As winter drags on, I want to crawl into bed and never come out. I have to persuade my kids to leave the house, because my little bear cubs want to hibernate along with me until spring.
Winter is holding on tight this year. We woke up to a foot of snow this morning. It’s still coming down.
The view from my front window.
We’ve managed plenty of time with friends this winter, but I still feel boxed in. I want to get out and do something outdoors, but I’m tired of being cold! The excessive time inside leads me to a place every homeschool parent knows well.
Doubt.
It’s March. Have we done enough?Are the kids on track? Do we need to push harder now through the final months of the year? Am I doing this “right?” Is there a right way to do this? Maybe I should change my approach entirely. My mailbox is quickly filling up with curriculum catalogs to help me plan for next year. Most of them make my stomach turn a little.
I stress.
How can a homeschool mom recover from winter burnout when spring is delayed?
- Find Support. Whether it’s a local group or an online support group, we all need to find a tribe of homeschoolers who understand the unique challenges of this lifestyle. It doesn’t require a ton of effort to find support. It can be simple. I complain to a friend via text. She complains back. We both feel better.
- Take a minute to look back over the year and focus on all you have done. Look for the learning, the good memories and the fun you’ve had together.
- If you have the urge to sit your kids down at the kitchen table and give them a good talking to about how you all need to work harder, stop yourself. Do something fun instead. Find the fun in learning. Find the fun in life. The learning will follow.
- Start a new project. Ask your kids what they would like to explore and design a project around it. It can be anything from designing and planning the tree house they want to build when the snow finally melts to painting a mural on their bedroom wall. Play with Google Earth and visit Easter Island, the Eiffel Tower or Machu Pichu from street view. See where it takes you. Prepare a medieval feast, start an indoor garden or bake cheery spring cupcakes to share with friends.
- Do you need a break? Are you exhausted? Allow yourself a little down time. Give yourself permission to rest. Read a novel. Relax.
- Don’t compare yourself to the image of the perfect homeschooling mother. You may think you know one of these women, but I assure you, she doesn’t really exist. You are doing the best you can.
Be gentle with yourself. Your homeschooling inspiration will be back soon and so will the sun.
Is it spring yet?
Spring can’t stay away forever.
About Amy
