As a hard-working homeschool mom, you have enough demands, challenges, and tasks to keep you running 24/7 without a break. The to-do lists are unending. Of course, you’re only human. Your mind, body, and soul must be fed, tended with care, and nourished regularly. This is the essence of homeschool mom self-care, and it’s a necessity for your success. 

Why Do Homeschool Moms Need Self-Care?

Self-care is an essential ingredient in the success of your homeschool. Imagine homeschooling as a beautiful garden. You’re the master gardener in charge of planting, cultivating, and maintaining its growth. As any gardener knows, there will be successes, failures, and challenges on the way. Gardening is rewarding but also requires hard work and toil.

Here’s the key: you can’t effectively be the master gardener if you’re running on empty. That garden will be a hot mess in no time!

That’s where self-care comes in. I’m not necessarily talking about just treating yourself to a bubble bath on random occasions, or eating dark chocolate while you hide from the kids in your bedroom.

It’s about nourishing your mind, body, and soul so you can bring your best self to the homeschooling journey. 

As a mother, spouse, teacher, etc., you fulfill many, many roles, and they are demanding. You deserve moments of replenishment. Just like soil in the garden needs regular replenishment of minerals and nutrients, so, too, do you, homeschool mom!

When you prioritize self-care, you’re refueling those mental and emotional reserves that can become depleted.

Why Do Homeschool Moms Struggle With Self-Care?

If self-care is so important, why do so many homeschool moms tend to put their own self-care on the back burner? Good question! Think about your typical homeschool days: lessons, snacks, read-alouds, recitations, chores, and…well, more snacks.

Elevensies, anyone?

In the midst of all the things, it’s super easy to unintentionally neglect the nurturing of your own health and wellness. Why? We hear about self-care at every turn. And really, most of us have a general idea about self-care.

What makes self-care for homeschool moms so difficult?

Consider this: just because we know something (head knowledge), doesn’t mean it becomes heart knowledge. By heart knowledge, I mean something that we’re taking to heart. 

According to Wiktionary, to take something to heart means “to take something seriously; to internalize or live according to something (e.g. advice).“

We may know in our heads that self-care is good for us and that we should have it (head knowledge), but that doesn’t mean we take it seriously and are intentional about it.

Hindrances to Homeschool Mom Self-Care

Mom Guilt

One of the biggest hindrances to taking our own self-care to heart is mom guilt. I struggle with this, and I’m guessing you can relate. You’re likely juggling multiple roles every day and trying to do your best at each of them. With such a full plate, it’s common to feel guilty for even considering taking time for yourself. 

The thought that time spent on self-care could instead be used to plan more homeschooling, clean more, organize more, or whatever might be on your mile-long to-do list can create cognitive dissonance. Simply put, you’re having conflicting beliefs at the same time; wanting to acknowledge and honor your needs, but also feeling like they aren’t as important as other things you could or should do.

This easily causes you to put your needs aside for what feels more pressing (whether it actually is or not. Honestly, how many cleaning tasks are absolutely pressing!?).

Our Homes Are Our Homeschools

Moreover, our homes double as classrooms, which makes it tough to let our work have an end time and essentially leave our work at work (Yes, I know we homeschoolers often say we homeschool all the time because we’re always learning.)

However, with lesson plans and homeschool books always in sight, there are constant reminders of what still needs done. As a homeschool mom, I always have something left undone at the end of our school day, whether it’s checking a worksheet or listening to a narration. This can create a distracting environment for rest.

Key point: It’s okay to be done with the school day!

Now, don’t get me wrong. We’re adults with real responsibilities. It’s a given that many times we need to put aside our needs for the sake of our family. That’s part of being a parent. 

The question to ask yourself is whether putting aside too many of your needs is actually hindering your ability to fulfill your roles well?  

Is it possible that your family will still function, your homeschool will still operate, and your kids will still thrive even if you aren’t dedicating all of your time to them?

Is it possible to balance your needs and your family’s?

A More Balanced Mindset Towards Self-Care

I believe that striving for balance in all things is where we find the most health. Whether it’s our food choices, our homeschool, or even a hobby, balance is key for healthy living. It is possible to balance your focus and attention on the needs of your family, while also honoring your needs as a person.

It’s important to remember that self-care isn’t selfish behavior, but a way to sustain your own well-being. Your state of health positively impacts the state of your homeschool. Your own self-care is inextricably linked with how well you are able to homeschool.

