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When Homeschooling is Sucking the Life Out of You

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I must be doing this wrong because homeschooling is sucking the life out of me. I hear it a lot and I felt like that at one time too.

When Homeschooling Sucks the Life Out of You

Too, a lot of families who bring kids from public school can find it harder to appreciate the homeschooling lifestyle; many families who have homeschooled from the beginning equally can struggle.

Add in the mix of kids’ lackadaisical attitude toward anything, let alone school work and you have a recipe for quitting.

When Homeschooling Is Sucking the Life Out of You

You may even feel public school is better for your kids.

Although I don’t claim to have all the answers, from my over 20+ years of homeschooling from prek to high school AND conducting workshops with new homeschoolers, I do have tips that will help you.

Besides, I care. I mean I TRULY care about your success.

I KNOW the homeschooling lifestyle is a superior approach to education. I will tell you why in a minute.

Am I Selfish For Wanting to Send Them to Public School

Homeschooling being superior may not be a popular mindset among public school advocates, but I’m not here to win a popularity contest; I want to see you succeed without you feeling like you have to give life and limb for a lifestyle which is backed by numbers.

I’m here to tell you that you CAN succeed without tons of anxiety and stress and how it can be done.

First, it starts with knowing stats.

Don’t get me wrong, I love math and science, but it’s not the way I normally help people. However, we need to start with an analytical view before I speak from my heart.

When Emotions Are High Judgment Is Low

See when our emotions close in on us and doubt hits our day whether we’re doing enough or not, numbers like how much time we spend teaching our child doesn’t change.

What I’m saying is that one-to-one tutoring is a superior approach to thirty kids to one teacher. It’s simply a matter of odds and time.

Even at times when I felt I was at my breaking point like when my husband almost died, and my sister too, my kids learned way more at that time about what was really important.

Additionally because we did get behind when life hit hard, I was able to catch up far quicker than public school. We did NOT have to wait for a full school year or until other kids got the concepts.

My focus was simply my kids and my family. Although I didn’t feel like I was in control of my life and homeschool and sometimes I wasn’t, I know now that I definitely was.

Unless you’ve checked completely out, meaning you’re not doing one thing to teach your child like having meaningful conversations with him, reading to him, or playing with him, the odds are STILL in your favor of succeeding.

Also, get some more research and stats from this site National Home Education Research Institute to see how homeschoolers really are succeeding.

How to Go From a Crippled to Confident Mindset

I was making the best decisions based on the odds and time actually spent.

Whenever I feel that deep down nagging tug that I’m not doing enough, I remind myself of how much time it actually takes to homeschool.

We have time for many interruptions at home and still have time to make progress.

So I changed my mindset from a choice of sending my kids to public school as my default solution to one of using my time to make homeschool work to the best I could. Instead of putting energy into an approach where my kids odds of learning were actually lowered, I made the homeschooling lifestyle priority.

Next, before I jump into sharing multiple tried and true tips to cope when homeschooling sucks, I want you to know that I don’t believe one should homeschool at all cost.

That belief too is not exactly a popular one with some of the faith-based community.

With all of my heart I know that homeschooling is a superior approach because a child gets a uniquely individualized education; however, there are other factors like health, mental health, and even finances which deter some families.

Homeschooling your children is a very personal decision and one that a family should make for their children without guilt or judgment.

We really do not know what goes on inside of every family’s home and so I respect the decision each family has to make.

10 Tried and True Trips When Homeschooling Sucks

Next, look at these ten tips to cope when homeschooling is sucking the life out of you.

Tip. 1. Just STOP, STEP AWAY, and RESET.

First, we may think we have to keep pushing. Why do we do that to ourselves and our kids?

When in fact, from a complete stop comes rejuvenation, power, and refocus. Sometimes we can try to squeeze homeschooling into a busy life. We may need to stop and look at our schedule again to see what is really important to keep and what can we let go.

Tip 2. Deschool.

A lot is said about deschooling in the homeschool world. Some of it I agree with, other information not so much.

Deschooling is not just something you do when you’re a new homeschooler. It’s a technique for burn out too.

