As November is just around the corner and the stores and already filled with Christmas merchandise, the holidays are coming!  That's a good thing for me as I just love Thanksgiving and Christmas and everything that goes along with it.  But how do you homeschool during the holidays and survive?  Well, in short, I hope you don't.  Let me clarify what I mean by that statement.  For the last 13 years, we have always taken several weeks off between Thanksgiving and New Years.  In fact, I have been known to not "do school" from the Monday before Thanksgiving until Jan. 2nd or 3rd!    And you know what, I managed to graduate one and she is doing great in college!  We would compensate the large amount of days off by beginning school earlier in July.  Remember we are homeschoolers and we can be flexible.  That is one of the great benefits we enjoy.

What types of activities could you enjoy with your children during the holiday break?  Teach them the true meaning of Christmas.  Talk about Jesus' birth.  Make gifts for family and friends, instead of purchasing items.  My mom told me the other day that the gift our oldest made for them when she was 4 is still hanging on the wall.  It was a simple popsicle stick type gift that my parents will cherish forever from their first grandchild.  Have your children make gifts for Sunday School teachers, music teachers, etc.  We've done this every year and I'm amazed how happy they are to get the simple gifts from my children.  It's a great way to say thank you in a special way.  Another great thing is to make baked goods and share with your neighbors.  My children have given candy canes with the story about Jesus attached to them.  Make a gingerbread house (this is one thing I have never done, but want to do).  And the list goes on.  It takes a little planning so do some planning ahead of time.

So now you can relax and assure your loved ones that the children will be fine. 

Enjoy your time and make some great memories. 

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Posted by mrsritchey