Help! I Don’t Want to Homeschool Anymore! Dealing with Homeschool Burnout

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

It happens to the best of us; homeschool burnout. We grow weary of homeschooling and we’re ready to throw in the towel. Rather than giving up, let’s look at how we got to this state and what actions we can take to get out of homeschool overwhelm.

What Homeschool Burnout Looks Like

Think back to when you first began homeschooling. You were full of hope and excitement and couldn’t wait to pour over homeschool curriculum catalogs. You had a new identity to celebrate, you were now a homeschool mom!

New friends were made, conventions visited, and curricula purchased. Things went great in the beginning, or even for a while.

Then it happens, burnout!

Now you dread getting up to more schoolwork, more laundry, more meal prepping, more of anything. You’re just tired, and there seems to be no end in sight.

How Homeschool Burnout Happens

The truth is, you didn’t just wake up tired of it all one morning. Let’s look at the road to burnout and see if you can identify with any of these:

  • you don’t have a predictable schedule
  • you have an overly stressful schedule
  • your homeschooling a wide variety of ages and levels
  • your partner works long hours
  • you’re not plugged into co-op or homeschool group
  • you are overly committed to a co-op or homeschool group
  • lack of support from friends or family
  • expecting too much of yourself
  • putting everyone else before your own basic needs
  • over-commitment to church
  • neglecting your spiritual life

If any of that sounds familiar, you might be in homeschool burnout.

What We Do About Homeschool Burnout

There are some action steps you can take to help yourself walk out of burnout to relief. Try a few of these to see what works.

  1. Practice the art of saying “no.” You don’t need to do everything. If you feel like you need permission to bow out gracefully, granted.
  2. Understand the difference between roles and responsibilities. Your role is mom, wife, sister, daughter. You have different responsibilities within each of those roles. Make a quick list of what your true responsibilities are. This will also help you learn to say no.
  3. Re-think your identity. Yes, you homeschool. But, your identity isn’t a homeschooling mom. You’re a mom who homeschools, right? And most importantly, you’re a daughter to the One who made you, loves you, and doesn’t want you sit in homeschool burnout.
  4. Make prayer a priority.

PRAYING AND WORKING. I Like that saying of Martin Luther, when he says, “I have so much business to do to-day, that I shall not be able to get through it with less than three hours’ prayer.” Now, most people would say, “I have so much business to do to-day, that I have only three minutes for prayer; I cannot afford the time.”

But Luther thought that the more he had to do, the more he must pray, or else he could not get through it. That is a blessed kind of logic: may we understand it! “Praying and provender hinder no man’s journey.” If we have to stop and pray, it is no more hindrance than when the rider has to stop at the farrier’s to have his horse’s shoe fastened; for if he went on without attending to that it may be that ere long he would come to a stop of a far more serious kind.—C. H. Spurgeon.

Practical steps:

  1. Keep a simple schedule.
  2. Keep meals simple.
  3. Plan time with friends and don’t talk about homeschooling.
  4. Communicate your needs clearly to your partner, friends, and family.
  5. Partner with an online homeschool provider to handle some of the teaching load.

Working through these 8 quick steps can help you gain clarity for yourself, your relationships, and your homeschooling. Keep things simple!

 

Starting Your Homeschool Over

Listen, I hear you! You’ve already purchased all of this curriculum. You’re determined to use it.

You’ve already purchased the convention tickets and reserved the hotel.

Your church is counting on you.

Your partner isn’t supportive.

All of that can be true, and you can still simplify.

That curriculum? Set a timer and work through it for a set amount of time. No one says you have to do all.the.things!

Let your kids know that for a while school is during the hours of x and x and after that mom needs a recess or reboot.

Go the convention, but change your aim. Have fun! And if you want to, cancel it. No one is judging you. There’s always next year.

Your church probably does need you, that’s the nature of it. But they want the best version of you. Not the stressed-out, burnt-out version. Have a conversation about volunteering boundaries for this season. They will understand.

