Motivation Monday: A Letter to the Overwhelmed Mom

Dear Overwhelmed Mom,

You are tired and overwhelmed, it feels like you can’t keep up and you aren’t sure what to do next. Maybe you have a baby and you were up last night, maybe it is a busy time of year and you are spinning lots of plates, maybe you are new to homeschooling or in a new season of your homeschooling. I don’t have a magic wand and I can’t make it all go away, but do want to encourage you and give you a few tips that I’ve learned along the way. These tips and tricks won’t make the baby sleep or all of your problems go away but they can help you feel less overwhelmed and more ready to press on!

Bring it to God!

First, even though it feels like you don’t have time take the time to bring it all to God. This does not have to be an hour of solitude and quiet ( I know that can be impossible to come by). But by simply taking a few minutes in prayer and Bible reading. This can be while the children are sleeping, while you nurse the baby, or even while you watch them play outside. The Bible tells us to, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ~ Matthew 11: 28-30

Make a Plan!

Once you have taken the time to pray about your situation, I recommend stepping back from the busy and making a plan. It may feel like you do not have 10 minutes to make a plan but taking those few minutes will reap big dividends. Once you put it all on paper (or computer screen if you’d rather) it will free up space in your mind to start working through your plan. I like to start by listing out everything I need to do and then make a plan for what order of completion works best. Simply having that plan and knowing you do not have to remember it all because it is on paper can make a big difference in calming the overwhelm. Another component to this that is helpful to me is to get a lot of small things done and marked off my list. Sometimes I have multiple 1 or 2 minutes jobs that need to get done (e-mails sent, bill paid, respond to a text, etc). Taking a few minutes and being able to cross those things off the list is powerful.

One Thing At A Time!

Next, do one thing at a time and remember the most important things. There are many things calling for your attention and it is easy to focus on the urgent things or to feel like you can not get it all done and freezing up and not knowing where to start. When you feel that way simply start with the most important thing on your list and focus on that, then move onto the next thing. Always remembering that time spent with your children is important and it is okay to prioritize that time.

Streamline

Finally, streamline where you can and know that there are different seasons in life. I love to cook big meals and make homemade bread. However, some days or weeks I know that what is best for everyone is a quick meal thrown into the crockpot and a loaf of La Brea from the grocery store. Some days we can spend an hour reading and doing science and some days I need to play the audio CD that accompanies our text in the car while we travel to events or appointments. Think about what is most important in this day, this week, or this year and give yourself grace when you can’t do all the things that you want to do. The days are long but the years are short and soon enough you will be in a different season.

I am praying for each person who reads this post that you may have find and peace in the middle of whatever overwhelming season you find yourself. Take this verse to heart and remember that raising and homeschooling your children is hard work but it is good and worth the effort.  “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” ~ Galatians 6: 9

Resource Library and Affiliate Disclosure

When you sign up for the Schoolin’ Swag free resource library you will get a link and password to the library, we are adding to the library each month with new items. You will also get a bi-weekly newsletter email to keep you up to date on what we have going on.

Resource Library 

This post may contain affiliate or referral links, including Amazon affiliate links. As always I will never recommend a product that I don’t believe in and you will never be charged more for purchasing through our links. It does help pay for the costs associated with the blog.

Deals and Freebies

SchoolhouseTeachers.com is doing an amazing sale this month!

Free Makeover Your Morning 5 Day Challenge! This is a great way to help re-focus and get your day off on the right foot.

Harry The Happy Mouse (Free on Kindle)

Illustrated Would You Rather Book (Free on Kindle)

Free Help Your Child’s Memory Book from All About Learning Press!

You can click the image below for the main page or check out a few of the participants below!

Nicole @ Bless Their Hearts Mom
Patti @ Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy
Rebekah @ There Will Be a $5 Charge For Whining
Rodna @ Training Children up for Christ
Stacy @ A Homemakers Heart
Tess @ Circling Through This Life
Wendy @ Life at Rossmont
Yvie @ Gypsy Road