15 Practical Ways for Homeschool Mums to Rest and Recharge

Homeschooling can be all-consuming and busy most days. As I homeschool four little children ranging from age 7 to 4 months, let me share 15 practical ways for homeschool mums to rest and recharge.

We are just on the back of our first school holidays for the year and entering a new term. To say I am feeling a little overwhelmed at the thought is an understatement.

I feel so blessed that I get to stay home with my children. Of course, it is a sacrifice my husband and I have chosen to make, but it is a worthy one without a doubt.

I have seen my two eldest girls thrive over the past few months. My younger daughter is learning how to read and my oldest is finding break through in a subject that has sometimes been difficult for her.

Homeschooling to me is not the tricky part. It is the constant juggle of meeting everyone’s needs and once the day ends, my cup is typically empty.

I know that I am a better mama when I have a full cup. However, most days it is running fairly low and I need a refill. Can anyone else relate?

If you have small children and homeschool, then let me encourage you, mama: you don’t have to do it all. In fact, please refrain from doing it all.

I find that if I am focusing my attention on homeschool and feeding my children, the house is in a messy state. If I am focusing on getting housework done, my children are often complaining about being hungry or wanting me to fix something for them. If I am working on my laptop, the house is often still in a mess and my children need to be tended to. You just can’t possibly stay on top of it all. As much as it is a hard fact for me to swallow, I am learning to be okay with it. I find it always the best when I tend to what is most important in that moment. Everything (or everyone) else can wait.

If you are a mama who struggles to have any down time as you care and homeschool your children or you just need some rest inspiration, then I hope to encourage you here.

What I will cover in this post

• 5 ways to rest and recharge for 5 minutes
• 5 ways to rest and recharge for 15 minutes
• 5 ways to rest and recharge for 30 minutes-1 hour
• How to stay on top of all the tasks without going crazy

5 Ways to Rest and Recharge for 5 Minutes

This may sound crazy. How can I possibly rest for 5 minutes? Let me tell you, sometimes a 5 minute breather is all you need to keep on keeping on.

Here are 5 ways to rest and recharge in 5 minutes:

1. Sit down and drink your favourite beverage (and don’t move until it’s done)
2. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing (set a timer if you must)
3. Go outside and do some grounding/earthing (take your shoes off and walk barefoot on the grass – it is relaxing, trust me)
4. Take a favourite snack and eat it in your room, in peace (it can be done at the right moment)
5. Sit down and watch your children play (this is more relaxing than you think and it keeps them happy as you delight in them).

5 Ways to Rest and Recharge for 15 Minutes

If you have 15 minutes on your hands, these are some tried and true ways that are likely to leave you feeling rested and recharged:

1. Sit outside and read a book
2. Do a short but intense workout (this has proven to be more of a recharge than relaxing, but is so worth it when you are feeling that mid afternoon tired slump)
3. Sit down and listen to some guided meditation (the Hallow App or Abide App are great for this if you are a Christian)
4. Lie down on your bed and listen to some classical music or calming music
5. Go outside and pull some weeds (this has proven to be a therapeutic form of art whenever I feel stressed).

5 Ways to Rest and Recharge for 30 Minutes-1 Hour

Okay, I know this is rare, but if ever you have a decent amount of time on your hands- maybe your children are all having quiet time or a nap- and you can carve out some time to recharge, here are some wonderful ideas of what to do:

1. Sit down and paint something (painting is another form of therapy for me)
2. Get messy (whether it is baking in the kitchen, gardening outside or moulding something out of clay- the act of doing something with your hands can be life-giving)
3. Go for a walk (even if it is accompanied by energetic, little people, it is still a form of recharge if the day is warm)
4. Go and take that nap, mama (I have been doing this when my baby is ready to feed in the middle of the day, I will go and lie down with him and we often both fall asleep together – life giving!)
5. Sit down, drink a cup of tea and watch your favourite show/read a book.

How to Stay on Top of All the Tasks Without Going Crazy

I know this seems contradictory from what I mentioned before about how us mamas can’t do it all. I think it goes without saying that we can’t do it all in one day, but the jobs and the tending of children must be done whether we like it or not.

For a long time, I felt overwhelmed by this, especially after having my fourth baby. However, I have learnt these three strategies that have shifted my perspective and given me more energy throughout the day.

1. Get your older child/ren to help wherever they can (it takes time to train them, but is worth it in the long run. My eldest two pack the dishes away, put their clothes away and tidy any room I ask them to).
2. Make it clear to your (older) children that you need time to ‘play’ too (it is much easier to take a break when expectations are voiced and received first).
3. Set up your day that caters to your rest time. Make sure that you carve out intentional time to make this rest time happen. Most days, it won’t just happen. You need to make sure it happens and that takes intentionality and planning.

I remember reading a post recently that said ‘if you treat work like an idol, rest will feel like a sin.’ I could not agree more. Rest is so crucial to us as mothers. We need it in order to do our work effectively and lovingly.

I hope that these tips are helpful in some way.

Let me know in the comments below a way that you love to rest!

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