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You are here: Home / Homeschool / Leaving Space in Our Homeschool Year

Leaving Space in Our Homeschool Year

September 16, 2018 by Erin Vincent 12 Comments

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Are you trying to juggle homeschooling and all of your kiddo’s activities? Homeschool parents constantly feel pressure to fill every moment of their kids’ days with educational instruction or extracurriculars.

The struggle is real, folks.

Yet, there is much to be said about leaving space in our homeschool. Learning happens in those unplanned spaces.

Leaving Space in Our Homeschool Year

Leaving Space in Our Homeschool Year Allows for New Interests and Discoveries

Indeed, we weren’t socializing enough. The kids weren’t in enough extracurricular activities, were they?

I planned, scheduled, and worried that I wasn’t doing enough or being a good homeschool mom.

We all have those moments, don’t we?

When summer came around, we had lost our homeschool joy, and I was burnt out.

Leaving Space in Our Homeschool Year

Leaving Space for Unplanned Time

Our homeschool wasn’t fun and cozy anymore.

We rushed to get things done so that we could rush some more to the next planned activity.

And our homeschool magic fizzled out.

Yet even with all the planning and scheduling, we missed out on so much—so many opportunities.

On more than one occasion, I remember my kiddos asking for poetry teatime, but I had to say no because we had to be at the next scheduled homeschool thing.

That stuck with me. 

I don’t want to say no to poetry teatime! I don’t want to feel stressed about homeschool activities.

Leaving Space in Our Homeschool Year

Enough.

I want to build connections with my kiddos.

Learning doesn’t happen by filling in a worksheet any more than by staying busy and scheduled.

When we leave space in our homeschool for all the things unplanned, we are making room for our children to discover new interests. They have the freedom to create, discover, explore, experiment, and learn!

I know my kids come up with the best ideas when they can be bored. Tinkering and creativity seem to explode, as do creation and art. Then there are the book topics that suddenly interest them. Boredom creates a space for my children to think and learn.

But when I’ve got everything scheduled, there is no room in our day for all that extra goodness.

Leaving Space in Our Homeschool Year

Leaving Space for Slowing Down

This homeschool year, I’m leaving space in our schedule for everything that’s not planned. Space to take things slow. I want to enjoy our poetry teatimes, ice cream breakfasts, on a whim field trips, and allow lots of room for those rabbit trails of learning.

I’m leaving space for experiences, art, and games.

Leaving space allows for independent projects that can springboard into more self-directed learning. True learning happens in these spaces.

Leaving Space in Our Homeschool Year

Yes, there are still a few things outside the home like a monthly 4-H Horse Club meeting, weekly homeschool group, and reading to Shelter Animals…. all things we wanted to do last year but didn’t leave space for.

Let’s not fear the empty spaces between all our homeschool academics.

I’m giving you the OK to say “No” to the extra stuff and leave a bit of openness in your homeschool schedule.

I hope this year allows that space for breath and a bit of homeschool magic for you. 

I want to look back on this year and remember loads of fantastic experiences, rabbit trails of learning, cozy cuddles, sweet moments, and my children’s hearts full of joy and inspiration.

Leaving Space in Our Homeschool Year

If you need more homeschool encouragement, then you may enjoy these posts:

  • Self-Care for the Introverted Homeschool Mom

  • Embracing Our Strengths as Introverted Homeschool Moms

  • When You’ve Lost Your Homeschool Rhythm

  • Homeschooling with Joy and Sometimes on Impulse

  • When You Can’t Do Everything: Overcoming Homeschool Burnout

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About Erin Vincent

Erin is a writer, blogger, and homeschooler to two intense kids. She loves nature, farm life, good books, knitting, new pens, and hot coffee. Erin is a contributing writer for Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers. Her work has also been featured on Simple Homeschool and Book Shark.

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Comments

  1. Mother of 3 says

    September 17, 2018 at 6:48 am

    We’re going to have lots of space this year.. whether we want it to or not. Two of the homeschooling groups we got together with just about weekly last year either broke apart or altered so significantly we don’t want to be a part of them anymore. Other than our once a week hikes we have nothing planned outside our school days and I’m actually feeling like that is just too much free time… but we’ll see how it all works out and maybe we’ll just be exploring on our own for much of the year.

    Reply
    • Erin Vincent says

      September 17, 2018 at 7:55 am

      Some seasons of homeschool…or life for that matter, are busier than others. I’m looking forward to this slower season. Hopefully, you will find just the right balance of activities for your family. But I understand. Loads of freedom can be scary. Especially when you’re coming from two previous homeschool groups!

      Reply

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Welcome! I'm Erin, a homeschooling mom to two very intense kids. Every day I try to find what works best for me and my family. My blog is filled with information to help you explore a child led education while making meaningful connections with your children. Discover favorite read alouds, seasonal books, games, art projects, hands-on activities, and learn to just breathe through the ups and downs of life. I hope these posts will encourage you on your homeschool adventure.

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