Give me a break!

It has been a long while since I wrote here on the blog. 

The month of November to the begining of December required extensive reading and writing on my part to complete my reading endorsement. I have been fascinated with the reserach on digital reading and the effects. I promise to devote a blog to that soon.

​I wanted to take a minute and share how important it is to unplug sometimes and take a break for all of our students. My brain was numb from all the research I was reading and writing about. I had little to give elsewhere. Which is important to note. 

As parents and teachers we tend to push our kiddos even when they have reached their numbing point. It is so important to be able to recognize the need they have to take a break. We need downtime and so do our children. 

I am not talking about vacationing. I am talking about building in time in your week, your child's week, to decompress. This will look different for all children. Some of us have very active children. I noticed that my own teenage son was grumpy during the break and missed his workouts for volleyball, As soon as there was an opportunity to throw him to the gym he was happy again.  

For some children they need just some time to snuggle on the couch and take your time to read, talk, or watch a movie. 

For others a family game night be exactly what's needed. 

When my daughter was younger she found baking was a great way to decompress. Now as an adult she enjoys painting.

Be careful, to not set up another "to do" or "must do" for them. What they do to decompress may look different week by week. 

Why not share what your kids or you do to decompress? or unplug? I would love to read your ideas  below.