Look at some of these ways to use the deschooling process:

  • Do you need rest? STOP. Take care of your needs and your children’s physical needs. There is nothing selfish about self-care. A break does not mean a stop. It just means a break.
  • Did you jump from public school to homeschool without really taking the time to know how your children learn? Putting your child in the next grade because public school said they belong in a grade is a huge newbie mistake. It take times to know how your children learn and you can do that with inexpensive to free curriculum until you know your child’s learning personality.
  • Deschooling does not always mean idleness. Deschooling is different for each family. I know kids who do well with routine. However, can you scale back your expectations until whatever is the object of the stress subsides? Have you heard of the power of little done often? It’s true.

Furthermore, I share tips here on my video How to Deschool – Are You Doomed If You’ve Never Deschooled.

Tip 3. Do a Unit Study.

Additionally, I switched from boxed curriculum to unit studies many years ago.

Little did I recognize then the full and positive impact they would have on our day and now our journey.

Unit studies can take a bit more time to plan; the return is the satisfaction of learning exactly what interests us.

When homeschooling loses his luster, try a different approach. You may need to just switch approaches instead of quitting homeschooling.

Look at my post Top 5 Approaches New Homeschoolers Need to Know to know you’re following the approach that is best for your family and that you’re not repeating public school at home.

Tip 4. Use Nap Time to Tidy Up.

Moreover, if you have a younger household and still have naptime, use about 15 or 20 minutes of the time for a quick tidy up.

Even though it may not be the type of cleaning you really need, don’t forget the power of little. Every bit counts when you have a house full of littles.

I used to run myself almost completely ragged while two of my kids napped.

Twenty years later, I realized some of the time should have been spent relaxing and just sitting down to put my feet up.

Tip 5. Occupy the Older Kids with their Devices During Naptime.

Likewise, something else I shouldn’t have felt guilt about was allowing my older kids to be entertained while my young children slept.

Thinking I had to constantly school my kids when I was at the point of exhaustion was not balanced.

Homeschooling at all costs, even costing your health is not healthy.

It’s okay to allow kids time to entertain themselves while you rest.

Tip 6. Read.

In addition to using naptime to rest, reading has been one of my best ways to relax.

I read an article that stated: “researchers found that reading is one of the best ways to relax, and even six minutes can be enough to reduce the stress levels by more than two-thirds.“

Too, what I’ve learned now is that even if all we did was reading for the day it was enough.

My kid’s fondest childhood memories are of us reading together as a family.

Reading IS school; all the elements needed for learning like concentration, comprehending, and studying are associated with reading.

Also, reading aloud to your kids has many key benefits, but remember taking time to read what you enjoy rejuvenates YOUR love of learning. That is equally important.

I know you’ll love my book, Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers: When You Don’t Know Where to Begin.

Tip 7. Do a 4-Day Schedule.

Next, one year I switched to a 4-day schedule and never looked back. It’s true, at home we can accomplish more in less time.

However, until you try it you don’t really know.

When I switched to a 4-day schedule, it was one of the BEST things I did early in our journey.

I took off Monday to have a slower start to the beginning of the week. Taking time to get caught up on house cleaning, meal planning, and bill paying gave me a sense of control when my kids were very young.

As my kids grew older and could help more with chores, I switched to having off Friday as a day to rest and rejuvenate.

Look at my posts Should You Switch to a 4-Day Homeschool Schedule and The Sticking Power of a Solid Homeschool Schedule.

Tip 8. Take Time to Educate the Educator.

Another tip I learned was that some of my part in the feeling of lackluster towards homeschool was I didn’t take time to educate myself.

Why do we not think twice about dropping hundreds of dollars on our kids’ education, but don’t take time to learn how to choose curriculum or how to get organized?

Educating children is rewarding and at the same time it’s one of the most draining jobs I’ve ever done.

I needed the essentials in how to homeschool to smooth my path as I educate my children.

Many years, I ago I taught workshops to new homeschoolers and wrote a curriculum.

Having taught that workshop for 10 years, I now put those workshops online for you.

You’ll love my self-paced online workshops.

How-To Homeschool Courses

Go from Overwhelmed to Got this! The detailed courses: Teaching the Stages of Homeschool, How to Choose Curriculum for Beginners, Homeschool Organization for Beginners, and The New Homeschooler Boot Camp are real eye-openers. You already know homeschooling will give your child the most benefit. Now, take time to educate the person who loves your kids the most – YOU!

Tip 9. Find the Balance Between Rigid and Too Relaxed.

Furthermore, it seems when I’m not feeling the love of how easy homeschooling is supposed to be, I’ve had to look at my expectations.

