Homeschooling During the Holidays: A Merry Chaos Worth Embracing
Ah, the holidays. That magical time of year when the smell of gingerbread fills the air, twinkling lights transform your home into a Hallmark set, and your homeschool planner sits forlorn, buried under a pile of wrapping paper. But don’t panic, homeschool moms—it’s entirely possible to keep educating your kids and enjoy the season. And by "entirely possible," I mean "barely holding it together with caffeine and Christmas cookies."
First, let’s address the obvious: December is not the time to break out a new math curriculum. Forget long division; you’ve got holiday logistics to manage. Instead, sprinkle a little holiday magic into your lessons. Fractions? Measure out the sugar and butter for cookie dough. Chemistry? Explore the science behind why your fudge didn’t set (spoiler: it’s always the humidity). History? Dive into how different cultures celebrate the holidays. Bonus points if it involves food.
Now, let’s talk crafts. Pinterest makes it look like every homeschool family is churning out museum-worthy ornaments. Reality? Glitter in your coffee and a toddler eating glue. My advice: embrace imperfection. A wonky popsicle stick reindeer is still a reindeer. Just tell yourself you’re teaching resilience and creative problem-solving.
Field trips are a must. Think Christmas tree farms, caroling at nursing homes, or even a trip to the post office to mail letters to Santa. (Pro tip: Let the kids calculate postage. Real-world math, folks!) And if anyone asks why your kids aren’t in "real school," you can smile sweetly and explain how they’re learning critical life skills—like navigating holiday crowds without melting down.
Of course, homeschooling during the holidays is as much about life lessons as it is academics. Let your kids help plan meals, wrap gifts, and write thank-you notes. They’re learning empathy, time management, and—most importantly—that Mom really, really appreciates quiet time after bedtime.
And hey, if your kids spend one morning watching The Polar Express while you sneak a moment with your peppermint mocha, that’s okay. Learning happens in the cracks of life, and the holidays are full of teachable moments. So, toss a Santa hat on that lesson plan, crank up the carols, and remember: you’re not just surviving the season—you’re making memories that will last long after the glitter is gone.
Check out these great Unit Studies for all grades.. Need a break but want to keep education part of the holidays? Try Christmas Around the World
