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I used to know a girl whose mom would let her take up to three “mental health” days per year. The girl could take the day off from school, with a written excuse from mom, if she needed a break. There were stipulations, like she couldn’t have any major assignments due or be missing a test, but if it were just a pretty ordinary school day, she could take off.
I think we all need days like that sometimes — whether it’s us or our kids — but doing so can often leave Mom feeling guilty. So, I’d like to suggest some productive-but-not-text-book-related ideas for those days when everyone could just use a break:
- Watch a documentary. (science, history, nature study)
- Watch The Magic School Bus. (science)
- Go outside and play. (P.E.)
- Clean house. (life skills, cooperation, problem solving)
- Bake together. (home economics, math, reading, following direction)
- Plan next week’s menu. (home economics, health/nutrition)
- Take your menu and go grocery shopping. (economics, comparison shopping, personal finance)
- Go on a nature walk. (science, nature study, art)
- Paint, make collages, sculpt with clay, make crafts. (art)
- Cuddle up in bed and read together. (reading)
- Build with Lego’s, Kinex, Lincoln Logs, blocks. (spatial reasoning)
- Write a letter to a relative or friend. (writing, reading, spelling)
- Build a sugar cube tower 5 feet high — yes, I saw that on The Biggest Loser. (spatial reasoning, problem-solving skills)
- Spin the globe, select a random country, and look it up on the Internet or in an Encyclopedia. (geography, research skills, reading)
- If they’re old enough, let the kids cook the day’s meals. (home economics, life skills, health, and nutrition)
What ideas would you include for a guilt-free break from your regular studies?
Kris is the sweet-tea-drinking, classically eclectic, slightly Charlotte Mason mom to her three Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers and the woman who refused to be Eclipsed by obesity any longer.
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For me, a true mental health day would involve letting the kids do their own thing. They are learning 365 days a year, even when there aren’t any activities planned, so taking a beak 3 times a year, once a month or even once a week should involve no guilt whatsoever – especially at younger ages.
I’ve done many of these on those days we just need a break. Sometimes with the grocery list we divide it up into the food groups for a nutrition lesson. We play store to practice math, etc. Great list!
Love the suggestions! I think I could use a few of those Mental Health days throughout the year! LOL Thanks for joining in on the Hip Homeschool Hop!
Great suggestions.
That is the best part of homeschooling. Even when you are not “teaching” you are teaching some of the most important things.
Have a wonderful day and God Bless!
Field trips, field trips, field trips! A great mental health day can be spent at the local science center or zoo (our two favorite destinations). Or, the day can just be pure fun like a day out bowling and an inexpensive lunch out. Sometimes just getting out of the house is needed to recharge!
Samantha
Love this list! Going to have to put some of these into practice in our homeschool!!
Only 3? 🙂 I think we do more than that. But that’s the beauty of homeschooling.
Next year we won’t be homeschooling my eldest, but I am concerned it will be tough for him. I think scheduling a day off now and then for him, especially with ideas like this, could be just what we all need to help the transition along.
Thanks!