Many homeschoolers are too rigid, but I’ve also seen more homeschoolers who don’t have a plan for the day.

Find out what your children need.

It’s not always a problem of being too rigid, but it could be you don’t have a list of expectations or a routine for the day.

Your children may need more routine instead doing school by knee-jerk reactions. Ouch. It’s hard to self-analyze – always.

Or, are you so rigid that your children feel crushed under the weight of unnecessary sternness?

Again, you are the only one to make this analysis. Achieving homeschool balance is possible if you’re willing to be flexible.

Tip 10. You are doing more than homeschooling AND your children need to know that too.

Finally, you’re doing more than homeschooling your children; you’re training them far beyond academics.

It’s flat out hard to parent while being a homeschool educator.

They’re intertwined. And you do not want to keep your two roles separate.

Because parenting and homeschooling are weaved together, your kids have responsibilities beyond their academics for the day.

Hear my heart when I say it’s hard to STOP and take time to train your kids to clean, cook, do chores and put away their toys or objects.

However, not only are you teaching them to be independent, you’re instilling pride and confidence.

Many kids who are grown lack self-confidence. Although doing chores is not a complete problem solver, it is a solution.

Chores give kids a sense of pride, belonging, and a way to help others.

Many years I had to accept a kid friendly cleaned house; it wasn’t always easy because I had high expectations.

However, I’m FOREVER grateful that instilled an ethic of hard work in each of my sons.

Is Homeschooling Really Freeing

Now that they have roommates, their roommates thank me for my sons’ positive mindsets and neat and clean habits.

Encourage your child to be a good friend when he is an adult.

It does start with his surroundings, taking care of his room, and other areas in the house.

I love when I get positive feedback from my son’s roommates and moreover I hope in the future, their spouses will too.

Respect comes first from caring for themselves and their area in your home; it pours over then into a child’s live when they’re away from you and now adults.

They extend that same courtesy to others and learn how to truly be happy.

What I’m saying is sometimes homeschooling is a heart problem and not a homeschooling problem.

What genuinely makes kids happy is being fulfilled each day no matter how small the task.

Do not forget that the odds are in your favor for succeeding.

Go slow and remember your kids deserve to know how to take care of themselves, clean, cook, know how to follow a schedule, and take care of others.

Kids will NEVER forget how you SKILLFULLY prepared them for life not just academics.

When Homeschooling Is Sucking the Life Out of You

Don’t forget to think about what brought you to homeschooling in the first place and look up from the pit of despair.

Most circumstances are temporary at best although we don’t feel that way at the moment.

Having an online homeschool group is important too. You need to know you’re not alone. You’ll love my facebook group if you do facebook.

With Power Struggles Give Choices and Freedom

With plenty of rest or even stopping for a bit until you rekindle your love of homeschooling, I hope this heart to heart talk nudges you in the right decision for you family.

From my heart to yours, homeschooling has been worth every bit of stress and tears.

If you’re struggling right now, please let me hear from you. I may not have a solution, but I may be able to steer you in the right direction.

Look at these other tips:

Hugs and love ya,

How To Juggle Homeschool When You’re Coping With More Than A Mom Should

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I was going to create a long video on how to juggle homeschool when you’re coping with more than a mom should, but I didn’t. In my short facebook live video on my group, I do talk about it a little.

Although I’m not a weepy person, the truth of it is if I created a longer video, I couldn’t get through it without weeping and airing my raw emotions.

Why Juggle Homeschool During Extreme Stress

That’s not a negative for me; I want you to know what is working and not working for me. It’s important to me that you have some tips to ease your load and know that you’re not alone.

Read my words, but feel my raw emotions as I pour them out to you. I hope to encourage and lift you up in my transparency.

Circumstances are different for every mom, but the same raw emotions ebb and flow. You don’t have to feel the exact same pain as another to put yourself in another’s shoes.

What I went through years ago as far as crisis in my life pales into comparison to what I’ve recently been through and am going through. More on that in a minute.

How To Juggle Homeschool When You're Coping With More Than A Mom Should

Life wasn’t finished beating me or my family up. The longer you homeschool which is living life, the more stress can head your way.

When You’re A Control Freak But You Have No Control – None

So why keep homeschooling? More on that in a minute too.

Also, keeping things to your self is not always a good thing. You couldn’t possibly know what a very private person I am, but I am. I love my family and try to be dignified with their feelings and privacy.

