Spring Break Schedule

We are officially on Spring Break at my house. That means 10 days of kids at home! They think they are just going to sit around and play video games all day...but I have learned the hard way that I have to make a schedule and stick to it! I have tried over holidays and summers and it usually just falls by the wayside, but I have to keep trying. If Ethan could be in school year-round I would have him there, but the closest I can do I try to give him a similar schedule, while still allowing him a break and giving him some fun.

I had both of my boys write down a list of things they wanted to do while we were out for Spring Break. Some of the things they wanted to do were simple, like go to Wal-Mart. So, I tried to incorporate all of their wishes into our calendar, along with the other things we already had on the calendar.

One of the things I really wanted to keep up during this week off was some math, reading and writing. Ethan has his EOG's coming up at school next month and can use the practice. Jonah also needs some math and writing practice and I definitely did not want the struggle of getting them back into homework again when school starts. A few educational games and worksheets is not going to hurt any child, despite what mine might think!

This is an example of what I have made for each of my boys...one for each day they are out, including weekends! Fights and frustrations are on those days, too, so I do everything I can to head it off! I try to keep things fun and easy, not too hard, but I also know what my kids will and will not do. So, given that many of my choices or days were not that full and may have given one child more choices than another or one child more activities than another. Hopefully, this will help our Spring Break to be a little more peaceful than time off has been in the past.

What do you do when your kids are off on break? Do you plan your days out or just fly by the seat of your pants?