Homeschool burnout is more common than you may think. Trust me, you’re not alone. Whether it’s getting close to the end of the year and you’re just ready to be done, or you’ve been homeschooling for a while and you’re not sure how much longer you can keep going, there is a solution.
How to Handle Homeschool Burnout
These simple tips and awareness can help you combat that feeling of being burnt out with ease.
Signs of Homeschool Burnout
- Ready to give up your own curriculum for something your kids can do themselves
- Irritability and short temper
- Lack of patience
- Lack of confidence
- Feeling constantly overwhelmed
- Always feeling resentful
- Feeling like your kids are behind or aren’t learning enough
- Feeling depressed
Do any of these sound familiar? We all have bad days, but if your bad days outnumber your good days, you could definitely be feeling burned out. And it happens to everyone, it doesn’t matter if you’re new to homeschooling or you’ve been doing it for years.
There are several things that cause burnout including, but certainly not limited to:
- Scheduling too many outside activities for you or your family
- Holding unrealistic expectations of yourself
- Becoming too isolated (not having enough outside interaction)
- Not taking care of yourself and your own needs
- Having unresolved issues in your relationship or parenting
So how do you overcome it? There are a few ways that help relieve the stress and reduce the feeling of burn out.
Tips to Overcome Homeschool Fatigue
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Cut Back
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the pressure, take a day or two to just cut back on the amount of work you need to do. I’m not saying cut back permanently but giving yourself a bit of a reprieve for a day or two can help you get back on track. Ditch the classwork and spend time reading together, talking about what you’ve been learning, or take a field trip.
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Adjust Your Schedule
You may be feeling burned out because your schedule is overbooked. Revisit your schedule, are you barely managing to get through the day and getting everything accomplished? If so, you may need to adjust your schedule to reduce the amount of work you schedule during the day and allow yourself more openings for breaks and free time. These mini-breaks will help to reduce daily stress.
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Talk to Other Homeschool Moms
Just knowing you’re not alone and have someone you can talk to (vent to) can help you feel better about the progress you make. Having someone who can relate to the ups and downs can help you keep things in perspective.
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Take Back Your Life
Scheduling quality time with your spouse and planning quiet time just for you will help you feel rejuvenated and ready to move forward again. Plan a date night, schedule a spa day, enjoy a girl’s night out, take a class, enjoy pizza and a movie on the couch after the kids go to bed. Do something that will help you relax and make you feel like yourself again.
Homeschool burnout is normal and it will come and go. Recognizing it and taking action quickly to move past it will help you get over it faster.
