Last week, I shared a super simple homeschool routine for those who are trying to navigate a new normal in the wake of the pandemic. Today, I’d like to share some strategies for prioritizing mental health in your homeschool. I feel like the entire globe needs a mental health day right about now!
I can’t stop thinking about this quote from Katrina Gutleben:
Kara and I talk about this quote often on The Homeschool Sisters Podcast because it can apply to many homeschool challenges. With the current situation, I don’t think the quote has ever held more meaning for me.
I don’t know about you guys, but I cannot focus to save my soul right now. I have approximately sixty-seven heaps of clean laundry waiting to be folded and put away. If I can’t focus on a mundane task like laundry, can you imagine how our kids must be feeling right now when we approach them with a homeschool-related task?
I vote we spend the next few weeks making space for mental health in our homeschool. We will be teaching super important coping skills and self-care skills in the process!
How to Make Space for Mental Health in Your Homeschool
Before we begin, if you are looking for help navigating parenting and homeschooling during the recent pandemic, I have a resource page for you:
How to Make Space for Mental Health in Your Homeschool: Books to Help You Plan
The tips and tricks I’m sharing today are based on books that have significantly impacted our homeschool. These resources talk about how to increase happiness and gratitude, how exercise influences mood and cognition, how nature impacts our mental health, and why we less is often more.
Here are just a few of the titles that have influenced our homeschool:
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Gift of an Ordinary Day by Katrina Kenison’s books (and all of her other titles)
I read these books annually and they are like a hug for my mama soul. If you want to simplify and focus on what matters right now, these are a great starting place!
- RELATED:
An Invitation to Slow Down, with Katrina Kenison {Episode 86} | The Homeschool Sisters Podcast
- RELATED:
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Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv (and all of his other titles)
Nature heals and Louv will convince you to ditch the math workbook and get outside daily. With convincing research and a big heart, Louv shares a message that every parent should hear!
- RELATED:
Getting Started with Nature Study with Cindy West {Episode 81} | The Homeschool Sisters Podcast
- RELATED:
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Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne
I wish every single parent on the planet could read this one. This is another title that I read at least once a year and it’s especially therapeutic to read when life feels off-track.
- RELATED:
Start Small: Rhythms and Routines {Episode 9} | The Homeschool Sisters Podcast
- RELATED:
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Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by John J. Ratey, MD
This book is old but it is solid GOLD, you guys. Exercise is crucial for children and adults. It impacts mood, improves This book will change the way you think about your homeschool day.
- RELATED:
Where’s My Zen? Homeschooling and Exercise {Episode 8} | The Homeschool Sisters Podcast
- RELATED:
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Ten Percent Happier by Dan Harris
If you’ve been thinking about starting a meditation practice, this one is for you! Harris was skeptical but he’s now a convert.
- RELATED:
How to Make Your Own Worry Basket| My Little Poppies
Worry is Like a Car Alarm: Homeschooling Worriers {Episode 4} | The Homeschool Sisters Podcast
- RELATED:
- The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life by Shawn Achor
Shawn Achor is a happiness researcher from Harvard University. He’s given TED Talks, he’s been on Oprah. He knows his happiness stuff, y’all!- RELATED:
Live a Little with YES Day! | My Little Poppies
- RELATED:
An Alternative “Must-Do List” that Leaves Space for Mental Health in Your Homeschool
I bet you’ve already seen that colorful COVID-19 homeschool schedule circling the interwebs. To be honest, that image makes my heart race. I cannot imagine imposing such a strict schedule on my kiddos right now.
In my opinion, we need to put the workbooks aside and focus on mental health. No one is learning well right now, you guys. No one is “falling behind” because the world is on pause. Right now, there are more important things to do than grammar and multiplication tables. There will be plenty of time for all of that later when our children are more receptive to learning.
I’d like to offer an alternative “homeschool must-do” list for the time being. This must-do list focuses on mental health in your homeschool:
Would you like to download and print an 8 x 11 PDF of this image to hang on your fridge? Click here!
8 Tips for Making Space for Mental Health in Your Homeschool:
Fresh air and sunshine
Nature soothes the soul. I know I am a better homeschool mama when I’ve spent time in the great outdoors. Don’t believe me? Check out the book by Richard Louv that I linked at the beginning of this article. Make it a priority to get outside and enjoy fresh air daily. Need another reason? Vitamin D is good for the immune system!
Move your body
Exercise is good for everyone. In his TED Talk, John J. Ratey, MD says that exercise is the best medicine, not just for our bodies, but for our brains. It improves our health, cognition, and mood… and so much more! (Need more convincing? I’ve linked his book above, too!)
Gratitude
Gratitude has been shown to increase happiness and well-being. There are many ways to work gratitude into your daily routine. Here are some ideas:
- Start and end each day by sharing what you are grateful for.
- Write a thank-you note to a friend.
- Journal about gratitude.
- RELATED:
The Best Journals for Families | My Little Poppies
- RELATED:
- Tell your friends and family that you are grateful for them!
- Thank those who are helping on the frontlines in your community.
Help someone
If you’re feeling overwhelmed lately, help someone else. It can help immensely to take action in your small patch of the globe.
Here are some ideas:
- Check on neighbors and friends
- Donate to the food pantry
- Support a local business
- Clean up your neighborhood
- Send a small gift to a friend or neighbor
Connect
Yes, this is more challenging in the wake of COVID-19 but it is far from impossible! It’s super important to stay connected to those we love, even while social distancing.
Here are some ideas:
- Virtual gameschooling
- Video chat
- Snail mail
- FaceTime
- Have an online book club
- Use video chat to read aloud to a younger friend or an elderly relative!
Read a book
Reading is not only educational, but it can be downright therapeutic. Books can provide a welcome escape during times of stress. If you need some booklists right now, I’ve got you covered!
Play
In the wake of COVID-19, I am resharing this article which features several Gameschool Challenges, plus oodles of resources for families who wish to add more games to their homeschool/family routine. I have also created a new Gameschool Challenge image and printable for those looking for something fresh to keep them busy over the next 30 days. Here is the image:
Read more about why play is scientifically proven to be beneficial for children and adults here. And then head over to the Gameschool Challenge landing page to find a challenge that will work for your unique family!
Prioritize sleep
I know this seems obvious, but it needs to be said. It is to overlook the obvious when you aren’t feeling like yourself. Sleep is so important for everyone. Turn off media before bed and try your best to unwind. Enforce earlier bedtimes so that everyone can wake up refreshed. Need another reason? Sleep helps immune functioning!
Now, it’s your turn. Tell me: How are you making space for mental health in your homeschool right now? Share here!
Cait co-hosts The Homeschool Sisters Podcast and is co-founder of Raising Poppies, a community for parents of gifted and twice-exceptional children. Cait is also founder of the Family Book Club at My Little Poppies, a fantastic community of book-loving parents and the Gameschool Community at My Little Poppies, a vibrant community of gameschoolers.
Cait is a contributing writer for Simple Homeschool. Her work has also appeared on The Huffington Post, The Mighty, Scary Mommy, GeekMom, and many others. You can find her on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram
and G+.
- How to Make Space for Mental Health in Your Homeschool - April 11, 2020
- Oversized Picture Books from Candlewick Press for the Win! - April 10, 2020
- Virtual Gameschooling: How to Play Games with Video Chat - March 20, 2020
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