Posted in Homeschooling

When I woke up this morning, the last thing I felt like doing was grading math papers.  Don't get me wrong, most of the time I love the schoolish part of homeschooling.  But there are some days when there are more appealing things to do.  This was one of those days.  Did I tell my children, "Okay kids, you're free to do whatever you feel like all day?"  Well, wouldn't that have been a disaster!  Actually, what I did instead was snuggle on the couch in front of the fire and read out loud for a couple of hours.  The children also drew pictures while listening to me read from a variety of books such as The Story of the World and The Pirate City (my 12 year old son requested that one).

I realize there are plenty of homeschooling moms out there that would be shocked at the laid back approach to the educational pursuits in our household on this day.  To which I say "You don't know what you're missing."  It can be very refreshing to take a break and do what my children call "fun school".  There is so much educational value in simply enjoying a good story together, or playing a board game, or baking a batch of cookies or creating a clay sculpture.  With some classical music playing in the background, a home can be transformed into a center of culture and appreciation of the fine arts.  Many homeschooling moms underestimate the educational value in activities like these.  My children learn as much (in many cases more) from listening to good literature read aloud as they do from filling grammar worksheets or doing a page of math problems.  And in truth, I find that having more of the former in our home enables them to do better and find more enjoyment in the latter.

So, after this calm, relaxing, cozy day, my children and I are ready to get back to more of the skills-based subjects with renewed vigor.  There's nothing like a good book and a cozy fire to set me on the right track.