Homeschool Week: Dealing with Burnout

Homeschool Week
April 23 through April 28

Yesterday I talked about taking care of yourself. It is so very important.  Truly, it is essential.  It is not an option because…

Your homeschool starts with you!

The quality of your being produces the quality of your homeschool!

Are you burnt out?
Are your kids crabby?
Is your home life negative and lacking joy?
Are you losing vision?
Do you feel like quitting?
Are you physically exhausted and mentally worn?

If you answer “yes” to most of these questions, you may be experiencing burnout.

Here is how Merriam Webster defines burnout:  exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration.

That is the key about burnout. It happens when you are continually bombarded and drained by the various demands on your life.

If you do not take time to recharge,
you will most likely experience the valley.

Here are some helpful tips for dealing with burnout:

It took you a while to get here.  It will take a while to get out.
Dealing with burnout is like paying off a large amount of debt.  You are in debt to yourself.  Your well-being is “in the red”.  Take baby steps of goodness each day, every moment.  Make good payments into your emotional bank account!  Your faithfulness will reward you!

Give yourself grace.
You may not be able to live up to everyone else’s expectations or even your own desired expectations for a while.  Simplify and accept it.

Quiet times are very important.
Constant noise and challenges do not allow our souls to regroup.  We need time with the Lord…. time by ourselves… time for rest… time for sleep… time to renew our minds. 

Do things that bring you joy!
It is a proven fact that laughter and joy bring good results!  Do your best to enjoy life.  Enjoy your spouse.  Enjoy your children.  Enjoy your friends. 
Proverbs 17:22 – A merry heart doeth good like medicine.

Keep working towards a positive attitude.
When we are down and out, it is so easy to become negative in our thinking. These thoughts only dig a deeper pit for us, though. 

Renew your homeschooling vision.
Talk with friends who are currently homeschooling.  Get support from veteran homeschoolers.  Read books.  Have a heart-to-heart talk with your hubby.  Do whatever it takes to renew your vision!

Keep praying.  Keep trusting.  God is there!
Remember that God is with you!  He cares for you very, very much!  He will get you through your trial.

As a side note, I recently checked out a book from my library – Help for the Harried Homeschooler by Christine Field.  It has some great tips about avoiding burnout along with many other valuable tips!  Check it out!

Tomorrow’s post:  “Homeschooling the Distractible Child”