Have you ever been weary? I sure have! Sometimes as a busy homeschool mom, weariness can creep in on us, ever so slowly, and steal our joy like a thief in the night. The days, hours, and minutes can seem extraordinarily long as a homeschool mom. Today I hope to provide some homeschool inspiration for when you are weary.
See, I’m a weary expert. After four years of homeschooling, I hit a brick wall.
If I’m honest with myself I should have been able to see it coming; it had been creeping up for years. It just happened to be during that particular year that I hit my lowest point.
At the time my girls were smaller, only 6 & 9. The oldest was wrestling with multiplication while the youngest was struggling to read. I felt like a failure. They needed all of me, and I had nothing to give.
I was weary; physically, spiritually, and mentally.
So what did I do?
I came to realize that there are a few tricks for overcoming weariness as a homeschool mom. These tricks have become my saving grace on those long days when things seem hard, and I feel tired.
How can you find homeschool inspiration as a weary homeschool mom?
First, you have to understand that you can’t be all things.
As an extreme type A personality this is hard for me. I strive to be EVERYTHING to EVERYONE. Guess what happens when I do this? I end up spread too thin, which is a quick recipe for becoming weary. The fact is there are many great opportunities in this life, and sometimes they seem like a good idea. Is volunteering for a local charity a great thing to do? Sure it is! Can I do it right now? No, I can’t.
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See, sometimes we have to evaluate our priorities and let go of things that don’t add maximum value.
Right now I am a homeschool mom. Maybe eventually I will add more titles to my name, but for now, that is enough. Permit yourself to let some things go. You will be surprised at how much weariness can leave with less responsibility.
Next, understand that perfection is a myth.
We live in the age of the Pinterest mom, so it seems like the desire for perfection is always at the front of our brains. The pressure we place on ourselves is enormous – magazine worthy home, meals that looked like they jumped off the cover of a cookbook, squeaky clean kids, and a fun, engaging, homeschool day. (Surely I’m not the only one?)
Now don’t get me wrong here, I think we should still give our tasks their due diligence. We should always do our best, but sometimes our best is just surviving the day. Realistically, there may be times when you have to lower your standards.
We are ALL just imperfect sinners saved by grace. There’s no room in this life for the rule of perfection. Give yourself grace. Striving for perfection will often not only make you weary but also those around you.
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Remember that homeschooling is a calling.
For me, homeschooling was a calling from the Lord.
I can still vividly remember the moment I decided to homeschool. I had a long talk with the Lord that day. My main request was that if I started on this path that he would give me the ability to finish it. Oh and guess what, every day he has been faithful.
So how did I find myself weary then?
I merely started relying too much on me, and not enough of Him. I often look at the big picture and think I can’t do it. When in reality as long as I have Him I can.
Focus on your why.
Why did you start homeschooling? Do you have a “why”? If not, it’s time to find one.
A “why” gives you an endpoint.
- What do you want your children to be?
- What do you hope to achieve?
Homeschooling is a marathon, not a sprint, and you have to look at it that way. You may go DAYS without a victory, but eventually, there will be that light bulb moment when everything clicks.
On days when I feel beat down and weary with despair, I merely remember the reasons I started it all.
Be thankful.
One of the best ways to ease a weary heart is to simply be thankful.
Yes, homeschooling is hard work, and YES there are days when you will inevitably struggle, but think of all you’ve gained because of this experience. This time is fleeting and something that we can never have back. However, we are spending it well.
Our kids are changing, and moving toward adulthood, right before our eyes. However, we get to be there for every step of their journey. We get to witness their interests and fuel their passions. Mamas we are BLESSED!
So the next time you are weary, remember that the days are long but the years are so short. This time is fleeting, and before we know it, they will be grown. These long homeschool days will turn into memories that we will laugh about for years to come.
Eventually that small spark you planted will fan into a flame, and hopefully, someday that flame will ignite. Just remember those sparks start during the weary days. So on the days when you feel you can’t continue to drop to your knees and ask for help. Then be sure to be thankful for this powerful calling of being a homeschool mom.
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Erin Persinger is the owner/founder of HomeschoolBalance. She lives in West Virginia with her husband and two daughters. Erin is a former accountant who traded her career to become a full-time mommy in 2007. She and her husband decided to “try” school at home in 2012, and they fell in love with the homeschooling way of life. She is passionate about helping busy moms balance homeschooling with their hectic lives, and equipping them with the tools they need to succeed. Her blog is a calling and a labor of love. You can also find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
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