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You are here: Home / Homeschool / Homeschooling with Mental Illness

Homeschooling with Mental Illness

July 19, 2021 by Erin Vincent 16 Comments

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“I think your depression may be cycling back around.” my doctor said.

“Is this what I can expect the rest of my life to be be like? Swinging from depressed to normal?” I asked.

“There are lots of different treatment options. We just have to find the right one for you.” my doctor replied.

My doctor seemed full of optimism, but I felt the crushing weight of what having a mental illness means for myself and my family. After my telehealth meeting, I shut down my computer, laid my head on my folded arms, and cried.

Homeschooling with Mental Illness: Having bipolar disorder or any other mental illness does not mean you cannot homeschool your children. Homeschooling with mental illness is possible. #Anxiety #Depression #Diagnosis #Hope #parenting #Bipolar #homeschooling #homeschoolingwithmentalillness

Homeschooling with Mental Illness

I cry a lot when my depression is sending me downward. I cry for the plights of others. I cry for the future of my children. I cry because I feel unworthy. Sometimes I cry because the peanut butter jar is too hard to open or the dishes are piled high.

I had been crying more than usual and was losing interest in things that generally made me happy. If I had been paying attention, I would have known the tell-tale signs that my depression was reemerging.

Anxiety and depression have been constant companions all my life. But over the past couple of years, the depression seemed to shift. There were highs and lows. Like a rollercoaster that was intent on leaving me dizzy and my brain rattled. But my highs were short-lived while my lows were extended and drawn out.

My new diagnosis is Bipolar 2.

Homeschooling with Mental Illness

Mental Illness is Isolating

My mental illness can be isolating because I tend to withdraw from my normal activities. Hobbies that once filled me with joy now leave me feeling empty. I look around and think, “Why bother?”

Friends start to notice my absence. I withdraw from social media. How can I share my beautiful life when I can’t see the loveliness for all the grey heaviness around me?

Thoughts and feelings of despondency weigh me down. Like a great ocean of cold, it feels like it sucks me down deeper and deeper until I am surrounded by nothingness, and all thoughts and feelings are muffled by the heaviness above. I am no stranger to those feelings.

Shame.

Guilt.

Emptiness.

Those are the lies I deal with because of my mental illness. Because it is a lie. I have nothing to feel shame or guilt over. But the stigma and assumptions surrounding depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder are all around me. So many people assume:

  • “Have you tried this diet?”
  • “All you have to do is think positive.”
  • “Exercise is the key.”
  • “These supplements are the cure.”
  • “Have you gone to this type of doctor?”

These suggestions have their place, and all of them help, but they are not a cure. I have an imbalance of chemicals in my brain that regulates my emotions. Would you tell a person with diabetes to think positively instead of taking their insulin?

No.

Diet, positive thoughts, exercise, and supplements are all beneficial. They are part of my wellness plan and self-care routine, but so are my medications, regular visits with my psychiatric doctor, and my therapist. I am not weak or crazy. I am struggling with a health issue.

Homeschooling with Mental Illness

How to Homeschool when Your Mental Health is Low

But, how do you parent/homeschool when your mental health is at a low point?

Homeschooling with mental illness is possible. However, some moms choose to send their kiddos back to public school. That’s OK too. The key is to do what works best for yourself AND your family.

Homeschooling is still the best option for my children, as is being open and honest with them.

“Mama cries sometimes and she can’t help it. She takes medicine to help her brain with the chemicals she needs. You have done nothing wrong.”

When homeschooling with mental illness, you do the best you can and make sure you have a serious support system.

Allow the space for plenty of grace, and try not to judge yourself so harshly.

Easier said than done, I know!

Desperate times call for desperate measures, and if that means frozen dinners and takeout for the next month while my medication gets adjusted, then by golly, that’s what will happen.

Frozen pot-pies have been a life-saver, folks!

I pretty much took all housework off my plate while I adjusted that month. The house was messy, but it was necessary. My husband would come home and wash dishes or start a load of laundry. Scaling back helped me to focus on what was important, my mental health and my kid’s education.

Homeschooling with Mental Illness

  • Read alouds
  • Independent reading
  • Games
  • Documentaries and Educational Shows
  • Audio Books
  • Educational Apps
  • Strewing

These have all helped me educate my children during my lowest lows until I could resume more normal activities. I am always available to answer questions and to help my kids in whatever way they need. Their education is of the utmost importance to me.

I am managing my bipolar disorder and successfully homeschooling my children. Some days are HARD. There have been times that my husband stayed home from work to be there for me. My lows I keep hidden from most people except close friends and family.

