Another Unschooling Holiday

Last night I said to the girls, “Tomorrow is the last day of the school term.” Sophie and Gemma-Rose groaned.

Years ago, we used to count down the days to the holidays. We’d limp through the last week of term desperate for a break. Sometimes I’d call a halt early. “That’s enough,” I’d declare. Everyone would cheer. No more school work for several weeks.

But these days things are different. We enjoy our days together very much. We don’t yearn for a break like we used to. Of course, holidays are good and the girls will enjoy the next two weeks, but in a different way from term time.

Our routine will change. For a start, my husband Andy will be home from work. Our days will be more relaxed because he won’t be rushing out the door every morning. We’ll be able to linger over breakfast and go at a slower pace. We’ll want to spend time with Andy and maybe go on a few outings together. We might go to the movies and a museum or two, have a picnic and visit friends.

I probably won’t do much reading aloud for the next couple of weeks. (That was the reason the girls groaned! But perhaps they can persuade Andy to read to them.) I won’t be looking for interesting things to strew in front of the girls. Instead, I’ll be taking some time to work on my own projects, and so the girls will concentrate on those individual interests that don’t need my involvement. Yes, holidays are different.

So in a few minutes’ time, I will fill in the records book (which I am required to keep) for the last time this term, and then we will officially be on holiday. I will toss the book into the basket and forget about it for two weeks. What freedom!  I don’t have to record a single learning experience until the start of next term. For me, that is one of the highlights of having a break.

I don’t have to record a single learning experience? What if the girls learn something wonderful during the holidays, something that will look very impressive in my records book? The chances are they will. Holidays or no holidays, learning will still take place. Will I grab my book and pen and record everything anyway? No, I don’t think I will. As Gemma-Rose would say, “You don’t ‘do’ impressive, Mum.” It took me a long time to get to this stage, but I no longer do things solely for the sake of impressing others. It takes up far too much valuable time.

I often hear unschoolers say, “We don’t have holidays. Our days are the same regardless of whether it is school term or holiday time.” I can understand that. Learning goes on every day of the year. Unschooling never stops. But for us, we are looking forward to a change in routine. Because doesn’t everyone need a change every now and then?

The collage contains photos I took during the last school holidays when we visited Taronga Zoo, Sydney.