Sweet Breaks

We took a little break this week from our usual school routine (I'll be talking more about that in my next video).

Wanting to make the most of the very, very last bit of summer and nearing the end of our time in Nova Scotia we did more out and about than we usually do. Which of course, the kids love. Especially if it involves blueberries, waterfalls, ferry rides, craft co-ops and bakeries.

This summer Laurent got an iPod, mostly to listen to audio books. I had no idea he'd use it for making notes - these were all his idea by the way, not a homeschool project or "assignment".

I love the "everyday" learning of this kind of writing, which is mostly what we do in the elementary years for writing instruction. Writing to communicate when we have something to say. A poem to express, a story to tell (Brienne is our story teller), a letter to send, a book to summarize - in which case Mommy does the writing and the kids dictate. But that's a whole different post waiting to be written, pages and pages of my scribbled notes waiting to see the FIMBY light of day.

But let's talk about sweet breaks (don't get me started talking about writing, it's hard to stop) because breaks are fun and soothing to the soul.

Our family loves the regular routine of being at home together but we also like going places and doing things.

This week I tried my best to do a bit of both. As you all know, a tricky line to walk.

How do you manage to walk that tricky line between structure and sweet breaks?

Comments

Actually I don't do it well.

Actually I don't do it well. I was just lamenting that I must be doing something wrong. It seems there is so much "desk work" that I feel is important to get done that I don't often plan the more fun stuff. Homeschooling is such an important thing and I don't want to mess it up. I really do need to incorporate more field trip type of things into the year but with running a household and having a husband who travels it is proving to be difficult for me. However, we did visit an Alpaca farm just yesterday and it was so good.

Ha, Love that app - I use it

Ha, Love that app - I use it to plan/outline my blog posts for the week... I sit in gym with a latte and plot and plan before I gather up dispersed kids and then I head for home and it is all in my inbox waiting to be worked on!!! Love your changing season, there is a heap of hope for ours too!!!

We manage to fit in breaks

We manage to fit in breaks quite regularly. The girls and I take a weekly trip to a local coffee shop. I don't plan it, just try to notice when we could all use a break.

And it seems like lately we've been taking extended weekend breaks...camping a couple weekends ago, another camping trip (4 days) this weekend, and an upcoming extended visit from grandparents.

I actually try not to schedule too many field trips and outings. When they are scheduled, it feels like another thing we have to do. I prefer to watch and listen and then spontaneously decided it's time for a break.

That makes total sense. I

That makes total sense. I don't like having another "to-do" on my list either. Good on you for reading the cues.

I am focusing more and more

I am focusing more and more on fun stuff. My girls are getting bigger (the twins are 7 and Mathilde will soon be 6) so it is easier and more appropriate to be out and about some days of the week. I try to control the schedule less and see what comes up. Invitations find their place on the calendar, hikes happen at the last minute, apple picking sounds like a good idea... Last year, when we started first grade, I was quite serious about it. I had planned 4 mornings of work a week and I tried to make it happened... it did for 2 weeks and then, it really felted forced for all of us, unnatural. Now, I just follow the natural rhythm or our days together and I see so much joy, much less stress on myself and much happier campers! Life is so good lately, I feel blessed! It is a journey, isn't?

That's wonderful Catherine.

That's wonderful Catherine. Isn't there such freedom and joy in that?
What you describe doing is very much like our early years (elementary). On a "school" week we would maybe do 2 mornings a week with some math and handwriting practice. Then there were whole seasons where we didn't do any of that and spent lots of time in the garden, at the farm, outdoors etc.. Of course we always read because I love reading to my kids.
I totally hear what you're saying on making the plans and then feeling like it's forced. I found that also, so just did a lot of what you describe for the elementary years, and it was wonderful.
The challenge I'm finding now is meeting my oldest daughter's needs & our son's unique needs (both of which I will talk about in my next video). It's getting trickier, but it's still just as wonderful and exciting.

My youngest cuddled makes it

My youngest cuddled makes it super easy to delay plans on the schedule when he climbs onto my lap for a cuddle. He's the first of our three to have the love language of touch, but it helps to remind me of the important thing and making sure I stay in the moment with each of them, despite my to-do list!

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[...] make it into our diet a couple times a week. Pancakes and maple syrup, a special outing to the bakery/craft co-op, a meal at friends, a pie prepared for a weekend celebration. Not all in the same week of course! [...]