But, most days, I’m fine.

One of the many blessings of homeschooling is showing my kids HOW to honor what WE need. Managing my mental illness means being conscious of my health. I am using my experience and understandings of bipolar, depression, and anxiety to teach my children how important it is to communicate their own needs and feelings.

I want my children to have the social-emotional intelligence to understand their feelings and express them as part of their mental health journeys.

I am learning to recognize the signs of my highs and lows and learning to adjust accordingly.

So, why am I sharing my struggles so publicly? Because somewhere out in the world is a mom who loves her family dearly. She is breaking generational cycles while trying to be the best version of herself possible—a mom who, like me, has a mental illness and homeschools. Don’t let your diagnosis hold you back. Homeschooling with mental illness is possible, and you are still a good mom—frozen dinners or not.

Homeschooling with Mental Illness

You may also enjoy these other posts:

  • Homeschooling with Depression
  • Homeschooling with Anxiety
  • Depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder
  • Homeschooling When it’s Hard
  • Self-Care for the Introverted Homeschool Mom
  • The Pressure to be the Perfect Homeschool Mom
  • Keeping Your Happy through Winter
  • When You Can’t Do Everything: Overcoming Homeschool Burnout

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About Erin Vincent

Erin is a writer, blogger, and homeschooler to two intense kids. She loves nature, farm life, good books, knitting, new pens, and hot coffee. Erin is a contributing writer for Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers. Her work has also been featured on Simple Homeschool and Book Shark.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hannah says

    July 24, 2021 at 12:06 pm

    Erin, thank you for being open about this. As a homeschooling mom of four children who struggles with depression, it really makes me feel less alone to read this post.

    Reply
    • Erin Vincent says

      July 27, 2021 at 9:38 am

      Just know, you are NOT alone. Unfortunately, we are many and varied and it doesn’t get talked about enough. Sending prayers and positive energy your way.

      Reply
  2. Anna says

    July 23, 2021 at 6:09 pm

    Erin, Thank you for sharing this. I have struggled with anxiety and depression my entire life due to a childhood trauma I experienced when I was very young. My mom actually pulled me out of school when I was in 7th grade to homeschool me because I was severely depressed. Now I am a mom of 3 in my 30’s still struggling with many of the same things. I have had many hard days and have experienced the same guilt and shame you speak of. I have cried to Jesus on my knees many days feeling totally incapable and he has continued to carry me through and I believe He is going to carry you through too. So much love to you and your family.

    Reply
    • Erin Vincent says

      July 27, 2021 at 9:32 am

      Oh, I’m so sorry for your experiences. It is a hard road to travel. That’s why I felt like I NEEDED to share my story. So that others wouldn’t feel so alone in their challenges with mental illness. Thank you so much for sharing your heart and kind words. I hope you continue to make progress and find peace.

      Reply
  3. Karen says

    July 23, 2021 at 4:49 pm

    Thank you for sharing. 💜

    Reply
    • Erin Vincent says

      July 27, 2021 at 9:23 am

      Thank you for taking the time to stop by and read what was so heavy on my heart.

      Reply
  4. Tara Ziegmont says

    July 22, 2021 at 3:03 pm

    I was diagnosed with bipolar 1 postpartum, and everyone in my offline life said I was not using good judgment when I wrote about it on my blog. But I thought then (2011) and still think now that it is super important for those of us with a platform to be transparent about our struggles. Bipolar disorder is tough to manage but not impossible. I too homeschool my kids as well as running my blog business and working full time for an employer. It is doable, although I also have to practice a lot of self care and accept help from others. I’m in the middle of a divorce, but my kids are older (10 & 14) so they are able to understand my medical issues as well as to help out and pick up a lot of slack at home. You are doing a great job. I hope you continue to make great progress in managing your illness. ❤️

    Reply
    • Erin Vincent says

      July 27, 2021 at 9:22 am

      Oh, thank you! I hate that you deal with similar challenges, but it is so comforting to know that we are not alone. Yes, Bipolar self-care is non-negotiable. I am realizing that. My son is older and understands much more about my illness and my daughter is learning about it in an age-appropriate way. They are learning compassion and empathy as am I. I do feel like I’m making great progress and am feeling much more normal. Thank you again for your kind words.

      Reply

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Welcome! I'm Erin, a homeschooling mom to two very intense kids. Every day I try to find what works best for me and my family. My blog is filled with information to help you explore a child led education while making meaningful connections with your children. Discover favorite read alouds, seasonal books, games, art projects, hands-on activities, and learn to just breathe through the ups and downs of life. I hope these posts will encourage you on your homeschool adventure.

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