#6: How to Beat Homeschool Burnout and Lighten the Mental Load of Motherhood

Speaker A: 00:00:00

Imagine waking up and immediately strapping on a heavy backpack. And no, you’re not packing a carry-on for a vacation.

This one is loaded with homeschooling decisions, meals, meltdowns, responsibilities, and a never-ending to-do list. You carry it all day. No breaks, no clocking out. By 3 PM, the weight of it is crushing you. If that sounds like you, stick with me, my friend.

Because by the end of this episode, you'll know exactly how to lighten the load. Welcome to Play Homeschool, my friend.

I'm Anya Garcia, an attorney who traded a legal career for the chaos of homeschooling, and I've never looked back. And since parenting doesn't come with a manual or legal briefs, no wonder it can feel overwhelming and messy.

But I see you showing up every day, even when no one is watching. And that little voice—“Am I doing enough?”—I hear it too. But here’s the truth: you don't need more to be enough. Just trust yourself.

Progress matters more than perfection. And when you stop doubting, you start leading with confidence. And before you know it, you’ve created a space where your child thrives.

Because kids are born with this natural desire to learn and grow. And I'm here to help you harness that.

Breaking down the science of learning, the art of parenting, and the mindset shifts so that we can simplify the journey to amplify the growth. Your child's potential is limitless. You just need to unlock it.

Welcome back to the Mindset Shift series, where we unpack the mental load and make homeschooling feel as light and effortless as packing for a dream vacation. Instead of lugging around an overstuffed backpack of stress, let's take a look at what's actually weighing you down.

Homeschool lesson plans, what’s for breakfast, lunch, dinner—and 47 snacks in between. Laundry, dishes, and the never-ending mess. Toddler meltdowns, teenage moods, and keeping everyone alive.

Now imagine wearing that backpack all day long. No breaks. No “Can you hold this for a minute, please?” Sound familiar? You’re not crazy, my friend.

You’re carrying the mental load of motherhood—and science backs it up. Homeschooling moms are some of the most overworked women on the planet.

According to the Homeschool Alliance, 89% of homeschooling moms report feeling burned out at some point. The American Psychological Association found that the mental load of motherhood has been compared to having a full-time job—on top of homeschooling.

So if you feel exhausted, stretched thin, or secretly fantasizing about booking a one-way ticket to a quiet hotel—you’re not failing. You’re overloaded. Now let’s fix that.

Here’s the science of why you feel like you’re doing everything.

You see, women—especially moms—carry what is called the cognitive load. Which means you’re not just doing the tasks, you’re also managing and remembering all of them.

Your partner might wash the dishes, but you’re the one who remembers when the dishwasher pods are running low. That tomorrow is the birthday party and you still need a gift. That your child's math workbook is missing and no one else cares to look for it. It’s called the mental load.

And that’s why you feel like you’re doing everything—because, well, you kind of are. And when you add homeschooling on top of that, it’s next-level exhaustion.

Now let’s look at some evolutionary insight: why we were never meant to do this alone. Let’s go back in time—thousands of years ago.

Do you think one woman in a cave was raising, feeding, and educating all the kids by herself? No. Tribes worked together. Older kids helped younger ones. Women supported each other. Mothers were not meant to do this alone.

Yet here we are today, trying to be everything, do everything, and carry it all—alone. So let’s shift that.

I'm going to give you three powerful mindset shifts to reduce burnout.

Stop multitasking. Start batching.

Multitasking isn't making you more productive—it's actually draining you.

Neuroscience shows that switching between tasks can reduce efficiency by up to 40%, confirms the American Psychological Association.

So instead of jumping between teaching, cleaning, and cooking—batch your tasks.

School time = focus on school.

Household tasks = all at once, not scattered all day.

Rest time = actual rest. Yes, you deserve it.

The goal? Work smarter, not harder.

Simplify homeschooling. Good enough is good enough.

You don’t need Pinterest-worthy unit studies or a curriculum that requires 15 supplies and a 30-minute setup. Kids learn best through life.

Reading aloud equals literacy.

Cooking equals math and science.

Outdoor play equals physical education and problem-solving.

When you let go of perfection, homeschooling gets lighter, easier, and way more fun.

Ask for help. It is not a luxury. It is survival.

You were not meant to do this alone.

Delegate chores—even to toddlers.

Set boundaries—your time matters too.

Lean on your community—whether it's family, friends, or those who truly get what you do.

Looking for a special place where you don’t have to explain yourself? Where moms just like you lift each other up, celebrate the wins, and navigate the tough days together?

That’s exactly what you’ll find inside my private, cozy Monthly Kids Activities Plan community.

Because homeschooling isn’t just about teaching—it’s about belonging.

Okay, final takeaway: lighten the load before you break.

Remember: asking for help does not mean you’re failing. It means you’re human.

You cannot pour from an empty cup.

You see, homeschooling is a marathon, not a sprint. And you, my friend, deserve to enjoy the journey.

So today, choose one thing to take off your plate. Drop the guilt. Drop the overwhelm. And step into a homeschooling life that feels sustainable and joyful.

So—call to action.

Step 1: Pick one thing you are letting go of this week, whether it's a task, expectation, or a stressor.

Step 2: Give yourself permission to rest—without guilt.

Step 3: Check the show notes and join my Monthly Kids Activities Plan membership.

Because homeschooling should be simpler, not harder.

See you next time, my sweet friend.