Samut Saring Ceylon - Homesick and burnout?

Thu 2 Oct 2008 - Homesick and burnout?

At one time or another, homeschool moms experience burnout. Children are the very first ones to notice or feel this and they too get affected. It is a normal phase but it shouldn't discourage you. The good news is you can do something about it.

I have been through this stage many times. As you might know by now, we are living in a foreign country. Here in Sri Lanka, homeschool is a strange word. The terms "homeschool support" or "homeschool coops" are even stranger. I get support mainly through prayers of brethren back home and later on, the internet and another homeschooling family we have met by God's Providence.

How is homeschooling like in a place and situation like ours? The answer is NOT easy. =) Burnout is as familiar as an old friend. But the wonderful thing about it, I realized that it is not in my own strength that I do these things - to homeschool, to manage a home, to be a mom and a wife and all the roles that go along with this noble calling, but in His strength. I have learned to step back, shelve or drop whatever causes the stress and call help. And often, wisdom comes when you seek it. The Lord provides it abundantly. It is not only that! He spices it up with creativity and humor. It is always in His grace we were able to make it each day, learning a little bit of this and a little bit of that when Mr. Burnout strikes.
Now here are ideas, some we have done during our transition here and some we haven't tried but lined up to do. But all came up from the need to beat homesickness and boredom from just being holed up in the house (or in many cases, hotel)...

1. Holed up in a hotel? Why not a unit study on how it runs? I couldn't think of a better way to make learning real. If you have stayed there long enough maybe you may request if you can visit and observe areas usually off limits to guests (for your homeschool/lessons) like the kitchen, laundry area, control rooms, supply room, etc. Have a short interview with people how the hotel is managed and specific jobs of staff like the housekeeper, chef, manager, concierge, tour guide, lifesaver by the poolside etc.

2. Take the school outside! - Have a walk in the hotel garden or nearby park . It is your chance to see what flora or fauna are living in the vicinity. Great to bring sketch pads too or a handy camera. Your child might be happy to take photos of plants and birds not familiar to him and then sketch it later.

3. Explore the nearest bookstore. You might be interested to see what kind of books are available and interesting for you and your child.

4. Where is the post office? I usually take my children to choose and buy postcards, write on it and stick a stamp and post it to their grandparents, cousins or friends back home. This is a ALWAYS a big hit! Later on, you can encourage your older kids to write to penpals who are also homeschooling. If you are in an online homeschool support group, you may post your children's interest to write snail mail with other homechooled children. Vibrant Bea found penpals this way in a HomeLife Academy yahoogroup.

5. Visit the public market. If it is a safe place, make it a morning trip. Mornings are usually when vendors arrange their fresh goods to sell. The sights and colors are a feast to the eyes. Markets are always noisy and interesting. You will learn a lot of the country's culture from their markets. However, seek advise too from the hotel concierge/receptionist of the "do's and don'ts" on walking by yourselves in crowded public places.

6. Have you seen the parks and usual tourist spots (museums, landmarks)? Well, not to sound too "touristy", but to a child, a change of environment might just do the trick.

7. Check out the local events/activities - are there free concerts going on? plays for kids? a playgroup for expat's children? other homeschoolers? art class for kids? storytelling sessions in the library? swimming class? I have picked up a book when we arrived here entitled Sri Lanka for Kids and it helped a lot. There might be a similar publication there - say a magazine or a brochure/book.

We have been away from home for 4 years and I have homeschooled 3 children ages 3, 10, 11 - 24/7 - which started back home. It wasn't a perfect deal but I wouldn't have it any other way, admittingly the older 2 spent a short period in an IS but were pulled out. We have been through burnout phases, sickness, boredom, disappointment, frustration and almost giving up many times. Yet each time my husband and I look back to our vision for our family, as to why we homeschool, that snaps us back right into place.

When I got burnout, I arranged with my husband if he can stay with the children for a few hours on a weekend while I go out, take a walk or visit the places that interest me but never had the chance to go. We would plan it ahead so he can set his work pace (as sometimes he brings home work ), he would then rent a movie or set a board game and kids cook pop corn... anything to spend time with the kids. He would sometimes help out with the math problems while I am out. If he comes home early and there is still extra time, the family would take a walk just round the block and enjoy the afternoon breeze.

We are again facing another relocation by the end of the year. We thought at first it will be back home for good. Now, we just got news that the same process we went through years back awaits us in another country. Leaving a familiar life and friends we have known and grown fond of is rather stressful, too and we are slowly coming into terms with it. So, here we are facing the new unknown (again!).

Yet, God remains faithful.. in Him we trust.