How to Prevent Burnout While Homeschooling
When you began homeschooling, the question ‘can homeschooling be stressful?’ was the furthest thing on your mind. Burnout makes it difficult for learners to focus. Likewise, parents get drained with the paperwork. Here, we share ways to make homeschooling less stressful.
1. Don’t be a jack of all
Homeschooling is exciting to both parents and children. However, it will leave you exhausted when you work alone. Why don’t you invite other homeschool parents to help? They have skills that you lack, and are in need of. And they can learn something new from you. You can also engage the services of a reputable homeschooling service provider.
2. Change the scenery
The beauty of homeschooling is that you aren’t limited by spaces. You can work outside the house if the children are moody. A picnic or a coffee cup at a cafe can do wonders. It distresses you, making you and your children work optimally. Additionally, don’t designate the same space for learning. The dining table can serve as a learning space. However, the sitting room, carpeted floor, or the lounge can serve the purpose too.
3. Take advantage of available resources
All home educators have unlimited resources when it comes to homeschooling. Don’t let a lack of ideas stress you out. Reach out to a homeschooling community near you. This support system ensures that you have the needed resources to succeed. You can also use free or paid online classes. The professionals that came up with the idea are the best there is.
4. Pack field trips into the routine
The homeschooling timetable operates outside traditional schooling. This way, you can pack as many field trips as possible into the schedule. You can choose either your family members or a homeschool community as your companion. You can visit historical sites, museums, and even zoos. Basically, your children will learn while having fun.
5. Write down achievements
Noting down achievements allows you and your children to reflect. Have a jug specifically for that purpose. Drop notes of achievements, and obstacles you have overcome along the way. At the end of six months, or a year, go over the notes. It will make you feel motivated. After all, homeschooling is not that easy.
6. Create a flexible timetable
A homeschool timetable is what makes everything exciting. You can have frequent breaks. As many as necessary. Schedule lessons when both you and the children are productive. This is especially true of mornings. You can specifically schedule afternoons for naps, outdoors, or for learning new skills.
7. Apply modern teaching methods
Don’t be tempted to take traditional schooling to your home. The reason why you decided to homeschool was that traditional schooling wasn’t working. To avoid burnout, use animation, invite other homeschooling learners, and use technology. Online learning resources employ the most creative ways to teach.
8. Utilize team teaching
Ask your family for help. Older siblings, for example, can be good teachers than you realize. You can also ask your spouse about areas they feel comfortable helping. Visiting grandparents can also be a rich resource. Take advantage each time they visit, and take a nap to recharge.
9. Don’t teach all subjects daily
You aren’t a traditional school. In that case, don’t put all subjects on the timetable. For one, you’re alone while the traditional school has the needed human resources. Also, you don’t want to wear down your children with too much work. Focus on a few subjects each day. You may also ask your kids for their input. If they feel like letting off some steam outdoors, why not?
10. Spice up the learning space
Your children will appreciate it if you change the sitting arrangement. If you can afford it, you can repaint the learning rooms with family-friendly colors. Remove or add furniture as need be. This way, you and your kids will feel relaxed. You feel more ready to face any challenge that comes your way.
11. Take care of yourself
You as the homeschool educator run the show at home. If exhaustion wears you down, your children will also suffer. The paperwork including lesson planning takes your time. Preparing meals and doing chores also depends on you. Read a good book. Take frequent breaks and sleep for at least eight hours.
12. Work on a new schedule
You will usually feel exhausted when you try to do too much. If you are new to homeschooling, you might have started on a high note. With time, however, you began feeling stressed. Check the timetable. Are there enough breaks? What about the lessons? Are they too many? What about field trips and outings? Are they enough?
Enroll Your Kid to the Best Homeschool in Kenya
At Outstanding Outcomes Home Tuition, we help homeschoolers to overcome burnout and be on track to success. Get in touch today and one of our tutors will visit you.
Even though homeschooling might be a stressful endeavour, it doesn’t have to be. Insidious worries about whether we are providing enough for our children lead many homeschooling parents to become stressed. And these tips are really great. keep sharing more such blogs.