Your own self-care is inextricably linked with how well you are able to homeschool.

When you’re operating from a place of rest, you have more capacity to be patient, generous and engaged. You can be more of the homeschool mom that you want to be. The reality is this: self-care is a win-win for everyone: you, your family, and your homeschool.

How Can I Incorporate Self-Care Into My Routine?

You don’t have to go all out and rearrange every aspect of your life. I know it can be hard to make time for self-care. However, my best recommendation is to assess where you’re at with self-care and start with small changes.

Read some of the ideas below and consider where you might be able to insert one or more activities into your regular routine.

• Get plenty of rest: Prioritize getting the amount of sleep you need to have energy and focus for the day. Being well-rested helps you approach the day well. As someone who struggles with getting good, quality sleep, I know its not always easily attainable. Engage in healthy bedtime routines that will help set yourself up for plenty of rest.

• Start the day with quiet time: If you’re anything like me, you need a few minutes to warm up to the day. Whether it’s journaling, reading a devotional, stretching, or enjoying a cup of coffee or tea, a few minutes at the start of the day can help establish a positive mindset.

• Connect with other homeschool moms: Join an online group or co-op, or schedule get-togethers with other homeschooling friends. When connecting with other moms who understand the homeschool journey, you’ll feel support and understanding.

• Take short breaks during the day: Recess shouldn’t be just for the kids! When the kids have break, take a break, too. Resist the urge to use that time for chores. Just a few minutes sitting on the porch, eating a healthy snack, or flipping through a magazine can give you a much-needed mental and physical break.

• Share the workload: Involve your family’s help to complete the day’s to-do list by assigning older kids to assist with the younger one’s learning. Delegate chores and other responsibilities, including them as a regular part of your homeschool routine.

• Exercise when you can: Maybe you can’t pull off a dedicated workout at the gym, but 15-20 minutes of walking, gardening, or yoga can boost your mood and energy, and help your overall mindset about your body. I really do feel stronger and better about myself when I’m exercising regularly. Get the kids to join in and you complete homeschool gym class!

• Pursue a hobby: Remember that hobby you had before life got busy? Photography, scrapbooking, painting, or baking-make time for creative endeavors that will bring joy into your day.

• Take a reading break: If reading is your thing (it’s mine!), keep a fantastic read on hand and retreat to a cozy reading spot for 10-15 minutes (or longer!) Have the kids join in and have a little sustained silent reading each day (remember that? We didn’t know we had it so good!)

• Play some uplifting music: Music never fails to lift my mood! Keep a playlist of mood-boosting music and use it to get moving. Get the kids involved, and you can turn around a difficult homeschool day.

• Pamper yourself: Maybe you soak your feet, buy a new lipstick, or paint your nails. Small, simple gestures for your physical self can be a great way to show self-kindness. Sure, painting your nails isn’t that significant in the grand scheme of life, yet when my nails are painted for a few days, I feel extra fancy, and it feels nice!

• Don’t go hungry: Sometimes, we can be so busy that we forget to give our bodies the fuel it needs. Then, we get hangry (hungry + angry). Not good. Take the time to eat when you need to, and bonus points for staying well-hydrated, too!

• Plan a mom retreat: A day at the museum, a walk in the woods, or a quick day trip with a friend can be the mental break you need from the daily homeschool routine. There are many different options, big or small, that you can choose to make a mom retreat a reality.

• Keep a gratitude journal: Pausing for a few minutes at the end of the day to record what you’re grateful for is a great way to focus on what matters. It’s something I’ve been practicing for years and highly recommend!

Conclusion

Remember, dear homeschool mom, you’re the heart of your homeschool. As a garden needs care and attention to thrive, so do you. It’s normal to struggle with self-care.

However, now that you know self-care isn’t an indulgence, but a necessity that helps you be the homeschool mom you want to be, go ahead and start implementing more self-care every day! You’ll enrich your life and cultivate a “garden” where everyone can bloom to their fullest potential.

How are you doing with self-care? Is this an area you’d like to improve? Let me know in the comments!

Disclaimer: The information and resources mentioned here are intended for informational purposes only and to share my own personal experiences. It shouldn’t be seen as any kind of advice, or used to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease or condition. I am not a medical professional. Always consult with a medical professional for specific medical advice.