"688 hours (or) 4 hours per day, 172 days per year."  That's Colorado statute for the minimum number of homeschool hours.  Of course, they don't require records, so what's it to them?

Four hours a day in a regular school year seems daunting.  What about two hours a day, 344 days a year?  If you're a traditional schooler, that seems way too much, and it probably is for you.  If you're more eclectic or an unschooler, that seems just about right. 

Is there ever a day when your child does absolutely nothing?  No learning at all?  Hmm, for an average family, I suppose there could be 12 days a year when one might be sick enough to not learn anything.

Is there ever a day when your child is learning all.day.long?  A trip to the zoo, perhaps.  Or, a beautiful fall day outside learning about bugs and leaves, clouds and maybe even meal planning or nutrition (a picnic).

All in all, 688 hours isn't much to stress about.  In last week's Homeschool Carnival, I read a blog by April who suggested learning is like eating.  Doing the math, a person who eats three meals a day, 365 days a year eats 1095 meals!  That's nearly twice the amount of school hours required by the state.  You're sitting at the table of learning!  Eat up!