15 Encouraging Ways to Overcome Homeschool Burnout

Are you feeling homeschool burnout? It’s time to breathe new life into your learning environment! Here are 15 encouraging ideas designed to refresh your routine, reignite your passion for homeschooling, and transform your days into inspiring journeys of discovery.

If you are new here, I recently posted the 5 reasons why we choose to homeschool. I mention a few of these solutions as perks of why we chose homeschooling!

1. Outsource as needed

You don’t have to do it all—bringing in help can refresh your homeschool and relieve pressure.

As homeschool parents, we take on a lot: our children’s well-being, education, and health, not to mention everyday parent things like feeding, cleaning, and clothing. 

Outsourcing may be your next logical step when you feel overwhelmed and frustrated with your homeschool journey. 

Especially when learning difficulties arise or you find your student needs special attention for their unique needs, don’t be afraid to seek help from other homeschool families, tutors, or professional help as well!

This can save your sanity and relieve the mountain of pressure that has been building on your shoulders. If you need permission to seek out help, this is me giving it to you 🙂

2. It’s ok to quit (curriculum that is)

Sometimes we forget we are in charge as the parent/teacher! This means we have full control over what is being taught to our students. 

There are some great curricula out there, but not all curriculum is created equal! Each student responds differently to teaching methods, so it makes sense that they are not one-size-fits-all. 

It is ok if you need to make changes in your curriculum! This is actually one of the beautiful benefits of homeschooling, we can make changes and adjust course as needed. 

I recommend researching a few different options to match you and your student’s style!

Now I will say that even though you can make changes, too many changes are not a good thing! Most students thrive on routine; sometimes it takes a little bit of discipline and encouragement to get them comfortable and confident in their curriculum and routine. 

So don’t be afraid to make a change in curriculum if needed, just don’t get too carried away 😉

3. Read-Aloud

Reading aloud is a game-changer for homeschool families, actually for all families! 

I recently read ‘The Read-Aloud Family’ by Sarah Mackenzie, and I was struck by the impact reading aloud together as a family can make! We have been implementing 20 minutes or more of read-aloud time in our homeschool routine, and I am loving it!

In the book, Sarah captures the impact of reading aloud and even states that even if no other schoolwork is completed, a child can still learn and be successful in life just through many hours of reading aloud!

Reading aloud has many benefits for your entire family, even little ones!

Reading Aloud is different than your child reading a book at their level, it means you are reading to them or listening to an audiobook/podcast.

Then, lightly engage in meaningful and thoughtful conversation after the reading for comprehension!

When a child is just learning to read and is reading a book at their level, they are focusing on the words and getting them right rather than the storyline. So allowing them to hear the story and details out loud increases their reading comprehension.

Don’t feel intimidated by books above your student’s current reading level. Reading above their level has many benefits for their brains.

If you are feeling the homeschool blues, skip lessons for a week or two and do a few 30-minute read-aloud sessions daily. See how things feel after that!

We have also been enjoying audiobooks and stories on our Yoto player, it’s been a great investment in our homeschool journey.

We use this the most when I am busy making breakfast, and as my kids sit around the table to eat.

4. Change of scenery

This one is pretty obvious, but how easily we forget that the simplest solutions are normally free and easy! Fresh air is one major way to change your homeschool scenery. Simply step outside, take some deep breaths, and get some sunshine!

When we are stuck in a routine, especially one of frustration, we need regular breaks to reset our bodies and minds! Fresh air or a new scene can help achieve that.

The same is true for children! The importance of outside play, fresh air, and movement of our bodies applies to all of us.

I know, getting outside is not always feasible. Depending on the weather where you live, your housing situation, or even having a tiny baby, it can feel like a mountain to climb just to get the kids dressed and outside.

It doesn’t have to be Instagram picture-worthy. Simply make a little effort and get outside for a bit. I never regret getting out and feeling the sun on my face and taking in a big breath of fresh air. I feel rejuvenated and grounded.

Does it fix all my problems? No – that’s what Jesus is for 😉 But I surely do feel better getting fresh air or changing up my scenery, and I know my kids do too!

When overly frustrated, scrap lessons for the day and head to the park for some nature observation and physical activity.

Take a spontaneous field trip to the aquarium for a quick unit study on jellyfish. 

Make the library a bi-weekly stop on the calendar to get some new books and have meaningful conversations with the staff.

