I have said before that February can be the “longest” shortest month of the whole year. This can be especially true for homeschool families.
The shiny new curriculum from the start of the school year now has torn and worn pages and has lost its excitement. The Ticonderoga pencils are nubs, with no erasers left. It is colder, we are indoors more often, and maybe a few of us have experienced family wide flus and colds already. It sure feels like February could be the longest 28 days ever. I have learned in my years of homeschooling that I need to be intentional about a first-of-the-year reset in order to get through the mid-year hump and finish strong (or at least finish… I have realistic expectations!).
One of the ways that we can reset for the new year is to evaluate our “why”s. I know each family has a different “why” as the reason they are homeschooling. On the days that it looks really appealing to send our kids off on a big yellow bus, we need to remember our why. Write it down, have a fellow homeschool mom remind you, and take time to be thankful for our freedom to home educate. My “why” started 13 years ago, when I realized that I wanted our family, rather than the world, to be the biggest influence on our kindergartener, and I simply wanted more time to raise and train him. Every “why” is unique to your family and it is important to remind yourself of it, so that we can see long term goals and visions for our home education.
After you remember your why, evaluate your curriculum. What is working and what is not? Is it time for a switch or to lay aside a subject to create more margin for another? We are not slaves to our curriculum. Instead, they should be a resource that works for us. Several years I have planned semester-long courses, so that in the new year we are starting a fresh new subject. Some great half year courses might be Health, an Art class, Government/Economics or Personal Finance. For our little ones we may want to start a music class or attend some local P.E co-ops at a gym, so that they can burn some energy in this colder season. It may be a good time of the year to make a point to visit more museums and plan some weekly field trips. A change in schedule or routine may be just what you need to feel like you can reset for the second half of the school year.
Sometimes one of the best things for my family is a change in atmosphere, to get us out of the house. Local coffee shops for your teens are a great place to get some afternoon work done. Libraries are also a great change of space. Maybe you can swap afternoons with another homeschool family, and host an art class or a home economics class at one another’s homes. A change of scenery in the New Year can give a fresh start.
Lastly, as cold as it is for most of us this time of the year, don’t underestimate the literally fresh (brisk) effect that simply getting outside will do for you. This time of the year offers nature studies that we could miss by staying indoors. Winter birds, foliage, snowflakes and animals are there to take in. It may mean noticing what we would otherwise glance over. A simple walk outdoors can break up your school day, give you some fresh breath in your lungs and a reset. Physical activity, as simple as a walk, can be a beautiful part of your winter school day.
As much as I prefer my “August” homeschool mom attitude and her high hopes for an exciting school year, my “mid-year” mindset can be a good reset if I am intentional about finishing our school year well. Remember your why, evaluate what is working or not, add something new or have a change of scenery, and get some outdoor time to experience the season. I pray you have a great New Year and a fresh, reinspired second semester in your homeschool!
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