As a mother, you’re already juggling a few positions: wife, mother, cook, housecleaner; the list of hats we wear can be pretty long.
And on top of all that, you homeschool!
So how do you do it all? How are you supposed to homeschool and not abandon your mind in the process?
I'm going to give you 10 strategies you can use to reduce daily stress and maintain your sanity.
If you're already a highly organized person, you may already be using them. If you're anything like me, you need to do a little work to turn them into good habits.
Mastering even a few will make a big difference for you. Start with one strategy and make a habit out of it. Then move on to the next. Small consistent steps will win the game.
#1 Start your day off on the right foot
Decide what you need to do in the morning to get yourself in the right mindset for tackling the demands of. your day with more peace and calm.
Create a plan that is easy for you to follow. If it means getting up at 6:00 am so you can exercise, read half an hour, or meditate, then make the necessary changes you need to get your routine in place.
And stick to it like your life depends upon it because your sense of equilibrium will.
“When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive—to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”
#2 Have a morning routine for your children
To eliminate stressful mornings with your kids, establish a morning routine for them too. Their routine might look something like this: wake up, wash faces, brush teeth, make beds, get dressed, tidy rooms, eat breakfast, and do some chores.
When children know what you expect of them in the morning, they'll get into the habit of doing it when they're young. When they get older, you won’t have the endless battles to get your kids to do things that too many parents struggle with today.
#3 Determine your homeschooling priorities for the day
Decide what your top 1 - 3 homeschooling priorities are and get them done first thing in the morning. Once they are completed, you will feel more relaxed for the rest of the homeschooling day knowing that the most important work is done.
#4 Unless someone is dying, you are at work, "full stop," as the English say
Nine to five employees do not take personal phone calls, run out of the office to help a friend, or waste time on social media. And neither should you! There will be exceptions to this rule, but the general rule is to treat homeschooling as if you are employed by someone else.
You have answered the noble calling of not only raising your children but of educating them too. Be your own demanding boss! Yes, you are allowed to call in sick now and then, but it should be the exception, not the norm.
If you stick to this simple rule, you will waste less precious homeschooling time on non-related matters and you won’t feel overwhelmed and behind all of the time.
#5 Keep your phone and all connections to the outside world off
This is an extension of #4 because when you work from home a strange phenomenon occurs: everyone you know seems to think you have nothing to do.
Friends and family will call to chat or to ask for favors of you, but if you think you can talk for a few minutes or do just one little thing for someone, you’ll end the day frustrated with yourself.
Five minutes is never just five minutes!
Your only solution is to train family and friends to understand that during business hours, like them, you're at work. You train them by being consistent in your behavior and not bending the rules unless it would be inhumane not to bend them.
#6. Reduce your task load
You will help your children develop good character by teaching your kids, as early as age three, to do chores. As they get older, they do more chores which means you have less to do.
By the way, school-age children can do just about anything around the house you teach them to do except cooking, which comes later.
#7 Plan your meals in advance and keep them simple
Time is not your best friend when you’re homeschooling, and you've got to conserve it whenever you can. Meals are one of the first to take a hit for the disorganized parent.
To avoid not having healthy meals on the table, get in the habit of shopping on the weekends for the next week’s meals. Prepare meals that will last more than one night. Casseroles like lasagne or Shepherd's pie are great for weeknight meals.
“If you really want to escape the things that harass you, what you’re needing is not to be in a different place but to be a different person.”
#8 Make sure your children do some form of active play or sports every day
Letting your kids burn off energy and have some fun after studying is guaranteed to put them in more peaceful and relaxed moods later. When the kids are peaceful, we feel less stress.
#9 Have an evening routine to wrap up the day and wind down the kids
Whether it's reading together or playing board games or playing music together—whatever your family enjoys, do something that involves the whole family and puts the kids into a more relaxed state.
When it comes time for bed, you can put lavender or wild orange essential oils on the soles of the children's feet and the back of their necks to help them fall asleep quicker, and then read them one last book before they doze off.
Once the kids are asleep, you have more time to relax and enjoy your evening which helps to keep stress levels down.
#10 Lastly, but most importantly, take care of yourself
You are the engine that is driving this train, and you have got to stay in good shape physically and emotionally. Have at least one hobby or pasttime you enjoy once or twice a week without your children.
It may be going out to dinner with your husband, having a coffee with friends, taking a yoga class; you decide, but make it something that reinvigorates you.
“Come back!” the Caterpillar called after her. “I’ve something important to say.”
This sounded promising, certainly. Alice turned and came back again.
”Keep your temper,” said the Caterpillar. ”
☞ Disclaimer: This is not a politically-correct blog.
Don’t miss our free download, Ten Books Every Well-Educated Child Should Read.
When you join the Smart Homeschooler Academy online course for parents, Elizabeth will guide you in homeschooling with the classics to raise brighter and more creative children.
Enroll using the link below and feel confident knowing you have the guidance and support you need to homeschool successfully.
For parents of children under age seven who would like to prepare their child for social and academic success, please begin with Elizabeth’s original online course, Raise Your Child to Thrive in Life and Excel in Learning.
Elizabeth Y. Hanson is a homeschooling thought-leader and the founder of Smart Homeschooler.
As an Educator, Homeschool Emerita, Writer, and Love and Leadership Certified Parenting Coach, Elizabeth has 21+ years of experience working in education.
She has developed a comprehensive understanding of how to raise and educate a child, and she devotes her time to helping parents to get it right.
Elizabeth is available for one-on-one consultations as needed.
*****
“Elizabeth has given us counseling and guidance to help us succeed with our home school planning. When I feel overwhelmed, scared, or lose my confidence, she offers words of wisdom and support.”
— Sherry B., Pittsburg, PA
