Working full-time while homeschooling isn’t just a balancing act it can feel like a constant juggling of pressure, lessons, and laundry, leaving little room for yourself. I want to share how I avoid burnout and remind you why self-care is important when you are pulled in so many directions.
How to Fit in Self-Care Without Feeling Guilty
One of the main reasons moms (myself included) skip self-care is guilt. How dare I stay up late reading a good book when I could be tackling the never-ending pile of laundry?
I fit in self-care by scheduling moments for myself during times when no one else will need me. Rare, I know but stick with me.
Moving your body in a way that brings you joy can truly transform your day. That’s why I wake up before everyone else to fit in some early morning yoga. No crazy regimens, no weight-loss goals just moving in a way that feels good and lifts my spirits.
Once or twice a week on the weekends, I’ll take a nap. Oh, how I look forward to my weekend nap! This little recharge isn’t just for me it’s also a way for my kids to see that slowing down is okay and necessary.
And yes, sometimes staying up a little too late to finish a book counts as self-care…even if it technically cuts into sleep. Do with that what you will.
Quick, Simple Self-Care During the Day
If you’re anything like me, doing something just for yourself can feel selfish and sometimes you don’t even see the point. To fight those feelings, I try to give myself a few quick, simple wins throughout the day. This might look like sipping my coffee from a special cup, playing a feel-good playlist, wearing an outfit that makes me feel like the main character, or listening to an audiobook or podcast while at work.
These are just a few of the little things that speak to me. What tiny self-care wins could you add to your day that would make life feel just a bit more magical? Start there, lady!
Recognizing Burnout Before It Hits
Burnout doesn’t always announce itself with flashing signs it often creeps in quietly, showing up as irritability, low patience, or just feeling off during lessons. For me, my biggest warning sign is a lack of patience during lessons.
When I notice that creeping frustration, I try to pivot to a more independent activity so I can step away and catch my breath. For me, prevention is key. To avoid reaching that point, I aim for three days a week of yoga, daily Bible reading, and sticking to a consistent routine that brings some predictability to my day.
We homeschool in six-week sessions with a week off in between, and honestly? Those breaks can feel harder than the school weeks themselves.
Self-Care That Includes Your Kids
Self-care doesn’t always have to be alone sometimes the best way to recharge is by including your kids in the fun. A few of my favorite ways to do this are family movie nights, game nights, or taking a walk together.
I like to think of these special moments not only as a way to restore my sense of play but also as wonderful opportunities for the whole family to bond.
Dealing With Mom Guilt
Mom guilt is real, but the truth is you can’t pour from an empty cup taking care of yourself is actually a gift to your family. I know it can be hard to shift your perspective when you’re the caretaker of so many responsibilities, but truly, you need to care for yourself in order to care for anyone else.
I also like to remind myself that by prioritizing self-care, I’m showing my kids that resting and recharging is essential we can’t do all the things all the time.
When mom guilt feels especially heavy, I suggest focusing on the basics first, and then adding just one extra self-care activity per week to build a maintainable routine.
Budget-Friendly Self-Care Ideas
Self-care doesn’t have to break the bank there are plenty of simple, budget-friendly ways to recharge and treat yourself. Personally, a lot of myself care items revolve around reading, enjoying a coffee, and sleeping.
To save money on reading we reserve library books, borrowing e-books from Libby or hoopla, or buying used books from Amazon or Walmart.
Occasionally I like to enjoy an at home spa night. During this season of my life I don’t have a lot of time for spa nights because of our littlest baby needing momma so much.
Self-Care During Busy or Hard Seasons
I know life gets busy, and there are seasons that feel just too hard to squeeze in self-care. I won’t sugarcoat it sometimes self-care simply isn’t in the cards. Some of us have to work long hours, others are home alone with the kids with no breaks, and some of us are up all night with a teething baby.
During these intense seasons, my go-to is honestly the bare minimum. I prioritize sleep by going to bed earlier, slowly training myself to wake up earlier so I can fill my cup before I pour into everyone else.
One Piece of Advice for Burnout
If there’s one thing I could tell any working homeschool mom teetering on burnout, it’s this: simplify your routine and focus on what truly matters. Keep things simple and create a routine that works for you. It might take some trial and error, but as long as you’re moving toward a routine that allows space for work, teaching, and rest, you’ll be glad you took the time to experiment with what works and what doesn’t.
One of the biggest changes I made in our homeschool was implementing a loop schedule. With our loop schedule, I feel confident that we’re covering all the subjects without overwhelming myself and hitting burnout. If you want to read more about loop scheduling, I have a post you can check out here.
Self-care looks different for every mom, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. I’d love to hear what works for you! If you’re looking for support, tips, or just a place to share your wins (and struggles) as a working homeschool mom, come join our free online community, In My Homeschool Era.
It’s a space where we share advice, swap self-care ideas, and encourage one another through the ups and downs of homeschooling. Your experience might just inspire another mom to take that much-needed break she’s been putting off so don’t be shy, come join the conversation!