As a homeschooling parent, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day demands of teaching your children, managing your household, and maybe things like working, running a business, or volunteer roles. It can be easy to neglect your own needs in the process, leading to feelings of burnout, depression, and exhaustion. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of self-care for homeschooling parents and offer some tips for avoiding homeschool burnout.
Identify Your Needs to Avoid Homeschool Mum Burnout
The first step in avoiding homeschool burnout is to identify your needs.
Have you been sold the idea that self care is as simple as taking a bath and chatting with a friend on the phone? And then when you try these things, you’re still exhausted and burning out? True self-care is completely individual. Self-care means “caring for your self”, so before you can do that you really need to know who your self is and what is special to you. You might find solace in alone time, time with friends, exercise, creative pursuits, or something else entirely – it’s completely individual. Spend some time with your self and get to know what you really need and want. If you aren’t sure where to start, why not try my free journal sheet to get some ideas.
Once you have identified your needs, make a plan to meet them. It really is important to prioritize self-care and make time for yourself, even when you feel like you don’t have any extra time in your day. (And what homeschooling mother has extra time in her day?!)
Make Time for Self-Care
Ok, so how do you actually make time out of thin air?
Well, this is easier said than done when you have a busy homeschool to attend to.
But if you value yourself as much as you value other things you spend your time on, you will reap the benefits. So schedule self-care activities and stick to them as you would any other appointment or commitment. Even if you only have a few minutes to spare, take advantage of that time to recharge your batteries. Try taking a few minutes to sit quietly, meditate, or do something that brings you joy – it can make a big difference in how you feel.
Involve Your Children in Your Self-Care Routine
Self-care doesn’t have to be a solitary activity. You can involve your children in your self-care routine by taking a nature walk together, doing yoga as a family, or reading a book aloud together. Not only will this help you meet your own needs, but it will also help you bond with your children and create lasting memories. It will also teach your children how valuable it is to prioritise their needs as they grow so they can tackle the world without stumbling down the path of burnout.
How to Avoid Become Tired or Depressed about Homeschooling: Practice Self-Compassion
Homeschooling can be challenging, and it’s easy to be hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned. Practice self-compassion by being kind to yourself and acknowledging that you’re doing the best you can. Remember that homeschooling is a journey, and there will be ups and downs along the way. Give yourself permission to make mistakes and take breaks when you need them.
Connect with Other Homeschooling Parents
Connecting with other homeschooling parents can help you feel less isolated and provide a support network. Join a homeschooling group or attend a homeschooling conference to connect with other like-minded parents. You can share your struggles and successes, learn from others, and gain valuable insights and tips for homeschooling success. If you don’t have any local groups or coop opportunities I can guarantee you there are other burned out homeschool moms in the same place – so why not set up your own group? If you build it, they will come! Advertise on social media, local homeschool networks, send out messages to other mums and let them know you will be at a park at a particular time and I bet you will be surprised how many people join you.
Self-care is essential for avoiding homeschool burnout and maintaining a healthy and fulfilling homeschooling experience. By identifying your needs, making time for self-care, involving your children, practicing self-compassion, and connecting with other homeschooling parents, you can avoid feeling tired of homeschooling and homeschool depression.
Remember to prioritize self-care and take care of yourself so that you can better care for your children and create a positive learning environment for your family.
Free Self Care Checklist and Journal
Learn how to identify the things that bring you joy, and follow the self care journal so you can avoid homeschool overwhelm and burnout.
