A few Christmases ago, or rather a few holiday seasons ago, we started taking a break from strict schoolwork from the week of Thanksgiving through the week after New Year’s. I know this can feel really controversial, but we always fill our time. Having just finished this break again, I wanted to share why we do this, what it looks like, and how we fill that much time during the holidays.
There is so much pressure in the homeschool world to stay on track and keep up with curriculum. Over time, I have realized that taking breaks from book learning does not mean we are falling behind. Those breaks are part of learning too. They teach our kids that rest is good and necessary. They provide a mental reset from structured learning and allow for slow moments, togetherness, and meaningful time as a family. Those lessons matter just as much as academics.
The holiday season is not about productivity. It is about being present, creating traditions, and truly feeling the joy of the season. I do not think that would happen if I tried to keep up with our regular curriculum at the same time. Our rhythm shifts during this season, but it is not a free for all. Our routines loosen, but they do not disappear. The kids still participate in sports, dance, and other activities outside the home. Our mornings slow down, some nights are a little later, and the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas are filled with intentional family experiences.
One of the ways we do this is through an advent calendar that focuses on experiences rather than things. One box might be taking a random Wednesday to visit a hot springs. Another might be buddy Christmas shopping, where the kids shop for their siblings. We took a day to go to the movies with cousins when a new movie came out that everyone wanted to see. We took a day to bake Christmas cookies while public school was still in session. We spent a day making plates of treats and delivering them to neighbors. If our days had been filled with schoolwork, those moments simply would not have happened.
We also made space for traditions we love but often feel too busy for during the year. We worked on puzzles, watched movies together, and enjoyed slow mornings. One advent activity was watching a movie and having hot chocolate for breakfast. Another was pulling up a YouTube tutorial and painting a Christmas picture together. We did art projects, the girls did their nails, and the kids spent time with friends and cousins who were also out of school.
This break also gives the kids time to be bored, and I truly believe that boredom is a gift. It teaches them how to be self driven, creative, and intentional with their time. These breaks help them learn how to fill their days without being directed every moment.
This season is just as good for me as it is for them. It gives me a mental reset and clarity about what matters. It allows me time to prep for the next semester or order new curriculum. It also gave our family space to be sick without panic. We spent more days with the flu than I would have liked, but because we were already on break, I did not feel the stress of falling behind.
As we move into the new year, we ease back into our routine. The first week of January is usually lighter. The kids focus on independent studies while I catch up on work, reset bedtimes, and re establish rhythms. It gives us time to adjust before diving back into a full schedule.
Over the last few months, I have learned to let go of the pressure of worrying about what others think about how we homeschool. I know we are doing what is best for our family. Your break may look nothing like ours, and that is okay. If you are craving slower days, you are not alone. It is okay to close the books for a little while. Learning does not stop when the books close.
During this season, we also had more time for scripture study. We used a spiritual advent calendar and spent 15 to 20 minutes most mornings learning about the Savior and His life. We watched videos, talked together, and created space for spiritual growth that might not have happened if we were busy checking academic boxes.
These breaks create room for the things we always say we want to do but never seem to have time for. Life is too short to stay busy all the time and look back wishing we had slowed down. If you can, take the time off. Go see the lights. Play games. Do puzzles. Bake cookies. Deliver treats. Do drop and runs and laugh together. The kids remember those moments.
My hope is that this gives you ideas for future holiday seasons and serves as a reminder that we can release comparison, pressure, and unrealistic expectations. We get to craft a homeschool and a life that fits the vision we have for our family.
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