How to Avoid Homeschool Burnout – 4 Easy Tips to Bring Joy Into Your Homeschool
It never fails. We make it to February of homeschool, and start to feel the burnout. Maybe its the cold, dreary weather or the fact that summer break seems so far away. Whatever the case may be here are some practical tips to help you overcome homeschool burnout.
1. ADD OR CHANGE CURRICULUM
- This is a great time to evaluate what you are using, what is working, and what is not working for your family. For example, you could take out the history or science text book that the kids are not really listening to and opt to add in some fun real books, unit studies or science projects.
What we are adding/changing in our curriculum
- Math – We have used Math U See from the beginning and although it is a great program, my oldest daughter struggles with math and we would like to try out Living Math.
- Science – We are currently using Apologia Water xxx and will continue to use it. However, I would like to add in some Mystery of History Vol 2 as this is what my oldest, Rachel, loves.
- Poetry – We like to have tea time and poetry on Fridays and are finished with Cornstalks, the suggested poetry book from Sonlight. Any suggestions for a good Christian poetry book?
2. Take a break
I know this one seems counter-productive. We are trying to make it through the end of the year, yet I am telling you to take a break. But trust me on this one. It makes a world of difference!
If you are feeling tired, weary or just going through the motions and/or if your children are having similar feelings, taking a break can give you the refreshment you need.
ideas to taking a break homeschool
- Take off a week – We have been implementing six weeks on and one week off and it has been amazing! Check out this article about a six week sabbath here
- Take a break one day a week – We usually do 4 days of school and one day “fieldtrip.” Our field trips range from official homeschool group outings to grocery store errands. Even at the store children are learning how to budget as we add up our costs, pick out fruit and be courteous to those around them.
- Have an independent day – We also implement an independent day once/week. This just means they do as much as they can without mom’s help. Put a sticky note in the areas they can’t figure out and come back to it another day. They still come ask me for help, but it is minimal. This is a great time for me to make phone calls for appointments and declutter.
3. Prioritize your walk with the lord
Prioritize Your Walk With the Lord – This is first and foremost, although it is number 3 on my list. Why is that? Because it just shows how easily I forget to prioritize my relationship with God!
I didn’t think of it until number 3. Sure, I could’ve easily edited my list, but decided to leave it this way as an example of how easily I can lose my focus on the Lord!
But this one is huge! If you are not spending time consistently in the Word and in prayer, it’s only a matter of time before you will get overwhelmed and lose focus on God’s truth and promises.
some easy tips for bible study
If you are feeling overwhelmed and adding time in the Word just seems like more on your plate, I would encourage you to start with a method I’ve learned called the 4 R’s. Start by choosing one book of the Bible you would like to read and then just read one verse a day. Follow these 4 R’s with that one verse:
- Rewrite – rewrite the verse word for word
- Restate – Restate it in your own words
- Relate – Write how you relate to the verse. What is your understanding of what is going on
- Respond – How can you apply this to your life. This could be a prayer to God or help in a very practical way. How can you live out the Word?
4. establish a good morning routine
Whenever I start to feel homeschool burnout, one of the first things I do is evaluate my routine. And pretty much every single time I have felt burnt out I realize, I am going to bed way too late and not getting any quiet time in the morning.
It’s all a domino effect from there. I’m more cranky with the kids because I didn’t get my quiet morning time, I feel overwhelmed because the sink is full of dishes and overall just feel a lack of peace and joy.
Once I take those first steps of setting an earlier bedtime, waking up earlier, and having that quiet time, it literally just a couple of days and I feel like a new person. I feel more refreshed, have more peace and joy and my thoughts are more positive overall.
A great resource for morning routines is Crystal Paine’s “Make over your Morning course.” Also, check out my personal review of it here.
Spring Break is a must, now that we have been doing homeschool for several years. Before we were so close to the end, we just began pushing to finish. It didn’t go over so well and we were all exhausted! It is a good reminder to plug in breaks!