Back from holiday (and Paying the Price)

It’s been a while since I wrote a blog. We just got back from a family trip to Korea, and if you’ve ever taken kids on holiday, you know it’s not exactly a vacation.

But we had a great time. We ate too much. We walked too much. We laughed too much.

And true to my own advice, I alw

ays tell parents:“Don’t forget to do your work, even when you’re away.”

But this time, I ignored my own advice.

The Reality Check

Emma is K2 now, and we want to travel as much as possible while the school system still allows it (and the flights are cheaper). So, we went against my usual rules. I didn’t bring any worksheets.

I figured, she’s been consistent for the last few months, she’s ahead, she can afford a break. And honestly? We all needed it.

But Monday came around, and I paid for it.

What I Noticed

English: Her phonics had slipped. Her reading was slower.

Math: She couldn’t subtract in her head anymore. I had to remind her of things that used to be automatic.

It was 1.5 hours of full Teacher Julian mode, and I had to keep reminding myself: 👉 I chose this. 👉 I chose to let her take a break. 👉 I chose not to bring the worksheets.

And that’s fine. We survived that hour. We’ll survive the next one, too.

The Bicycle Analogy

I use this analogy with parents a lot:

Learning is like riding a bicycle. The first few pedals are tough. You have to push hard to get moving. But once you get the flow, the momentum kicks in, and the child starts riding on their own.

Our job as parents is to hold the bike, run alongside them, and give them that first push.

It’s not easy. It’s tiring. And sometimes, you’ll want to let go too early or not at all.

But the goal is for them to ride without you. And that only happens if you push long enough to build momentum.

So yes, today will be tough. And probably tomorrow, too.

But it’s okay. We’ll get back in the flow.

Because once the wheels are spinning again, the ride gets easier.