The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?

According to Andy Williams, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” According to anxious inquiries by mothers; home educating ones in particular, it is just one more situation to possibly be stressed about! Comments range from “My children are ungrateful and quarrel more at this time of the year than any other”, to “I would love to take some time off, due to the already busy nature of the season, but am afraid of falling behind.” I hope this article can serve to possibly inspire, lend some perspective at this already-busy-time, and invite joy and peace to reign paramount.

I recognize that there are countless methods and means for home educating successfully. Yet when pressures mount or we begin to feel overwhelmed, we all tend to hit the panic button in the same ways! I think it helps to throw out the reminder that we are not a public school classroom! In most cases, we aren’t even a private one! Yes, schedules are a necessary part of life and serve many purposes; but a huge element of home education is the freedom it affords to be flexible, if and when you desire to do so! There is so much of LIFE that is education, but because most all of us are products of a public one, we tend to default to that model, keeping things in nice, neat confines in order to “document properly.”

Why not give yourself and your family a tremendous gift this Christmas season, and celebrate even a portion of the many curriculum options that it offers? Here are just a few suggestions that have served to enrich, enlighten, and teach our family lessons through opportunities afforded around the holidays. I’m sure you could add many more of your own!

1. Read Classics. Literature in all of its forms, lends tremendous examples of people doing, modeling, and practicing life skills. Reading IS school, regardless of your current curriculum model. Expanding the mind through the use of stories, poems, songs, and situations specific to the holidays, builds anticipation, helps to reinforce traditions, and serves the family culture beautifully.

Pictured here are a wide range of classics that cover lots of broad subject matter as well. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” is timeless for all ages, and clearly presents the real meaning of what we’re celebrating. Dickens “A Christmas Carol” is somewhat more sophisticated, but powerfully drives home points about greed, bitterness, generosity, and joy (to name a few). Lesser known works, such as “Plants of Christmas” (Hal Borland), and “The Christmas Sky” (Franklyn M. Branley) discuss plants and constellation patterns that are only seen and experienced this time of year! Hal Borland was actually titled “Dean of the American Outdoors” in the 1960’s and 70’s, and Mr. Branley was the originator of the “Let’s Read and Find Out” Science Book series, and has delivered at the Hayden Planetarium during the Christmas season. You can cover every subject by just thinking and looking outside of the box. Reading also reinforces why good writing is not only necessary but enjoyable. For example, ‘The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry, a timeless classic, is treasured throughout the holidays. Many, however, have never read “The Ransom of Red Chief” by the same author; which is written with a totally different style and is hilariously funny. It showcases the merits of being able to write many different ways; and both are stories that kids remember; again, reinforcing what you are wanting them to practice regularly. Barbara Robinson’s, ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” is quoted around here, even in the middle of July; and one quote is all it takes to be transported back into the storyline where “The Herdmans were absolutely the worst kids in the history of the world.” Being a well-read individual is a priceless gift in and of itself.

2. Bake together. What more simple and enjoyable way to bone up on addition, subtraction, multiplication, and fractions, than through the natural process of baking together? Sharing the outcome with others is a meaningful investment and gift, in a day and age where it is easy to run quickly into the market to pick something up. The thought and effort in making holiday goodies for others is a gift that is not quickly forgotten, and teaches that people are worth investing in, no matter how much effort and time are involved.

3. Have movie nights. (or even days!) Many classic books have also been made into movies, and still others have been remade. We have so enjoyed watching vintage movies and when possible, the remake, in order to compare, dialogue and sometimes even debate. Some that come to mind are “It’s a Wonderful Life”, “Miracle on 34th Street”, “White Christmas”, “Holiday Inn”, “A Christmas Carol” ( the George C. Scott version is a favorite, but then so is the latest version with Jim Carrey!), “Meet Me in St. Louis”, “The Nativity Story”, “A Christmas Story”…the list is endless. Don’t ever discount the morals and message that a well-made movie convey. They can be especially interesting if you have read the book first. Add popcorn and hot chocolate, and again, a memorable and relaxing gift is given. The message that the gift of time together is a treasure not to be overlooked, is also reinforced. For the younger set, Veggie Tales are also awesome, and never grow old, no matter how old you happen to grow!

4. Community Service and Volunteerism. My husband grew up in The Salvation Army. Community involvement and commitment are extremely important to him and are things that he models with incredible excellence. While we’re on the subject, I challenge you to research The Salvation Army and other charitable community-based organizations. The knowledge you gain will possibly surprise you. The Army welcomes volunteers to sort toys, box food for needy families, and ring bells at the famous red kettles placed around towns all across the country. Our boys have adopted a kettle during the month of December in years past, and we have also served in a local venue in our area called “The Christmas Store.” Needy families could bring their kids, where we read to them, colored and chatted; while their parents “shopped” in rooms full of toys, clothing and food.

Many times, the younger children were accompanied by other siblings our own boy’s ages. Our kids learned through hands-on experience, that the human need to be accepted, acknowledged and loved unconditionally transcend socioeconomic status, age, and race.

The two years we participated we worked the entire time the store was open; which left us decorating our own tree and wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve. Each of our kids expressed how fortunate and even wealthy they felt to be in our family, and to have the opportunity to experience genuinely helping others while realizing that their own needs are more than met!

It would be easy to go on and on, because I simply love the opportunities that Christmas affords. Don’t forget to research and possibly implement Advent, to explore Hanukkah and its meaning and roots, introducing your children to other cultures and their holiday observances.

In the final analysis, when you ask countless caring parents what they want their children to grow up to know and practice, the Quadratic Equation isn’t generally mentioned! Nearly every answer that I have ever been given to the question involves character and personality traits that reflect faith, family values, and things that enhance the greater overall good for our fellow man. Countless opportunities to reinforce these present themselves at Christmas, and the opportunity to continue observing them throughout the year is entirely up to you.

You know…it really could be “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!” I hope you make it so!

Teri is a believer in God, family, community, and lover of leadership education the Thomas Jefferson way. Teri writes and also speaks about lessons learned on her educational journey with 5 rambunctious sons, ages 22 down to 9, one hero Hubby, and celebrating day to day life with lots of humor, within the human race. You can find Teri blogging at Tommy Mom.