When stuck in a homeschool rut and feeling the blues, try a change of scenery to break up the monotony! 

5. Alternative Schedule

Another simple one we so easily overlook is our schedule. I am surely a creature of habit and love having a routine and schedule, even a simple one!

However, we sometimes become slaves to our schedules even when they aren’t serving us well.

To help alleviate some frustrations, try adjusting your schedule to best suit your family’s needs.

This may look like doing school in the evenings after the wild toddlers go to bed.

Or maybe you switch to weekend mornings when there is more hands-on help with cooking, cleaning, etc.

Sometimes shifting your school year calendar helps, too. I know there are many homeschool families who school year-round.

They take lots of breaks during the year for holidays and vacations, which can relieve the pressure of following a traditional school year schedule.

We stick to a pretty traditional schedule here of August-May but are always flexible during the year as needed. Taking a few days off for Thanksgiving week, Christmas, and whatever vacations or sicknesses that come up.

Don’t let your schedule rule you!

Some families also homeschool based on their climates. For example, if you live in a cold climate and only have a few short months of enjoyable weather, you could choose to do the bulk of your schooling during the winter when you are inside more anyway.

The opposite could be said of hotter climates!

Remember, this is your schoolhouse; you set the rules and the schedule!

6. Have fun 

As adults, we seem to forget how important play is! There is study after study indicating the importance of play in the life of a young child.

With the blessing and opportunity to school at home, play can and should be the primary method of learning from birth to even 7 years old.

play can and should be the primary method of learning from birth to even 7 years old.

Formal lessons certainly do not need to begin at 3, 4, or even 6! 

If you find yourself in a season of frustration and feeling the homeschool blues, prioritize play, especially with kids younger than 7!

Maybe this is you: You’ve decided on a pre-k curriculum that you love. You plan to sit with your 4-year-old every other day for 30 minutes to work on this curriculum. 

You excitedly begin, and after week one, you already feel overwhelmed. It’s just not working; your kid is distracted, won’t stay focused, and can’t recall half of what you say. 

It’s not sticking, and both you and the child are frustrated. 

Take a step back, put the lessons away, get out the Play-Doh, and make shapes together. Identify the colors. Count how many little balls you can make. 

It sounds so simple, but it’s an age-appropriate learning method for a 4-year-old!

Some kids are simply not ready for formal lessons until they are older. I encourage you to take a few months off and prioritize play.

Don’t let the checklists and the number of lesson plans you have left overwhelm you. Remember, you are in control. 

Make learning fun, and make your home one of joy and laughter. Formal learning will come. It just doesn’t have to be right now!

Here are some ideas:

• Paint party
• Play-doh shapes
• Button sorting
• Simple science experiment
• Read aloud
• Educational podcast
• Floor is lava
• Age-appropriate board games
• Family sports match

Don’t get overwhelmed by checklists and lesson plans – scrap lessons for the day and have a paint party or do a fun science experiment – it’s all learning!

I have heard from seasoned homeschool mamas with now-graduated kids that, looking back, they wish they had spent more time cuddling, playing, and exploring rather than stressing bookwork so much.

We have the gift of being with our kids all day; we are the ones nurturing their childhood. Let’s make it a good one!

7. Let your kids initiate learning

Another beauty of homeschooling (surprise, surprise) is allowing your kids to initiate learning.

This one applies to older ages, but even little ones can show interest in certain topics. 

There is a strong connection between interests and learning.

Let your kids take the lead on certain learning topics. This doesn’t look like “I don’t want to do math today” but more like “Hey Mom, I enjoyed reading that book about horses, can we learn more about them?”

Or maybe “I think computers are super interesting and I am curious how they work.”

These are great clues from your child on what interests them. 

If you discover those small insights about your child and encourage their passion for learning, you can inspire them to take initiative in their education.

This won’t always be obvious or happen organically, but you can genuinely encourage them to explore their interests.

Allowing them to study their interests helps break up the monotony of typical bookwork and can lead your child to discover their giftings and work with a genuine purpose and passion.

Maybe this looks like dedicating a week to horse studies, taking a trip to a farm or equestrian center where you can interact with or even ride the horses!

Get creative in approaching your child’s interests and allow them to seek them out with your support.

A simple “Is there anything you’ve been wanting to learn more about?” Can go a long way in shaking up your worn-out homeschool routine and alleviating some homeschool blues.

