By Guest Author Barbara West,

What to do if you’re burnt out on homeschooling

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 KJV)

Ahh, rest. After a busy holiday season and launching into the start of a new year, rest seems elusive and, in some instances, unattainable. I look at my planner and there are more lessons to be taught than there are days to get them done. There is no time for rest.

Yet, Jesus invites us to come to Him if we are overburdened. He promises to refresh us if we are weary, worn out, or overworked. We need to go to Jesus anytime we feel that we are going over the edge. His presence will fill and refresh us.

Our Busyness

Rest is one thing homeschool moms need. But there is always something to be done. One more chore that requires attention. A child that needs tending. An errand that needs to be run. Homeschool moms often are task oriented and thrive on getting things done.

Rest is becoming a lost art in our modern culture. Packed within each 24-hour time span is an unsustainable number of tasks we’ve placed upon ourselves, as well as demands others place upon us. Many days there is a revolving door of schedules and commitments. It is tempting to do everything, be involved in everything, and be up on the latest homeschool trends — but never being able to rest really isn’t God’s best for us. 

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By Guest Author Thara Reinitz

When you tell people you homeschool, their reactions usually fall into three categories. One is camaraderie. Maybe because they homeschool too, are a homeschool grad, or a homeschool grandparent. This is a great situation because it means you probably just made a friend, even if it is just for a short chat at whatever event you met. The second reaction is impolite. It comes in many forms: nosiness, a negative story about someone they know or heard about, chastening, passive aggressiveness. Whatever form the impoliteness takes, it is uncomfortable but hopefully short lived. The third reaction is, for me, the most difficult; I call it “the wall.”

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