Is it okay that I want a hobby outside of homeschooling? My four boys are 7, 5, 3, and 1. For the past eight years, my hobbies have included breastfeeding, potty training, laundry, feeding people, and researching homeschool curriculum. I'm longing for something that I can invest my time and energy into. I'm with my children all day long, and I’m grateful for that. But I know I would be a better mama, teacher, and wife if I had an outlet outside of those roles.
Amy, a homeschool mom
Approximately 200 homeschool moms responded to Amy when she posted this question in a Facebook group. It obviously hit a nerve! If you are struggling with this longing or finding it hard to carve out time for a hobby, you are not alone!
Many of them said, “I’m in the same situation. I wish I could develop a hobby of my own."
Many others answered with a resounding, “Yes! It’s good and healthy to develop a hobby beyond homeschooling! Your family will be profoundly blessed when you are healthy, strong, and inspired.”
What Do Other Homeschool Moms Do For Personal Enrichment?
Check out this eclectic list of potential hobbies enjoyed by other homeschool moms. Maybe you will discover one you’d like to develop. Don’t be afraid to try something new; you may surprise yourself!
- Stamp collecting
- Breeding and showing rabbits
- Reading
- Playing Pokémon Go
- Joining a book club
- Attending MOPS
- Cooking
- Blogging
- Working out at the gym
- Crafting
- Coloring
- Doing ministry for church
- Going to a nice restaurant
- Getting a pedicure
- Participating in a Bible study
- Thrift store shopping
- Writing
- Crocheting
- Knitting
- Volunteering at a local museum
- Playing the piano
- Embroidering
- Starting a small business
- Blessing other young moms with babysitting
- Practicing Taekwondo
- Attending local lectures and concerts
- Painting
- Dancing
- Taking local classes
- Doing Jazzercise
- Swimming
How Homeschool Moms Make Time for Personal Enrichment
In that original discussion launched by Amy's question, plenty of moms chimed in with how they make self-care and hobbies a priority. Here's a recap of some of the ideas they shared:
- I’m one of those people who likes to wake up early. That’s when I exercise and enjoy a hobby like reading or crafting.
- Even though my kids don’t nap any more, we’ve kept an hour-long quiet time in the afternoon. Each child is in a room quietly resting or reading. That’s when I enjoy my hobby.
- I schedule it into the homeschool day. For example, when my children do their devotions, I do mine. When my children do their quiet reading, I do mine. When they work on an art project, I work on one, too. When they play outside, I go out with them and garden.
- My hobby is important enough to me that I use screen-time to make it happen. I allow the kids to watch a 30 - 60 minute show each afternoon while I work on it.
- I have to be ready to take the opportunity when it comes. If I want to read more, I carry a book in my purse, in the car, and keep one in the kitchen. If I want to knit, I do the same thing with my knitting project.
- I hire a sitter for 2 hours every week and use that time for self-care. It’s that important!
- Once a month, my husband takes care of the kids from dinner until bedtime. I go out for a quiet dinner and enjoy the free time however I’d like.
- My husband puts the children to bed every night. I use that personal time to relax or enjoy a hobby.
- I intentionally pursue hobbies that help my family like using medicinal herbs, cooking, photography, and fostering animals. Then, we are all invested in the hobby and I feel personally enriched.
This week, pray about and plan a way that you can continue to grow as an individual. Remember that your family will be blessed by your strength, well-being, and rich inner life. Let us know your plan so we can cheer you on! Leave a comment below or join us in the Sonlight Connections group.
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