February is often called “Homeschool Burnout Month” for a reason — because a lot of us are tempted to lose heart during this short but tricky month in which winter has surely overstayed its welcome. The main thing we’re discussing today is the idea that levity — not taking ourselves too seriously — is a key to preventing that dreaded homeschool mom burnout. We make sure to refer to sources like GK Chesterton, Charlotte Mason, Catherine Levison, and Carole Joy Seid … just to name a few. There is definitely a lot of food for thought in this one!
Listen to the podcast:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Show Notes:
- Scholé RDA
Mystie: The Great Tradition by Richard Gamble
Pam: Rediscover Jesus by Matthew Kelly
Brandy: Island of the World by Michael O’Brien
- Topical Discussion: Preventing Burnout Through Levity
- Catherine Levison
- CM West Conference
- Pam’s interview with Carole Joy Seid for The Homeschool Snapshots Podcast
Chesterton quote was from Orthodoxy
- Brain Breaks on Pinterest
Charlotte Mason quote was from School Education
The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
A Sane Woman’s Guide to Raising a Large Family by Mary Ostyn
- Amazon Echo
- “This reminds me of Cindy” — Cindy who? Cindy Rollins.
- Nitty Gritty Homeschool Question
- AmblesideOnline
- Bob Books
- All About Reading
The Fellowship of the Ring (audio book)
The Cupcake Diaries collection
The Magic Tree House boxed set
The Secret Garden (audio book)
Please leave us a review in iTunes!
If you don’t know how to do that, click here for illustrated instructions.
Want to ask an upcoming Nitty Gritty Homeschool Question?
Go fill out this handy little form or and your question might be featured on a future episode of the show!
You can even record yourself asking the question and be on the podcast!
[…] we published Episode 1 of The Scholé Sisters Podcast! It’s called Preventing Burnout Through Levity, a concept […]
[…] we published Episode 1 of The Scholé Sisters Podcast! It’s called Preventing Burnout Through Levity, a concept […]
I was so excited to have time to listen to this episode today when it was hot off the presses. The Chesterton quote? Oh, MY! And Mystie? I listened to what you said about restoring fellowship with our children and increasing the credibility of our authority when we apologize to them for losing tempers, etc (at the 14:00 remaining mark:) three times already. I needed to hear that and am eager for the Spirit to prompt me to remember it the next time I need it – which will probably be later today, but no later than tomorrow, I’m quite sure. Thank you.
And Brandy? Stop recommending books. Just – PLEASE. 🙂 At least for this year, okay?
Signed Dawn – whose copy of Island of the World will be delivered to her this weekend.
Now I’m off to leave a review on iTunes.
Hahaha! You made me laugh. And I am not sure I can stop myself from recommending more books, Dawn. You might have to fast forward through those parts! 🙂 Thanks in advance for the iTunes review and…ENJOY APOLOGIZING! 😉
I’m just kidding. I love all the book recommendations. Mystie, I think I’ve learned about Jankovic’s writing through Desiring God. Thanks for pointing me in the direction of the blog. More book recs, more blogs to read. Hmmm….can you also help a girl with more hours in her day? 🙂
Hi Dawn! I got the phrase “restoring fellowship” from Rachel Jankovic, so here’s another book recommendation for you: http://amzn.to/1Kvk0Vv You’re welcome. 🙂
If anyone epitomizes taking true joy in the little things, it’s her: http://www.feminagirls.com/2014/05/21/normal-problems/
Another book recommendation!!! ♥
I am at a Catholic Homeschool Mom’s weekend away and we just listened to this podcast together. Thank you!
It cut off suddenly at 47:27, though, and we are wondering what we missed at the end!
I think you made it to the end — I guess that last outtake does cut off quickly! 🙂
I forgot to say: thank you for taking us along on your weekend away. We feel honored! 🙂
Um, levity, yeah. I could use a little of that! 😉 Thanks for the inspiration, ladies. I feel like I have to run a very tight ship here to keep things smoothly humming along, and sometimes I forget to relax and smile a bit more. Thanks to Mystie’s tip, I’m adding “Look at kids and smile” to my morning to-do list. 😉
Pam, I remember that bit from your podcast with Carole Joy Seid and felt pretty convicted at the time. Type A, first-born, bossy, and not all that fun–yep, that’s me! It’s a great reminder for me to lighten up.
