Combating Homeschool Burnout: Part Two

This is the second post in a series (of two). Please feel free to also read Combating Homeschool Burnout: Part One. (This post was inspired by an article in The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.)

6. Create a rhythm in your day.

This one makes me just roll on the floor with laughter. I cannot even tell you how many times I have tried to make a schedule, a plan, a routine and how many times I end up off in LaLa Land doing nothing that even looks like that schedule.

I am somewhat good about following a routine for school - if we actually do school that day - but in regards to chores, paying attention to screen time and the fact that hours have gone by and Stephen is still on the computer, cleaning on a regular basis, bedtime routines, etc I am horrible at staying on top of things! I did read(again) and listen to a wonderful speaker and author, Carol Barnier, at convention who reminded me of the fact that I am what you would call “Highly Distractable” and she gave me some great ways to combat some of my symptoms! I am hoping that the other areas God is working on in me will help this area to be able to follow charts and schedules a little better because I am going to try again!! For my kiddos!

7. Take a few minutes to plan your meals.

If you do not enjoy cooking and cannot look at a recipe and go – yeah, I can make that – without pictures, it is a huge imposition and pain in the behind to do this! I can buy snack foods like a mad woman but when it comes to planning , shopping and keeping the shelves stocked I have failed - beyond miserably. I can cook some things and I am not a bad cook I just do not enjoy it!

When we first got married, I bought a lot of prepackaged things and that was how I cooked. But over the years (these past 3 in particular), I have begun to care more about what we are eating and putting into our bodies. I now try not to buy a lot of processed foods (except nuggets and hot dogs), bring in more fruits and veggies, we are making our own bread (that was a big hit), but it is still hard for a non-cook to put it all together!

I started doing meal plans right before summer. Since we have been gone and home and gone again, I haven’t bothered to even buy that many groceries for the week we are home. But after the summer is over we will be meal planning (as much as it pains me) but I can guarantee you it will not take a few minutes – more like a few hours (until I get the hang of it – I hope).

8. Get outside.

This one is huge for me because my hobbies all revolve around being inside the house. Painting, crafts, scrapbooking, decorating – they have nothing to do with being outside. I do enjoy being outside but I have gotten into the habit of sending the kids out so I can do my own thing (which has got to stop – I miss my kids). I go out to hang laundry, sand something down or spray paint something , play in the pool or if they beg and plead with me to come outside on the trampoline with them. I am thinking I need to get outside a little more.

9. Take time to be alone.

No problem! I have gotten into the habit of doing my thing after the little ones go to bed, but I now have a teenager who stays up later so I really should spend that time with him or around him instead of off doing my own thing. This means it is going to be harder to find some time for myself, but my hubby is really good about letting me have time so I will get it but it just won’t be every night!

I love to go to movies so I will go to the movies alone to get away and I do have some girlfriends that like to get away too, so I can hang out with them! But my absolute favorite time is when I am alone in my house – my husband will take the boys camping or to Blue Hole for the day and it is the most fabulous time! I must admit that since I have been convicted to homeschool, I really do enjoy my family much more than I did. We have fun together and do things as a family and I haven’t wanted or needed to get away as much as I used to! It is such a good feeling to be home with the family!

10. Don’t forget to laugh!

This is sometimes very hard to do, but if I keep all the other areas in check this one should come naturally. It is easy to laugh with the kids and my friends, but sometimes it is not so easy with my hubby as we are both stressed and don’t get that time together when we aren’t stressed and we can be more relaxed together – just us! I also think the TV plays into this one because we watch too much of it and don’t get enough time to just hang out together and find ways to laugh as a family.

Julie can be found writing at Boys, School, and Fun…Lots of Fun

photo by Chris Moseley

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.