It’s important for me to to not overshare. Know that there are things I must keep private; I’m walking a line here.

However, understanding what I’ve been through I hope I can reduce your stress and anxiety; I want you to know that sending your kids off to public school is not always the least stressful thing to do.

Life Can be Like the Cycle on The Dryer. Tumble, tumble, tumble. (Beat you up). Wait. Catch Your Breath. Hold on. REPEAT.

It was enough then and is enough now, but I have no choice as more is heaped on me.

First, look at what was heaped on me then.

One year my sister who homeschooled her kids got a staph infection.

First Sign of Homeschool Stress – What Will YOU Do

She had to be intubated because she couldn’t breathe and was unconscious for days. I cared for her in the ICU, comforted her kids and the whole family while taking care of my kids and husband.

Driving to get there when I first found out, I wondered if she would make it. Facing fear is not easy. It’s the kind of stress and sickness you feel that brings you to your knees and makes you puke.

Thankfully, she had wonderful doctors, the infection was contained and she was sent to a long-term facility for months.

Driving to see her and support her 40 minutes away from my house 4x a week or more was exhausting. My kids were with me the whole time. I thought that year would never end.

However, I had no clue what the next year held for me.

My husband had a massive heart attack. It was also the year my first son got to high school.

You know high school is scary enough, but it had nothing on what we went through that year. Yes, my husband beat the widow maker.

Vividly, I recall that day years ago. I shared with many of you who still follow me how I agonized over choosing the right words when you think they may be your last to your husband.

I finally made it to my husband’s side at the hospital in time to be with him while the doctors shuffled my husband off to surgery and saved his life. That night which I’ve never shared was one of the loneliest nights I’ve ever been through.

Knowing how close I came to life changing forever, I cried all night alone.

Some Stress Is Unavoidable

Next, the long year to recovery and hubs changing jobs was ahead.

Did I mention too that folks want to give you all kinds of nutritional advice assuming your lifestyle contributed to his heart attack?

I never shared before that he inherited heart disease from both sides of his family and his heart attack although happening while he was young, didn’t happen at 40 years old like his father and great grandmother before him.

Matter of fact, the doctors said it was our lifestyle which saved his life because of how stress free we tried to lead our life.

Life as I knew it went back to some kind of normal. However, my kids and I were forever changed.

Knowing the value of how you never know what the next day holds, we seized the time time together as a family and made a big change in our life.

We sold our huge home with pool and packed what we wanted in two cases for each of us and moved overseas to South America.

It was the BEST decision we ever made. Our years spent together in adventure was just what we need to get over what we couldn’t control.

Is Returning to Public School the Answer

Look at these four things that my kids and I learned from those years of hardship.

  1. We drew closer together as a family. If I had to put my kids in public school, we would have been separated at a time we needed each other. However, I weathered the storm remembering that it is just that. That means it’s temporary.
  2. It taught my kids to seize moments of friendship both in the family and with their friends outside of the family. You don’t know what will change this afternoon.
  3. Although I worried my sons may have grown up too fast, in fact teaching them to stand with me as we face feared helped them to set reasonable standards for themselves during our crisis. Even adults today don’t know when to stop putting pressure on themselves when under enough strain.
  4. Homeschooling is all about modeling how I want to my kids to learn meaningful things. What would I be teaching them if I didn’t set the example on what their focus should be when life hits hard? Everything I believe in about the homeschooling lifestyle came full circle. In life, sometimes we need to be a caregiver. I knew their academics wouldn’t be interrupted too long, but my kids’ education reaches far beyond academics.

Next, you want to take a self-check. Long term stress can cause terrible emotional and physical harm.

There is a difference between BENDING and BREAKING. You never want to get to the point of breaking.

With all of my heart I believe our emotional and mental health while homeschooling is not talked about enough.

There should be NO judgment or feeling like you’re weak or less if you send your kids to public school.

Choosing to Look on the Bright Side – A Choice

At this point, I’ve not had to seek professional help, but have not ruled it out if I need it. Seeking professional help is a sign of strength and not weakness. It means you care about your health and the health of your kids.

Bodies react differently to stress.

I allowed the stress to bend me although many days I feel like breaking. In my heart of hearts I knew what was right for my family.

