One of the things I get asked about quite a lot is whether we take breaks during school holidays. And the answer is yes, absolutely, wholeheartedly, yes.
We follow the school holiday calendar for our breaks and I want to tell you exactly why, because I think it's something more home ed families should feel comfortable doing without any guilt whatsoever.
Our Reason
My eldest son attends school by his own choice, and when he has his holidays, half terms, summer, Christmas, Easter, we all stop together. It means we can spend that time as a whole family, all of us, without anyone missing out. It wouldn't feel right to carry on with home ed lessons while he's at home wanting to spend time with his brother and sister. Family time is everything.
What Our Breaks Actually Look Like
Our school holiday breaks are a full switch off. Books away, Doodle apps closed, workbooks put to one side. No lessons, no routine, no structure. Just us, together, recharging.
And honestly? They look different every single day and that's exactly how we like it. Some days we're out in the garden soaking up the sunshine. Other days we're doing a shopping trip, having a browse, maybe a little treat. Park visits, long walks, BBQs in the garden on the warm days, late nights staying up together, lazy lie ins, pyjama days where nobody gets dressed until noon, or at all! Movies on the sofa, gaming sessions, relaxed days where the only thing on the agenda is doing whatever we fancy.
And for me personally? The school holidays are when I finally get to catch up on my series. I have just started watching Desperate Housewives, yes, I know, I know, it's been out for years and I am only just getting round to it! I am on season 4 and I absolutely love it. Sometimes the best things in life are worth the wait! 😄
Even the cleaning is more relaxed. Everything just slows down and we breathe.
Why Breaks Are So Important
Rest is not laziness. Rest is essential. And this applies to home educating parents just as much as it does to the children.
I manage chronic pain and mental health conditions every single day. The school holidays are my chance to recharge too, to not have to think about planning, resources, routines or structure. To just be Mum. Not teacher, not planner, not organiser. Just Mum.
The children come back to home ed after a break refreshed, enthusiastic and ready to learn again. And I come back with more energy, more patience and more creativity. Everyone benefits.
You Don't Have to Justify Your Breaks
I know there can be pressure in the home ed community to always be learning, always be doing, always be producing evidence of education. But rest IS part of education. Downtime IS valuable. A child who is rested, happy and connected to their family is a child who is ready to learn.
You do not need to justify taking a week off for half term. You do not need to feel guilty for having a pyjama day. You do not need to keep up with anyone else's schedule or feel like you're falling behind because you took a break.
Do what works for your family. For us, that means following the school holidays, switching off completely, and coming back to it all feeling like ourselves again.
And If You Don't Take School Holidays, That's Fine Too!
One of the beautiful things about home education is that there are no rules. Some families home ed all year round and take breaks whenever they need them. Some follow the school calendar like we do. Some do a mix. All of it is valid. All of it is right, as long as it works for your family.
There is no one size fits all in home ed. And that's exactly why we love it.
Do you take school holiday breaks or do you home ed all year round? I'd love to know in the comments! 💚
Sarah, Home Ed Mum Diary
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