January Homeschooling

Happy New Year! Are you ready for your January homeschooling to feel inspiring and motivating?

Are you ready for a fresh start?

It is that time of year, after all. A time of goals, resolutions, and planning. A time for new beginnings.

And in many ways this makes sense. After the busyness of the holidays, we’re ready to refocus. We’re done gorging on sweets, staying up late, and running around in a frenzy.

We’re ready for a fresh start!

But here’s the problem…

Many of us dive headfirst into resolutions, goals, and plans. We begin with gusto but often abandon our best intentions sometime around February.

And this definitely impacts our ability to create an inspiring and motivating homeschooling environment.

So why do we fizzle out?

We rush straight from the holidays into resolution central. We go cold turkey.

But what if we decided that the goal for our January homeschooling is to feel inspiring and motivating? What are some simple ways we can do that?

Let’s have our January homeschooling be a time of gentle transition.

Let’s spend the month embracing SIMPLICITY.

Instead of leaping straight from the busy holiday season into the new year, let’s take some time to slow down and settle in. Let’s reflect, dream, create, and connect. This foundation will serve us well when the time comes for planning. We will then be able to move forward with intention.

Sound good!?

Quick note: For my friends in the southern hemisphere, I realize you’re experiencing summer this time of year, so feel free to bookmark this post when your winter rolls around.

Here are some simple ways to get started!

1. Embrace winter

If you’re in the northern hemisphere, like me, we are in the dead of winter. The winter solstice, which is the longest day of the year, just occurred on December 21st. March 20th is the vernal equinox, also known as the first day of spring. This means we’ve still got lots of winter left ahead of us!

Instead of running straight for spring and then feeling frustrated when our surroundings don’t feel spring-like, it, why don’t we try embracing winter instead?

Look for examples of winter all around you. Recognize how winter is a time when the earth rests, as new life is preparing to emerge in the spring.

Embracing winter can be a powerful way to shift to a positive frame of mind.

2. Sleep

When did we decide that functioning on very little sleep is something to be proud of? Studies continue to tout the benefits of adequate sleep and the dangers of getting too little.

If possible, prioritize getting 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Now, I understand that you may currently be in a season of life where this is simply not possible. If you have a newborn, toddlers, or are juggling lots of life’s demands, this amount of sleep may seem absurd!

But get your sleep when you can. If a 20-30 min mid-day nap fits into your schedule, take the opportunity to put your feet up and rest.

Do your best to prioritize your rest and well-being.

3. Stay home

Play board games, do puzzles, work on projects, listen to music, watch documentaries, listen to podcasts, and do some art. Use this extra time at home to organize and purge. But do it all intentionally.

Make soup and chili. Use your crockpot. Bake bread. Take your time in the kitchen without rushing the process.

Embrace the idea of staying in and enjoying your time at home.

4. Learn About Hygge

Are you familiar with Hygge (Hoo-gah)? This Danish word roughly translates to coziness and comfort. Easy ways to hygge at home include warm drinks, music, snuggly blankets, twinkle lights, warm fires, cooking, baking, and LOTS of candles.

Inviting friends over for a casual evening in is a lovely way to practice hygge. Movies with popcorn and simple conversation. Anything that involves slowing down, simplifying, and connecting.

Yes, please!

Find simple and cozy ways to practice Hygge.

5. Spend one-on-one time with your child

This doesn’t need to be extravagant. In fact, I would encourage you to keep it as simple and natural as possible. Chat while baking cookies together. Do watercolor painting while listening to a podcast. Play cards while sipping on tea.

Take the time to ask your child specific questions related to homeschooling. Here are some examples:

How do you feel the school year is going?
Which subject(s) do you find challenging?
Which subjects(s) are you enjoying?
Are there things you would like to do more of the rest of this winter and spring?
What fills you up and what depletes you?
Who would you like to try and spend more time with?

Take the time to truly listen to your child. You might even want to write down their answers and incorporate them into your homeschooling routine for the duration of the academic year.

Set aside a little time for one-on-one time with your child.

Remember, January is our transition month.

So take the time to reflect, dream, and imagine. Then move forward from this foundation with intention.

In summary, here is your simple list of ways to bring inspiration and motivation to your January homeschooling:

Embrace winter
Prioritize your sleep
Stay at home
Hygge
Spend one-on-one time with your child

Allow January to be a gentle time of simplicity. Reflect, dream, and imagine. It will serve you well as you move into the rest of your year.

And be sure to check out the following monthly posts to help you simplify and streamline your homeschooling all year long!

I’m confident that these posts will provide you with plenty of support, motivation, and inspiration!

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