encouragement for homeschool moms, affirmations for secular homeschool moms, books for homeschool moms,

Encouragement for Homeschool Moms

Are you feeling defeated in your homeschool? Feeling burnt out? Do you wonder if you are doing right by your kids and if this is even the best option for your family? You are not alone – I have some encouragement for homeschool moms like you! 

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Before a new school year I am always excited and giddy over new books, new plans, new subjects, but by the time winter rolls around I’m doubting every plan and capability and choice. If that sounds familiar I hope these encouraging words for homeschool moms will help you clear your head and prepare you for another day.

Encouragement for Homeschool Moms

Sometimes it’s hard to get that motivation when you’re homeschooling. It’s much easier to stay in your PJs and have that second breakfast and third coffee. Keeping things in perspective, using affirmations, a gratitude journal, and inspirational books for homeschool moms can help you focus and find inspiration to keep going in your secular homeschool. 

What are the Signs of Homeschool Burnout?

First thing in the morning, you may feel sleepy and groggy (more than normal). You might lack the motivation to interact with your kids. I find there is a difference between the days I just don’t want to do anything and the days when I am truly burnt out.

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On the days when I just don’t want to do school we are going to the park, baking, or doing some other activities all together. On the days when I am truly burnt out, I tend to isolate from the kids. I tend to spend more time just aimlessly scrolling social media because I don’t want to deal with anything or have any emotions related to my failure as a homeschool mom. 

Encouraging Words for Homeschooling Moms

The good news is that there is help for homeschool moms out there! Recognize you aren’t alone and you are not a failure. You are not doing it wrong. You are not behind. Your kids are good and precious and will grow up to be wonderful adults. 

These tips will help you keep your days as a homeschool mom in perspective. Work them into your daily routines if you can but if not, have them handy so you can use them when you are needing inspiration.

Affirmations for Homeschool Moms

If you’ve never used affirmations before this might seem a little woo-woo. The messages we send ourselves are SO important. You would never let someone say hurtful things to your kids so why would you give mean messages to yourself? The way we speak to ourselves can significantly affect our outlook. 

Affirmations can be phrases you personalize and begin with “I am….” or “I will . . . “. They can also be homeschool mom quotes that inspire you. I have provided a mix of these in the examples below. Take what resonates with you and leave the rest behind. 

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Print these affirmations for homeschool moms and post them where you can see them. Use them as the lock screen on your phone. Journal them every day. Post one above your kitchen sink. Affirmations are just reminders you tell yourself. They can be great encouragement for homeschool moms as they remind you who you are as a person and what type of environment you are striving to provide for your kids.

I trust myself to be the best teacher for my children.

You may not feel the best at the moment, but you are. If you’ve made a mistake in the past (and who hasn’t?) then apologize to your kid and move forward. How would you describe a good teacher? Calm? Patient? Creative? A good problem-solver? When you find yourself struggling to explain how to find x one more time to your stubborn child, repeat this affirmation to yourself. I trust myself to be the best teacher for my children. Take a deep breath and approach the situation again with that mindset.

I will learn something new today.

New experiences motivate me to do whatever needs to get done so I can have an adventure. Are you the same way? When you are feeling uninspired with your curriculum or you don’t want to deal with tears over handwriting – switch it up! What can you learn new today? 

Sometimes this isn’t a fun factoid but something new about yourself or one of your kids. Try a fun science experiment, bake a new recipe, play a new game. Listen to an audiobook while your kids are working on their homework.  If you are giving yourself the message, “ugh, I don’t want to do school today”, then that is the moment you will want to use this affirmation. 

“No influence is so powerful as that of the mother.” – Sarah Josepha Hale

This is an example of encouragement for homeschool moms in the form of a quote rather than an I statement. As a homeschool mom you have so much influence. You are literally shaping the future. Wow – that’s a lot of pressure, right? Don’t feel overwhelmed by this power. Keep in mind one of the very best gifts we can give our kids is positive coping skills and acknowledging mental health needs. By showing them how to use affirmations for themselves, you are teaching them a valuable stress management tool

Don’t you fall now—

For I’se still goin’, honey,

I’se still climbin’,

And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

– Langston Hughes (Mother to Son)

One of my favorite ways to find affirmations is using snippets from my favorite poems. Poets are talented at evoking just the right combination of despair and optimism; for putting words to the emotions we can’t speak out loud. This one by Langston Hughes is printed in full on my fridge. Keep going. Keep climbing.

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Gratitude Journal

The next tool when you need a little encouragement is a gratitude journal. This is another way  to keep your focus on the positive and on what is working. For some reason we tend to focus on the drama and frustrations of the day rather than on the warm hugs, the giggles we shared, or a new skill we learned. It is part of the human experience, but I wish it were easier to remember all the good things rather than having our mess-ups forever imprinted in our brains. 

Write down all the things you are grateful for in the journal. Sunshine. A beautiful view. Hot coffee. Cats on your lap. A cute picture from your kid. A gratitude journal works best when used on a regular basis.

If a formal journal is too much upkeep, then make it simple and jot it down or  leave a voice message for yourself in the notes app on your phone. When you’re having a rough day go back through and read all the things you were grateful for. 

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Books for Homeschool Moms

Now what post about encouragement for homeschool moms would be complete without a book list? Finding good books for secular homeschool moms is tough! If you have recommendations to add to this list please let me know!

I’ll do a more in-depth post about books for secular homeschool moms soon but those 4 are great for giving you inspiration, for pointing out the hard stuff about homeschooling, and giving you tips to make your days smoother.

And, just so we’re clear – audiobooks are books!

Homeschooling is not an easy journey. There are days when we all would prefer to huddle in the corner in the fetal position, for sure. I hope these affirmations, journaling tips and book recommendations will bring encouragement for your homeschool mom heart. 

I’d love to hear what practices you incorporate into your daily routine. Drop me a question or a comment below. 

2 thoughts on “Encouragement for Homeschool Moms”

  1. Pingback: Legit Jobs for Homeschool Moms - Give Mom a Minute

  2. Pingback: 8 Tips to Avoid Homeschool Burnout - Give Mom a Minute

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