You’ve Got This!

Just do the next thing. Pick one area to simplify. You’ve got this. And maybe some of these podcasts will help: *scroll to the bottom of the page to play the podcast

Let me know how this article and the podcasts have helped. Have more advice? Leave a comment and bless another mom.

Hope for the Mom of a Wayward Child

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Finish Well Homeschool Podcast, Podcast #135, Hope for the Mom of a Wayward Child, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

Hope for the Mom of a Wayward Child

In “Hope for the Mom of a Wayward Child,” Episode, #135, Meredith Curtis brings encouragement for moms who are desperately praying for their child to come back to Christ. She shares stories from church history and Scripture of mothers who have been in that situation and how they played a role in their child’s return to God. Pointing us to the One who loves our children more than we do, Meredith shows how God’s grace leaves the 99 to seek and save those who wander away, as well as the role that strategic prayer plays.

 

 

 


Books available at PowerlineProd.com

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!


Show Notes

The shocking conversation after my talk at a homeschool support group meeting.

A Mother’s Heart & Plans

Train a child in the way they should go….These words have I hidden in my heart….the fear and instruction of the Lord….Good News!

Organic baby food…family devotions….ministry at church….prayer & fasting….loving God together….Bible stories….Sunday school

Hijacked!

Questions or Sin or Heartache or Rebellion or Addition or Depression leading to turning their back on Jesus and His Word.

A generation gone astray.

Is faith gone? Will they get out of the pit they have fallen into? Will they stop believing lies?

Monica

Algeria 300s. Unfaithful husband with violent temper.

Her daughter was a devoted Christian, but Augustine. Wayward, drunken, false religion (Persian & later Plato philosophy), sexual immorality, living with a woman for 15 years.

“The child of these tears shall never perish.”

Ambrose in Milan

17 years of prayer & fasting while wholeheartedly serving God

Jochobed

Tribe of Levi. “Glory of God”

3 Children: Moses leader of Israel, Aaron first high priest, Mariam worship leader/songwriter

Multiply. Slavery. Midwives. Throw baby boys into the Nile.

Exodus 2:2-4: “And the woman conceived and gave birth to a son; and when she saw that he was beautiful, she hid him for three months. But when she could no longer hide him, she got him a papyrus basket and covered it with tar and pitch. Then she put the child in it and set it among the reeds by the bank of the Nile. And his sister stood at a distance to find out what would happen to him.”

Hebrews 11:23 “By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.”

Wisdom. Courage. Trust.

Instead of throwing him into the Nile to his death, she placed him in the Nile within a protective basket.

Think of all the ways her plan can go wrong.

Jochebed is paid by the princess to nurse her baby. When he is weaned, she brings him to the princess.

Murderer. Fugitive. Pharoah wants to kill him. Escapes to Midian.

80 years/probably after her death

Annie

6 children. Slowly over decades 4 come to Christ.

Unwavering faith/prayer while wholeheartedly serving God until death.

Prayer & Fasting in Faith

Always pray and never give up! Stand in faith that the God who called you to the task of raising children for Him will pour out grace and mercy to rescue your child even if you do not live to see Him do it.

Fasting.

How to pray.

Continue to serve Jesus wholeheartedly.

Luke 18:1

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100 Homeschool Hacks by Meredith CurtisSign up for our updates and get your copy of 100 Homeschool Hacks FREE. Sign up here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resources

Jesus Fill My Heart and Home by Meredith Curtis Lovely to Behold A Wise Woman Builds by Meredith Curtis God's Girls 104: Motherhood by Meredith Curtis

 

How-to-Homeschool Books if you want to learn more about homeschooling or plan to homeschool 😊

Joyful and Successful Homeschooling by Meredith Curtis Unlocking the Mystery of Homeschooling High School by Meredith Curtis and Laura Nolette Quick & EZ Unit Study Fun by Meredith Curtis Seven R's of Homeschooling by Meredith Curtis

 

These are just a few of our many resources that work well for all ages together!

