There’s a quiet pressure that sneaks in around the holidays, even for those of us who homeschool. Homeschooling during the holidays can suddenly feel heavier than it should, as the year winds down and expectations creep in. The year is winding down, social media and family/friend gatherings can be loud with recaps and accomplishments, and suddenly it can feel like learning needs to be measured, logged, and optimized.
This year, as it’s my first official full time year in homeschool – I’m choosing something different, something less stressful and more.. “us”.
My mantra these days is magic over metrics. Connection over quantity. And trusting that learning doesn’t disappear just because the calendar says December.
A Softer Season of Learning During the Holidays
Since our Thanksgiving break, our homeschool rhythm looks different right now -and that’s very intentional.
We’re still reading. Still writing. Still doing math. But we’re keeping it short, playful, and light. Lessons happen in small pockets through out the day, often disguised as games or conversations. We even read and and did art till 10 pm the other night because that is where the energy and excitement was. No one is sitting for long stretches and no one is burnt out. If we get close to that or feel it, we just take a moment and either take a break or let it go until it feels good again.
Instead of forcing productivity, I’m asking a different question:
Does this feel nourishing—for them and for me?
If the answer is yes, we lean in. If it’s no, we pivot. It’s been a hard mind reset, and I often fail, but with each day that passes, I am learning to trust it. The more I do, the more connected we all feel and the more we all learn. It truly is an amazing cycle.
What Holiday Homeschooling Looks Like in Our Home
Some days, learning looks like:
- Making ornaments and cards and talking about patterns, symmetry, and fine motor skills.
- Decorating cookies (fractions, anyone?) and practicing patience (with eachother and ourselves) and creativity.
- Spending as much time outside as possible—even though winter has been unusually tame and snowless so far.
- Curling up on the couch with books, a nature documentary, blankets, and warm drinks.
We’re keeping our academic touch points simple:
- Reading every day (this one is non-negotiable, but joyful).
- Writing in small doses—lists, notes, stories, labels all count.
- Math through games, mental challenges, and real-life applications.
For us it’s less about checking boxes and more about staying curious.
Curriculum, But Not Rigid: A Gentle Homeschool Approach
Everyone has opinions about curriculum vs. no curriculum—and honestly, I think the right answer is whatever works for your family in that season.
Right now, we’re using a reading and math curriculum, and we’re genuinely loving it. It gives us structure without pressure, and confidence without rigidity. It’s a tool—not a rule—and that distinction matters.
We’re also leaning hard into hands-on learning, which has been a huge win:
- Our Crunch Labs subscription has been lighting up curiosity, problem-solving, and engineering brains in ways I couldn’t replicate on my own. It’s learning that feels like play—and that’s the sweet spot.
- Equally our Vigdee Monthly Craft Kits has been the perfect compliment to all the nature documents we have been watching (thank you AppleTV!). The boys have been absolutely loving these diorama art projects that teach, inspire and transform trash to treasure.
The Gear Supporting Our Holiday Homeschool Days
As always, the right gear doesn’t make the experience—but it does support the rhythm of our days.
Here’s what we’re loving this season:
- Daylight Computer – A game-changer for focused learning sessions, research, and creative writing projects. Simple, intentional, and not distracting as it has no blue light what so ever, instead it’s all amber light. If interested, feel free to reach out to me with questions on why we love it and use ENDURANCEMAMA at check out.
- Patagonia Black Hole Backpack – This thing is our homeschool workhorse. It’s always packed and ready. Books, notebooks, snacks, layers—this thing goes from kitchen table to coffee shop to trailhead seamlessly.
- All About Reading Curriculum – Gentle, effective, and confidence-building. A reading program that actually feels supportive instead of stressful. It’s filled with games, and the books they read are engaging and full of beautiful pictures that inspires and builds more questions. We also love their All About Math Curriculum for our youngest (6) as it’s basically the same thing, but with Math!
- Patagonia cozy fleece sweats – Basically our homeschool uniform. Warm, comfortable, and perfect for bouncing between couch school and outside play.
- 4 Hour Fuel Superfood Smoothies – Super Yummy fuel for busy mornings, post-outdoor adventures, and days when everyone needs a little extra support.
Letting This Season Be What It Is
The holidays don’t need to be a sprint to the finish line—especially when you’re homeschooling during the holidays and trying to hold space for all of it.
This season is about connection, traditions, and being together and believe it or not – learning fits beautifully inside all of these things when we let go of expectations and having “to do it all”.
If you’re homeschooling this time of year and feeling behind or pressured, let this be your reminder:
Learning doesn’t stop when things slow down, it deepens and expands it.
This is a season for wonder, warmth, and presence. The rest will come.
— Happy Holidays,
Endurance Mama
