Mid-winter motivation for homeschoolers

Written by Donna Ashton of The Waldorf Connection.

After the dust from the holidays settles, we are left with a few winter months to snuggle and homeschool.

We usually buckle-down and cover more ground in our lessons, as there are fewer distractions. During the quiet days of winter, it just feels like the time is right to dig in.

Yet it often feels like an in-between time to me.

The newness of the school year and fall festivals has waned, and the promise of spring is still out of reach.

If you live in a cold climate it can be more challenging to get the kids outside (as well as yourself.)

Whether or not we like it, there is more time indoors and more opportunities to bond together as a family during these darker days.

How can you keep motivation and inspiration?

1. Take a closer look at your daily rhythm/schedule

What is working? What is not?

Take advantage of the new year’s fresh start to re-work areas of your days and weeks that feel rushed or don’t support you.

There may be some activities you could prune from your life and not miss at all.

Rising ten minutes earlier could give you a chance to breathe before the day rushes in.

Bedtime may have gotten a bit too long.

You’re spending way too much time on … [insert word here].

2. Revisit your family values & priorities

Each January our family sits down and compiles a “wish list” for the upcoming year.

From simple things like Sunday brunch or movie night to camping trips or a new play-fort, we enter all the suggestions and then decide which ones we will give our attention to.

I also take a look at what values I want to bring to my girls through our actions, deeds and words. If giving and community service is important this year, then I make sure we add those things into our schedule.

Perhaps family dinners is on your list, but when you look at your week you are rarely eating together (or worse — in the car too much).

Look to your values for the important activities/time spent and make sure you are adding them to your schedule. (Or they end up never happening.)

3. Jazz things up

Use the indoor-time to add some whimsical ideas to your normal schedule.

Create a “fun” list or box of craft, sewing, or baking ideas.

Always wanted to learn Italian? Do it together as a family and cook an Italian meal (this could tie into your lessons as well). Brava!

Learn to play an instrument or each play a part in a song you create.

Sing a song in a round.

A family play or talent show could get you through several weeks with practices, costume prep, rehearsals and performance. Invite the neighbors.

Take a cooking class or “teach” one to your kids over several weeks  with a “cook- off ” at the end.

Create an “art show” where each child can enter 3-4 types of art (paintings, sculpture, crafts, etc.) Display it all on the big day and invite family and friends for the gala.

Don’t let winter blues make school boring.

Start with streamlining your rhythm, values and then add some whimsy!

There are unlimited creative ways to jazz up your lessons and have a bit of family fun this winter.

How is your family getting through these last few weeks of winter?