If you are a homeschooling mom, you will want to read this. Homeschooling, while immensely rewarding, can often feel like a juggling act that leaves little time for self-care. As a homeschooling mom, your days are likely filled with lesson planning, teaching, social calendars, managing household chores, and “oh wait, what’s for dinner?”. Amidst the chaos, it’s crucial to find moments of to tend to your mental health. In this blog post, we’ll explore some practical tips to help you find joy in the midst of homeschooling and discover how nurturing your own well-being can positively impact your homeschooling journey.
Embrace a Mindful Morning Routine
Starting your day with intention can set a positive tone for the rest of the day. Wake up a bit earlier than your children to carve out a few moments for yourself. Engage in activities that center you, such as reading a Bible passage, gentle stretching, journaling, or simply enjoying a cup of tea in solitude. This quiet time can help you gather your thoughts, set priorities, write a to-do list, and approach the day with a calm mindset. I use a simple teaching planner to keep track of our homeschooling tasks. This allows me to get it all out on paper, freeing up mental space. For our family planner, I choose to use a Passion Planner which has ample space for keeping track of meal plans, quarterly goals, birthdays, and events. The teaching planner tucks easily in the back of this planner.
Prioritize Self-Care
Just as you prioritize your children’s well-being, remember that your own self-care matters too. Schedule regular moments of self-care, whether it’s a bath soak at night, reading a book, 15 minutes to pray, going for a walk, or enjoying a hobby you love. Remember that taking care of yourself is not selfish; it’s essential for your overall health and your ability to provide for your family.
Create a Supportive Homeschooling Mom Network
Community is key! Connect with other homeschooling parents or join online communities where you can share experiences, seek advice, and find solace in knowing you’re not alone on this journey. Sharing stories, challenges, and triumphs can be incredibly empowering and can help alleviate feelings of isolation. Your church may have other homeschool families to connect with or use the power of social media to find homeschooling families in your area.
Simplify Your Homeschooling Approach
While it’s natural to want the best education for your children, it’s important to find a balance that works for your family. Don’t be afraid to simplify your homeschooling approach when needed. Consider a loop schedule for simplicity. Focus on the subjects and activities that align with your children’s interests and learning styles. Remember that quality matters more than quantity, you don’t have to do it all.
Our family chooses a subject loop schedule. We routinely focus on one or two core subjects a day and that’s all. You don’t need to recreate public school at home, but you already knew that.
Incorporate Mindfulness into Your Day
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present in the moment. Integrate mindfulness techniques into your daily routine to reduce stress and increase your sense of peace. This could involve taking deep breaths, practicing gratitude, or even doing a short mindfulness exercise with your children. Prayer breaks are excellent to incorporate in to your daily routine. Stop at the same time each day to have a prayer break. Thank God for the beauty of the day. A major plus is that your children will be part of the practice and learn how to pray in their own life.
Delegate and Share Responsibilities
Running a household and homeschooling are significant tasks. Enlist the help of your partner, older children, or consider outsourcing certain tasks if possible. You may think your 5 year old is too young, but they aren’t. Give them the task of emptying the silverware basket or folding simple items in the laundry like washcloths or their own underware. Sharing responsibilities can ease your load and create more time for you to focus on self-care and personal growth. Plus, life tasks are important for children to learn from an early age.
Homeschooling Mom Priorities
In the whirlwind of being a homeschooling mom, finding peace might seem like a distant dream. However, by prioritizing self-care, embracing mindfulness, simplifying your approach, and building a supportive community, you can nurture your spirit and find moments of tranquility even in the midst of chaos. Remember that taking care of yourself isn’t just beneficial for you; it positively influences your homeschooling journey and the well-being of your entire family. So, take a deep breath, embrace the journey, and discover the beauty of finding peace in the midst of it all.
