Why don't you give them a break?

We had this question asked of us by relatives recently. I really can't understand why I would want to stop teaching my kids. But then for us, learning is what we do, it is a part of the day, not a huge chore that takes 6-10 hours. We see no reason to stop learning just because the sun hangs around a bit more for a few months.

I wonder just how 'hard' she thinks our kids day's 'ON' are anyway? Since they are generally done with chores and worksheets by lunchtime (or hours before) I can't see it as such a huge burden for them to keep up the work year round.

I figure I started educating them when they were born, and I haven't stopped yet. 8 years hasn't ruined the oldest, I don't think failing (again) to break for summer this year will finally do him in.

I frequently hear from online parenting boards, and a few IRL parents, how they dread having to amuse their kids all summer long. Seems a silly problem to have, when the weather is nice, go explore and learn. When it is rainy stay in and explore something electronic, or print. I have never had a bored kid (though the fact that the slightest mention, and I would send mine off to chores might have something to do with that!)

It seems to me the current traditional 'school' schedule is really missing out on typical weather. Spring and fall are wonderful times to explore outside around here; High summer on the other hand is too bloody hot for anything but the pool, or staying indoors. So why keep kids cooped up indoors when the weather is so fine, and the world waiting to be explored. Only to send them out with no responsibility just as it heats up enough to fry eggs on pavement?

While I still hold that our education happens year round, no matter the routine, or lack there of. I can't claim my children spend more days with 'regular seat-work' than the average kid. Though there are plenty of weeks we manage to get formal (ish) math and writing done on 6 different days, there are also plenty where we only manage 2...or 0! (I can however claim they outscore the average kid on standardized tests-not that it really matters)

If a kid has a dentist appointment, I have no fear of them falling behind; conversely if a kid is sick, they can do work (nothing beats boredom like a math puzzle) when they are awake-even if it happens to be dinnertime. No day is so set in stone that I have eminent fear of my children lacking because we did or did not do another day of written work, or one of no work.

This latest trip, I did pack two books I wanted to read to them, we read several nights before bed, helped them settle down. I have a feeling if relatives knew they were 'recommended reading' I would be told I was 'making them work too much'. The fact that the kids begged me to read those same books the night we got home as well must be beside the point. ("Child's History of the World" and "Mary Poppins"). We did not pack any math or other type of work, though we certainly had plenty of interesting conversations.

The opportunity to take off when and where we feel like it is very important to me. When I have a baby, the day can be taken off, or run as normal, however I feel like. Time tables have their uses, but when it comes to making the most of what you have, flexibility is key.