There isn’t a point where we have everything figured in our homeschool or our lives: growth is continual and constant throughout our lives.
When we know that we’re not in a sweet spot of self-care, when we know that something is a constant frustration, then it’s time look at our daily practices and ask ourselves, is what we’re doing helping or hindering us?
Let’s talk about a practical plan of self-care for homeschool mama so she can thrive in her homeschool.
1. Go to bed earlier, get up earlier…
I’m a midnight owl…because it’s quiet. I know that most of you know what I mean because the digital world comes alive after the kids go to bed. But I love, love, love getting stuff done before nine, so early to bed tonight.
2. Be intentional about slotting off specific times to do my creative things each day…
Bringing life out of something brings me life.
3. Be less reactive to the annoyances around me.
The emotional investment I give them saps me from engaging the things I really want to do for the rest of the day.
4. Live right before your children.
It’s not what is taught, but what is caught that influences them. Recognizing this requires a lot of self-examination. Am I being authentic? Am I living outwardly to what I’m thinking inwardly? But be introspective, not self-criticizing. We all have stuff to work on.
Maya Angelou said it best, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better“.
5. They should know that they’re loved.
Listen to them with the intent of making them feel heard. Sometimes their unpleasant behavior draws some unpleasant reactions from their parents. Even when we don’t like what they do, we need to take responsibility and learn to be the loving parent, anyway. Writing to myself here…
6. Exert yourself in seeing the positive in your children, not what they’re not good at.
How you think about them will be how they think about themselves. This, this right here, is super hard some days.
7. Let my gentleness be known to all, even to my children.
Hahahaha. Well, I’ll keep trying. “But I’ll not look back (at my repeated moments of un-gentleness). Because I’m not going that way“. Anonymous is an encouraging philosopher.
Things I’ve learned about thriving…
Physical exercise.
I could give a rip about looking like Kelly Rippa. Okay, I think it would be pretty cool to have those arms, to even have the desire to spend a couple of hours in the gym each day. Not gonna happen right now. But regular exercise: yup, a necessity. Overall happiness factor increases by the simple act of maintaining daily exercise. And I prefer to do it…
Outside.
There’s something about being outdoors that I think we’re all hardwired for. Shelters were intended to shelter. Life was meant to be lived outside. It’s great for perspective. Go for a walk, even the same old walk, and it’ll brighten my mood.
Meet people.
Be open to new people. I am a crowd-functional introvert. I can spend a lot of time tapping away on a keyboard, reading, drawing, or gardening. Cocktail parties are fun places every once in a while, but not energizing. Still, we were meant to commune with others.
Consider the interior.
Meditate, think about good things, pray. Our mind needs to slow down, acknowledge negative and positive feelings, and reorient to truthful thoughts frequently.
Train your kids in the way they should go.
Not in the way other kids should go. They’re unique. Be aware of their individual interests and needs. “Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love“, said Rumi. I think we were created by a Creator for the purpose of doing the thing we love. It’s inside the hearts of our children too. We should help them find the spark in their hearts and help them develop it. “Freedom is found when we let go of who we’re supposed to be and embrace who we really are“.
“Habits create the character.”
Said Charlotte Mason… When we overlook character issues, we’re teaching them that certain behaviours can be overlooked. Certain behaviours aren’t helpful, in relationships or work. This is the really hard parenting work–academics are EASY. “It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are” e.e. Cummings wrote.
Kids aren’t happier having everything.
A myth of our culture is that the desire for stuff will satisfy. Nope. So, I’m learning to stop feeding the beast. Contentment is not the having of everything, but how we decide to look at our lives when we’re looking at them through a grateful grid. And as JFK said, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them“.
“Before Alice got to Wonderland, she had to fall pretty hard down a deep hole”.
Those days, the ones that you can’t believe you lived through, they’ll teach you something. There’s no perfection, no agonizing-free parenting available to anyone. “When something bad happens, you have three choices. You can either let it define you. Let it destroy you, or let it strengthen you“. Anonymous was wise.
“Look closely at the present you are constructing. It should look like the future you are dreaming”.
Alice Walker
Homeschool Mama Self-Care: Nurturing the Nurturer
“My homeschooling journey has included a growing pile of books that I have read, browsed, or barely got past the first chapter. This book is just delightful and a gem! It’s not only helpful and inspiring but also funny. The author is like that no-nonsense brave friend who is looking out for you and your well-being as a homeschooling mama. We all need that friend, and I am taking my time as I work my way through the chapters and enjoying it all. I love the section on overcoming overwhelm, grappling with perfectionism, and minding and working through our emotions. This book is worth its weight in gold. Find a quiet place to read, bring a warm cup of tea, and enjoy!”
–Sonia in S. Jersey
Wellness Guide: Homeschool Help for Moms
Introducing Your Ultimate Wellness Guide, an ideal guidebook for homeschool moms seeking effective strategies to maintain physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. This comprehensive guide offers practical tips, actionable steps, and easy-to-follow instructions to help you prioritize self-care, manage stress, and enhance your overall homeschool experience. Get your copy now and take the first step towards a healthier and happier homeschool mom life!
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Teresa Wiedrick
I help overwhelmed homeschool mamas shed what’s not working in their homeschool & life, so they can show up authentically, purposefully, and confidently in their homeschool & life.
This is a great post! Thanks a lot for sharing these encouraging words!
Anna
Thanks! I might add one more Im learning–not to check my iPod during studies, ha!
Mmmm, I need to follow that rule, too! 😉
Bravo! Standing ovation from me! I to am a night owl… But I plan to put a calendar by my bed so I can draw happy sunshines on it for every time I go to bed early and rise early. A really great list here!
Oh, how this one spoke to me – all the way through. I’m a night owl who loves the peace and quiet, its ‘my’ busy time, blogging, chores, creativity, etc. But, those mornings, ugh. #7 might have just walked up and smacked me in the face. This. yes, this is such an issue for me. Always a need to remind myself of it.
I love #3 I really need to remember that, I have precious little energy I should only focus it on the good!
I loved this post thanks for writing it i’m going to share and bookmark 🙂
Absolutely fantastic post! Number 8 really hit a chord with me. It’s so true. Being authentic too – showing our kids that life is not always sunshine and roses, that sometimes it is ok to be silly, and to be true to yourself are all SO important.
Yup, being authentic is just a mentally healthy way to approach relationships. A happier ‘place’ to live. I actually try to be silly–Im not a natural.