Hey there, mama! If you’re like me, juggling work, homeschooling, and everything in between, burnout can sometimes feel like it’s just around the corner. It’s hard enough to manage a career and taking care of your family, but add homeschooling into the mix, and you might start wondering if you’ll ever catch a break. Trust me, I’ve been there, and I want to share with you some practical tips and personal insights that have helped me in preventing and overcoming the dreadful burnout as a homeschool working mom.
7 Tips for Preventing & Overcoming Homeschool Burnout
1. Set Realistic Expectations
This is a lesson that I learned very early on when I began my teaching career teaching 6th grade. That first year of teaching thought me to have realistic expectations very quickly and I have applied that throughout every area of my life. If you are like me you want to be the perfect mom, the perfect wife, the perfect employee, and the perfect teacher all at once. Spoiler alert: perfection doesn’t exist!
I had to learn that it’s okay to not have everything perfectly aligned all the time. You don’t have to be a Pinterest-perfect homeschooler or a workaholic who’s always on top of everything. It’s important to set your priorities and adjust your goals and expectations so that they are achievable and sustainable. For example, on days when I have a heavy workload, I prioritize fewer subjects for my kids and embrace more flexible learning. I know that Tuesdays and Thursday are very busy days for our family, so I have switch things around and we typically won’t do the ELA portion that I teach to my kids on that day. I have instead just pushed those lessons to Saturdays and Sundays. It’s all about balance! Check out one of our homeschooling DITL videos here!
2. Create a Realistic Schedule (And Stick to It)
You know that saying, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”? In my opinion that saying is very factual! As a homeschooling working mom, creating a realistic, flexible schedule is a game changer for preventing burnout. But here’s the catch: you need to be realistic about what you can actually handle. I’ve learned to give myself and kids some grace. I map out our days with a mix of work, lessons, and breaks, but I don’t stress if we need to adjust. So, plan for those struggle days when sickness hits days or things aren’t going as planned.
Here’s what our family has found helpful:
- Dedicated work time: Set specific hours for your work, and be as focused as possible during those times.
- Homeschool blocks: Break your homeschooling into focused blocks—maybe 2 hours in the morning and an hour in the afternoon. This helps prevent fatigue. This is so huge for us! My husband has the morning block, I take cake of the evening block.
- Built-in breaks: I cannot stress this enough, take breaks! Even if it’s just 10 minutes for a coffee or a walk outside, those little moments of rest can recharge everyone.
3. Embrace the Power of “No”
I think this one is so essential in preventing and overcoming burnout in general!
When you’re a working homeschooling mom, you have to learn the art of saying “no.” It’s not easy, I know, but it’s essential. Saying “yes” to everything, whether it’s extra work assignments or extracurricular activities for your kid, will only lead to more stress and less time for YOU.
This is something that my husband and I have worked on to make sure we don’t get so burdened. I promise it gets easier to say ‘no” the more you do it. And what actually happens is that those around you begin to understand your boundaries, so you don’t have to say ‘no’ all that often anymore. 🤗
Now, I regularly evaluate where my time and energy are going. If something doesn’t serve me or my family’s well-being or doesn’t fit into our family’s schedule, I politely decline. It’s okay to admit that you can’t do everything, and doing so has been one of the most freeing lessons for me!
4. Prioritize Self-Care (Yes, Really!)
I know, I know—this one can feel impossible when you have a million things to do. But trust me, self-care is not selfish; it’s necessary! I used to think that I could power through without taking care of myself, but that only meant that I was running on empty and only doing everything half well.
Whether it’s reading a book for 20 minutes before bed, doing a quick workout, or just having a quiet cup of coffee in the morning, taking small moments to focus on yourself will help you recharge and keep your energy up.
Sean and I make it a priority to have personal downtime, and we’re committed to making sure both of us get it. Sometimes that means I take the evening and get a massage, go to a favorite store, or work on my blog & YT channel. Sean uses his time to work on a personal project, go out and shoot his photography, or unwind with his favorite show. We swap roles so each of us can recharge.
By prioritizing “me-time,” we show each other respect and appreciation, and we come back to family life refreshed, ready to give our best. Plus, it sets a great example for our kids about the importance of self-care and maintaining a healthy balance in life.
I can’t be the best wife, mom, teacher, or employee if I don’t feel like my best self. Prioritizing self-care helps me and my husband stay grounded and avoid feeling burned out.
5. We Share the Load: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!
One of the most important things Sean and I have learned since we started homeschooling while balancing our work lives is that we’re in this together. I talk about the importance of this all of the time! Homeschooling is not something I do alone—it’s a team effort. We’ve made a commitment to share homeschooling responsibilities equally, and honestly, it’s been amazing for both of us.
Sean and I communicate regularly about our schedules and the needs of our kids. There are days when I’m behind and he steps in to help with lessons, or vice versa. By being intentional about splitting homeschooling duties, we ensure that neither of us feels overwhelmed. This teamwork helps prevent burnout because we both feel supported and valued.
Our kids see us working together, and I truly believe it creates a sense of balance and stability in our family. We’re not just co-parents, we’re co-educators, and it shows our children the importance of teamwork and collaboration.
6. Build a Support System
This one is so important. You don’t have to do this alone! Surround yourself with a support system, whether that’s your partner, a family member, a close friend, or even a community of other homeschooling working moms who get it.
For me, I’ve found that having a support network where I can vent, share tips, and even ask for help when needed is invaluable. The are a few Facebook groups that I am part of for working homeschooling parents and homeschooling parents in our area that are so great for connecting with others. I also make sure to connect with my spouse regularly so that we’re both on the same page with our family schedule and responsibilities.
If you’re struggling with burnout, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Whether it’s getting assistance with homeschooling or delegating work tasks, leaning on your support system can provide the breathing room you need to avoid burnout.
7. Know When to Take a Break
There are days when I’ve just had enough. I’m tired, I’m stressed, and nothing seems to be going right. And you know what? That’s okay! Sometimes, the best thing you can do is step back, take a break, and reset.
When burnout starts to creep in, I give myself and my family permission to take a day off from homeschooling. We might watch a movie or do something low-key, but that’s fine. Taking a mental health day is not only okay, but it’s essential for long-term well-being. And the truth is that if everyone is feeling burned out not much learning is going to get accomplished.
Preventing and Overcoming the Homeschool Burnout
As a homeschooling working mom, it’s easy to feel like you’re constantly running on fumes, but it doesn’t have to be that way. With a little planning, self-care, and support from my amazing husband Sean, we’ve learned how to balance homeschooling and working without sacrificing our well-being. Teamwork is the key, whether it’s sharing homeschooling duties, scheduling personal time, or just being there for each other, we’ve found that by valuing each other and ourselves, we can keep burnout at bay.
It’s okay to not have it all figured out all the time, and it’s okay to ask for help. You’re doing an amazing job, even on the days that don’t feel perfect. Keep taking it one step at a time, and remember, you’re not alone in this!
Take care of yourself, mama—you’ve got this! 🤗
💖 Yessi
