How to Handle Homeschool Burnout
Something I noticed in our wonderful community the other day…a common thread among all the homeschoolers and teachers…we are all tired and so very burnt out.
Chalk it up to the time of year. After all, the days are getting cooler, it’s getting darker sooner, and overall, this is a time our biological clocks recognize as an annual hibernation. It’s also been a few months since many of us have restarted our routines and as the holidays approach, it can feel like the routine gets messed up, we are tasked more with activities and responsibilities, and we are more socially obligated. All of these factors seem to cause one thing among school teachers, parents, and most importantly, longtime homeschoolers: exhaustion.
However, one thing that often gets left out of this discussion is how homeschoolers might feel a particular sense of burnout and how to handle it, especially when the responsibility of homeschooling is so intricately tied with parenting. While teachers get a (much-deserved albeit not long enough) break, homeschoolers…well, cue the laughter. There really isn’t a break and there is so much guilt that can go with even considering taking one.
Homeschoolers are often regarded as doing their child a disservice. I mean, when I post this blog, I will undoubtedly get at least a few comments suggesting the following three things: kids will suffer socially from being homeschooled, kids will grow up without the requisite skills, and homeschoolers even creating space for themselves is somehow akin to hating on public school.
So it is no surprise that there are not a lot of resources that address the struggles such as burn-out and what to do about it. But I am going to address it.
First, burn-out is normal-holidays or not. It is okay to be exhausted and need a break. It is normal and it does not say a thing about your quality as a parent. As a disclaimer: if you feel you need additional help regarding your exhaustion, I cannot say when or what that threshold is, but know that it is normal to have occasional moments of “I’m tired as heck”.
So let’s get to it. What to do if you are exhausted-how should you handle that homeschool burnout?
You are going to guess it, but…take the break. Step back and unschool or deschool if you need to. Remember that learning is more than being able to add, analyze literature, etc. Learning happens everywhere and learning includes developing our self-efficacy, self-actualization, and our self-care skills. In an information age, what is more important than knowing the answer, is knowing how to accurately ascertain the answers. This gives us freedom to then step back from that rigid curriculum and take care of our whole selves, and learn in the process. Do not feel guilty. Let it go!
As one commenter said, “Take a break! Watch documentaries together, go to a museum or library. Don’t do workbooks or plan your day; just go with the flow.” Take from this to utilize screens. Screens have the potential to be amazing. Try YouTube (I love Crash Course), Curiosity Stream, and National Geographic. Talk about what you learned and follow it with a trip to the zoo or museum.
Determine what you need a break from! Curriculum? 1,000 social activities? Structured routine to the T. Another one of our friends had this to say: “Taking a break from structure is a time to learn in different ways: nature study, music or film study, picking a subject at the library to learn, or learn a new skill like knitting or crocheting.”
Look within and not without. Observe your kids. Talk with them. Play. Prepare meals together and just live. You’ll notice you start honing in on interests and what you all need. “Don’t compare yourself to others or your kids to theirs. Reconnect and let it be more meaningful and joyful. The season even calls for it” another person mentioned.
Lastly, create a learning-rich environment. Have tons of books and open-ended toys, craft materials, space to move, and things that literally scream to your kids “come explore”. Don’t worry about the mess-you can and will clean it. I know this takes some deep work but if you think about this as a practice in self-care and mindful self-management, it becomes easier. Know that you are letting go of the thing that is stressing you and your kids are learning.
I hope you found these tips from our great and so supportive community helpful. If you feel inclined, please join us in our corner of the web!
Til next time!