| We all know that it is a delight to spend | | | | No matter how old the children are in a |
| time with our children and that we are doing | | | | homeschooling home, it is important that mom |
| what we feel is right for them, by | | | | seeks to have timeout each day. When children |
| homeschooling, but a wise mom will make sure | | | | are little, this time can be while they are |
| that she safeguards herself from homeschool | | | | napping or resting. As they get older the can |
| burnout. | | | | be trained to quietly read for an hour or |
| | | | play with Legos in their room so mom can |
| Many well intending people will say that it | | | | catch up on what needs to be done, to enjoy a |
| is a curriculum or the want of curriculum | | | | cup of tea without interruption. |
| that causes burnout, and while this may be a | | | | |
| contributing factor, it is not the only | | | | Tip #4 - READ |
| reason for a mom to feel stretched or close | | | | |
| to collapse after a season of homeschooling. | | | | Reading a good homeschooling book each year |
| | | | is a highly recommended pursuit for a |
| Here are 5 ways to avoid homeschool burnout: | | | | homeschooling mom. This book needs to be |
| | | | chosen carefully so as to stretch a mom in |
| Tip #1 - PLAN | | | | her thinking and inspire her as she goes |
| | | | about her homeschooling tasks. |
| Things that need to be planned: | | | | |
| | | | Other reading should also be undertaken as it |
| 1. Schooling disciplines | | | | is important that not only homeschooling |
| | | | books that should be read. Novels are |
| 2. Weekly Menu's | | | | escapism and a mom should be careful about |
| | | | the time she spends on this type of reading. |
| 3. Extra classes and sports | | | | Christian biographies always inspire the best |
| | | | in us as we ponder the works of God in others |
| 4. Housekeeping | | | | lives. |
| | | | |
| 5. Time for herself - craft, hobby, exercise | | | | Reading stretches out minds and feeds our |
| and time with her spouse | | | | thought life. A wise homeschooling mom cares |
| | | | for her own intellectual growth as well as |
| Tip #2 - FUN | | | | that of her children. |
| | | | |
| We all know the old adage "All work and no | | | | Tip #5 - PRAY |
| play..." A homeschool mom needs to "go out | | | | |
| and play" too. Doubling up on family sporting | | | | Tip # 5 is the most important tip and should |
| activities (for example, buying bikes for the | | | | be part of any wise homeschooling mom's day. |
| whole family and visiting different places to | | | | Prayer lifts your eyes from the day to day |
| ride) or taking the odd weekend away from | | | | grind of getting housework, schoolwork and |
| home, are always good. This is not only for | | | | errands done. It helps us to see our purpose |
| mom, but for the whole family. Weekly visits | | | | as builders of a future generation. Prayer |
| to safe botanical gardens for a picnic, or | | | | strengthens us in our task as mothers, |
| for a walk on the beach are also wonderful | | | | educators and wives. Prayer lifts us up and |
| breathing spaces in an otherwise busy | | | | helps us to see a future hope in difficult |
| schedule. | | | | circumstances and yes, prayer is the thing |
| | | | that will help us prevent homeschool burnout |
| Tip #3 - TIME OUT | | | | as we will be reminded to "never grow weary |
| | | | in doing good. |