Brandy, regarding your comments on O’Brien’s book about creating culture as a way to bring down an oppressive regime: you might find it interesting (if you don’t already know already!) that Pope John Paul II, before he was Pope, was part of an underground theater group in occupied Poland that wrote and performed plays as a form of resistance. O’Brien is a Catholic author, so I wonder if the connection was deliberate.
Mystie, the bit from Chesterton was delightfully convicting. Thank you so much for sharing it, seriously. I Googled it to find the source and added it to my commonplace!
And continuing the levity topic, I have this prayer by St. Thomas More that you ladies might appreciate written in my religious commonplace book. I hope to live it out if I can!
Prayer for Good Humor
by St. Thomas More
Grant me, O Lord, good digestion, and also something to digest.
Grant me a healthy body, and the necessary good humor to maintain it.
Grant me a simple soul that knows to treasure all that is good
and that doesn’t frighten easily at the sight of evil,
but rather finds the means to put things back in their place.
Give me a soul that knows not boredom, grumblings, sighs and laments,
nor excess of stress, because of that obstructing thing called “I.”
Grant me, O Lord, a sense of good humor.
Allow me the grace to be able to take a joke to discover in life a bit of joy,
and to be able to share it with others.
Oh Celeste I love that prayer. That is just awesome. I need to find a bio of St. JPII. That would be such a fascinating period to read about.
I LOVED this episode! 🙂 To be honest, I probably fall under the “too much levity” group. ;o) I’m pretty sure my kids (and a lot of other people) think I’m crazy sometimes! Ha! The thing is, like you all said, in some situations you either have to laugh or cry. And a lot of the time, I choose to laugh. Or at least make a joke about it. 😉
I don’t take myself too seriously or at least I try not to. Oftentimes, and unfortunately, I think it makes me seem immature. :/ But I *am* responsible and have had to be since a young age (long story). Like you mentioned in the podcast, Brandy, you don’t necessarily have to be serious once you become an Adult. One can be mature and responsible and still be goofy. At least, I *think* you can. 😉
Also, unfortunately, I think a lot of Christians associate holiness with seriousness. Which makes it difficult sometimes! I loved that Chesterton quote and am going to share it!
I’m re-reading Loving the Little Years and just finished her second book, Fit to Burst. I really love Jankovic’s wisdom and perspective! 🙂
I’m looking forward to more from you ladies! 🙂
Great podcast ladies! I’m also working on levity. It used to come more natural, but I think as I get older, I’m a bit more jaded. I can totally relate to Celeste above, “Type A, first-born, bossy”, and might I add controlling. I also think Catie made a good point about the ill perceived notion of seriousness in Christianity. Hopefully, I can reclaim that fun loving person I used to be 🙂
[…] the first episode of our new podcast, The Scholé Sisters Podcast, we talk about how levity – lightheartedness, humor, cheerfulness – is a burnout […]
This is great. Love hearing you all laugh and share. Thanks.
Thank you, thank you! I probably should listen to this every week! I am blessed with a husband who is Mr. Happy and apparently I think I have to balance him out when what I really need is to join him! Thank you for reminding me that we serve a big God and I don’t have to bear the burden of every little thing my children need.
[…] of Intention: Last week, the Scholé Sisters talked about the importance of bringing a little humor into our homeschooling days. A while ago I […]
Are your podcasts on Stitcher? I can’t find a match, but I just downloaded the app today, so I might be doing something wrong.
Hmmm…I will check. While we tried to apply to all the major apps that require it, I didn’t actually test to make sure it went through. I’ll work on that! It could totally be my fault!
Hi Kelly!
Here is the link to the show on Stitcher. I don’t know how to use the app (I use iTunes myself), but maybe the link will help? 🙂
This should be required listening for homeschool moms! 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing the truth. New on my to-do list: smile at children regularly, dance as needed.
Ooh! I think that should be a sign I could put up in my house!
So glad you listened, Andrea!
[…] you remember when we first told you that we take ourselves too seriously? That a big helping of levity would help solve homeschool burnout? Well, it’s true. Think about the days when you are so stressed out and overwhelmed and […]