Call for recess

Schedule regular breaks and take them
whether you think you need them or not.

Be sure to spend at least one break enjoying your kids! The temptation is to get everything done right away and take the afternoon to explore creative arts, engage in physical fitness activities and socialize with other homeschool families.

Across the board, homeschool kids are saying, We’d rather have a break!

I am ashamed to say, my first year of homeschooling, I fell into the trap of not wanting to break during the day. At the beginning of the school year, I was really good about taking breaks even heading outside with my children to play baseball, catch, soccer, volleyball, tag…you name it.

My favorite time for one of these breaks was when one of the kids was struggling, grumpy or looking tired, or when I found myself overwhelmed with the mess around me, or when grogginess was setting in for all of us.

I would announce, Recess time! and we would head outside for a good 20 minutes of fun. It never ceased to amaze me how easy it was to get back to a difficult task after a quick breather.

Simply put, the trade-off is not worth it. A free afternoon after a grueling morning is not all it’s cracked up to be. And by breaking with your kids, you will enjoy the day much more. In the end, a more relaxed, longer day is better than a crammed, short day any day!