Kids who have suddenly gone from a classroom to learning at home often need some time to adjust. Homeschoolers have a word for it — “decompression.”

Decompression (also sometimes called “deschooling”) means holding off on school-type activities, and take a more relaxed attitude toward learning. And it can make all the difference between utter chaos and a smooth transition.

Decompression gives children feeling overwhelmed time to recover. And it can help the whole family find a new normal. That’s especially true if you are having trouble yourself balancing a structured homeschool experience with your own responsibilities to work and to keeping the household running.

Instead of scrambling to keep up with the classroom, or diving into a pre-set curriculum, consider activities that don’t depend on a lot of formal work on the part of you or your kids. That can include:

choosing their own reading materials, without worrying whether or not they're "schoolish;"
watching videos on fascinating topics;
playing with educational toys that make learning fun;
experimenting with hands-on science experiments and engineering projects using everyday stuff;
observing the peace and beauty in nature;
using art to express feelings and creativity;
using physical activity to release tension and channel restless energy.

How long the period of decompression should last depends on your children. Younger kids may only need a week or two. For teenagers, the adjustment can be longer. My advice? Follow your family's lead.

Some kids will be thrilled to finally have to freedom to follow their own interests. Let them. Chances are, they'll learn more on their own than if you try to plan out a course of study for them. When you’re all a bit more settled, you can start to suggest adding in subjects you feel they need at a gradual pace. On the other hand, if your children seem lost without a schedule, sit down and make one up together.

Above all, don't fix what isn't broken. If kids seem happy and productive, leave them be. That’s way more valuable than any curriculum.