Summer plans

I got asked today, "Are you taking the summer holidays off?" and we got talking about how as Home Educators, we don't necessarily take "holidays off", especially not at the same time that the schools do. Even before Bear was old enough to be counted as Home Educated, I've always kind of hibernated during the school holidays, and at weekends really, because we can, and we don't need to be out and about during the busier times, unless it's something specific that we'd like to do with Daddy. We can take advantage of quieter times, weekdays, and term time.

Although we have definitely slowed down somewhat at home due to all the exciting things happening now that summer is here, what with planned trips out, more excursions to the seaside, and the upcoming family holiday, I haven't intentionally stopped with Bear's learning. It just looks a little different at the minute. Yes, there is less sitting down at the table with books and activities, but there are lots more outings where we are learning new things, plenty of games getting played that often lean on maths skills and counting, and so much interaction with others that I genuinely laugh out loud if anyone brings up the 'socialisation' topic because he is home educated!

Do I plan to take the summer off - not at all!

Do I plan to prioritise time with family members that are busy through the year, take more trips out, go on a family holiday and get some quality time with Daddy - definitely!

We will keep doing some of the learning that we do, for example, we have some This Bear Can Read books and worksheets left over from the last package that arrived... we have some summer activities left from the Adventure Gang box and I have bought a couple of new wipe clean activity books that are often skill-based. These will all still get done, just not necessarily in the same routine as normal as the routine that we have maintained for most of the year has barely been there this last couple of weeks due to being out and about so often.

What do you do come the summer? 

Do you keep going in the same routine, or do you "take the summer off"?

I'd love to hear what everyone else gets up to...

Mama Bear x