I'm writing this post as a new year approaches, enjoying that middle period between the Christmas shutdown and heading out into the world again. Not that things really shut down anymore but it's nice to imagine they do, and there's a bit less pressure to do anything or be anywhere.
With home education, that return to the world in early January - planning the week, getting organised, getting prepared - can wait just that little bit longer. And home ed group activities tend to start a week or two later as well, as though we've all silently agreed that we'll be emerging from our cosy nests a bit later than the rest of the world.
A few years ago a friend posted a photo on Facebook around the 8th or 9th January. It showed her family gathered around the kitchen table playing board games. It read: "We're still in hibernation mode." It was a bit of a lightbulb moment for me. Wait - we can hibernate and be home for a few days more even as everyone else is heading back to school?
And just like that, an idea formed in my mind of an actual hibernation week which is now entering its 3rd year.
It doesn't have to be a winter hibernation
Now depending on how your Christmas and New Year break has gone, being at home with your family for another week might not sound too appealing! But read on because it doesn't actually have to be right at the start of January, or even in winter, and it doesnt' have to last a whole week either. It can be any time of the year and for as long as you need it to be. It's good for when you might feel a bit depleted, when life is full on and you need to slow down or when people are getting ill or recovering from illness. We've done them in the middle of summer if we've felt the need.
Hibernation week is a time when you:
a) clear the decks as much as possible and keep things very low-pressure, and
b) fill that space only with activities that feel restful and nourishing for everyone.
It doesn't mean staying at home the whole time unless you choose to. For example, you might want to meet up with good friends but only the ones that everyone can be totally relaxed around, the ones you can invite over when the house is a mess - you know the ones I mean.
You might go out - and I'd totally recommend doing this, it's a big part of our hibernation week - but go to places that feel good, not the ones that are likely to need loads of prep and be insanely busy and stressful.
Here are the things we tend to do in hibernation week:
๐ Plan a little bit in advance to keep the calendar mostly clear, ensure nothing urgent needs doing and plan very simple, low prep meals.
๐ฒ Spend time in nature. The kind of places where the kids can roam free, I can fully relax and we can maybe even include a picnic of hot chocolate, soup and leftover mince pies. Winter picnics are very underrated!
๐ Get new books from the library or start a new family read aloud. I also pull out lots of non-fiction and reference books we haven't looked at in a while to browse through - it can spark a new interest and lots of questions.
๐น๏ธ Play together - board games, card games, video games, jigsaws.
๐๏ธ Blankets, sofas, dens, movies, long reads in bed first thing and last thing.
๐ Plan in time for my own rest - early nights, baths, books, hobbies, favourite TV shows. I'm reluctant to suggest this as I know it isn't easy for everyone to find the time, especially with very young kids, but at the very least, slowing down in other areas will hopefully give your nervous system a bit more of a break than usual.
๐ Say no to most things that week and save them for the following week.
๐จโ๐ฆ Plan in quality one-to-one connection time with my kids each day whether it's a game, reading or just a chat and a cuddle.
โค๏ธ Plan in some quality time with my husband.
And here are a few things we try not to do:
โฉ Rush anything or anywhere.
๐ Plan any social events or meet ups that won't feel relaxing (or might involve me having to rush around tidying up).
๐๏ธ Book appointments or do errands that aren't urgent.
๐ Go anywhere that is too busy or crowded for these few days.
๐งน Do a big house clean, tidy or declutter - unless I actually choose to and have the energy for it. I usually find the energy for a lot of things appears right after hibernation week.
๐ก We tend to avoid starting any big projects that are likely to create a lot of chaos, mess and potentially shopping for parts.
๐ฌ Feel guilty!
Nothing terrible happens when things are allowed to wait a few more days.
The aim is to make it lovely and restful for all of you, to connect as a family and, short of a solo spa trip or retreat, to recharge yourself as much as possible to the energetic, enthusiastic being that you are under the layers of tiredness, worry and guilt!
My kids get excited about hibernation week. That could just be down to the hot chocolate, games and blankets, but I also think they know my husband and I are way more available and relaxed during this time to just hang out.
What I've noticed is that once I actually properly rest and say no to things, even for 3 days, the energy I have afterwards is far greater and means I can tackle the things that need doing with so much more energy and a clearer head.
And like I said, hibernation week doesnโt have to happen in January. If life starts to feel busy, if youโre heading back to work or if you just feel depleted from too much family time and not enough social life, you can shift it to another week. The timing is completely flexible, you just need to give yourself permission to slow down and take a break when it feels right for your family.