The Secret to Avoiding Burnout: Schedule Your Own Teacher Workdays
As homeschool moms, we spend so much of our time pouring into lesson plans, teaching, organizing, and keeping our households running. But here’s something we sometimes forget: traditional school teachers get days off too.
If you peek at the Mecklenburg County Teacher Holiday and Workday Calendar, you’ll see that teachers and students enjoy at least one teacher workday nearly every month from October to June. And that’s not even counting the national holidays, Thanksgiving break, winter break, and spring break. Those teacher workdays are a key component to giving educators time to reflect, plan, catch up, or simply recharge before stepping back into the classroom.
Guess what? Homeschool parents deserve the same!
Just because we’ve chosen the path of home education doesn’t mean we should run ourselves ragged without planning intentional breaks. Taking a day off isn’t selfish. It’s not slacking. It’s necessary. Whether you use that time to catch up on lesson planning, organize your space, reflect on what’s working, or simply enjoy a day of rest or fun, it helps you show up as a calmer, more present mom and teacher.
Why Homeschool Days Off Matter:
Prevent burnout. Teaching nonstop without a pause can drain your energy and joy.
Encourage reflection. A day away gives you perspective on what’s working and what might need to change.
Model balance. Your kids learn from you that rest is just as valuable as hard work.
Give yourself grace. You’re not just a teacher, you’re a mom, a partner, and a person who deserves care too.
How to Plan Your Days Off
You don’t need to follow the public school calendar exactly, but it can be a helpful guide. For example, Mecklenburg County schedules teacher workdays about once a month. Why not try the same? Pick one day each month to mark on your homeschool calendar as a “mom’s day off” or “workday.” You can sync it with the local schools, or choose dates that work best for your family.
If your kids ask why, explain that just like their friends’ teachers, homeschool teachers need time to rest, think, and prepare too. It’s a great opportunity to normalize rest as part of the learning process.
Practical Ideas for Your Day Off:
Take the kids on a low-prep field trip so the pressure is off you.
Plan a cozy stay-at-home “reading day” where everyone picks their own books.
Use the time to reset your home and calendar without rushing.
Or do something just for you. Coffee, journaling, or even a nap counts!
Remember: homeschooling is a marathon, not a sprint. Protecting your energy means your family gets the best of you, not what’s left of you. So grab your calendar, circle one day each month, and give yourself the same grace the schools give their teachers.
You’ve earned it!
