the tasks for the day; the kids look as if they would rather submit to torture; the house is a wreck; and you've cooked nothing eatable for days it's time to take a break.

Homeschool burn out is one of the leading causes of parents deciding to stop homeschooling. Taking a break is not against the rules. The kids are not going to miss something or forget anything. There is an old saying that would apply here very well, "The mind cannot absorb what the butt cannot endure."

Where is it written that school must be in session 5 days a week? What's wrong with 4 days of school and a 3-day weekend? Why not have lessons for 4 or 6 consecutive weeks and then have a week off? There are lots of ways to create a schedule that gets the work done but also leaves time for rest and relaxation. Of course, as responsible parents and good teachers we have to keep the kids moving forward. We can't be to lazy or to strict, we have to find a way to stay on course to meet our obligations but stay reasonable in what we expect from our children and ourselves.

To keep my homeschool on track I have devised a schedule that works for my children and me. During the winter months, when we cannot get outside because of bad weather, we have school 5 days a week for 4 straight weeks and then take a week off. During that week off I catch up on housecleaning and prepare lesson plans for the next 4 weeks. But when we begin to hear the spring peepers and see the flowers come back to life we start to cut back to 4 days a week. In the summer months we usually have only reading. With this schedule my children have been able to complete all of their textbook assignments for the school year and read an average of 30 books during a calendar year.

There will be days when you and your whole family are sick, have dental check-ups, the dog has to go to the vet, the car needs an oil change, or any other unexpected event of life. It's completely acceptable to take the day off for these reasons.

The key to a successful homeschooling experience for both you and your children is to find the right balance of work and play. Create a schedule that allows you to get the work done but also allows for unexpected events. Homeschooling should not be a chore. We are supposed to enjoy and have fun with our children. Learning should be a great adventure for our children not Chinese water torture.

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