Overcoming Homeschool Burnout
Homeschool burnout is hard. It can leave you feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and emotionally drained.
Shutting down. Freezing. Avoiding. Feeling lost.
Not to be confused with survival mode, but it may feel similar.
No matter where you are on your homeschool journey, if you are a working mom who is homeschooling at some point, you will experience homeschool burnout.
I don’t want homeschool burnout to end your working homeschool mom lifestyle. Instead, I want you to overcome it!
Working and homeschooling can be an amazing adventure filled with wonder and joy. And just like parenting, homeschooling can also be stressful and overwhelming, leading to burnout.
What Homeschool Burnout Feels Like?
Homeschool burnout feels differently for everyone. What it looks like for you might be totally different from your friend. Everyone is at a different stage of working and homeschooling.
For working moms, it usually feels like you are having one of those days when you don’t think you can do this. And by “this,” I mean all of it.
It’s not necessarily the kids, the homeschooling, the working…it’s just all of it combined. You are feeling so overwhelmed and burnt out. Tired of making decisions and feeling responsible for everything and everyone.
It’s not only our job, as homeschool moms, to make plans and know everyone’s schedule but to remind everyone of the schedule. It. Is. Exhausting!
Run down. Burned out. January and February are hard because we all come off the crazy of the holidays, but homeschool burnout can hit at any time and any season.
- Feeling tired all the time, mentally and physically
- Feeling overwhelmed and shutting down
- Feeling emotional, bursting into tears for no apparent reason or feeling angry
- Freezing and avoiding responsibilities
- Feeling lost and alone
Learning how to avoid homeschool burnout is important, but what if you already feel burned out? How can you overcome homeschool burnout?
Causes Of Homeschool Burnout
If you are feeling burnout, the best thing you can do is stop what you are doing and acknowledge how you feel.
Take some time and reflect on what is going on in your life and what led you to this point.
- Are you working more hours?
- Is work more stressful?
- What about homeschooling is working?
- What specifically about homeschooling isn’t working?
- Are you trying to do too much?
The simple truth is we often feel homeschool burnout when we try to do everything ourselves without time to recharge.
You set yourself up for failure when you try to do everything yourself. No one can do it all!
5 Steps To Dealing With Homeschool Burnout
Unfortunately, most working homeschool moms experience homeschool burnout more than once.
I find it comes in cycles. I do really well asking for help and finding a great rhythm to my day, and then something changes and throws all my plans out the window.
Instead of making adjustments, I keep pushing through, trying to do it all, and find myself overwhelmed, exhausted, and heading toward survival mode.
If you find yourself burnout, here is what you (and I) should do:
- Take a good look at our homeschool schedule and relax the schedule or take a break if possible.
- Cut back to the necessary homeschool requirements and let the rest go.
- Find a way to cut back on what you need to do by using online programs or in-person classes.
- Ask your family for help around the house, such as cooking and cleaning.
- Plug into your community and get support.
Sometimes we just need someone to listen and say, “I get it!” Don’t underestimate the value of online communities.
Homeschooling While Burnout
If you are unable to take a break from homeschooling, try to find add some fun to your homeschool.
Get out your educational games for kids and play with them.
Encourage your kids to take this time to explore their hobbies, do arts and crafts, or learn something interesting such as what popcorn pops best!
Listen to audiobooks from Around the World Stories and learn about other countries.
Get outside and explore nature! I like these nature study ideas for busy moms.
Homeschool Burnout Books
Remember that you need to take care of yourself. Find ways to educate yourself about burnout and recognize the signs.
Disclosure: I may receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle
The Burnout Workbook: Advice and Exercises to Help You Unlock the Stress CycleBurnout to Breakthrough: Building Resilience to Refuel, Recharge, and Reclaim What MattersClever Fox Self-Care Journal – Wellness & Daily Reflection Notebook
Learn what recharges you and take note of how you feel.
Be creative with no demands and no expectations. Take time for yourself and ask for help when you need it.
Listen to music, exercise, and practice self-care.
Do what you need to do to get back on track.
Coping With Homeschool Burnout
I can share with you how to avoid homeschool burnout, but honestly, you will still experience it from time to time.
Everyone experiences homeschool burnout from time to time.
Homeschooling challenges arise in every type of homeschooling family. Working moms are not immune.
What if I told you it’s normal to feel like you’re in a homeschool depression? To find homeschooling overwhelming and exhausting?
You are not alone if you are feeling this way.
Learn what homeschool burnout looks like and feels like for you. Once you recognize the signs, take a step back and pinpoint what is happening in your life.
Adjust your homeschool schedule, take a break and add some fun.
Survival Mode:
Do you think you are experiencing more than homeschool burnout?
- What is survival mode?
- 9 Signs you are in survival mode
- Survival mode symptoms
- Self-Care Strategies to Beat Spring Burnout for Homeschool Moms
Lastly, get support from your community. The Working Homeschool Mom Club By Jen Mackinnon is on Facebook and filled with working moms from all walks of life.
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Hi, I’m Jen. I help working moms juggle their career and homeschool their kids by providing support, systems and tools. You are warmly invited to Join the Online Community Here!
