The role of a homeschool mom is a challenging one, and sometimes an overwhelming one. With the constant demands of homeschooling, chores, driving, and taking care of your family, it can be challenging to find time to relax and recharge. However, taking time off to attend a retreat can be a game-changer.
A retreat is an excellent opportunity for moms to take a break, assess and reevaluate their homeschool lives, and connect with other moms who understand the homeschooling journey.
However, if you have never attended a virtual retreat before, you might not know what to expect or how to make the most out of the experience. This guide will provide you with some useful tips on how to prepare for and enjoy your retreat.
Step 1: Establish why you need a retreat?
Why would a virtual homeschool mom retreat benefit YOU?
Grab your journal and answer the following questions to help you clarify.
- What might be your reason for signing up for a homeschool mama retreat?
- What are the greatest challenges in your homeschool right now?
- What needs have you not addressed recently?
- Are there unhelpful mindsets you have in your homeschool that aren't serving you (or your homeschool kids)?
- What is something you're dealing with in life right now?
- Do you have a vision for your homeschool?
- What do you want for your long-term intentions for your homeschool?
- What is your plan for your big emotions, like doubt, overwhelm, uncertainty, or anger?
- How do you want to show up in your homeschool & life?
- What are one or two goals you hope to achieve through this retreat?
Write these thoughts in your journal before you move to Step 2.
Step 2: Who are your cheerleaders & how are they applauding you or encouraging you to address your needs?
If you don't have someone cheerleading you, let me be that for you in this moment...(The following is an excerpt from my book, Homeschool Mama Self-Care: Nurturing the Nurturer):
"This is a final love letter to you, homeschool mama...
Once upon a time, you likely told yourself that you have one of the best jobs in the world.
You took on this job, no one told you too, and no one expected you too.
- You get to watch your kids grow up right before your eyes.
- And you get to see them learn to read, learn mathematics, learn about Alexander the Greats conquest, and why the earthquakes.
- You get to watch their fascination with dolphins turn into an online science class.
- Then maybe you get to watch their people attending sessions, or their passions turn into social sciences degree.
- Or perhaps you get to see them develop their interests, whatever they are until they grow into full adulthood passions, maybe professions, definite curiosities.
You get to develop your interests. If you are interested in Greek Mythology, you can buy the book and read it to your kids. Take courses online, build three columns from sugar cubes, wrap yourself in white sheets, make a crown of grape leaves and have your kids serve you grapes, olives, and wine on the living room floor, and you can call that social studies.
You can dabble in your interests, just like your kids dabble in theirs.
And you get to start home businesses, start Etsy shops, create a work-life around your homeschool, or a homeschool around your work life. Naturally, you get to enjoy homeschool hygge!
Isn't it funny how outsiders think we're tethered to all things uncomfortable? Meanwhile, we move forward to all things hygge.
- Do they not know that we can choose to let the kids sleep in if they want?
- That we don't feel pressured toward cultural trends?
- Nor do we know about them most of the time?
- Do they not see that we get to move to the flow of our family, and we influence the flow of our family to fit our needs too?
- We get chocolate chips with our math workbooks, family room fires with afternoon reading, tea, and essential oils throughout school days, and candlelight, just because...
Mama, has anyone told you that you have one of the best jobs in the world?
Homeschooling can be a challenge. Definitely, a challenge to maintain mama's self-care, but the homeschool lifestyle can also be a charmed life that encourages mama's self-care.
It's a challenge to build your needs, your wants, your personality into your homeschool world, but it can be done. And it will be done as you continually move forward, instilling habits and practices that take care of you.
I wish you and your family happiness as you continue on your quest to capture your charmed life.
xx, Teresa
Step 3: Choose the right retreat theme & activities
The first step to having a successful virtual homeschool mom retreat is to choose the right theme. What themes, topics, and activities would you like to include?
You should choose a retreat that aligns with your interests and needs. Look for a retreat that offers workshops, sessions, and activities that will help you learn something new, gain inspiration, and connect with other moms.
Consider these possible retreat themes:
- Releasing UnHelpful Homeschool Mindsets
- Renew your Homeschool (& Life) Vision
- Recognize (& Plan) for your Big Emotions
- Reimagine How You Want to Show Up in Your Homeschool (& Life)
- Renovate your Self-Care Strategies
Consider these activities in your virtual homeschool mom retreat:
- Self-discovery time: choose a location to explore, an art gallery, a nature reserve, or a park.