Newspaper Reporting by Meredith Curtis Travel God's World Geography by Meredith Curtis Travel God's World Cookbook by Meredith Curtis HIS Story of the 20th Century by Meredith Curtis

More Podcasts You Might Find Helpful

Don't Be a Nimrod Podcast #049 The Legend of Atlantis and Bull Leaping

6 Ingredients of Great Curriculum

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Finish Well Homeschool Podcast, Podcast #134, 6 Ingredients of Great Curriculum, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

6 Ingredients of Great Curriculum

In “6 Ingredients of a Great Curriculum,” Episode, #134, Meredith Curtis can help you if you feel overwhelmed by curriculum choices. There is so much out there! Meredith shares how she chooses curriculum for her family by using a simple checklist of 6 things. She gives practical wisdom on what to look for in homeschool resources including worldview, flexibility, content, usability, cost value, and the fun factor.

 

 

 


Books available at PowerlineProd.com

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!


Show Notes

The thrill of a used book sale each May.

Worldview

Curriculum should match worldviews.

As a Christian, I have a biblically based worldview. I believe the Bible is true and applies to all areas of life. I want to show my children how God’s Word relates to every subject we study.

For more information on worldview, listen to my podcast: What is Your Worldview? that explains 6 different worldviews popular in our world today.

When Worldviews Collide is another podcast that helps parents and teens recognize worldviews that contrast with Christianity.

Content

Learn with depth. (Table of Contents for breadth; Read a chapter for depth)

I get excited when a history textbook goes deeper.

Examples:

  • History
  • Math
  • Science
  • Foreign Language

Make lists of what looking for.

If I can’t find everything in one curriculum, I will often combine two separate ones.

Wholesomeness. Purity. Accuracy.

Usability

Different for every person. Some like detailed lesson plans.

Is it clear enough for you how to use it for maximum potential?

Does it seem workable or does the preparation overwhelm you?

Flexibility

Can it be used for the whole family or just one person?

Can it be used at home or in a homeschool co-op?

Can you rearrange the schedule? Stretch it out? Shorten it?

Is it adaptable?

Cost Value

Doesn’t mean that I get the cheapest thing out there. That can end up costing me more in the long run.

Cost value to me means that it is worth the price I will pay for it. That is personal and different for each person.

  • Am I getting what I pay for?
  • If this is core curricula, is it worth the price?
  • If this is supplemental (like timeline, cookbook, literature, map), do I really need it? And is it worth the price?

I love to go to homeschool conventions where I can actually hold and look through curriculum and living books.

The Fun Factor

The fun factor matters to our family.

If our chosen curriculum doesn’t have it, we add those things in ourselves—I usually add ideas next to the Table of Contents or lesson plans.

In our home, things that we consider “Fun Factor” are:

  • Cooking/Baking
  • Timelines
  • Movies/TV Shows
  • Games
  • Hands-On Activities
  • Creating Skits, Radio Dramas, Commercials
  • Mapping
  • Living Books
  • Historical Fiction
  • Geographical Fiction
  • Writing Poems
  • Music
  • Art
  • Crafts
  • Dioramas
  • Posters/Brochures/Booklets
  • Lapbooking
  • Blogging about It
  • Dressing Up
  • Travel
  • Field Trips
  • Writing a Story
  • Games
  • Sports
  • History Parties

Sign up for our Newsletter

100 Homeschool Hacks by Meredith CurtisSign up for our updates and get your copy of 100 Homeschool Hacks FREE. Sign up here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resources

How-to-Homeschool Books if you want to learn more about homeschooling or plan to homeschool 😊

Joyful and Successful Homeschooling by Meredith Curtis Unlocking the Mystery of Homeschooling High School by Meredith Curtis and Laura Nolette Quick & EZ Unit Study Fun by Meredith Curtis Seven R's of Homeschooling by Meredith Curtis

 

The following books give detailed instructions so you can have your own History Parties.

