Homeschooling Hacks: Overcoming "Winter Burnout"
If you are new to schooling at home this year and feel like you have hit a wall, this is NORMAL! Every school year starts with new books, new clothes, new routines, and a new excitement. This rolls into the holiday season where all the emotions are flying so… more excitement, maybe some more new, maybe travel, you get the point…then the end of January hits or the beginning of February and you or your kids (most likely both of you if it is your first year homeschooling) hit a wall.
The books are ripped, the school clothes are stained or too tight, you can’t find a sharpened pencil with an eraser for the life of you and you feel like your schedule or routine has gone out the window. You are right in the middle of it, new is gone and the end is not quite in sight.
I have been here so many times and spoken with countless mamas that have struggled through “winter burnout”. If this is sounding a lot like you and your family right now, I have some tips that can make this time easier. Because both you and your children may feel like you’re in a rut, it’s important to indulge in things you all truly enjoy to help get your homeschool mojo back.
Some things we love as a family are read aloud stories. This is a wonderful break to the day (and it still counts as educational). We all grab a warm beverage and snuggle around the fire, while I read aloud or we all listen to an audio story (the kids get a kick out of accents that mom just can’t do).
Or we all make our way into the kitchen and bake something special and completely out of the ordinary like a double chocolate cake with chocolate ganache … this move usually puts a smile on everyones face quickly!
We also do spontaneous day (or hours) trips — meaning: when it seems to all be coming down around us or we feel like things, house chores or schoolwork are just too overwhelming, we get out of the house. We do a winter hike or ice skate with friends for a few hours (we will throw in snowshoeing when we have enough snow). Sometimes a change in scenery is all it takes to renew the pep in your kiddos’ steps (and yours too).
As soon as March hits, you will start to have a healthy countdown to the end of school, but until then embrace this slower season and tap into the things you love or the interests or the children. I promise if you fear your kids will fall behind by taking a day to color or play, you will lose you sanity! Allow yourself and your children to explore life through different means you will enjoy even the hardest seasons of schooling at home.
A quick list for beating winter burnout:
Go for a walk
Explore a new art project
Bake a special treat together
Read or Listen to a book together
Play a game
Go for a coffee/hot chocolate date
Have a dance party
Double Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache Recipe
Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1/2 cup milk or almond milk or milk of choice
1/2 cup boiling water
1/4 cup vegetable oil or oil of choice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Chunk Syrup
1/4 cup chopped bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate or chocolate chips
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa
3 Tbsp water
Ganache
8 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate
1 cup heavy cream
1/8 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9'' cake pan and dust with flour; set aside.
Make chocolate syrup: In a small sauce-pan melt all the ingredients for the Chocolate Chunk Syrup (1-2 minutes), stirring occasionally.
In a large bowl, Mix together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a stand mixer using low speed until combined. Add egg, milk, water, oil, and vanilla. Beat on medium speed until smooth. Pour batter into greased and floured cake pan.
Scoop in the chocolate chunk syrup mixture and swirl with a knife until the mixture is fully incorporated. Bake for 30 minutes, until a cake a toothpick inserted, comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes then drizzle with ganache.
To make Ganache: While the cake is baking, Bring cream just to a boil over medium-high heat. Pour over chocolate, and add salt. Let stand for 10 minutes (don't stir -- doing so will cool the ganache too quickly, making it grainy). After 10 minutes Stir with a whisk until smooth and shiny to break up any pieces and emulsify cream and chocolate. Chocolate will often settle on the bottom or sides of the bowl. Scrape dish with a rubber spatula to incorporate all of it. Let cool for at least 3-5 minutes and no more than 15 minutes before Pouring on the cooled cake.