Nov

9

Homeschool Burn Out: Coping Stategies

Posted by Homeschool_Dad

November 9, 2007 |

Homeschooling is wonderful. You love being with your children. You are intrigued with the Math-U-See manipulatives and spend time arranging them by color. You are delighted by the adorable pictures of leaf mold your children drew on the last nature walk, and you are charmed Casey at by the fact that your son is building a life size Viking ship with legos. Life is so peachy and good and rosy and sweet.

And then, one day usually about mid November although it can be anytime, you notice that those darn Math-U-See blocks never seem to fit in the stupid box right. The kids draw so many pictures your shredder can’t keep up..and that life sized Viking ship project? The bottom of your feet are bruised from the legos. School is starting to look pretty good. And you would give your favorite lipstick to a graffiti artist if only he would babysit for a few hours.

You have got it bad.

Homeschool burnout.

It happens to everyone. It is the feeling that everything is caving in, you can’t cope, and you for sure do not want to do this anymore.

What can you do if you are feeling this way? How do you get your joy back? Here are some ideas that might help.

  • Take the day off. Not to clean, not to do anything. If you can get a babysitter and go out do so! Get your hair done, your nails, have a cup of coffee, go to the library and look at magazines. Get out if you can. Optimally I suggest everyone try to get at least one afternoon off every week. If that is impossible see if you can trade with a friend for every other week.
  • Change it up. If you do a curriculum like Abeka then take two weeks and do a unit study on something that interest YOU. Skip all the regular books and see where it takes you.
  • Check the date. I find that I get burnt out much more easily if I am pms-y.
  • Cut back on activities. Some activities can be good and fun but if it is causing stress then cut them out of your busy schedule for now and go back to them in a year or so. No child will just die if they don’t to go to soccer for a season, no matter what they say. Even church activities can be too demanding.
  • Talk to someone. Call a friend. Talk it out.
  • Get active. Go to the gym or for a walk with the kids, or horseback riding or whatever activity you enjoy.
  • Realize it is a season. Nothing lasts forever. Not even cheerios crushed into the carpet…well, maybe THAT.
  • Watch a funny movie. There are some old movies that I love and that really make me laugh. Putting one in and watching it with the kids, eating popcorn and giggling puts my life back into perspective.
  • Prayer. Enough said.
  • Start dressing up a bit more. It is hard to always be in junky clothes covered with sticky stuff of unknown origin. Get up in the morning and get dressed in something you like.
  • Have a schedule. Being organized is relaxing. You can do it. Try a book like Sidetracked Home Executives that is judgement free and light reading.
  • Have a hobby.

There are more. Just recognizing that homeschool burnout happens is a big step. Accept that it does, and when you feel it coming on take the time to head it off by trying one of these ideas.

I had to laugh when I read Becky, at Home Sweet Homeschool and her post about the four levels of cleanliness. It was all just too close to home.
Redneck Mother relates a story about a friend’s run in with a truant officer. Even here in Texas it seems to be on the upswing. be sure you know your state laws and rights.


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