But that wasn’t all I learned, I also learned:

  • If I sent my kids to public school that there was no way I could have the flexibility to care for my sister and husband on my terms.
  • You’re told to live one day or one moment at a time, but you embrace the true meaning when you experience extreme stress.
  • Control what I really had control of. That means I couldn’t let my mind worry about things that were not on my plate for that day. I saved my energy for what I’m experiencing NOT what I think I MAY experience. I was turning my load to anxiety and had to rein that back in. Do you know how REALLY hard that TRULY IS? There is a line between staying ahead of caring for all what is on your plate versus unnecessary worrying.

How to Power Through Homeschool During a Crisis (The Second Time)

Recalling all of what I just shared with you, I’ve been hit hard AGAIN.

Look at what I’m currently dealing with.

My husband is experiencing more complications with his heart. Each day is a precious day. For now, he is good, but managing his health is on my plate again.

My mother is now at end stage renal disease.

This is weighing heavy on my heart. Not only does she have to go to dialysis 3x a week, but she had a stoke and has continued to decline in health. Did you know seizures follow because of the stroke?

Although we’re managing my mom’s care daily, there is no controlling what you can’t control.

There is just letting my mother know what a treasure she is when she can understand me.

Seeing your mother go from an extremely intelligent, compassionate, and caring woman to almost a child is gut-wrenching daily.

But again, I remember whatever I feel is not anything I know my mother is going through. That keeps me going daily. All my mother knows right now is that I love her deeply and she loves me deeply. There will never be enough words to tell her how precious she is to me, but I try daily.

My mother-in-law now lives in an assisted living and my husband and I manage her care as well. Right now, she’s been exposed to Covid and with the onset of dementia, we constantly remind her daily of what is going on.

Did I mention my dad is now 80 years old and has his own set of health problems which needs to be managed while he helps care for my mom?

Any given day, I’m not sure which one of my family members will need help for the day.

Currently many days are not all my own to plan or juggle homeschool units.

How to Plan When You Can’t Catch A Break

However, I choose to trek forward. Look at five mindsets I’m utilizing now as I manage in STEPS.

  1. Ask: What TRULY is important to me today? That is my ONE goal for the day.
  2. Live today, not worry about tomorrow. This one is really hard for me because I’m a planner. Instead of worrying what may happen to any of the precious people in my life right now, I save my energy and passion for dealing with what is REALLY happening.
  3. Identify the difference between stress and anxiety. I’m still learning new things. Stress is unavoidable because it involves life. Stress turns to anxiety when I worry about things that may never happen. All I have done is add anxiety instead of keeping my mind and body healthy.
  4. Know when to stop homeschooling and when to cut back. I know now that my sons could have never gone to public school because they felt they would have missed what was going on at home. I had to think about their feelings. Knowing when to get help either online, by a tutor, or when to stop for a short time is paramount. Weigh EACH day as it’s happening instead of planning like life is normal until it is again.
  5. Self-care for the caregiver is necessary. (I know, but heart my heart. It’s NECESSARY). Passing out is not a good when you’re the caregiver. When so much is on your shoulders, you have to find time even if it’s a short time to rejuvenate. Many days I am physically EXHAUSTED, but waking up REALLY early when all is quiet has calmed my nerves and allows me to think. I spend the time thinking, meditating, and reading. Sure, I’m physically exhausted a lot of days, but my mental and emotional health needs the recovery. Not every day can I get up that early, but a few days a week it has become necessary. Find time whether really LATE or really EARLY to feed your mental health.

Adopt Compassion Over Compulsion

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is compassion over compulsion. Compassion moves a person to try to spare the suffering of others. Compulsion is what a person does by rote or grudgingly.

Deep in my raw and exposed heart, I know I can’t relieve any of the things going on in my family right now. But by me being there for all of them every day and my words, they know they are not alone as they face challenges every day.

When to Let Others Know And When to Let them In

Lastly, even machines are made with escape valves. I’m no machine, I’m not unusually strong, but I choose to share with others. Writing about this is self-help like one wise homeschool mom told me.

Life is precious and each of these people in my life didn’t ask for this to happen to them, but I manage each day as it comes up.

Yes, I would like to go back to a nothing but homeschooling life and blogging, but it probably won’t be for a while.

Tell me friend, can you relate? Has life thrown at you more than your fair share? Have you lost someone dear to you or have had a terrible setback? I don’t have all the answers, but know I TRULY care.

