How to Deal with Homeschooling Burnout

Most homeschooling parents love many aspects of homeschooling. The flexibility in scheduling and curriculum, the extra time they have to spend with their children, the ability to delve into the subjects that most interest their children and to study them in depth. Many homeschooling parents are lovers of education themselves, and very much enjoy the planning and organization that goes along with homeschooling. It is probably safe to assume that these parents are also thrilled with the academic results and progress they witness in their children.

All benefits of homeschooling aside though, there are some aspects of it that can be tough to manage, and even downright irritating. When your home also serves as your child's school, it often isn't long before the whole family feels a bit consumed by all that homeschooling entails. Often, the family computer is a major homeschooling tool, which can easily affect all in the home who need and use it. The computer desk is typically overrun with homeschooling books, printouts, and other materials. The dining room table usually serves as a project center, with materials left there to dry or wait for the next step in construction. The shower curtain doubles as a place to hang drying art projects. And generally, there are homeschooling workbooks, supplies, and materials scattered in pretty much every room and corner of the house. And why not? Inarguably, one of the most wonderful aspects of homeschooling is the ability to learn anywhere, at anytime.

I'll tell you why not. Because before long, this atmosphere begins to drive most people completely insane. Sure, this family may think homeschooling is great and serves them very well. That doesn't necessarily mean that they want to eat, sleep, and breathe homeschooling. Not to mention, shower in it, cook in it, or entertain company in it. This atmosphere can quickly cause a bad case of Homeschooling Burnout. To avoid Homeschooling Burnout, try implementing the following tips to avoid being swallowed alive by your homeschooling lifestyle.

DESIGNATE A SPACE FOR HOMESCHOOLING MATERIALS

We used one closet in the house specifically for all things associated with homeschooling. A closet is good, but if you don't have an extra one for this purpose, other options include storing books and materials in containers that can slide underneath beds, unused shelves in the laundry room, even cabinets in the kitchen that can spare some room

STORE PROJECTS SOMEWHERE OUT OF THE WAY

Try storing that half finished model of a California Mission on top of the washing machine in the laundry room. Consider allowing art projects to dry in the garage. The point is, if things associated with homeschooling can be stored and put away in locations where the family doesn't have to wade through it every time they want to accomplish something in the house, the less likely everyone will be to come down with a case of Homeschooling Burnout.

Some families are fortunate enough to have an extra room to designate as their "classroom". If you have a room in your home that could be used for this purpose, consider doing so. Being able to keep everything associated with homeschooling in one place, especially one with a door that you can shut when you don't want to look at one more homeschooling item, could certainly ward off many cases of Homeschooling Burnout.

TRY TO MAINTAIN BALANCE

Many homeschooling parents, recognizing even everyday tasks as wonderful learning opportunities, sometimes become so enthusiastic, that they get carried away. For instance, recently at the zoo, as a girl about five years old admired a Condor, her mother stood behind her, loudly instructing the girl, "Sarah, Vulture, Vulture. Vuh. Vuh. Uppercase, Vuh, what letter is that?" The little girl muttered, "V" and walked away. Sometimes, you just have to let the kids be kids, and have fun without having to learn something academic from it. Seriously, the little girl was learning so much just by admiring this amazing bird, without her Mother insisting on turning it into a phonics lesson for her. Not to mention all the rest of us who were trying to admire it, and who were disappointed when it walked away to distance itself from the loud Mother, as well!

It's easy to fall in love with homeschooling and to want to optimize every potential learning experience. But this is also an easy way to overwhelm not only your child, but yourself, and this can lead to Homeschooling Burnout, as well. Homeschooling may be a part of your life, but try to keep from allowing yourself to make it your entire life, because you may find that before long, you feel as though you just can't keep up. Balance is the key.