8. This is not public school, and that’s a good thing!

Our school day looks nothing like a public school setting, and that’s exactly what we’re going for! Our goal is not to recreate school at home. 

We do have goals, expectations, and a “schedule” if you will, but we are also flexible.

We have learned to take breaks when needed, shift course on a frustrating day, or switch to artwork and a podcast instead of lessons.

Learning comes in all shapes and sizes. Don’t let the comparison of the public school system make you feel inadequate. You chose to homeschool for a reason, and I bet that reason isn’t to replicate the progress of public school students, right? Comparison in the thief of joy!

This is truly the joy of homeschooling: slowing down when necessary and speeding ahead where your child thrives. 

Don’t get weighed down by this cycle of defeat and comparison; you will only end up frustrated.

I repeat, homeschooling is not public school. Take that stress off your plate and use that energy to create a home education system that best suits your family!

There are no designated bathroom breaks or recess. You do not have to focus on a subject for one hour when your student can finish it in 15 minutes. Your school day looks the way you want it to look; it’s that simple!

You may still be thinking “But what if?” “How will they learn it all?”

Eventually, they WILL learn to read, and they WILL learn to do math. 

The same way they now know how to use the restroom on their own, even though potty training felt like a never-ending nightmare (maybe that was just me, ha).

The point is, they all get there. WE all got here as adults and as parents. Homeschooling is by far a marathon and not a sprint!

Instead of focusing on what you don’t accomplish in a day, shift your mindset to focus on your goals.

If your goal for homeschooling is to educate for life and not just graduation, then you can center your homeschooling around that.

Focus on character, responsibility, work ethic, generosity, and sibling relationships above all else.

In our homeschool, we live by the quote, “As a parent, my goal is to get you into Heaven, not Harvard.”

As a parent, my goal is to get you into Heaven, not Harvard.

Don’t try to recreate school at home, mama, this is HOMEschooling and it’s made by YOU!

9. There is no behind in homeschool

This one ties heavily into number 8 above. There is no behind in homeschooling – except for the one you sit on!

I know this can be hard for some of us to grasp. Especially type-A moms who have a checklist for everything and a schedule planned out months in advance. I get it, I hear you.

There is no behind in homeschooling – except for the one you sit on!

But hear me out, there is no behind in homeschool!

You do not have to be on pace with anyone, including the school in your district or Suzy down the street!

Homeschooling is so great due to its flexibility, meaning each family has their own approach.

Some families school year-round, others follow a more traditional schedule. Meaning there is no way to compare “behind” or “ahead”.

Many homeschool families don’t even track school grades. Some go based on their child’s age, and others just progress through the curriculum at their child’s pace.

There is no behind, so please stop comparing or worrying. Don’t let this feeling add to your frustrations around homeschooling. Sit back and simply enjoy your child where they are at!

10. Postpone formal learning

If you are at the end of your rope trying to get school done with your 4, 5, or 6-year-old, think about taking a break from formal learning. 

If you have recently switched from public school to homeschooling, some practical advice is to take 6 months to a year off to un-school. Focus instead on lots of play, outdoor time, reading aloud, and field trips.

These are still great learning opportunities, but they help you unlearn the expectations and culture of a public school setting.

Even if you have been homeschooling from the start, children do not need much formal education until age 7, and at that point, they can typically begin to retain all their elementary education within 3 years.

In one of my favorite homeschool books, ‘The 4-hour school day”’ by Durenda Wilson, she mentions a quote from a former Junior High teacher that says when a child is ready to learn, all of elementary math can be taught in 8 weeks!

Let that sink in and comfort you.

This book is a great read, especially when it comes to the topic of #8 above. Homeschooling is not recreating school at home!

11. Don’t over-commit

I am a big believer and advocate for slow living! I‘ve been this way as long as I can remember, #homebody!

I know, I know, there is church, sports, science club, theater, Awanas, gymnastics….the list goes on and on. 

Have you recently asked yourself, are these extracurricular activities truly serving me and my family? Are you honoring your time together as a family and accomplishing your family goals through these activities? 

Or instead, are you going 100 miles an hour in all different directions?

While certain extracurricular activities and sports offer benefits, a peaceful and joy-filled home provides even greater advantages.

When it comes to homeschooling, if you aren’t home, how are you getting school done?

If you are constantly feeling like there’s not enough time for lessons before dashing off to this or that, it may be time to take some activities off your plate. 

