Homeschooling isn’t just something you do with your kids for a couple hours during the day, it’s a way of life. If you’re not careful, it can totally consume you and before you know it you’ll find yourself rocking back and forth in the corner in the fetal position because you’re about to lose your mind.
It’s really important to find a way to balance homeschooling with other parts of your life as well. Even though we all love homeschooling, we all know that as with everything, it is possible to have too much of a good thing. Here are 3 ways that I personally try to find balance in my own life while homeschooling.
How to Keep Your Life Balanced While Homeschooling
Have a Plan
I’ve learned that if I don’t have a set plan laid out for my homeschool every day, then the day seems to go on forever. Having a plan is important, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be extremely detailed. Some may want to plan every subject and every activity down to a certain hour of the day, while others may want to make a more broad plan of ideas. Either way will totally work, so just choose whatever route works best for you and your family.
I don’t plan just my homeschool though, I plan everything in my life. Every Sunday I take at least one hour or more to plan my lessons, appointments, dinner ideas, and anything else that needs to be thought out ahead of time. When I do this, my week goes so much smoother and I seem to have a better piece of mind, along with more time to relax at the end of the day knowing everything is taken care of.
To read more about how I plan, check out my other blog here.
Have a Hobby
Even us moms need to know how to have a little fun once in a while, and by that, I don’t mean an activity that involves your children as well. I think its extremely important for us mom’s to find something we like to do, that’s just for us. Our children and home life seem to take priority over everything, but once in a while we need to make ourselves a priority too. Stepping away from the daily grind to pursue a hobby whenever possible is important, and healthy, and time should be made or set aside for this.
Get out of town
I understand that this may not be an option for everyone, but if your finances and schedule can allow for it, I highly recommend going on some sort of a trip once a year, without the family. Gather some of your best girlfriends and get away for at least one night of fun away from home. It can be a simple overnight stay at a hotel 20 minutes a way, or a week long road trip. Whatever works for you and your family!
I meet up with some of my very best friends once a year to watch our favorite band perform for an entire weekend. It’s something we all look forward to all year and when the music starts we dance like no one is watching. It’s such a great time to let loose and have a little fun. I always come back feeling exhausted, but totally refreshed at the same time.
How Do You Find Balance?
What do you do to help balance out your own life while homeschooling? How do you spend time taking care of yourself? I’d love to hear the suggestions you have! Who knows? You may just inspire another mom who is reading!
This is part of the iHomeschool Network Link-Up titled “Balancing Your Life & Homeschooling” that goes live Monday March 14, 2016. Click on the image below to see the rest of the posts on this topic.
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I really enjoyed reading this post. It is so true finding a balance is so hard. I love your tweet, Homeschooling truly reaches every aspect of our lives! Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you for reading! I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
This is an arctile that makes you think “never thought of that!”
Great suggestions! My husband and I try to do at least an overnight trip once a year alone without the kids to just be and not talk school. I find that I usually come back feeling refreshed and ready to jump back into our routine.
Mother of 3 recently posted…College Classes When You’re Not In College
It really does help doesn’t it??
I think that’s so healthy! We as moms need a break from things sometimes just to keep our sanity!
Jeanetta, you amaze me! I homeschooled my son for one year, and it was so hard for me to work a full time job and do this, but we made it, with flying colors. I have so much respect for you and how you share tips to make it easier and more enjoyable for other families!
Thank you for stopping by and always having such nice comments to leave! You are always do sweet! Hope you have an awesome weekend!
Thanks for the great tips Jenn, question, does making my Happy Planner all pretty count as a hobby? 🙂
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Of course! They call it a happy planner for a reason! 😉 lol
I am not a homeschool Mom, but I can imagine that balance is a key to success. Love your tips, and thanks for sharing with us at Funtastic Friday.