Feeling a little burnt out, help?

[SunshineMom]

I just can't seem to get excited about doing school these days. We took a mini-vacation a few weeks ago after which I was ready to start up school. Well that lasted about two weeks (we had a great time) but now ps kids have been on break and we have too with various dance, music, classes. The problem, during this additional break I became incredibly lazy. The kids have been asking me to "please do some science experiments with them, read more books with them" and I am just burnt out. It doesnot help that my husband is working 4 days of every week out of town (he is a pilot) and I am solo parenting. Additionally, my 5dd is demanding to learn to play the guitar and to also help her with these Top Secret geography kits. She reads well but some of the vocab is difficult and she still needs me. On the other hand, my 7yr has blossomed during this time....reading in her room in a fort we built and keeping herself busy drawing/writing. It sounds good but on too many days I let them watch a movie. We have a TV rule....one movie on Friday and maybe Saturday. I gave in and let them watch too many for I just wanted to read some books. Am I being too hard on myself? Is it okay to have these times? I do want to school thru the summer with a modified and lighter schedule but boy, I am already tired! Help....

[Alana in Canada]

Boy, can I relate--and my kids aren't as young as yours!

 

Can you cut back to the absolute basics--say just read-aloud and math--just for a couple of hurs a day--and then throw them outside? Do restrict their TV time again, though. That can turn into a monster fast! (Voice of unfortunate experience, here).

 

Whatever you do, take it easy on yourself. Solo-parenting is really hard. Can you give yourself permission to start "school-lite" until your husband is back on a better schedule?

 

Oh--and if ohElizabeth were here, she'd tell you to have pic-nic school. Pack a pic-nic, go outside somewhere--and do school that way.

[Homeschooling6]

We go through spurts like that and it's okay. Your dc are young. I would do an hour of school for a while. Do a lesson in Singapore and SWR, maybe another day do Science and another subject. It won't hurt.

 

My 1st grader only does 20 minutes of math & another 40 min of Phonics, Grammar and some reading. We only do grammar 4 days a week, Phonics 3 or 4 and same with reading 3 or 4 days.

 

When I can't get to my K student I let him do math or phonics on the computer.

 

On nice days we do take our books outside ;)

 

Blessings,

[Peela]

When my kids were younger I used to read older mums- or mums of older kids- saying to have fun, take days off, do field trips, don't worry too much about the academics....I wish I had listened more because later, its not so easy and you look back and you realise it didn't matter so much when they were little whether you did grammar or finished the maths book- there really is plenty of time to catch up. Its not worth burning out over. They still need you as mum first, so you need to take care of yourself.

When my kids were your kids' ages I wasnt homeschooling yet, and I was still burned out. It's just full on having kids that age. They are demanding. Do what you need to do to not burn out, to rest, to get your zest back. Even a few weeks off school isnt going to hurt, as long as you know you will get back on track. Or cut right back. And make space after lunch, every day, for a rest time, where the kids are in their room, on their bed, and not to come out. And you get some time alone in your room, resting.

[pbjmeyer]

Spring fever hits as the weather breaks, and I am feeling it too!

 

I'd like to echo the previous posters - don't worry so much about the academics while they are so young. Enjoy the spring and go outside and let them explore and draw what they see.

[SunshineMom]

everyone for the suggestions....they are young and I do need to take it easy on myself and them. Spring fever is upon us. As for my husband, this is his normal schedule until retirement (20+yrs) however he is a big help when he is home. Thanks again!

[mom4him]

I think I spent our first 2 years of hs these two in burnt out. Maybe even three. I think that this year is truly the first one that I don't feel overwhelmed and exausted by it.

Some things that I have learned:

1. It IS OK to take time when I need it for what ever I need it for, canning, appointments, play date, etc. I try to not be frivalus(sp) but I also don't feel guilty with it.

2. Be sure your curr. fits not just your child but you. If it doesn't try something else. This was a big one for me. To find what worked for us and again not feel guilty for stopping whatever and using something else. I sell what I can of ones that haven't worked and go on.

3. I rest in the afternoon almost every day. My schedule is pretty long as I get my oldest son up and out the door to work every day and put him to bed. He is a quad so my day starts early(I also get up anywhere from 1-1 1/2 hrs before I start him to have some quiet time) with 2 1/2 hrs of physical labor and ends late the same way. I used to fight through thinking that I had to fill the day up with school and that I was letting my kids down if I didn't. By 3 in the afternoon I would be so tired there would have been one and only one word to describe me -- CRABBY! It is much more important to enjoy my kids and for them to have a joy about learning that to keep what I had felt everyone else expected of my.

There is more but those are probably the biggest ones. For me it all fell under the title of feeling guilty. I have a hs dear friend that has helped me get and keep many of these things. Thanks Julie!

I pray that you can get some rest, and regain the joy of hsing your children.