Self-care for the homeschool parent is often mentioned but just as frequently brushed aside by all of us. We tend to be the busy sort who are a little more focused on our children than ourselves. If this describes you, I propose you think of self-care in two categories – ‘Easy’ and ‘Not So Easy’. If you get a handle on what’s easy for you, self-care isn’t difficult.

“Yes, yes,” you say, “But first I have to figure out what we’re doing for math this year, how I’m going to make handwriting more appealing, how to give my child confidence in their reading abilities, how to create a high school transcript, how to….” The list is endless.

It’s a given that many parents, and particularly homeschool parents, put their children first. When you’re with your children pretty much 24 hours a day, especially in their younger years, self-care can take low priority.

Desserts are a treat, not self-care.
Note: Even though desserts are important treats, they’re not self-care. (Recipe is here though if you need a treat.)

I’d encourage you to look at self-care in two broad categories – Easy and Not So Easy.

‘Not So Easy’ Self-Care for the Homeschool Parent

When you’re doing all the planning for your children, it can feel like more of the same to try and plan self-care on top of that. Your ‘Not So Easy’ self-care list might include items like:

  • Exercise
  • Date Nights
  • Time with Friends
  • Eating Right

These items and more are all totally worth it and good for you, but they take planning and effort. And because of that, they often take a back seat to the needs of your children. What about establishing some other self-care items that don’t take much planning, time, and effort? Things that you can do all the time.

Easy Self-Care for the Homeschool Parent

Here are a few items that I find helpful and easy to accomplish on a daily basis:

  • Breathing – I have focused more on breathing in the past year or two. Just a few times a day is relaxing and improves my focus. Take a look at this blog post to check your breathing technique. Most of the time, I take a few good deep diaphraghmatic breaths in and exhales out and call it done. Occasionally though, I can get my brain to be quiet long enough for this time to qualify as meditative.
  • Slowing Down – In the rush to get everything done, I often forget to stop and enjoy the here and now. Consciously slowing down makes me truly appreciate my time homeschooling with my children. It can take the form of a little more time talking about what a child did well, listening a little more intentionally to what they’re telling me, or simply goofing around more in-between schoolwork.
  • Getting Outside – I eat lunch outside when I can. If the weather’s miserable, I try to go out for a few minutes anyway. When the kids were little, I spent time with them in the backyard. Now, I often take a mid-morning break and walk with my husband (he works from home). This small amount of time outside is a big help for me.

Those three things are easily achievable for me. I don’t have to plan anything. I just have to remember to do them. Sometimes I forget. That’s okay. Really, I think ‘Breathe’ would look sort of dumb on my to-do list for the day. And I don’t need to make my list any longer than it already is. If I’m forgetting to breathe or do other easy self-care items, I’ll notice a difference. And then I’ll remember to do them.

A camping trip naturally facilitates all three of my easy self-care techniques. (Rio Grande River in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado.)

That’s my easy list. Your easy list might be completely different. It could include things like talking on the phone with a friend, dancing or singing along to your favorite music, or doing one small act of kindness. You get the idea. It should make you feel better but it shouldn’t take any planning or preparation. I should add that your list can consist of just one item. One item that you identify and claim as ‘easy’ self-care for you.

Self-care will often fall by the wayside in your daily quest to homeschool well. Remember the key role you play in your family’s life and decide what constitutes self-care for you in terms of ‘Easy’ and ‘Not So Easy’. Keep your lists short. Then, make sure you’re doing the easy stuff frequently and the not so easy when you can.

Take care of yourself!

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