Homeschool Mom Help: How to Stop & Smell the Roses

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Bzzzz.

Your head feels like it's buzzing as busy as a bee. You're trying to figure out how you can get a load of laundry in the machine, make a dent in that pile of dirty dishes, and get homeschool started at some point this morning.

So, you start dashing about, barking out orders and trying to do all the things.

And once you get that wild frenzy of activity going, you feel like you can't stop. Go-go-go! So much to do, so little time!

When your head hits the pillow and you look back on your day, you find yourself wondering just what is it that you got done.

Sure, you finished most of the tasks you set out to do. And, of course, there's still plenty left for tomorrow!

Homeschool work even got done. With some tears and frustrations, but you checked off those boxes, dang it!

But, the big question is: how much of your day did you actually enjoy?

You homeschool for a reason, right? You want to share special moments with your kids as you cultivate strong connections.

Um, last time I checked, barking orders and rushing everyone through the day isn't the special sauce for joy.

Oh, I'm not pointing fingers or trying to make you feel guilty. I know just a little too well what a cray-cray schedule can do to a homeschool mama. And it's not pretty.

It's very common and oh-so-easy to get caught up in to-do lists and the adrenaline rush that comes with a busy schedule.

But, all that running around and stress about what-to-do-next comes at a high price.

Precious time to connect with your kids.

Mama, it's time to stop & smell the roses!

Hit the Pause Button for this Homeschool Mom Help

I remember when I was still recovering from delivering our oldest son. Advice started pouring in.

You know all those helpful morsels of how to remember what's important as a mom. "They're only young once!" and "This time goes by so fast, enjoy every second!" and "Enjoy them while you can because they'll soon be out of your home and gone".

I don't know about you, but I found all those tips rather annoying. I mean, of course, I wanted to do all those things! But, when you're in survival mode due to sleep-deprivation and not able to remember when you last took a shower, the last thing you want to hear is how you should appreciate every moment. Because being jolted awake by piercing cries several times each night sure is lovely.

And that advice really hasn't gotten much better as the boys get older. It's just morphed to accommodate that boy's current stage.

Oh, and don't forget the added tips for making the most out of your homeschooling adventures! Homeschool mom help at it's finest 😉

Sometimes, I just want to throat punch someone, ya know? Or at least the dust bunnies taunting me from the bookshelves, just daring me to try to vanquish them.

Because all of that advice is well and good, but how do you actually make it happen? How can you, as a homeschool mom, make time to stop & smell the roses? A.k.a. enjoy fun times with your kids?

You follow these tips, that's how 😉

5 Ways to Stop & Smell the Roses as a Homeschool Mom

1. Give Yourself a Permission Slip

Well, you don't have to actually make a permission slip. Although that would be kinda cool.

You do need to give yourself permission though. To slow down, even pause your day. I know it's hard because rush-rush-rush is addicting. But, you can do this, mama!

You don't have to be running on full steam all the time. And that's coming from someone whose nickname used to be The Energizer Bunny.

The world will not come to a crashing halt if you choose to sit down and take a load off. For really real.

And if you can't seem to muster up the chutzpah to give yourself permission, hand over the mic to me. "I, Amy Milcic, of relatively sound mind, do hereby grant thee permission to stop & smell the roses & enjoy fun with your kids." That's said with an effect, just so you know.

You're welcome 🙂

2. Start Off Small

You don't have to go rogue and expect to suddenly carve out an hour or more of your day. This isn't a 100-yard dash.

Look at it like you're training for a distance race. You wouldn't go out and run a 6-minute pace for 10 miles. You start off small, steadily building your endurance.

First, try five minutes. Pause everything in your day for just five minutes. Sit down and put on your blinders to all distractions.

After a few days, add another five or even ten minutes. See how that feels. You may be surprised that you start to look forward to those moments, even sneaking in some more intervals of fun.

3. Rally the Troops

Your to-do list isn't going anywhere. And, last time I checked, there's no homeschool fairy godmother. But, you do have a bit of magic tucked into your pocket that you can release at will.

Gather your kids and have a heart-to-heart. Explain that you don't want to be the crazy-lunatic-psycho mom all the time. You just want to reserve that for emergencies 😉

Ask them for input on how they can help more. If they give you deer-in-headlight stares, present them with specific tasks that they'll complete to lighten your load so you have time to stop & smell the roses. Because you can actually get homeschool mom help from your kids!

4. Community

Having other homeschool moms who just get it really helps. You can vent and ask for help. It's truly glorious!

Pop over to our Rock Your Homeschool! Facebook group for some homeschool mom help. We've got a great bunch of gals who are super duper at dishing out helpful advice and support. And you can ask for even more tips on how to stop & smell the roses!!

5. Laser Vision

There are like a gazillion distractions in our modern world. If you struggle with keeping your attention on the fun times you want to delight in with your kids, here are 5 Quick & Easy Ways to Be a Focused & Fun Mom Today. Homeschool mom help in just 5 easy steps 😉