summer break vs. continuing to school....

[Lynnw]

We are having the most beautiful weather here in central KY. The kids aren't balking about school because they know it's a given, but *I* feel like we should be taking a break. Unfortunately, we have 5 or 6 weeks to go. Part of me wants to go to half pace and continue through the summer. Part of me wants to take May (and maybe June) off and start back July 1. There is also the likelihood that we may have a few abnormal interruptions this fall/winter as my dh is scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan and we'll take time off with him before he goes. So I'm leary of taking too much time off for the summer.

What I really need to do is *pray* about these decisions! I would appreciate any experiences with going half pace through the summer vs. taking time off, etc. and prayers too.

Thanks,
Lynn

[Jen in Va]

We've already started our guide for the coming year, and I plan on going 3-4 days a week to stretch it out, as I don't want to start him too early in Bigger the following year. We will be taking time off here and there as we have a vacation planned, and then ds goes away with his grandparents each summer for 10 days or so. But at his age (6.5) I don't like to take the whole summer off as it takes so long to get him back up to speed in the fall.

[dale1088]

Lynn, I like your idea of going half speed so that you can plan for those interruptions this fall. I'm going to slow down a bit but since we started Bigger in January, we're only about 1/2 done. So we'll school all summer with a few smaller planned breaks. But still we'll prob only school 3 days a week. I am sensing dd is ready for a break too, but it's hard to justify when school only takes us 3 hours or so! This week is rainy in TX (a HUGE blessing), so we are hunkered down and studying. I say if God is blessing your area with a glorious Spring, get out there and explore His creation!

[Mumkins]

I like schooling year round. I like it not being a big deal if we take a day, a few days or even a week off if needed. Going half speed during the summer sounds good. I just don't want the kids to get out of the habit of daily school.

[Tansy]

We have had many interruptions this year and every year. I have always schooled though the summer some times half days some times full days. mainly because my DD would loose her ability to add and subtract and read if i didn't

In just thinking about it now... how many of us actually get 3 months off in our adult lives... Unless you live on a farm is there any reason not to school in the summer? its not like the kids are needed to help at home like they used to be...

[crlacey]

We too school in the summer. This allows us to have breaks all throughout the year when a family member pops into the area or we get sick. We also take breaks as needed.

[mskogen]

We year round school too. We love it. We take more time off in the winter (we live in Fl) and spring (when family is escaping up north). Then in the summer when it is extremely HOT we are inside schooling. This summer we are only taking two weeks off. We don't do school on birhtdays either. We get to enjoy our weather and take breaks when we need them or want them. You have to do what works for your family....but I say go enjoy the weather or take the schooling outside

[ahngele]

we are on break for may because my DH has tons of stuff going on with his ministry right now and I am helping him. We are having great weather so the kids are outside most of the day anyway. I am thinking we will go through part of the summer... like on rainy days and when it gets so miserable hot and humid. I like the idea of being able to take a day/week off here and there. We usually have awesome awesome weather in Sept/October and I would like to be able to take some time off then.

[spidermansmum]

Im still praying and trying to work out what we need to do with this.We have 5-6 weeks of LHFHG left.I really want a summer break- a nice long one but I know how hard we had to work to get the routine in place to do LHFHG-We had to work at adding a box at a time-to build up to the full curriculum.Im also concerned that beyong is another step up and will require a little more ...So im torn between along free summer -which may mean a challenging re start
or not having the break and start on the next one-which will save the restart struggle but I might get burnt out...

[my3sons]

We do take the summer off, which works well for us because we live in SD, and the summer affords some of the only weather for us to get outdoors and enjoy it. We also have grown to love the idea of having a definite start and finish to our homeschool year. We have an end of the year party, and then we have a beginning of the year kickoff where I wrap the books and new supplies I've bought for the school year and hide them around the house. My dh is also an avid fisherman, and he loves to be able to pick up the boys and take them fishing (or just riding on 3-wheelers) outside if it's nice weather, on a whim. We also try to take a vacation together, and summer is when I attack the house, which has laid dormant through the school year. I do all of my big house projects and deep cleaning in the summer - go through the dreaded basement - and sell things to make some money, throw things to make some space, and give things away to others that could use them. I also try a ton of new recipes, try to scrapbook, and work on projects in general (as well as attending book fairs and editing). Anyway, for us, it just works out well. However, this is a very personal decision, and one in which there is truly not 1 right answer. I'd say it helps to look at your particular situation, wants and needs, and make the decision that's best for your family - whatever that may be!

Lynnw - I'd say weigh what your #1 priority is - and then let the rest flow from there. Prayer - that will reveal what's best for you. I've just prayed for you as well.

In Christ,
Julie

[netpea]

We usually take the summers off. But since I'm expecting, we're going to school through the summer so that we can take off 2 months when the baby comes without feeling behind. We will still take off a week here and there though over the summer.

[1GirlTwinBoys]

Hi, we live in KY too.! May and June are good months to take a break. The weather is so hot & humid in July around here. We will probably start back around then too. I'm ahead for next year because I want to not worry about it if my kid's are sick and we need time off for vacation and field trips etc...

[funkmomma71]

We will be finished LHFHG by th eend of May annd will take off June and some of July, but will start ealier than I did last year with the goal of taking the spring off next year. I live in Las Vegas and the summers are HOT, HOT, HOT! So I figured why take the summers off when springtime is wonderful here, KWIM?? Anyway, there's no reason not to take a break, or go half speed for a while in order to enjoy the weather. I know I can't wait for our upcoming break, though my daughter still wants to do something, so we will get a bunch of books about the ocean and do an ocean lapbook.

[Kathleen]

We take a summer break here. We actually do live on a farm, so life is busier. We stay busy with our garden and mowing and helping Dad get to and from the machinery on the different farms...or taking him a nice snack or meal. (Once when we were still newly married I took him lunch - spaghetti - with no silverwear. Oops! He ate with the ice scraper in the car. ) My kids also LOVE to go swimming, so we make several trips a week to the pool.

Praying for your decision,
Kathleen

[my3sons]

(Once when we were still newly married I took him lunch - spaghetti - with no silverwear. Oops! He ate with the ice scraper in the car. )
Kathleen

You crack me up! Farmers are VERY resourceful!
Julie