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Homeschooling Through the Holidays: A Charlotte Mason Approach to a Gentle and Joyful Season
Welcome to “The Feast Life,” where we empower you to embrace a life-giving, gentle homeschool experience filled with faith, family, freedom, and fun. I’m Julie Ross, creator of the award-winning homeschool curriculum, A Gentle Feast, here to share some tips for homeschooling through the holidays with peace and purpose.
The holiday season can bring both joy and stress to homeschooling families. Charlotte Mason once said, “Life should be all living, not a mere tedious passing of time.” With that wisdom in mind, let’s savor this season and keep the joy in homeschooling through the holidays. Whether you’re new to Charlotte Mason or a seasoned gentle homeschooler, here are my top three tips to help you balance your homeschool routine with holiday cheer.
1. Keep a Gentle Routine (As Much as Possible!)
When the holiday season hits, it’s tempting to toss the routine out the window. But, from experience, I’ve learned that children thrive on a sense of rhythm. Maintaining some elements of your homeschool routine—especially those you and your kids love—can provide a sense of stability amid the holiday bustle.
Consider keeping your morning time, even if it’s a little shorter, with read-alouds, nature walks, or creative projects. These nourishing practices, foundational in Charlotte Mason’s approach, allow kids to stay engaged while still feeling that holiday magic. Whether you’re traveling or hosting family, a bit of structure can help children feel safe and secure, which, in turn, helps minimize behavior issues.
2. Set Realistic Expectations
One of the biggest gifts you can give yourself during the holiday season is grace. A wise friend once told me, “Unrealistic expectations are the same as premeditated disappointment.” As homeschool moms, we often envision our holidays as magical experiences filled with perfect outings, crafts, and family traditions. But let’s be real—holiday stress is common for everyone, and kids might push back even on the most thoughtfully planned activities.
Instead of overloading your days with holiday crafts, outings, and new recipes, choose a few cherished traditions that will make the season meaningful for everyone. In our family, we have a “holiday book basket,” where we unwrap a special picture book each day. Even though my kids are older, these small, consistent traditions have become an important part of our family’s holiday memories.
3. Focus on Love and Connection
Charlotte Mason wrote in The Formation of Character, “Actions do speak louder than words to a young heart…he must feel it in your touch, see it in your eye, hear it in your tones.” Amidst the busyness, remember that the love you show will resonate most with your children. This doesn’t mean every moment will be calm or conflict-free, but if your children feel loved, they’ll carry those feelings with them.
Even if family gatherings are tricky or expectations aren’t met, you can choose to love your people well. By keeping calm, listening actively, and showing patience, you’re creating a warm holiday atmosphere your children will remember. What children cherish most is how they feel with us, so let’s give them the gift of our undivided, loving presence.
4. Prioritize Self-Care
As you pour out your energy into your family, it’s essential to prioritize your own needs, too. The holiday season demands a lot, and finding moments to recharge is crucial. Schedule 15 minutes daily to do something that nourishes you—read, listen to music, or even have a quiet cup of tea. When you take time for yourself, you’re better equipped to pour love and joy into your family, which is truly what the holiday season is about.
Three Gentle Holiday Resources
This season, A Gentle Feast offers two resources to make your homeschool days smoother and more joyful:
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Advent Devotional: A seven-lesson guide that integrates Bible stories, hymns, crafts, and recipes into your morning time. It’s perfect for a simple, yet meaningful, daily practice during Advent.
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Christmas Around the World: This unit features ten lessons with carols, recipes, and crafts from different countries. Each story and activity invites children to learn and explore diverse holiday traditions.
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Peaceful and Joyful Holidays: A transformative 3 day course designed specifically to help homeschool moms experience a holiday season filled with peace, joy, and ease.
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With these resources, you can enjoy a meaningful holiday without overwhelming your schedule.
A Gentle Christmas Wrap-Up:
To recap, here’s a gentle holiday strategy:
- Maintain Routine: Keep familiar parts of your homeschool rhythm.
- Set Realistic Expectations: Choose a few traditions that bring joy and peace.
- Focus on Love: Show your children how much they mean to you.
- Care for Yourself: Schedule small moments of self-care.
Remember, the best holiday memories come from a home filled with love, connection, and a bit of routine. I hope you and your family have a truly blessed and joyful holiday season. Merry Christmas from A Gentle Feast!
Thank you for tuning in! For more resources, visit thefeastlife.me and check out A Gentle Feast’s holiday products to enrich your homeschooling journey through the season.
