As homeschoolers, it is so easy to brag about all the flexibility we have in our schedules and how we can fit this in and that in. When we step back and take a real, hard look at things, we often find ourselves overwhelmed and stretched too thin because we’ve added too many extras. Sometimes, the circumstances of life just bring about their own business. Maybe it’s a new baby being added to the family or an adoption has finally come through; maybe it’s a sickness or a big move to a new city. The timing of some things are simply beyond the scope of our control.

Either way, preventing burn-out, being flustered and generally overwhelmed by our tasks is important. I’m a mama to 7 sweet children, and I’m homeschooling 5 of them, from 10th grade to kindergarten. That alone means I’m devoted to doing something each and every day. Honestly, every season feels like a busy season. But, I am learning to create rest in my life as much as I can so I can function well and be available to my family.

Here’s how:

6 Weeks On, 1 Week Off

The model for work as given to us in the Bible is 6 days of work and 1 day of rest, kept holy unto the Lord. Using this as a basis, some homeschoolers have implemented what they call Sabbath Schooling: 6 weeks of regular school schedule, then 1 week off. The name can be misleading because that week off can look the way you need it to look. If you really need it to rest, literally, you can do that. If you need the week to scrub behind your refrigerator and wash walls, you can do that, too. Recently, I’ve used that week for specialty doctor’s appointments for one of my sons, which also coincided with our celebrating/learning about the Biblical Feasts of God this fall.

The next week we’ll have off I’m planning to use for grading/checking work and household projects. I know this doesn’t sound like rest as in vacation, but it is a rest from our normal schooling routine, which allows me to turn my attention toward other things I need to get done. It is irritating for me to know I have things outstanding, with seemingly no room in my schedule to get them done. That built-in 1 week off brings peace to my soul and re-energizes me for the next 6 weeks. (Note: I’m not perfect at this model just yet. I have to remind myself to take the break because I’m used to just going and going. Baby steps, right?!)

What about the children, though? I still assign things to them, but instead of written work (with the exception of Math),  they do lots and lots of reading. I also couple that with foreign language or history, but we take a break from science projects, papers, and written grammar. They also get the chance to pursue their own interests (right now my daughters are learning Japanese, just because!) They may also help me with with whatever project may be going on (deep cleaning, switching from summer to winter clothes, etc.). So, there’s some order, but there’s also a break from the regular routine.

Intentional Sabbath-Keeping

As given to us in The 10 Commandments, we are to break from our regular work to rest, as God did from His on the seventh day. I think it is important to follow our Lord in this example, given to us as early as Creation. My family has been intentional about setting aside this day to take some time away from our regular routine. We turn to mostly family-oriented activities, and rejoice in the Lord in this time spent. Although I could lesson plan my head off, or devote time to researching new and better ways to homeschool, I intentionally put those things aside to be all present in a day of resting and reflecting on the goodness of God.

This intentional weekly rest is something that I look forward to and it motivates me to do what I can during the week so I can rest without a to-do list cluttering my mind. I try to make that day look different by lighting candles specifically for the day, to set the tone of rest in my home. I will display Scripture that day that pertains to the rest the Lord gives those who trust in Him, or Scriptures about setting the day apart. I am not legalistic about it, but I am mindful.

I hope this gives insight on 2 simple ways to carve out breaks in your routine so that you can re-energize while at the same time accomplishing what needs to be done in your homeschool. How do you create times of rest in your homeschool?