Getting Back Into the Swing of Homeschool After the Holidays

We had a great Fourth of July weekend with family in town, trips to the pool, and lots of good food (hello smoked brisket). However, as many neurodivergent families know, even the greatest of weekends can disrupt normal routines and cause dysregulation. I know my daughter had multiple moments this weekend where she felt overstimulated and needed extra quiet time. 

By Monday morning, my daughter wasn’t “back to normal.” She was quieter, needed more downtime, and little frustrations felt much bigger than usual. Years ago, I probably would have pushed through because “it’s Monday.” Now I’ve learned that our first day after a busy holiday usually looks different—and that’s okay.

So how do we get back into the swing of things when your child needs more time to decompress after family leaves? We utilize the very same tools that we use when we’re having a rough day. We also give ourselves permission to take the whole day off if needed.

Here’s what worked for us after our busy weekend.

• Start with an easy win. On tired Monday mornings, I don’t worry about having the “perfect” breakfast. Sometimes we eat breakfast while watching a favorite show. Starting the day calmly gives us a much better chance of having a successful homeschool afternoon.
• Get your outdoor nature walks or movement in first.
• Add in some calming music or a YouTube ambiance video in the background while you do lessons.
• Utilize your Yoto player (paid link) for either educational books or reading time.
• Work on a journal with your child. This not only builds social and emotional learning but is a good way to sneak in spelling and handwriting.
• Tidy up the home. After family leaves, our house always feels a little chaotic. I’ve learned that spending 20 minutes putting things back where they belong helps both of us. My daughter enjoys having a simple job to do, and I’ll admit—I think better when my house feels calm again.

One thing homeschooling has taught me is that we don’t have to rush back to “normal.” Sometimes my daughter needs an extra day to recharge after a holiday weekend, and sometimes we do too. I remind myself that the curriculum will still be there tomorrow. A regulated child and a regulated parent come first.