How To Juggle Homeschool When You're Coping With More Than A Mom Should

Look at these other tips on how to juggle homeschool when life hits hard:

Hugs and love ya,

7 Simple Fitness Tips for Busy Homeschooling Moms

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Do you have fitness goals you’re struggling to achieve? Have you started that workout plan over for the 7th time this week? Maybe you’re kicking yourself because you’ve let another month’s gym membership go to waste? You are not alone! You’ll love these 7 simple fitness tips for busy homeschooling moms.

Finding time to meet your fitness goals can be a challenge, but you are worth it!

Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor or professional. Just a busy wife and mom who used to be a lot lazier. I’ve run three half marathons, love yoga, running, and paddle boarding. I’m happier when I’m focused on my personal fitness goals, but that’s all the expertise I have. Please speak to your doctor about your plans and goals. These are some ways I’ve been able to meet my own fitness goals and I hope they help you too!

Here are some practical tips to help get your fitness goals off to a fabulous start.

ONE/ Make workouts a priority.

When you think about your family’s schedule, which seems more realistic:

• Early for morning workouts before the day begins.
• Mid-day slump-busting workouts.
• Evening/night-time sessions after the daily grind of the day.

Find your sweet spot. For me, it was waking up early and getting in my runs before the family even woke up.

I’m naturally a morning person and do better knowing I started the day right. I’m also more motivated to make better food choices throughout the day after having busted my tail working out.

Maybe you’re kicking yourself because you’ve let another month’s gym membership go to waste? You are not alone! You'll love these 7 simple fitness tips for busy homeschooling moms.

TWO/ Start small.

You want your fitness goals to be a challenge, but don’t set yourself up for failure. Set attainable goals that you know you can achieve. Don’t run out and sign your life away to a gym or spend a bunch of money on a subscription to workouts you’ll never use.

Let’s all have a moment of silence for DVDs workouts of years past.

Find a workout plan different than what you’ve tried in the past and just get moving with a simple goal to workout three times a week. For someone who is starting from zero, it’s going to take time getting used to sticking to a workout schedule and prioritizing.

THREE/ Set goals.

Once you have found the workout plan that best fits your needs, set goals. What is the best part of setting a goal and achieving it? The Rewards! Don’t forget to treat yourself when you meet your goal.

What are your fitness goals? Write them down. Take a “before” picture of yourself so you can see your progress off the scale as the weeks progress. You’ll be surprised how much difference you can see in the mirror before the scale even cares about your workouts!

Fitness Tips for Homeschooling Moms

FOUR/ Create a schedule.

You’ve got the plan, commitment, and motivation. Now let’s make it happen!

Sit down with your calendar and pencil in your workouts when you plan to get them in. Each week is different especially if you’re a homeschooling family.

That flexibility of schedule gets too flexible sometimes! Our schedule is often all over the place, so I begin the week by creating a plan with specific times I plan to get to my workout each day.

Saying I plan to workout on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday is all good until Monday comes and I forgot I had to drive to three appointments.

Having a schedule with actual times of the day in the margin helps me so much when carving out time for workouts.


FIVE/ Be accountable to a friend or group.

Find a friend who’s willing to go on this fitness journey with you.

I’m positive I would not have made it through training for my first half marathon if it weren’t for the daily encouragement from a dear friend who shared the same goal. We wanted to run a half marathon; we found a training plan online and trained “together”.

We planned some days for long runs together, but for the most part we encouraged each other by text messages throughout the week, reminding each other to get our miles in.

A little competition never killed anyone. Some days it was a simple screenshot of her run results to motivate me to get off my lazy butt and get my run in too.

You can also find encouragement and accountability through joining a gym, yoga studio, finding a meetup, or event online.

You’d be surprised how many free fitness classes you can find in your area simply by searching through Facebook events. There are also endless options of online fitness programs with active communities.

SIX/ Let go of guilt.

A healthy mom is a happy mom. The time you put in to invest in your health will trickle down to your family in ways you might not expect.

There will be times when focusing on yourself and making your workouts a priority will feel selfish. There will inevitably be a time when you will have to choose your fitness goals over something else.

Don’t let mom guilt get in the way of where you want to go!

SEVEN/ Involve the family.

Do you know a great cure for feeling guilty? Invite the family along!

One of two things will happen. They will turn you down immediately and laugh at your invitation to go running and you will be able to enjoy the time alone guilt free or they will join you and get excited about getting fit too. It happens!

If you’re doing home workouts, the whole family will see you sweating your buns off in the living room. It’s quite the mood booster when my boys are laughing at me trying to work out without dying.

