Summer Homeschool: Do we or don’t we? I ask myself this every spring. By this time of the year, I’m feeling inadequate because I’m reviewing all the things I could have or should have introduced to my children, but haven’t. I recall all the days we didn’t ‘do’ school: basketball games and tournaments, sick days, travel days, Mom-is-tired days, service days, we-don’t-feel-like-it days . . . . Then I convince myself that since homeschooling only really needs a few hours a day, there is plenty of time for my children to do school and still enjoy the regular summer activities. Finally, I gather my sweet students, and logically explain to them my conclusions. To my amazement, they are not able to follow the logic. “But Mooooommmmmm, it’s Suummmmer!” “But children, you hardly spend any time at all on school as it is. You will have plenty of time to swim, climb trees, work on summer jobs, and sit around doing nothing!” “But Moooommmmmm, it’s Summmmmerr!” What is a homeschool parent to do?



Why should we not continue our homeschool program throughout the summer? The best argument I can find, while I’m embarrassed to admit it, is what the kids say – It’s Summer! As a public schooler, I always had summers off when I was their age. I remember those last few days of school, when the classroom was unusually hot, the first day I wore shorts to school, cleaning out the desks. It was a fun transition. I also remember the last few weeks of summer, when I couldn’t hardly wait to go back to school: The new wardrobe, the fresh notebooks, the supply of pens and pencils. The disappointment when I failed yet again to persuade my mother to buy me the 64-count Crayola Crayon box, but pleased that I was able to negotiate up to the 32–count box.

Another terrific excuse for not homeschooling during the summer is rather selfish. It’s something I can take off my plate for a while, one less thing to stress about. Summer is a time for me to re-group, complete unfinished projects, plan next year’s course of study and set unrealistic and unattainable goals for our homeschool.

Why should we continue homeschooling throughout the summer?  There are many unscheduled hours that we must use to fill our students' head with useless trivia to prevent ourselves feelings of guilt.  The neighbors, grandparents, and other homeschool families are impressed with our academic commitment and diligence.  It gives the children something to do when it's too hot but you feel negligent if you let them watch television.  (Is it my imagination, or am I talking myself out of continuing our school during the summer?)  I really cannot come up with a good reason other than why not?  I don't think I'll be able to motivate my students with that reasoning.  So what will this family do this summer?


Ideally, we will spend the first four hours of every day studying, exploring and being thrilled and excited with the learning process.  Spiritual food first: personal scripture reading and prayer, working on our individual church motivational projects and lookings for ways to serve family members.  Next on the schedule will be household maintenance and advance food preparation for the evening meal.  When these chores are completed, the children will eagerly begin their assignments for school.  After they finish the assigned reading plus a little more, they will work on a hands-on activity to bring the reading to life.  Of course they will share their enthusiasm with their siblings, and if friends call, they will ask me to take a message because they don't want to be interrupted.  The rest of the day will be spent swimming, hiking, working at summer jobs, and cleaning up the yard together.  (I can hardly wait!)

Realistically, we will continue to sleep in.  I will hope they have a spiritual side, household maintenance will occur eventually, and we'll manage to throw something together for dinner.  I will urge them to work on school, they will protest, I will insist, they will resist, and one of us will end up throwing up our hands and giving in.  Usually that will be me, but occasionally it will be them and I'll feel good that day that they probably put something in their heads.  Then we will all go to the pool for the afternoon.

So, is summer homeschooling essential?  I don't think so.  Is it a good thing?  Absolutely.  Is it a hill worth dying for?  Probably not.  Have a great summer!!!!!