- Self-awareness time: use a specific journal to use twice a day to explore your present experiences and feelings.
- Workshops or coaching sessions: dig deep into a topic you want to grow into or create goals you want to move toward. Then have a life coach design and develop a seminar especially for you.
- Physical expression: whether you choose yoga, running, hiking, or time at the gym, consider implementing some time during your retreat to activate your body.
- Connection time: create activities designed to connect with other homeschool mamas.
Step 4: Prepare for the Retreat
Once you have chosen your retreat, it's time to prepare for it.
Start by making a list of the things you will need during the retreat, such as a comfortable chair, good internet connection, a notebook, and pens.
Also, ensure that you have downloaded any necessary software or apps for the retreat.
Use this free Homeschool Mama Retreat Planner to prepare for your retreat.
Step 5: Create a quiet and comfortable space and decide where to take your retreat.
It's important to create a quiet and comfortable space where you can attend the virtual retreat without distractions.
Find a space in your home where you can sit comfortably, have good lighting, and minimal background noise. Consider using headphones to block out any external noise and help you focus on the sessions.
Some questions to consider:
- Who will watch the kids?
- Will they (or will you) need time off from work or other commitments?
- Will you need to schedule a vacation day(s) from homeschooling?
- Would this retreat work better over a holiday break?
- Is there something that can be taken off the schedule for one week/weekend, in order to allow your retreat to happen?
Once you have the date, think about a start/end time. Will you leave in the morning before breakfast? Will you return in time for dinner or after the kids are in bed?
Create your cozy retreat from the comforts of your retreat space:
When (& where) can you set up a time to savour your retreat time?
- Is it in a corner of your bedroom?
- A bedroom of your friend's home?
- A locked cubicle at your local library?
- In the middle of a public garden?
- At a retreat center?
Here's what you might want to bring...
- a comforting cuppa tea/coffee/glass of wine (or a flask;)
- a cozy blanket or a giant onesie
- a space where children aren't...but if you don't have an option, find a special activity for them to do or a special place for them to visit (aka a friend's home)
- a piece of Lindt Sea Salt Dark chocolate (or any other chocolate, this is my fav)
- a journal (in fact, I strongly suggest you bring a journal and pen)
- thick lotion for her feet & thick reading socks
- a nail file & nail polish
- a face mask
- a hot cloth for the back of your neck
- or a cold cloth for your face (after you put cucumber circles on your eyes)
- an aromatherapy diffuser
- a lit candle
Include a background soundtrack...
This is my special inspirational soundtrack:
This could be a playlist you use during your journal time:
This could be a playlist you use during your meditation or prayer time:
Make the moment you enter the retreat a sacred space reserved just for you!
Step 6: Engage with the Speakers and Other Attendees
One of the benefits of attending a virtual homeschool mom retreat is the opportunity to connect with other moms and learn from a life coach.
Take advantage of the networking opportunities and engage with the speakers and other attendees. Participate in the chat sessions, ask questions, and share your experiences. You might even make some new friends and learn something new.
Step 7: Take breaks and practice self-care
You don't want to feel that you need to take a retreat from your retreat.
Attending a virtual homeschool mom retreat can be extending if you let it, so it's important to take breaks and practice self-care.
During the breaks, stretch, move around, and hydrate.
You might also want to do some relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing or meditation, to help you recharge.
Additionally, take care of your mental health by disconnecting from technology and social media during your downtime.
Step 8: Apply what you've learned
After the retreat, take time to reflect on what you've learned and apply it to your homeschooling journey. Use the knowledge and inspiration gained to continue to refresh and renew your intentions toward your homeschool life.
Also, keep in touch with the moms you met at the retreat, and continue to learn from each other.
You can always create a weekly plan to connect with a homeschool life coach and keep that growth and those newfound goals going.
In conclusion, attending a virtual homeschool mom retreat can be a great way to take a break from the daily demands of homeschooling and connect with other moms and yourself.
By following the 8 steps, you can make the most out of your retreat experience and return home feeling refreshed, inspired, and ready to continue your homeschooling journey.
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Teresa Wiedrick
I help overwhelmed homeschool mamas shed what's not working in their homeschool & life, so they can show up authentically, purposefully, and confidently in their homeschool & life.
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