How to Avoid Homeschool Mom Burnout: 5 Tips You Need to Know

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Homeschool mom burnout is something that is far more common than it should be.

However, it’s easy to see why it occurs.

Homeschool moms have a lot on their plates. You’re often playing the role of housewife, mom, teacher, wife…and more.

Its a lot.

I want to share with you some simple things that you can implement to be proactive about avoiding homeschool mom burnout.

However, if you’ve found yourself in that position then I also have some tips at the end for how to get yourself refreshed, recharged, and ready to go again.

How to Prevent Homeschool Mom Burnout and Being a Stressed Out Homeschool Mom

Instead of falling prey to becoming a stressed-out homeschool mom, let’s talk about helpful ways to prevent it altogether.

That’s not to say that there won’t be times when you feel worn out, but they’ll hopefully be short-lived and less of a disruption than if you weren’t being proactive at all.

#1 Don’t Be a Martyr

This is a message to moms in general. Your family gains nothing from you being a martyr.

It might seem the right thing to do at the moment, but I can promise you that you’re of greater good to your family when you’re not pouring from an empty cup.

If you are forever neglecting even your most basic needs then you will collapse. You will burn out and that will be much more of a burden on your family.

It is our nature to give everything to our children. The fact is, you can’t be everything to them. It was never supposed to be that way.

If you were everything, then they would have no need to seek God.

#2 Set Boundaries

Part of taking care of yourself includes setting boundaries.

This can include boundaries at home and also boundaries for people outside of your home.

If you need to say no, then say no.

No is a complete sentence. You don’t have to justify why you’re saying it.

If activities are starting to feel like too much, then cancel them.

In our home, we have quiet time for 2 hours every afternoon. This is non-negotiable (within reason, of course).

Of course, my children ask to come out and spend time with me, but my answer is no because I’m a better mom when I can have some time to recharge.

Setting boundaries can be difficult at first and you will battle with guilt. However, guilt is unnecessary.

You are doing what’s best for your entire family by putting some common sense boundaries in place.

#3 Start Small, Then Add

As homeschoolers, we have an amazing amount of resources and activities available to us.

It is a blessing, but if you’re not careful, it can become a burden.

My biggest piece of advice is to start small and then add as you feel able.

This can be applied to the curriculum you use, the activities you sign your kids up for, and the general busyness of your day.

It is much easier to start out small and add than it is to have to pull things out and cut back later on when you just can’t cope anymore.

Related: 7 Things That Homeschooling Isn’t

#4 Be Flexible

There will be times when your kids just aren’t up for school that day, or you just need a break.

That’s okay and that’s the beauty of homeschooling.

You don’t have to live by the standards of those around you.

Step back and give yourself some grace. Be flexible with your schedule and realise that homeschooling is so much more than just academics.

#5 Know Your Needs

One of the biggest issues with homeschool mom burnout is that we as moms don’t even recognise our own needs.

Last year I read the book Introverted Mom and it rocked my world.

All of a sudden I felt validated.

The things I struggled with so much as a stay-at-home mom weren’t unique to me. I wasn’t weak or less than.

I was just an introvert and the constant noise and stimulation from my children proved overwhelming on many days.

Once I understood my need for moments of quiet and rest, I could be more proactive about carving out time to make that happen.

Self-care needs to be self-initiated. It is your responsibility.

If you’re waiting around for someone else to do it for you, you’ll be waiting forever.

Take action and start working on meeting your needs so that you can also meet the needs of your family.

How to Recover from Homeschool Burnout

Okay, mama…you’re there.

There’s no preventing the homeschool mom burnout because it already happened.

Every day is a struggle and you’re not sure what to do.

Here are some perfect ways to start climbing back up and feeling recharged.

#1 Cut Back Activities

If it isn’t absolutely necessary…cut it out.

I vividly remember one night eating dinner on my lap in the back of our car while we were on our way to a kids club.

Once we got back home my mom took drastic measures and backed out of almost every activity we could.

She realized that having her kids eating their dinner in the back of the car just so they could make an activity wasn’t healthy or productive.

Most activities aren’t necessary so if it isn’t building your family up…nix it till you’re able to take it on again.

#2 Carve Out Time for Yourself

We all have different needs in this area. As an introvert, I want space and quiet.

However, an extrovert may need to get out and see her friends for a bit.

Whatever it is that makes you feel energized…do that.

I know that’s easier said than done sometimes, but wherever possible try to make it happen.

#3 Take a Break

Take a break from school for a week or two. It won’t hurt your kids and I can assure you that it won’t hurt you.

If you don’t want to abandon all schoolwork then just focus on things like nature study, art appreciation, and music.

Those things are good for the soul and will help clear your head.

Also…reading. There’s never enough reading.

#4 Start Small

When you feel ready to start getting back into things, start small. Try not to go headlong straight back to what you were doing.

Add things in slowly and evaluate to see which things don’t need to come back at all.

You’re playing a lot of roles and you are hugely important in the lives of your family members.

The only way that they’ll get the best of you is if you’re taking care of yourself. That’s not selfish… it’s both loving and smart.