5 Steps for Getting Back to Homeschool After a Long Break

One of the blessings of the homeschooling life is the ability to take breaks when we want to. However, it can also be a challenge sometimes to get back into the groove once it’s time to start back again. Whether you’ve taken time off for the holidays, a vacation, illness, new baby, or other issue, here are 5 steps for getting back to homeschool after a long break!

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Have a Plan for Starting Back

Even if you don’t have all the details worked out, have a basic plan for rolling back into your regular homeschool tasks. Put a soft start on the calendar and choose a date a week or two away from that for when you want to be pretty much back to normal. Give yourself some steps toward getting there.

Without a flexible plan in place, you’re setting yourself up for frustration. This is also a good time to check and see if any minor adjustments need to be made in curriculum, materials, or overall schedules.

Practice Basic Routines

Don’t just jump right into complex activities and academics. Instead, take some time to re-establish basic routines and get the house in order. For us, this is what I focus on for the first week:

Daily chore rotations
Morning devotions and breakfast together
Read aloud times
Wake up and bedtimes
Tidy/organize rooms, books, & school spaces

[Read: Using Rhythms & Routines for Homeschool Planning]

Ease Into Lesson Times

Start slow by introducing a few subjects or activities at a time. Give yourself and your kids extra time to ease into a full homeschool load, making the transition more enjoyable and natural. Recently, we came back from a long break with this plan in place:

Week 1: Re-establish routines and tidy spaces
Week 2: “Light school” – Bible, read aloud, math, & instruments
Week 3: “Light school +1” – Everything in #2 plus a subject of each child’s choice for the day
Week 4: Back to normal with all our group work and individual work!

(A note about “light school” – that’s what we do nowadays… but when all my kids were younger, “light school” was just reading the Bible together and watching an educational show. ☺️ Pick what works for you in this season.)

[Read: Creating Independent Learners]

Add Something Fun

Keep the transition back to homeschool after a long break from feeling like a big downer by incorporating something fun!

Go on a field trip
Have friends over for an activity
Hit the library
Enjoy documentaries
Start a weekly game night
Do some art projects
Pick a fun unit to do together

[Read: Multi-Level Tips & Tricks for Homeschooling]

Expect Adjustments

Remember that starting back to homeschool after a long break isn’t always going to be easy and there will likely be bumps along the way. You AND your kids need lots of grace and time to get back into the groove! Expect there to be adjustments needed. If it all falls apart, no worries! Just get a new plan ready and start again the next week.

Getting back to homeschooling after a long break can be a bumpy road, but don’t let it stress you out. Just keep adapting and making progress where you can. Before you know it, you’ll be back to a consistent homeschooling routine! So take heart mamas –you got this!