Home School Burnout
Laurie Bluedorn wrote some thoughts on Suggestions to Combat Homeschool Burnout (click on my title above to go there). I'd love to delve into this topic more deeply, but I'm trying to cut back on computer time and spend more time doing what I love to do--care for my family and spend time w/each child learning about biology, physics, history, phonics, American short stories, How to Read a Book, This Country of Ours, math, algebra, geometry...
One aspect a home school mother needs to consider: taking care of yourself. I'm getting back into my routine of taking walks, which also includes getting much-needed sunlight. I'm also considering taking the vitamins recommended through the LEVITY program. See the book When Your Body Gets the Blues by Marie-Annette Brown and Jo Robinson (sorry --can't post a link from this browser).
For me, taking care of myself also includes the spiritual disciplines of Bible reading and prayer. The time I spend on this is short--30 minutes a day, not counting time I pray "on my feet"--but the peace of mind and fulfillment I find when I stick to this habit are immeasurable.
Making sure to get enough sleep, feeding myself well so I'm not seeking satisfaction through junk food, spending time doing things I enjoy (movies, books, an occasional bubble bath), a weekly date w/my sweetie and time to talk with him throughout the week... All these add joy and contentment to life when I make time for them.
Lingering questions remain, however, after reading Laurie Bluedorn's article. How can I realistically juggle all these worthy pursuits, especially with 6 children ages 6-19 in our home school? As our children have grown, I have regretted my relaxed approach to some subjects in the past (history, science, math, composition) because our older students had trouble when reaching more advanced studies. They also show a lack in study habits. How can I use what I've learned by experience to improve the standards for the younger children while I'm still trying to fill in gaps for the olders--making one last effort to fill their minds with worthy ideas, keeping a disciplined schedule for math study, working to improve skills in evaluating literature and writing essays?
Please, don't anyone mention the subject of foreign language! With everything else we are doing, the thought that I really do want to study Latin and/or Spanish with the kids is truly DAUNTING.
One aspect a home school mother needs to consider: taking care of yourself. I'm getting back into my routine of taking walks, which also includes getting much-needed sunlight. I'm also considering taking the vitamins recommended through the LEVITY program. See the book When Your Body Gets the Blues by Marie-Annette Brown and Jo Robinson (sorry --can't post a link from this browser).
For me, taking care of myself also includes the spiritual disciplines of Bible reading and prayer. The time I spend on this is short--30 minutes a day, not counting time I pray "on my feet"--but the peace of mind and fulfillment I find when I stick to this habit are immeasurable.
Making sure to get enough sleep, feeding myself well so I'm not seeking satisfaction through junk food, spending time doing things I enjoy (movies, books, an occasional bubble bath), a weekly date w/my sweetie and time to talk with him throughout the week... All these add joy and contentment to life when I make time for them.
Lingering questions remain, however, after reading Laurie Bluedorn's article. How can I realistically juggle all these worthy pursuits, especially with 6 children ages 6-19 in our home school? As our children have grown, I have regretted my relaxed approach to some subjects in the past (history, science, math, composition) because our older students had trouble when reaching more advanced studies. They also show a lack in study habits. How can I use what I've learned by experience to improve the standards for the younger children while I'm still trying to fill in gaps for the olders--making one last effort to fill their minds with worthy ideas, keeping a disciplined schedule for math study, working to improve skills in evaluating literature and writing essays?
Please, don't anyone mention the subject of foreign language! With everything else we are doing, the thought that I really do want to study Latin and/or Spanish with the kids is truly DAUNTING.
posted by HowGreatADebtor @ 7:06 AM
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