Taking a Break
This year, I’m giving myself permission to take a break—and honestly, it feels both strange and freeing. With all the interruptions and life-changing events we’ve experienced, I need time to breathe. Friends and family not respecting boundaries, illness that kept us down, Hurricane Helene that had our house packed for months, three different therapies for my kids, my husband going back to school—the list goes on.
Why Breaks Are Necessary
When we first started homeschooling, I didn’t think breaks were allowed. Surely, I told myself, I didn’t need breaks—I’m already at home, right? But over the years, I’ve learned that breaks aren’t just allowed, they’re necessary. And I don’t just mean the scheduled breaks for holidays or doctor appointments. I mean mental check-in days. Days where you can feel burnout looming, or where you just don’t have it in you to push through. Those are the days you need to step back.
This Year
That’s why this year, I need a breather. My boys are doing most of their schoolwork online through Miacademy. They’re learning everything I want them to, but without me having to do all the heavy lifting. It keeps my middle child, who has ADHD, engaged and entertained—saving us from the meltdowns that come with boring worksheets. They still work through the companion workbooks, but the lessons are broken into smaller chunks, so it doesn’t feel mind-numbing.
On top of that, they attend a STEAM-based co-op, called Fort STEAM, once a week to explore interesting subjects and connect with other kids who share their passions. And of course, we play a multitude of educational games.
This isn’t forever—it’s simply a pause until I find my rhythm again. I know we’ll return to a different balance in the future, but right now, this is what our family needs.
Our Online Solution
For years, my husband tried to convince me to try an online program to lighten my load. Overconfident, I always brushed him off. I’ve got this, I’d say. But truth be told—it’s been wonderful stepping back. Miacademy has been a blessing. My kids can log in, complete short 10-minute lessons, test their knowledge, and then move on to their own interests. Not only has this lowered my stress, it’s lowered theirs too. No more tears over math. No more groans of “Why do we have to do this?” Lessons are quick, simple, and they spark natural conversations that turn into deeper learning.
Finding Joy Again
Of course, that doesn’t mean the mom guilt goes away. I’ve talked before about discovering homeschooling through games, but that doesn’t stop me from feeling like I’m not doing enough. When a question comes up and my kids can’t answer, that little voice whispers: Have I failed them? Once our house was no longer under construction and everything was back in order, I found us slipping back into old routines. Suddenly, school felt like a chore again. And I knew—we needed to rediscover the joy.
Tears Over Math
Take math, for example. Sitting at the table with my middle child, working through two worksheets of twenty problems each, usually ended in him staring blankly into space—or crying onto the paper until the ink smudged. For him, math can’t be endless equations. It has to be woven into everyday life. So we made it practical. We turned grocery shopping into our own version of The Price Is Right, carrying a calculator through the aisles and having him predict the total. Suddenly, math made sense.
Writing has been another struggle. I’ve spent too many late nights at the schoolroom table, sitting in the glow of my laptop, searching for the “perfect” writing curriculum for my sixth grader. Writing has always felt like my Achilles’ heel. How do I teach him without pulling my hair out? One night, my husband caught me spiraling down that rabbit hole and asked, “Why are you doing this? You already have what you need.” And he was right. We already play spelling games. We already practice vocabulary through fun activities. And my son has pen pals in Germany, which has motivated him to write letters regularly. He’s learning in a way that excites him—and I don’t need to force a program for it to count.
More on the Plate
And then there’s the extra stress of my husband’s career. Moving has always been a possibility on the horizon. After spending so much time redesigning our home following hurricane damage, the thought of leaving it all behind is hard. It feels like taking one step forward and two steps back. And honestly, this isn’t new—we aren’t even military, and yet in our 15 years of marriage we’ve moved 8 times. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind seeing new places, but packing up a house with three kids? That’s another story. Honestly, I’ve already cast my vote that we should just move into an RV and take our home with us wherever we go.
Therapies are another challenge. Insurance makes it difficult to get in and stay in. More tics and behaviors have been surfacing that I’m beginning to connect in the bigger picture, so now I’m talking to our pediatrician about assessing for ASD. My middle child was referred to occupational therapy for ADHD years ago, and we’re still waiting. Counseling has been helpful, but it’s not the same as hands-on therapy. My youngest was referred to food therapy—we finally got in, only to lose coverage after three months. Sure, I could continue at $90 for a 30-minute session of “try this food, we don’t say it’s yucky, we’re food explorers”—but no thanks. (That’s Klaus gagging on dinner yet again!)
And why not add to it? Friends and family began calling me for advice, and I started to wonder if maybe there was a bigger purpose in all this. Maybe I could turn my experience into something that helps others—and that’s how this blog began. Of course, balancing it all—the house, homeschooling, cooking, extracurriculars, maybe even moving—plus blogging—feels daunting. But I know I’m not alone. (Bonus points if you can name the movie.)
Getting It Right
Because here’s the truth: there are so many parents out there struggling to “get it right.” And what I’ve learned is that there is no single right way. There’s only what’s right for your family.
That’s why we’re homeschooling online this year. My kids can work independently and quickly, and I can focus on the house, the meals, and the blog—without burning out. I remind myself often: this isn’t permanent. It’s just a break—a chance to breathe until we discover a new rhythm that works for our family.
Breaks Are Ok
It’s okay to take a break. We all need them, and I’m long overdue. Whether it’s a day, a week, a month, or even a year—step back if you need to. Breaks don’t set kids back; they often help them leap forward. And they definitely help ease that ever-present mom guilt.
So if you’re reading this and feeling tired, know you’re not alone. We’re human, and we have limits. Give yourself permission to rest.
Have you ever taken a homeschooling break? What did it teach you?
Have you ever taken a homeschooling break? What did it teach you?
And if you’re looking for a program that keeps kids engaged while giving you a little breathing room, we’ve been loving Miacademy. Pair it with some of our favorite educational games, and learning feels a lot less like work and a lot more like fun.
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2 responses to “The Year of the Breather”
We just moved due to getting laid off from our job, I just started writing my first book this year (trying to leap back in after 6 years off!), and we homeschool our three boys as well. I have also felt bad about taking things a little slower this year and have still been trying to push myself. Thanks for the reminder that slow doesn’t mean behind!
Oh friend, that’s a lot on your plate right now. Moving, job changes, writing a book, AND homeschooling three boys? You’re basically a superhero, even if it doesn’t feel like it. I totally get that pressure to keep pushing, but I’m so glad the reminder spoke to you—slow really doesn’t mean behind. Sometimes it’s exactly the pace we need. You’ve got this!