I’ll never forget my Brazil Butt Lift DVD days. Those were comical workouts! Lord, help those boys.

Speaking of home workouts…

Homeschool Fitness Tips

Home workouts vs. Gym memberships or in-person classes.

It’s hard to know what your magic fitness formula will be, but expect some trial and error. In the beginning just focus on the basics: routine, exercise, and healthier habits.

Finding the right workouts will be key! You want to enjoy your workouts and not dread getting out the door or up off the couch to do them.

What works best for you? Working out at home or joining a gym or club? There are pros and cons to both. Play around with each. Most gyms and yoga studios have a visitor and new member specials.

I don’t think I’ve ever been to a yoga studio that didn’t offer some type of first-month rate at an extremely low price.

Home Workouts for Homeschool Families

Pros
• Convenient-You can find just about any workout online. Home workouts can be done at any time of day, any day of the week, so it’s easy to fit them into your schedule.
• Low cost (often free)-there are so many apps and online programs to choose from and many are very inexpensive. Even the most popular of fitness apps don’t compare to in-person memberships.
• You can work out in PJs-you don’t have to get ready or worry about having cute workout clothes.
• Easy for kids to join. (YAY for PE credit!)

Cons
• Easily interrupted-Nothing is more frustrating than carving out the time, getting dressed, or lacing up those shoes only to be interrupted by kids, a phone call, pets, etc. Being home makes it a little more challenging to fully focus on your workouts.
• Low accountability-there are no set times and anyone to motivate you. It’s all on you!
• Less mental break-Some days, pushing the coffee table out of the way and sweating in my living room just isn’t motivating enough.

Gym memberships & in-person classes for Homeschoooling Families

Pros
• Training-This is a big one for me. You get what you pay for. In most cases, membership is going to give you access to the professional training of some kind. Having someone instruct your positions or teach how to properly use equipment makes a huge difference in your work out and your results.

• Accountability
• Firm schedule
• More mental break – change of environment, getting out

Cons
• Must leave kids, often a challenge
• Cost is usually higher
• Time constraint-not only do you have to make class times, but travel time to and from the class adds to the constraint as well.
• Stress hanging over your head when you can’t make it. UGH! I’m guilty of paying for memberships and yoga passes only to let them go to waste. That is a big downer and makes you feel like a failure.

At home or away, you need to find the workouts that are the perfect fit for you! I do best when I mix things up with a little of both worlds.

Homeschool Fitness: Nutrition, Vitamins and Doctors.

I can’t stress enough how it important it is to take care of yourself behind the scenes. Drink the water. Take your vitamins. Get your physicals, mammograms, and annual exams! What’s the point of taking the time to get fit, if we’re not going to get healthy on the inside too?

Deal with anxiety and depression. Those two will really mess up your goals! Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor about medication if needed.

There is NO shame in that! Your fitness journey will be so much easier with a clear mindset when it comes to your health.

Get to those doctor appointments you’ve been procrastinating and find a healthy meal plan that matches your goals and needs.

Maybe you’re kicking yourself because you’ve let another month’s gym membership go to waste? You are not alone! You'll love these 7 simple fitness tips for busy homeschooling moms.

What fitness tips would you add to the list?

Let’s make this year count!

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Homeschool Critics: How Do You Know You’re on Track?

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

It’s time once again to answer the naysayers, homeschool critics, and homeschool hecklers! We all know those people who never have anything good to say about homeschooling or who just like to heckle us while we’re out shopping at the grocery store. It seems they always have a prepared list of questions and criticisms, right?
How do you know your child is on track and doing enough is a question we seem to get quite a bit. We may even have self-doubt.
Homeschool Critics: How Do You Know You're on Track?

Trackless Homeschooled Kids

Whether you need a little bit of conviction yourself or want to be prepared for homeschool critics, here is a list of possible answers for you, depending on if you’re feeling snarky or serious.
  • What track are you referring to? They’re kids, not trains!
  • What is enough? Can you define that?
  • By whose standards and expectations?
  • “Education should focus on how to learn, not what.”  ~ Sam Sorbo
  • Just laugh and walk away.
  • I’ve seen the track and I don’t want my kids running on it.
  • They don’t stay on track because they are learning to fly!
  • We’re not following the track. We’re braving new territory!
  • There is no track. There’s a path and it’s winding.
  • I appreciate your concern, but we are not accountable to you.