Let's Have Our Own Archaeological Dig by Meredith Curtis Let's Have Our Own Luau by Meredith Curtis Let's Have Our Own Medieval Banquet by Meredith Curtis Let's Have Our Own Olympic Games

 

These are just a few of our many resources that work well for all ages together!

Newspaper Reporting by Meredith Curtis Travel God's World Geography by Meredith Curtis Travel God's World Cookbook by Meredith Curtis HIS Story of the 20th Century by Meredith Curtis

More Podcasts You Might Find Helpful

Finish Well Radio, Podcast #070, What Is Your Worldview? Finish Well Radio, Podcast #071, When Worldviews Collide Finish Well Radio, Podcast #069, The Kitchen Explosion 1001 Homeschool Days at the Beach | Yes you can actually spend 1001 Homeschool Days at the Beach and learn so much more than in a book! Join us to find out more. | #podcast #homeschoolpodcast #beach

17 Ways Churches Can Support Homeschooling

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Finish Well Homeschool Podcast, Podcast #133, 17 Ways Churches Can Support Homeschooling, with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network

17 Ways Churches Can Support Homeschooling

In “17 Ways Churches Can Support Homeschooling,” Episode, #133, Meredith Curtis speaks to church members, leaders, and pastors, giving creative ways churches can minister to the ever-growing number of homeschooling families. She gives practical wisdom on what to look into in regards to doctrinal, legal, and moral issues that may arise. If you want to reach out to the homeschooling community, listening to this podcast is essential. Share it with your pastors, elders, and church leaders!

 


Books available at PowerlineProd.com

 

Powerline Productions, Inc.

Bringing Homeschool Joy to Families Everywhere!

 


Show Notes

2 fish and 5 loaves, 17 acres, and a love of learning.

Why Reach Out to Homeschooling Families

Rapidly growing

Many people forced to homeschool with lockdowns

You probably have homeschooling families in  your congregation

There is a rapidly-growing segment of secular homeschoolers—a mission field!

What are Homeschooling Families LIke

Unique, different philosophies, methods, styles

Age integration (separate by interest/abilities not age/grade)

Some families want kids to stay in service

Christian homeschoolers—Bible applies to all of life—Christian Worldview

Creation Science

Understand difference between support groups, umbrella school, co-op

Things to Consider

Promote Christian values or not?

Statement of Faith?

What activities/behavior will you allow or not allow?

Insurance liability?

I like 3 weeks on/1 week off

Special Senior Year Events

Rent Weekly to a Homeschool Co-op

Rent to a Homeschool Co-op for Special Events

Rent to a Homeschool Co-op for Play Days

Start a Church Ministry: Homeschool Co-op

Host a Weekly or Monthly Sports Day

Host a Weekly or Monthly Mom’s Morning Out

Host a Weekly or Monthly Homeschool Get-Together

Host a Monthly Homeschool Speaker or Video

Provide Babysitting for Ladies Bibles Studies

  • Littles
  • Study Hall
  • Game Room for Older Kids

Provide Internships for Homeschool Teens

  • Office Work
  • Missions Projects
  • Sound Team/Tech/Powerpoint
  • Website
  • Visitattion
  • Worship Team
  • Sunday School
  • Grounds/Building Maintenance & Repair

Provide Educational Workshops & Seminars

Provide a Lending Library

  • Classic Literature
  • Living Books
  • Biographies (especially of Christian heroes!)
  • Homeschool Curriculum
  • Wholesome Family Movies
  • Dvd series

Host a Homeschool Graduation Ceremony

Let Retirees Servce as Teachers in Co-op

Let Retirees Servce Giving Lessons

  • Instrument
  • Singing
  • Choir
  • Marksmanship
  • Cooking
  • Baking
  • Knitting/Crochet
  • Quilting
  • Car Maintenance