It doesn’t have to be forever; seasons come and go! 

If you are burnt out and have a calendar full of activities, I suggest you limit those to once or twice a week. Maybe that looks like one per child. However, that looks for your family practically, commit to slowing down and being more intentional about time at home. 

12. Co-ops

I know some people have a love/hate relationship with the idea of co-ops! Personally, our family has joined a Classical Christian community, and we love it!
There are so many options out there, a great place to find them would be your local homeschool Facebook group.

Joining a co-op can help to break up the monotony of your week, give you an outlet to communicate with other adults, and allow your kids to get in some peer relations.

You can gain community with like-minded families in a similar season of life as you. This can be so beneficial for new homeschool families who could benefit from meeting more seasoned homeschoolers. 

Getting new ideas, talking through frustrations, and simply knowing you are not alone on this homeschool journey can go a long way to ease your homeschool blues. 

A new environment, alternative adult teachers, and peer relationships can all greatly improve homeschooling for you and your child!

Now as a caveat, if joining a co-op feels overwhelming and just another item on your checklist, I don’t recommend it – see #11 above!

13. Freshen up your space

Don’t let your space contribute to your homeschool blues. Don’t discount what a renewed space can make us feel – the result is often energized and excited!

Freshening your space doesn’t have to mean a full-house reno! But switching up your wall decor or rearranging a room can make a big impact on the feel of a space. 

Add in some colors that bring you joy. Maybe try printing and framing encouraging quotes or your homeschool vision statement to give you a little motivation when needed. 

• Add some fresh-cut flowers or seasonal decor. 
• Make a new rhythm by playing soft classical music in the background while you do school.
• Light a candle. 
• Re-organize furniture
• Purge and organize your homeschool supplies.
• Add meaningful artwork.

Whatever will give your space a fresh new perspective, do that. Create an inviting space that you and your kids enjoy being in!

It’s your home, you can design it how you’d like!

Even if you’re doing school at the kitchen table after breakfast, find a way to add a touch of inspiration that helps you feel rejuvenated and ready to tackle the day.

14. Utilize family dynamics

Most of the time, we as mothers are the primary educators in homeschool families. This is a great thing, but when we find ourselves feeling worn out and blue, it may be time to bring in some reinforcements. 

For many families, utilizing dad is a great way to shake up the routine. 

Have Dad sit and do math with the student when he gets home from work. Or save reading for Saturday morning and do it all together while mom makes breakfast. 

For other families, grandparents are readily available, which is amazing!

Perhaps you save Science for a weekday when a grandparent can be present and assist the student. 

It often seems that kids respond better to non-primary parents in learning situations that were previously a struggle. Most of the time, they want to show off their knowledge or new skills!

If you have older children, use them! Have them sit with the 6-year-old and listen to/help them with reading a short book. Let them “grade” their math pages. Find ways to give them some confidence and connection by being the “teacher” sometimes.

If you have a busy toddler, tap in the older sibling to play with them while you accomplish a lesson with your other student.

Let go of some control and allow other family members to assist you and your children. 

If they are ready and willing to help, then let them!

Remember, learning is always happening in the life of a child. Telling Dad about the history sentence your 7-year-old memorized counts. Baking cookies with Grandma or planting flowers with Grandpa in the garden counts too. 

For those of you, like myself, who don’t have family nearby or whose dad isn’t home at practical hours, this may look like using an online program for a core subject for a little while. Or if financially possible, hire a tutor once a week. 

Beat the homeschool blues by utilizing your family members to bring you some peace and relief.

15. Free resources

A great option when feeling burnt out from your current curriculum are free online resources! 

It doesn’t make sense to spend a bunch of money on a new curriculum that you aren’t even certain of.

If you need a switch, look for free resources or free samples of unit studies to add something new to your routine. 

Change can be enjoyable for both us and our students, and it might be exactly what we need to break out of our rut.

So many companies and creators publish free content for families just like yours.

Here at Rejoice About, we want to encourage and inspire you on your home education Adventure. We have a variety of free resources to help you do just that.

Those were my 15 encouraging ideas to refresh your routine!

I would love to hear if these helped you in any way or if you have some tips of your own, share them in the comments to help other homeschool mamas!

I’m on the journey with you.

“But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the LORD, and he answered me from his holy hill.” Psalm 3:3-4