As I write this, we’re several weeks into the school year. The newness has worn off, and, if you’re like me, you’re getting tired. Sometimes parenting, teaching, managing a home, and maintaining an outside work schedule can feel like too much. How can a home educating parent care for themselves? If you would like to combat burnout and learn how you can re-charge, care for yourself, and be your best as a parent and teacher check out my tips on self-care for the home educating parent.
5 Self-Care Strategies You Need
1. Encouragement
You know your child best and are a wonderful learning partner! You have a unique perspective as your child’s parent and teacher and are able to provide one-on-one help and learning experiences tailored to their learning style and needs. You have a front row seat as your child makes discoveries and grows. Watching your child blossom is priceless!
These powerful truths motivated us to take the plunge as home educators. But, sometimes when we find ourselves in the thick of educating our child, it’s easy to lose perspective. We can lose sight of why we chose this path and become weighed down when things aren’t going as we had hoped or planned. Maybe our student is struggling, or maybe they don’t want to do school altogether. Perhaps we’re finding that our relationship with our child is suffering under the everyday pressure of fitting it all in.
A daily dose of encouragement is critical for maintaining a positive outlook and healthy perspective. Where do you find daily encouragement? When we started homeschooling I discovered some wonderful resources. There are many veteran home educators who offer encouragement through blogs, podcasts, and books. I’ve shared a few of my favorites below. If you’d like to check out more resources please visit my homeschool helps page.
Encouraging Home Education Blogs
Homeschool Podcasts
Homeschooling Books
- Teaching from Rest by Sarah Mackenzie
- The Core by Leigh Bortins
- The Well-Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer
2. Support
Community can make all the difference. More than likely, there are many people like you in your community who are participating in e-learning or are homeschooling. They are probably having some of the same challenges, doubts, and questions that you are having. Because the nature of educating at home can be isolating, it can sometimes be hard to connect with others.
When I started homeschooling our daughter I remember feeling utterly overwhelmed. There was a seemingly endless sea of options and no clear paths to travel. And then, a community of moms came beside me. They encouraged me, shared experiences and tips with me, and walked with me.
This is a time like no other. We are all facing different challenges right now, but one thing I know is that we must stand together offering support, encouragement, and a helping hand.
Find a support group and be intentional about connecting with other parents and kids. If you are a homeschooler, reach out to other homeschool parents to learn about resources in your community. If you are an e-learner, consider speaking with your child’s teacher or other parents to see if they can recommend any resources. If there aren’t any support groups in your community, consider starting one. There are also numerous Facebook groups available including our Delightful Homeschooling Facebook page where you can find daily encouragement, tips, and resources.
3. Time for Yourself
Depending on your personal situation, this may feel impossible. I understand. As parents we often find ourselves juggling more demands than we feel able to manage.
Before we had children I was an executive director for a non-profit and spent 60-70 hours a week working. Some of the best advice I received was to schedule meetings by myself. At first it felt impossible {and made me feel a little guilty}, but without that time I would have burned out. By making time for yourself, you will be a better parent and teacher for your child.
Start simply by getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and scheduling 20 minutes a day to go on a walk or exercise. Try getting up an hour before your family to have time for reflection or prayer and an uninterrupted shower.
Do you have a hobby? Finding time to invest in something outside of educating your kids can help you re-charge. I love spending time at the piano, planning special events & parties for our family, and connecting with others through this blog. If you don’t have a hobby, consider trying out something that you’ve always found interesting.
4. A {Reasonable} Daily Plan
The key word here is reasonable. Following are a few tips that have been helpful to our family. If you’d like to check out more tips for establishing a daily plan, check out my post Scheduling Secrets for a Peaceful Homeschool.
- Over-scheduling results in misery. By focusing on fewer subjects in more depth you will be more fruitful, have more fun while learning, and feel a sense of accomplishment.
- Establishing a daily routine will help everyone in your house feel a sense of peace and order. Determine a start time for school each day and stick with it.
- Coordinate individualized teaching with one child while the other children work independently or read.
- Make sure to schedule in snacks and lunch, and allow time for outdoor time and breaks.
- Consider working on subjects like math, and language arts earlier in the day when your children are fresh. Save hands-on projects and outdoor activities for the afternoon. Organize activities so students have variety.
- Children learn better with a routine and clear expectations. Each day will pose it’s own challenges and it’s ok to adapt as you go. If things become crazy, take a few minutes to refocus and jump back in the game.
5. Fun
We all need variety. Both kids and parents need to mix up their day with hands-on activities, nature walks, and cuddling up to read together. We also need outdoor time, group learning experiences, and activities outside of the house.
Below are a few ways to add variety and fun to your days. Check out 30 Ways to Make Learning at Home Fun for more ideas.
- Play Educational Games
- Go for a Nature Walk
- Take a Field Trip
- Enjoy Hands-On Science Activities
- Curl up on the Couch Together with a Great Book
- Do Art as a Family
- Embark on STEM Activities Together
- Cook Together
- Have Celebrations!
Remember than learning is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. You will have good days and bad, but don’t let the difficult days define you. Take a deep breath and smile. You can do this!
What are your favorite tips for re-charging and caring for yourself? Please comment below and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for encouragement and resources.