Let Retirees Servce as Tutors

Host a History Party

Sign up for our Newsletter

100 Homeschool Hacks by Meredith CurtisSign up for our updates and get your copy of 100 Homeschool Hacks FREE. Sign up here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resources

How-to-Homeschool Books if you want to learn more about homeschooling or plan to homeschool 😊

Joyful and Successful Homeschooling by Meredith Curtis Unlocking the Mystery of Homeschooling High School by Meredith Curtis and Laura Nolette Quick & EZ Unit Study Fun by Meredith Curtis Seven R's of Homeschooling by Meredith Curtis

 

The following books give detailed instructions so you can have your own History Parties.

Let's Have Our Own Archaeological Dig by Meredith Curtis Let's Have Our Own Luau by Meredith Curtis Let's Have Our Own Medieval Banquet by Meredith Curtis Let's Have Our Own Olympic Games

 

These are just a few of our many resources that work well for all ages together!

Newspaper Reporting by Meredith Curtis Travel God's World Geography by Meredith Curtis Travel God's World Cookbook by Meredith Curtis HIS Story of the 20th Century by Meredith Curtis

More Podcasts You Might Find Helpful

Worship: What's the Point, Podcast #012 on Finish Well Radio with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network Finish Well Podcast #015 with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network Finish Well Radio, Podcast #021, Tell Me About Heaven! with Meredith Curtis on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network Resurrection Power, Podcast #031 on Finish Well Radio with Meredith Curtis at the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network

Schoolhouse Rocked Interview with Garritt and Yvette Hampton

A Production of the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.

Schoolhouse Rocked | The Homeschool Revolution | Interview with the Hamptons & Israel Wayne

Join Israel Wayne as he interviews the Hamptons about their new film, Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution.

Support the Film.


There’s a revolution transforming American education, more than 2 million students strong, and it’s not happening in the classroom.

Schoolhouse Rocked: The Homeschool Revolution is feature-length documentary, currently in post-production and coming to a theater near you. This timely film is intended to encourage and equip homeschool families to start strong and finish well. The movie follows host, Yvette Hampton as she travels the country with her family. She talks with education experts, curriculum developers, college and university faculty and administrators, and homeschooling families at every stage in the process.  From kindergarten to college graduation and beyond. As viewers follow Yvette on this journey and share in her challenges and victories as a homeschool mom, they will gather the necessary resources and encouragement to homeschool their own children with excellence.

PRO-HOMESCHOOLING MOVIE

Schoolhouse Rocked is not an anti-public school movie. It is not an anti-government, anti-vaccination, anti-classroom, anti-NEA, or anti-Department of Education movie. Schoolhouse Rocked is a PRO-HOMESCHOOLING MOVIE. We believe that the slow, steady decline of the public schools, coupled with a rising desire among parents to take control of their children’s education and training has lead to the explosive growth of the homeschool movement – The Homeschool RevolutionSchoolhouse Rocked seeks to be a leading force in the next wave of that revolution.

 


Join Israel Wayne

Join Israel Wayne every month as he discusses life, theology, Christian Apologetics, education, family and cultural issues from a Biblical worldview. Israel is an author and conference speaker.  He speaks at homeschooling conferences, and churches, as well as marriage and parenting seminars.

Finally, the information he teaches around the nation will be available to listeners like you. Each broadcast will be about a half hour and will feature interviews and thoughtful commentary from Israel and his guests.


Homeschool Answers Book Bundle

The decision to homeschool is difficult.  There is so much to learn, and there are often radical changes that take place in your family. Unfortunately, not everyone will be supportive.

Well-meaning friends and relatives may believe you are going to “ruin your child.” How can you make sure that you have laid a good foundation for your child’s future? How can you respectfully defend your choice to those who disagree with you?

The Bible is full of instructions on how God desires His children to be educated. IF GOD has a definite opinion about the issue of education, wouldn’t you desire to find out what it is and how best to implement HIS WISDOM?