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Homeschool Burnout
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I never thought I’d hit homeschool burn out, but I am so there right now. Backstory, 6 years ago, I was diagnosed with 3rd stage advanced adrenal fatigue. I’ve done pretty good with it for the last several years, but I’m definitely having a relapse right now after using a lot of emotional energy to try to “help” someone who was in need but then jumped right back into an abusive marriage and gave a child away (this is seriously eating me up!)
Anyway, this last school year, my kids have been in a co-op. I’m on the leadership team and I taught 3 classes there and the kids got several core classes taken care of there.
I also took a part-time job teaching Spanish at a local private school. It’s just a few hours a week and pays really well for the time, but it’s extra time away from home.
I also teach a ladies’ Bible study at my church. So, besides homeschooling, I’ve been teaching 8 other classes a week.
I have a child with ADD and the last several months have been torture trying to school him. My parents came to spend the winter at Christmas time and they bring all sorts of devices and candy and I have not been able to get his attention span back since then.
Normally, at this time of year I’m all stoked about what we are doing next year. But all I want to do is find on-line classes for everything so I don’t have to teach….especially for the child with ADD. I tried to simplify everything I could. We switched everyone to Life of Fred math. We did Fix It Grammar….but I still just cringe at the idea of having to ever start school back up. The joy of homeschooling is just gone!
How do you help get your joy back? What do you do when you are burnt out?
Hugs to you MissusLeata, you need a break. I cannot imagine trying to do all you are doing with a medical condition on top of it. This year I took on the Administrator role at my homeschool PSP and it has been really challenging. Especially with COVID. I only have three children, my oldest will be a senior next year and he has always been a challenge to school. I am really relieved that he has only 3 classes and 2 of those will be at the co-op. I cannot tell you how happy I am math is over for that one!
I guess I dont have much to offer. Only that you really, really need a break. Can you pull back for the summer, even with the Bible study. Maybe if you could just take several weeks to rest and refill. Sometimes it is hard for us as moms and wives to do that, but it is so necessary to know when to retreat into our little turtle shell and be refreshed. Extended time not thinking about school always helps me come back with renewed vision and enthusiasm.
Rest in the Lord, he will give you the strength you need to do all that He is calling you to do.
Yes, I think I do need a break. I keep trying to take a day off or a weekend off, but it’s not enough to recharge me at this point. Maybe spring gardening will help!
MissusLeata,
I’ve prayed for you Momma. The multiple hats we wear can often times leave us weary.
This year, and from time to time, I failed at the art of practicing “no.” Each thing I have said “yes” to has been beneficial in some way, shape, or form however all of the yes-es have left me exhausted, emotional (at times), and struggling to find joy in the little things which ultimately is not beneficial for my family. I am learning that I must say “no” more. From time to time my husband and I sit down and re-evaluate what has worked and what is not working. What can I do to pare back and be more “present” with my kids and him…not only with their school work but also in their daily lives, in the relational sense. My high school students are now working and/or playing high school baseball on top of all of my yeses.
This next school year will find us guarding carefully Monday through Thursday. There are still the “musts” (getting 1 kid to work and 1 to baseball practice) but the rest of the days will find us home. It means saying “no” to the great classes that can count towards high school credit and instead completing what needs to be done here. It means saying “no” to the women’s Bible study that happens at lunch on Thursday or the volunteer work on Wednesday morning. It may means saying “no” to taking on extra work whether there is monetary value or or other value. The years that I have practiced saying “no” more are the years where there was more peace and joy in our home and in my heart and attitude.
Other things that help me feel more peace and joy is sneaking to bed a bit early with a pot of tea and a good book (think enjoyable literature not something that requires a lot of mental effort on my part) or spending time meandering in the yard/garden.
I’m praying for you Momma.
I have been burnt out before. I find life ebbs and flows.
You have taken on a lot. I don’t think I could do half of what you do! It is to be commended that you are such a hard worker but I do think it is ok to take some time off. Examine what is really important for you to do during this season of your life.
Rest is important but I find it especially helpful when I can take time to really dwell on what I actually want out of life, what is important to me, and just how to accomplish that. In other words, rest is important but so is motivation. Often the later requires the former to obtain.
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