Beating the Weariness of Winter
It’s the time of year when the ground is frozen, the branches of the trees bare, and the flowers hidden away. The days are shorter, the nights are longer, the temperatures are colder, and many feel a serious case of the blahs.
The winter, and especially February, can begin to feel gloomy. Our enthusiasm for homeschooling may waiver, and we may not even know why. I want to share some ideas to help you dispel the gloom and embrace the anticipation of the coming spring.
First, we can recognize there are reasons we might feel those winter doldrums. The shorter days actually have a physical effect on some people. Less sunshine can cause a drop in serotonin, a brain chemical, which can influence mood. Dreary days can lead to dreary hearts.
In addition, you probably coasted into January on a wave of rest from Christmas break.
You were refreshed!
You had new materials, like that exciting subscription box of science experiments!
You were ready to jump into a new year with new ideas and enthusiasm!
Then the curriculum hit a snag, or frozen streets canceled plans, and the shine of a new year started to fade.
Here’s the good news, friends: If you are feeling discouraged or gloomy, you are not alone, and there are solutions! Try some of these ideas to brighten up your February.
1.School in the Sunshine ~ You and your children may all be feeling the negative influence of shorter days. Can you shift your homeschool into the sun? Even if it’s too cold to sit outside, move to a room with a sunny window or open all the blinds during school time. Bonus: Shifting to a new space can bring a fresh feel to your homeschool days.
2. Move to the Music ~ Do you school with background music playing? Whether you choose peppy praise tunes, soothing sounds of nature, or calming classical, adding music can change the feel of school time. Taking a break for some dance time is another great way to incorporate music. Give it a try and see what works best for your family. Adding more movement and music into your days will also reduce stress and improve positive feelings.
3.Find the Fun ~ Now is a wonderful time to incorporate more fun in your homeschool! You can even turn games you already have into learning activities.
Here’s an inspirational list of ways you can use board games for learning:
https://www.trueaimeducation.com/make-learning-board-games-for-kids/
4.Give Grace ~ During this time when you may struggle with the doldrums, your children may be struggling, too. It can be tempting to panic during this time in the academic year and push our students harder to get through the curriculum or check all the boxes. While continuing to learn is important, so are our relationships with our children. Give both yourself and your children permission to take the time you need, and even take a break or try a new approach if a subject is challenging. If you haven’t considered your child’s learning style preferences, I encourage you to explore this resource. A fresh understanding could be just what you need to meet your child’s needs:
https://www.trueaimeducation.com/make-learning-board-games-for-kids/
5.Hold to the Promise of the Harvest ~ The ground may be hard and cold right now, but the seeds have been planted! This fall our students planted a container garden as they learned about botany. If you look at the garden right now, it doesn’t look like much, but those little seeds planted by precious hands will bloom! It may be hard to imagine, but soon the grass will turn green, the flowers will unfurl, and the tree branches will be full of life. You have worked with the Lord to plant lots of seeds since August, friend, and your labor is not in vain. Soon we will see the harvest, and it will be lovely! Galatians 6:9 reminds us, “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time, we will reap a harvest of blessing if we do not give up.”
Winter is here, but it will not last. Hold to the hope of the spring, friends. The beauty of the harvest is worth the wait!
