December 31, 2025 – Homeschooling After the Holidays

Christine Hage

Back to School, Take Two

For many families, a whirlwind of activities that includes parties, shopping, cooking, and decorating seems to wreak havoc in the typical homeschool routine from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. When the storm finally subsides, getting the learning back on track can be a slow process. With the excitement of new Christmas presents, it can be difficult for students to focus their attention on academics. What can be done to aid the “hustle” transition back into the “humdrum”? 

First of all, preparation can be half the battle. Encourage your students to complete their lessons up to a certain point where you know they can pause a while without having to repeat anything. For many, this time of the year is the halfway point, so the goal would be to complete half of your curriculum or assignments before the holiday season. Meeting this goal will allow you to relax and enjoy the holidays without the academic stress of trying to get your students to learn new concepts when their minds aren’t really focused on learning. The school days you do have between holiday activities can be used for additional practice or reinforcing newly learned concepts. 

Secondly, approach the second half of the school year as a “new” school year. Begin with the most important subjects and shorter days, offering incentives of extra time with new presents if the assignments are completed. This is also a good time to evaluate what went well the first half of the school year, what didn’t, and how you can make the learning process more enjoyable and effective. It’s okay to make a change and now is a good time to do it. 

Lastly, give yourself grace and have a goal. Ease into the full-time school schedule and have a realistic goal of when that schedule should be in full swing. Homeschooling after the holidays is similar to homeschooling after the summer break. Think of it as back to school, take two!

About the author

Christine Hage has been homeschooling in West Virginia for over a decade. She strives to live a simple, eternity-minded life as she raises her family and serves in the ministry with her husband. She and her husband lead a local homeschool support group offering encouragement and fellowship to other families. They also offer homeschool support and a free Homeschool Resource Guide at www.teachingnaturally.net

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Alexandria Letkeman

The Gentle Winter Reset

When the Christmas lights come down and the last New Year’s popper has been popped, we get to stare down the dreaded winter slump. The excitement of the holidays fades, the days are shorter, and motivation hides under the blanket of cold weather. Ugh. But this season can also become one of the most peaceful, productive, and meaningful times of your homeschool year. All it takes is a little intentional reset.

First, embrace a gentle re-entry. Don’t expect to pick up where you left off the moment January begins. Ease back into lessons with shorter days or lighter workloads that first week. Focus on small wins—reading together on the couch, finishing a science project, or setting new goals as a family. Momentum builds faster when you start with grace instead of pressure (that’s true for both parents and kids).

Next, find light and laughter wherever you can. Open the blinds wide, play upbeat music, or have an impromptu “cozy day” with blankets and cocoa with your history lesson. Even small traditions like Friday movie learning or themed weeks can bring warmth back into your routine.

Then, revisit your “why.” Talk with your kids about what they love learning most and adjust your schedule to reflect that passion. Winter is the perfect time to rediscover curiosity. Try nature walks, art challenges, or baking lessons that secretly teach fractions.

Finally, remember: you’re not behind. Homeschooling naturally has seasons for rest and refreshment. Growth is happening in the quiet moments, even when books are closed.

The post-holiday slump doesn’t have to steal your joy. Let it refine your focus, strengthen family bonds, and remind you that homeschooling isn’t just about academics. It’s about nurturing hearts, one peaceful winter day at a time.

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About the author

Alexandria Letkeman began homeschooling with her family in middle school and has recently graduated with honors in 2020. Together with her husband, she has developed a passion for financial literacy, classical writing, and the freedom that homeschooling provides. In pursuit of those passions, she and her husband aim to continue the legacy of The HomeScholar and continue helping homeschool parents homeschool with confidence. One day, Alex plans to start a homesteading farm in Texas featuring mini cows.

Dara Halydier

After the Holidays

We’ve dined, vacationed, and enjoyed days of leisure and now it’s time to get back to the grind of school days. Or is it? As homeschoolers we have the flexibility to not only choose when we school, but also how we school. School can be fun!

Kids learn best through active participation. Taking down the holiday decorations, organizing the attic, and cleaning out the old to bring in the new can all be part of the school experience. 

After the holidays or any big event, we often assigned articles to be written, went through photos, and put out a newsletter to family and friends about our experiences. One child might write about the food they had over the holidays. Another might tell about a trip you took or an event that they enjoyed. Still another might describe the ugly sweater night.

With winter weather still bearing down, it’s a great time to snuggle under blankets while drinking hot chocolate and listening to great books or watching a documentary. Putting on a play from a Bible story or book that you’ve read can be a welcome change—puppets, magnets glued to paper figures on the refrigerator, or a full-blown play are acceptable. 

Homeshooling doesn’t have to happen through textbooks and workbooks. These are tools that can be used, but learning includes so much more. Don’t let the doldrums of winter get you down—get out of your box and make it fun! Crafts, baking, learning about other cultures, or digging deeper into a subject that thrills your child’s heart can be a great way to kick off the new year. 

Learn more about ways to teach your high schooler using activities with my new book The Practical Guide for Homeschooling High School at https://www.abidingtruthministry.com/product/the-practical-guide-to-homeschooling-high-school/. helps to intersperse some sneaky learning while you have fun with your kids on an ordinary school day!

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About the author

Dara Halydier is a Bible teacher, a conference speaker, a mentor, author, mom to five boys and grandma of eight. She is the director of Abiding Truth Ministry. Dara teaches with humor, wisdom, and vulnerability as she reaches out to encourage and equip the next generation.

Heidi Mosher

Unpopular Opinion: Homeschooling after the Holidays is the Best!

Poor January and February—they have the worst reputation on the homeschool calendar. Holiday prep and gatherings are now history, the calendar is oddly quiet, and the wintry weather can confine families to home. Many will shudder and sigh. 

If the stretch ahead looks bleak in your book, maybe the marketer in me can convince you that January and February are bright and deserve high marks in the homeschool world. We’re entering what is honestly my favorite stretch of the homeschool year. Here’s why I’m campaigning for these unpopular months:

We’re in the right place. I’ve admittedly allowed homeschooling opportunities to keep us too “on the go,” leaving us longing for the “home” part of homeschool. These quieter months at home prove to be a refreshing rest for the family. We don’t have to stay home—we get to!

We make progress. When we’re actually at home, our school schedule stays consistent, and we move rapidly through our curriculum in a way that is not realistic during busier times. January and February have proven over and over to be our most productive homeschooling season.

We have margin. When the days aren’t overflowing with rush, time at home generously provides rest and recovery along with connection and conversation.

We might even get a little bored—and that’s good! Have you noticed when kids are bored they become creative? 

We have time to enjoy our Christmas gifts. One of our gift traditions included a new board game to learn over the holidays. We had the rules down by the time school started again. Then we had a game to look forward to enjoying in an empty afternoon or evening. 

Most importantly, we get to enjoy the gift of each other. Winter might feel long, but the years are quick. Together is what homeschooling is all about. Blessings on your homeschooling efforts—especially in January and February! 

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About the author

Heidi Mosher is honored to write for The Homeschool Minute, as it was a lifeline of her early homeschooling years. She is thankful to be the mother of four: three recent homeschool graduates and one in high school.

Joy in the Morning is found by intentionally choosing joy, memorizing Biblical promises, finding encouragement, and practicing de-stressing tips. Start the new year off right, with a solid foundation and focus. Be sure to check out all of our Parent Resources on SchoolhouseTeachers.com.