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How can I manage my wellbeing as a parent while educating my child at home?
Looking after your health and wellbeing can be tricky with the demands of home education. There may never seem to be enough time for you. But there are things you can do, including:
- Getting outside once a day for a stroll or a family outing.
- Finding an excuse to take time for yourself, be it exercise, reading or anything else.
- Being kind to yourself and giving yourself credit for the wins.
Video - How to manage your wellbeing as a parent with Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Singer and mum-of-five Sophie Ellis-Bextor teams up with other parents to explain how you can look after yourself with home education and mental wellbeing tips for beginners.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor:
Hi. Oh, my goodness, this is pretty overwhelming, isn’t it? It’s a lot going on and I do feel like when this is all over, I will sleep… um… I’ll just sleep actually!
And here’s some tips from other people about how you can keep yourself in the best shape possible with your wellbeing.
Kids:
Hey what’s that? Woo, what’s that!?
Owen:
I felt anxious, frustrated and stressed every day of lockdown. I found that exercise has been a great thing for me through lockdown in terms of my mental health. It was a moment in the day where nobody was asking me to do anything which felt really freeing.
On top of that, I try and go outside as often as I can and that’s something the kids can do too. I think being outside is fantastic.
Adalaine:
It’s important to be so kind to yourself, very, very important. We’re kind to the kids, kind to other people and we have to also extend that kindness to ourselves as well because the children are watching.
They’re a product of their environment and they will mirror what they see so I think it’s really important that the kids do see you having that time out as well because they know that time out is important, they need it also.
I’m squashed!
Rhi:
As a parent, keeping your own mental health intact is more important than ever. I think what we have got to remember is to count our wins however big or small they may be. If you’ve got no school work done at all but your children are healthy and happy and fed and reasonably clean, you deserve a medal.
This is not easy for anyone. You’ve got to count your wins wherever they may be.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor:
So, in this wobbly world there are a few things you can do. Anything you feel that works for you just to give yourself a little space, a little break. Focus on the tiny bits of chasing the joy, cut yourself some slack, sometimes give yourself an early night, sometimes give yourself a bit of a treat, sometimes do something daft and silly just for the hell of it and remember you're a team.
It’s a lot to be dealing with so just getting through the day as best you can, you get the thumbs up from me. Lots of love. We can do this.
This video was recorded during the Covid-19 pandemic. We hope the advice will remain relevant and helpful to parents educating their children at home.
Home education hacks: Looking after your mental health and wellbeing
- Find a reason to take a period of time for yourself during the day. It could be exercise, reading, it really doesn't matter - as long as you get a break and time to reflect.
- Get outside once a day. It could be a stroll around the garden or a park, a walk with the dog, or you could bundle the kids up and make it a family outing!
- Be kind to yourself. Take time to reflect on your family's life and give yourself credit for the wins, no matter how small they might seem.
- Your children will see you taking the time to look after yourself and remember this as an important behaviour for later in their life!
Where can I find more support for home education and parenting?
The BBC Bitesize home education collection is designed to support you and your child’s learning at home with free resources for early years and foundation stage (EYFS), primary and secondary-age students.
Bitesize Parents’ Toolkit is the go-to place for the whole parenting community to find stories, expert advice and fun activities.
If your child has special educational needs and / or disabilities, be sure to check out the Parents’ Toolkit SEND collection.
For more information about home education, these BBC News articles cover the rise in families deciding to educate their children at home and, from 2021, the impact of Covid on home education.