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Unique to homeschooling mamas is that we have a steady, continuous stream of child presence and are wildly invested and aware of all aspects of their well-being. So, self-care tips for homeschool moms?
We homeschool mamas have moments of pure gratification watching our kids harmoniously engage each other, pursue new interests, jump hurdles in learning and skill development; and we get to just be with the kids we brought into the world.
But there’s also a continuous stream of fledgling emotions, sibling bickering, attempted bickering with parents, complaining, and mundane work too.
Here are ten self-care tips for homeschool moms.
Everyone needs self-care, even and especially, homeschool mamas. There isn’t a profession out there that doesn’t require a practice of self care. As a homeschool mama, I wouldn’t claim to think self-care was more necessary for a homeschooling mama, a front line emergency worker, an airline pilot or a landscaper.
Teresa Wiedrick, author of Homeschool Mama Self-Care: Nurturing the Nurturer
Here are ten self-care tips for homeschool moms: tips she can use!
Even when we respond in healthy ways to the challenges, distancing their fledgling emotions from our own egos and sense of well-being, we still have invested so much in them.
We parents have our heartstrings tied to our children’s successes and failures, to their struggles and joys, to their disharmony and harmony. Though they might have come from our womb, they are not us.
Their choices are theirs; their struggles are theirs, and their developmental stage is theirs.
The unique stamp of their personhood, their unique purpose in this world, that’s theirs.
We are not the main character on their stage. They are.
Yet, the instinct and the desire to hold it all like it is ours, is a constant temptation and an incredible expenditure of energy. And so, we must take care of ourselves.
1. Commune with God, aka meditate.
Meditate on things that are true.
Be still and know that God is above us, below us, ahead of us, and behind us and not apart from the experiences of our lives.
Though a storm might feel like it is brewing within you, or you may feel overwhelmed or uncertain, a still small part of you remains separate from the challenge.
To connect with that still voice.
2. Practice yoga.
The powerful anti-inflammatory effects of yoga have provided me years of benefit, keeping me limber and pain-free. In some circles, there is a stigma attached to it that disables many to not participate.
Poor yoga, so misunderstood. Just try it. That is all.
3. Enoy treasured treats.
A glass of wine preparing dinner on a weekend evening, listening to a cooking show, and enlisting the kids in food prep is a lovely way to enjoy the weekend.
Giada knows how to cook, and she writes beloved children’s adventure food-based books that our kids loved to read. So we all enjoy her.
I also love Barefoot Contessa: her cooking, her home, her garden. And she’s such a pleasure to include in my kitchen.
4. Maintain chocolate consumption.
Just an ounce of really good dark chocolate. (And daily magnesium supplements that supplement our brain’s desire for chocolates and also help you sleep better.) Chocolate is tastier.
5. Use brain supplements.
And all the other supplements that you could be taking that might increase your overall sense of well-being. Learning to take daily vitamins.
Dr. Daniel Amen, a medical doctor that focuses on brain health, has written excellent resources and supplement suggestions for providing nourishment for our brains. What is more important than taking care of our brains?
6. Homeschool moms should get quiet time.
A hot cup of coffee or mint tea before anyone talks with you. Quiet space to think. Quiet space to determine our thoughts toward our day. Time to journal, to plan, and to be quiet. Time speaks our daily homeschool mama affirmations.
7. You should learn to observe yourself.
A powerful tool to understanding ourselves is to sit and listen to our uncomfortable feelings. Why do we feel what we feel? Be gracious with ourselves and don’t judge our feelings as good or bad, but observe them instead.
Accept all your feelings.
You are human and humans feel all sorts of feelings: disappointment, disgust, overwhelm, sadness, frustration, contempt, glee, and elation. Recognize that feelings often pass like clouds in the sky: they don’t stay static, yet they’re not entirely predictable either.
8. Practice daily exercise.
Somehow, someway, every day. (Or at least, most days). We need endorphin rushes. (That doesn’t come from children squabbling, or someone getting hurt, or complaints about math problems.) Burn off that tension with high-intensity exercise that you enjoy.
9. Include energizing activities.
Energizing activities that YOU like.
For me, writing, gardening, reading, and nature.
For you, needlepoint, poetry, 1950s deco, clothing design, makeup techniques, or travel blogs? You tell me.
Whatever it is, do it every day. Just 15 minutes. You can do that, or you can learn to do that (and your kids will learn that you are indeed going to do that).
10. Foster friendships.
Nurturing friendships enables connection and satisfies the desire to know and be known. Friendships can be like comfort blankets. They can also be nurturing connections. Sometimes they can be novel experiences, like traveling to a foreign country.
You can join the Homeschool Mama Book Club or Join the Supportive Homeschool Mama Support Group.
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Teresa Wiedrick
I help homeschool mamas shed what’s not working in their homeschool & life, so they can show up authentically, purposefully, and confidently in their homeschool & life.
Great post. I think lots of us homeschooling moms get so caught up in trying to do everything that we forget to take some time for ourselves and do something to recharge
I love this post. As a homeschooling Mama myself, this is so important! My top 10 are similar but they would be:
1) Quiet time each morning with God
2) Exercise (a walk/run without kids along)
3) Reading
4) Baking my favourite muffins or comfort food
5) Coffee dates or play dates
6) Firesides with my neighbors after the kids are asleep
7) Yearly weekends away with my husband
8) Gardening
9) Writing
10) And I’m slowly learning that I feel better when I look better, so I’m trying to spend some time each day at the mirror, doing my hair or makeup! (Brushing my teeth and putting on clothes used to be the best of my self care in this area LOL)