My Uncle Max always had the “January Blahs.” As a child, I remember him calling after Christmas and asking, “Do you have the January Blahs?” Little did he know how apropos the term would be in my life 30 years later as a homeschooling parent. The question really is: does anyone not have the January Blahs? Is anyone really gung-ho (now there’s a weird word, and by the way, it comes from the Chinese word gonghe, meaning “work together,” and was adopted by U.S. Marines during WWII) about re-starting everything in January?
January is made for reading books by the fireplace after playing in the snow. Candlelight, afghans, warm bread and hot soup. That sounds lovely; however, the reality is my children don’t want to sit by the fireplace and read all day (also, the fireplace is currently out of commission); candles make me nervous when children are bouncing around; my kids really don’t like soup; and I don’t bake bread much. We don’t have snow, but it’s too gray and dismal to be outside half the time. I long to be snowed in, like Huber Hof up in BC.
I’ve found that the best way to combat the Blahs is to add some serious variety into the school day. All the regular diversions are great, such as Play-dough, pattern blocks, and puzzles, but here are a selection of other activities that help us all ward off the winter doldrums:
1. Random science experiments. Forget your normal science guides and just do experiments. We get the Sonlight science kits each year, and we always have leftover supplies. I just let them spread out the stuff, which might include everything from cotton balls to circuit systems, and let them do their own thing. Also, my younger ones love to just mix stuff up: baking soda and vinegar, plus food coloring, dish soap, etc. Here’s a fun one: cover the bottom of a pie plate (preferably glass) with milk or cream (doesn’t work as well with skim milk). Put in a few drops of food coloring. Now, very carefully, add a few drops of dish detergent –and watch the kaleidoscope
2. Army guy rescue. Fill a plastic cup (preferably clear) with water, and drop in an army guy or other small plastic toy. Freeze until solid. Send the kids outside with a chisel or paint scraper (or other such tool) and let them chisel out the army guy.
3. Marshghettis: Give them a bunch of uncooked spaghetti (regular works better than thin) and mini-marshmallows and challenge them to build a bridge, an animal, a building, etc. They’ll get carried away with this one. You’ll even be able to write a blog, read a book, or—if you must—prepare dinner while they create. Also serves as snack time.
4. What’s that Smell? Put a few drops or sprinkles of several strong-smelling substances (e.g., vanilla or lemon extract, garlic, various spices, chocolate, tea bags, perfume, etc.) on Kleenxes and put them into individual Ziplocs. Let the kids guess what they smell is. (Make sure you’ve coded it somehow so you’ll know.)
5. What’s that thing? Put an object into a brown lunch sack or pillowcase. Have the kids feel it and try to figure out what it is.
6. Games. Board games, card games, whatever. Inserting a game into the middle of the school day does something wonderful to their whole day. It doesn’t have to be a 2-hour game of Monopoly; even a 10-minute game of Crazy 8s somehow lightens up the Blahs. See my post on games for a few of our favorites.
7. Field Trips. Just one special field trip in the midst of winter can satisfy for weeks. Too many field trips stress me out, but we all look forward to an out-of-the-usual-realm outing every few weeks. (I don’t count regular activities—Scouts, enrichment classes, sports, etc.—as field trips!)
8. Order of the Queen: This is a special edict issued by the Queen, whereas the day is declared “Game Day,” “Baking Day,” “Movie Day,” or such. No regular schoolwork is allowed. Print this out in an Old English-type font and roll up as a scroll to be opened at the usual start of school (if you have such a thing).
My goal is to add a few of these blah-combats during the week. One a day is overly ambitious for me, and I've learned to set my goals at a more realistic speed. Too much fun, after all, can become mundane...
Comments
Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - So...
Posted by TheMonkeyParade
I really like the "By order of the Queen" idea. What do you think about a "nap day"?
Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - Howdy
Have we met before? I followed a link from KateyZ - she said you were the genius behind the "By order of the Queen" - and I loved the idea!!! So I thought I'd come see what's up in your corner of the world. What other brilliant ideas can I glean from you?
Your Rascal loooks a bit like my J-man. :-) Both of 'em adorable, of course!
Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by meNmykids
I love your ideas. I will use some of them to combat the blahs around here. We have to have something constructive or the house explodes with mischeif.
Gale
Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Arkansas
i've got that! i've been longing for some fat snow flakes and a couple of days of being snowed in. the past two days have been cold enough to keep us inside but without the pretty snow to watch.
you've got some good suggestions. my kids would love to chisel a polly pocket out of the ice.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Arkansas
i'm signed in as arkansas but i'm also chickadee. last comment was me.
Thursday, January 18, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ApplesofGold
What great ideas! Thanks for sharing them. We've done the milk in the pie pan before awhile ago and I totally forgot about it. We'll have to do it again. I know my son will love the frozen army guy game and everyone will like the marshmellows and spaghetti.
I enjoyed reading your blog! Holly
Monday, January 22, 2007 - LOVED Army Guy Rescie!
Posted by Anonymous
I have been looking for a less expensive activity than those $25 "dig out a dinosaur" kits. Why, oh why, did I never think of ice? That option is nearly free!
Little animals or any other little plastic thing can also be used.
You are brilliant.
Thanks for submitting this to the Carnival of Homeschooling this week!
ChristineMM
"The Thinking Mother"
http://www.thethinkingmother.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, January 23, 2007 - Entirely Inspired
Posted by bestsister
Glad to have found you through the carnival. My good friend "onfire" in homeschoolblogger world says you are one of her favourites...now I see why! Loved your cakes too. How brave to post pictures...I leave the cake decorating to my mom, and for good reason. (by the way, I could definitely tell it was a llama). Thanks for the ideas!
Barbara