Should We Keeping Homeschooled Kids on Track

  • You worry about your kids and let me worry about mine.
  • We choose quality over quantity in our homeschool. We’re not trying to keep up with the herd.
  • We’re doing just fine, thank you.
  • Sounds more like an assembly line than a track. No thank you!
  • We work at our own pace.
  • We’re actually ahead. Thanks for asking.
  • I have a comprehensive scope and sequence planned out.

Whatever you choose to answer — or not answer — remember to embrace the freedom and individualized education that homeschooling offers!

You’ll love these other ways to prepare for the homeschool naysayers:

Hugs and love ya,

What to Do When You Feel Alone as a Homeschool Mom

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Sometimes homeschooling can feel like a solitary journey for moms. It’s ironic that we seek out opportunities for our kids to “socialize” yet as homeschool moms we can get isolated unless we make an effort to reach out. The responsibilities of homeschooling and keeping a home running smoothly leave little time for us as individuals. So what is a homeschool mom to do when she feels alone?It's ironic that we seek out opportunities for our kids to "socialize" yet as homeschool moms we can get isolated unless we make an effort to reach out. You’ll love these tips on What to Do When You Feel Alone as a Homeschool Mom! CLICK HERE!

How to Cope with Isolation While Homeschooling

Here are some helpful tips to help you cope through the lonely times.

Join an online homeschool support group

Some moms find it hard to come out of their shells, even though they really would like to join a group. They worry about what other moms might think of them, or that they won’t be able to make a connection. Sometimes it can be easier to interact in an online group, so don’t discount their value!

Are you part of my private facebook group, Homeschool Dynamics by Tina Robertson?

We can stay in touch there and you’ll love connecting with other like-minded persons although they may not be in your same town.

Join a local support group or co-op

You can reach out to other like-minded moms in local support groups, co-ops, or play groups. Sometimes just a once a week or once a month get-together can make all the difference in your attitude when you get to talk to other moms in similar situations. It can be just what you need to renew and inspire you.

Sometimes it takes a while to find a group where you and your kids fit in. In the beginning of my homeschool year, I think I went through four groups before I found one that suited myself and my kids.

The group I chose had one park day a week and it was the perfect amount of time to keep us interacting with others and to keep me from wanting to go into a shell.

Although I’m not shy by nature, I do have low tolerance for drama. That kept me from joining some groups. However, I realized the need to be around other people was important as it served as the impetus to keep going through tough times.

Visit the local library

You’d be surprised by some of the activities, groups, and classes you can find for free or low cost at your local library. You’ll find other moms there for story times as well. Don’t be afraid to reach out and find a kindred spirit there!

Become the organizer

If these things don’t exist in your area, start them yourself! Homeschoolers are used to thinking outside the box and taking the initiative, right? If what you need doesn’t exist yet, create it yourself. Odds are there are other moms just like you looking for these types of connections.

Focus on the kids

I know you may say you do this already. But my point is sometimes a friend for you can come out of friendships between kids. I have one dear friend where the friendship bloomed from kids that have similar personalities.

Coping with Homeschool Loneliness

It doesn’t take a whole group to not feel alone. A conversation is an art between two people.

Be willing to drive a few hours

I think this is one one of the most common complaints I hear a lot about homeschool groups. I’ve been part of groups that I’ll be willing to drive to for hours because of the quality over one that was in my hometown and not a good fit.

Carpooling worked too and we would take our lunches to save money on gas.

The truth of it is groups pop up and close down all the time and you need to be willing to adjust to find your niche.

Even one outing a month was good for us at times when life was busy, so I was willing to drive to meet up for the day. I never regretted having to drive to meet with our friends.

Find your tribe or just one BFF

Whether you’re looking for a group or just one great friend, don’t give up. It’s worth the effort. If one group isn’t working, try another.

It’s important for homeschool moms to have friends, online or in person, who understand the homeschooling lifestyle.

There are times in your homeschooling journey when you might feel alone, but it doesn’t have to stay  that way. Remember there are other like-minded moms out there and with persistence you can find each other.It's ironic that we seek out opportunities for our kids to "socialize" yet as homeschool moms we can get isolated unless we make an effort to reach out. You’ll love these tips on What to Do When You Feel Alone as a Homeschool Mom! CLICK HERE!

You’ll love these other tips:

Hugs and love ya,