It’s April, springtime, getting close to the end of the school year. How do you feel?

 

Tired?

Rushed?

Worried?

Overwhelmed?

 

Yeah, me, too. 

 

This is the time of year I begin to feel the overshadowing of homeschool burn-out. I notice it when I realize we aren’t getting as much done because I’m not as prepared. There seems to be many more math pages left, than school days. My sticktoitiveness is lacking. My motivation to make things interesting and fun is waning. I am ready for the school year to end!

 

So just how do you avoid this thing called “homeschool burn-out?”

 

 

So, after thinking about it for a bit, I’ve come up with a list of 10 things I think will help. Hopefully typing this out will help me as much as you!

 

After a long, cold winter, the sunshine and warm temperatures beckon. Take school outside. Spread out a blanket and have class. Have a picnic, too!

 

Put your current curriculum on hold and do a nature unit study. Our favorites are NaturExplorers. This will get you outside every day, exploring signs of spring and God’s glorious creation. If nature is not your thing, then follow your child’s interests and plan a delight-directed unit study.

 

Visit a museum, state park, or historical site. Or go to the zoo or aquarium. If you need ideas for fun field trips, take a peak at this list.

 

Not every moment has to be about the curriculum. Grab some games out of the closet or enjoy a time of drawing, creating with modeling clay, or making collages with pictures out of old magazines. Your whole family will love this historical puzzle. 

 

Cook simpler meals. Use your crock pot more. Make cereal for breakfast. Make breakfast for dinner. Make sure your kids are helping with household chores. Say no more often to outside activities.

 

I don’t know about you, but for me, all the neatness and organization that we began with at the start of the homeschool year has become one big pile of clutter. Clean out a closet. Organize school supplies. Sometimes, you just need to feel accomplished with something. And you’ll be one step ahead at the start of the new year.

 

Sometimes I realize that burnout is self-imposed from spending too much time in outside activities. Take a break from sports or scouts or music lessons. Even just a few weeks of being home more can make a huge difference.

 

If you don’t already do this, institute quiet time every afternoon. Your kids can spend some time in their rooms, playing quietly or reading. You can read, too. Or nap.

 

Put on your favorite praise and worship CD and dance! Get out your favorite classical CDs. Just turn on the radio to your favorite station. Music is calming and soothing and great for the mind.

 

You’ve been diligently teaching your students all year. It’s not easy. While homeschooling can be very rewarding, it can also be all-consuming, frustrating, overwhelming, and exhausting. Be kind to yourself. Take a hot bath. Make time with your husband a priority. Spend more time doing family activities.

 

The school year will be over before you know it (unless you keep on going all year — and if you do, please do yourself and your children a favor and at least have a time where one year ends — celebrate it! — and the next one begins — celebrate it, too! — and have a break in between). Another year of successfully educating your students, being their mom, loving their dad, reaching out to your community, staying involved with your church, and probably a lot more than that will come to an end. Count the successes of the year, learn from the mistakes, and then strap on your armor to get ready for another great year! 

 

If you enjoyed this article. you might also like to read 15 Must-haves for Delight-directed Learning.