✨Spring Slump? 10 Gentle Ways to Reset Your Home and School
Practical ways to reduce overwhelm and restore joy
There’s just something about spring.
It calls us outside — to play, soak in the sun, smell the flowers.
But…. the school year isn’t quite over. March is that final stretch. Close enough to see the finish line, but far enough it’s just out of reach. By spring, we’ve been working — really working — for months.
It gets harder and harder to get out the paints when we could just color - amiright?
If spring is starting to feel heavy, you are not failing.
You just need to lighten the load — or spruce it up a bit.
Here are my favorite things to do to brighten our home and school life heading into spring. PS. These tips work year round if it’s not spring where you are.
Let’s start with the basics — and then we’ll get…. well…. more imaginative.
Check the Fundamentals
Sleep. Movement. Nutrition. Play.
Sleep: Most kids need 9–11 hours. My kids are on the high end of this range. I notice BIG time when they aren’t getting enough rest. Remember kids often need more in intense seasons or growth spurts.
Movement: My youngest breaks up school work by “doing a loop” around our neighborhood block on her scooter. Bike rides before school when they were little also worked magic for focus and attention. Kids need a lot more movement than you think.
Nutrition: Growing, active kids need protein and carbs. A lot of both. Check in with your diet. Can you put out chopped veg and fruit for snacks? Can you add in some healthy, high protein snacks? My easy favorites are coming.
Play: Play is children’s mental health routine. It regulates, restores, reconnects - and studies show it’s doing a lot more than this. It is not optional. Ensure your kids are getting quality, open-ended, non-structured time to just be.
Pick the weakest pillar for your family and make a small change. You’ll be surprised at how big a difference a small change will make.
Don’t forget you need these too.
Try Snacks
I can’t tell you how many hard moments I’ve cured with snacks.
Our kids are often in the thick of growth spurts. Their bodies and brains are changing in big, big ways — demanding energy.
When focus fades, reach for food. PRO TIP: Throw some protein powder into hot chocolate or peanut butter power balls.
Sometimes the simplest solution is the best one.
Add Something New & Delightful
In January, I introduced the girls to opera. They are still humming The Magic Flute. It reignited joy of learning without adding any pressure to our world.
Choose something bright:
Crochet
Origami
Spring is a beautiful time to fall back in love with learning.
For more ideas → Activities Most Kids Will Never Experience – But Should
Take School on the Road
When our home was torn apart during the remodel, everything felt chaotic. So I had the girls pack “anywhere school” bags. We went to local library with a view of the lake or to the park.
I assumed we’d stop once the house was back together. We didn’t.
Now when things felt heavy, we go. Because we’re already packed, we can decide that morning.
A change of scenery can change everything.
Reorganize a Room — Hear me out
I’m NOT asking you to clean!
I am asking you to pull out forgotten books, leave out a puzzle, set up a microscope on the table, stack origami paper and knitting thread by the couch.
“Strewing” is one of my favorite habits — quietly placing things where they could rediscover them. It still works for older kids.
Watching my children rediscover old loves is pure delight.
Field Trips: Your Secret Weapon
Yes, you know this one.
But think quirky. Off the beaten path.
We once toured a worm farm — huge hit. We’ve done illusion museums, instrument collections, farm tours, Shakespeare plays.
There’s this whole big, crazy world out there! You never know what might spark a deep interest in your children.
Did You Take a Break?
One of my favorite things about homeschooling is not following the public school calendar.
But spring break exists for a reason. Take one.
It doesn’t have to be expensive. Fill a week with hikes, library visits, documentaries, a new read-aloud, or some of that unstructured play time I mentioned above.
Let them get bored. Boredom is often the doorway to their best creativity.
Let Go of Something
As I spoke about in Stop Managing Time — How to Start Living Your Values, overwhelm is often misalignment.
Look at your calendar. Is there something that sounded right in the moment but is not longer serving your family?
Even releasing one commitment can create breathing room.
Refresh the Relationship
Last week, I spent 2 hours outside with my girls - no agenda, no devices. One crocheted while the other did origami. We talked about the books we were reading.
The best time I’ve spent all week. These moments matter just as much as math.
Connection cures most ails.
Make a Special Meal
I cook almost every meal. So, it’s a special treat when I wake them up by whispering in their ears, “Do you want to go out to breakfast?” The smiles - Oh, the smiles! If you prefer, cook a special meal at home together.
Children should feel cherished. And days go smoother when they do.
Remember Why You Chose This
It’s easy to get lost in the to-do lists and lose sight of your why.
I chose this because I wanted a front-row seat to my children’s childhood.
I chose this because their smiling faces mattered more than career accolades.
I chose this because I wanted their lives filled with wonder and joy.
✨Take five minutes. Write down why you chose this.
Reconnecting with your why has a quiet way of making everything lighter.
You are doing important work!
It won’t always be easy.
But it will be worth it♥️
If you liked this, consider joining our community of thousands of parents just like. Get access to posts like The Four Stories Your Kids Need to Read Everything Else, Curate a Love for Classical Music in Your Children, and my You Can Homeschool course. Plus hundreds more articles about giving your children a joyful and rigorous education. Hope to see you soon♥️
Remember, children are our most important work.
~Claire
Thanks for this! Good reminders 😊