Homeschooling with the Four Energies in Mind

Homeschooling is one of the most rewarding decisions I've ever made as a mom. I cherish the moments I have at home with my daughter. And as a mom of two grown sons, I try to keep in mind that I have only eighteen years with her. It helps me to keep myself in check when the days feel a little long. 

I mean, let’s be honest. Homeschooling is amazing, but there are definitely times when it wears on me. There are days when we’re just not feeling it. There are moments, even during the awesome days, when we feel frustrated or just plain tired. It’s easy to get caught up in all of it and let the frustration and fatigue reign if we don’t focus on supporting all four of our energies. 

The Four Energies 

1. Mental 

2. Physical 

3. Emotional 

4. Spiritual 

We are constantly using these four energies. To tap into them, think about the whole person, not just the part of us which works and learns. We are so much more than just what we achieve and the lessons we work through each day.

We are physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual beings. It’s vitally important to keep these energies in mind and to support each one as we homeschool. The great thing about focusing on all four energies and making sure to support them is that we can actually increase our productivity. 

Ways to Support the Four Energies as Homeschoolers

Now that you know what the four energies are, let’s chat about how we can support these energies so that we aren’t feeling burned out at the end of each day. These ideas are for our children as well as for us, so don’t be hesitant to jump in alongside your children. You will benefit as much as they will. I promise. 

Support for Mental Energy

• Have a no-screen day for everyone in the family. 

• Take a walk outside on a nature trail.

• Have lunch out so you and the kids can get away from work that needs to be done. 

• Take a day off.

Support for Physical Energy

• Go outside. If it’s cold, bundle up and have a fun winter hike.

• Play with your children—get down on the floor and have fun.

• Remember to rest when needed.

• Try yoga or stretching exercises.

Support for Emotional Energy

• Have a dance-off with your kids—crank the music and have a blast.

• Turn on relaxing music while working or reading for pleasure. 

• Pause for a hug. 

• Take time during the day to ask how everyone’s feeling.

Support for Spiritual Energy

• Keep a gratitude journal—children can draw and write in these. 

• Read and discuss daily affirmations. 

• Read something that’s inspiring—a poem, a short story, or song lyrics. 

• Incorporate 5-minute meditations into the day.

I know it can be really easy to get caught up in the to-do list of each day, but I also know first-hand how helpful it can be when I zero in on how my daughter and I am feeling in the moment. If she’s feeling frustrated over a math lesson, learning will be far more difficult, if not impossible.

At times like that, I love remembering that a break from our BookShark curriculum can actually help her. Her brain will still be processing the information, but a step away from the work itself helps it sink in more easily. It’s empowering and refreshing to take care of ourselves and our children and to realize that in doing so, we increase our productivity more than if we had just plowed through with a furrowed brow. 

About the Author

Resa Brandenburg is a former teacher who is now passionate about unschooling her daughter. She lives with her husband in an old farmhouse by the river in Kentucky. Her favorite thing to do is spend the afternoon with her family, including her grown sons and two grandchildren. Her hobbies include traveling, reading, and quilting.