10 Tips for Overwhelmed Parents: Homeschooling or Not, We’ve Got You!

The Challenges of Homeschooling

There is no doubt about it, being a homeschooling parent is hard work. There is a tremendous amount of pressure to educate the children, parent them well, manage the home, cook the meals, and balance all the extracurricular activities, not to mention the fact that many parents have other jobs on the side. It can be mentally, physically, and emotionally draining.

Overcoming Overwhelm: Strategies for Homeschooling Parents

There are days when even the best laid plans go so far off the rails that the day no longer resembles even a shamble of what was expected and almost everyone in the house has cried or stormed off in a tantrum at least once. Days when so many activities and appointments have been packed in you start wishing it was day light savings and you had that extra hour to accomplish anything. And then there are days when the messes pile up and you wonder why on earth you started this homeschooling thing in the first place.

It is on those days when I have to remind myself that I need to recharge. I need to take a step back because the days seem to be never-ending chaos, and breathe. Because I know that those days aren’t the entirety of our homeschool days, and they aren’t indicative of how my children normally behave, that those days are typically the result of a parent who is tired.

Recharge Strategies for Homeschooling Parents

1. Pause on School: Always, in the moments where it seems futile, press pause on school. Stop pushing, stop running the race, and put it on hold for a day or two so you can catch your breath. The children won’t be behind for it, and they won’t bear the brunt of your burn out.

2. Enjoy a Hot Beverage: Pour yourself a cup of tea, or coffee or whatever your favourite drink is and sit down for a minute. Try to find a minute of quiet and just breathe deeply over that hot beverage.

3. Step Outside: No matter the weather, really, being outside is an instant game changer in mood and perspective. Spend a few minutes listening to the breeze as it rustles through the autumn leaves, watch the chickadees as they anxiously flit between seeds tossed from your garden, or allowing the cool dampness of the autumn shower to kiss your face as your tension melts away.

4. Visit a Friend: I don’t know what it is about getting together with another homeschool parent in the middle of the day that just lifts the stress. Sitting on the couch sipping a boba while half a dozen (or more) children rip through the house is still more relaxing than being overwhelmed in details of homeschool.

5. Have a Dance Party: Stop everything and have a dance party. It’s almost impossible to stay frustrated when your body is moving and the tunes are blaring. Turn it up with something that makes you want to move and just let loose with the kids.

6. Re-evaluate Curriculum Choices: Re-evaluate your curriculum choices or your reading list. There is nothing in homeschool that says you HAVE to finish what you started. If it’s not working for you scrap it and try something else.

7. Read for Fun: Read for the fun of it.

8. Make it a Movie Day: Put the books away, grab one of YOUR favourite movies (that you think the children will at least endure), pop some popcorn or grab a bag of chips and snuggle in with the kids for a movie.

9. Exercise: Building in regular exercise is vital to maintaining a healthy headspace when it comes to homeschooling. I know it is hard but even 20 minutes of movement will improve your mood.

10. Take a Time Out: Put yourself on a time out. Hide, in the bathroom if you need to. Get away for a moment and clear your head. Have a shower and take deep breaths. A bad 10 minutes is not a bad day. Allow yourself to gain some perspective before rejoining your children. It’s ok to take a time out and come back refreshed.

Homeschooling isn’t a sprint, so when you feel winded because you’re doing too much or taking it too quickly, pause and regain your strength. This is a marathon, and you are in it for the long haul so prepare accordingly.