TIPS FOR HOMESCHOOLING AS AN INTROVERT: HOW TO GUARD YOUR ENERGY RESERVES

Introverted parents don't choose to homeschool just so they can avoid people altogether. But they do typically find benefits in terms of managing how their energy is spent day-to-day. DJ and her special guest Bethany Ishee of bethanyishee.com discuss the pros and cons of homeschooling as an introvert plus provide tips for getting that elusive downtime that introverts crave. Hear them dish on co-ops, possibly one of the most energy draining aspects of the homeschool life. ★★★ LISTENER COUPON CODE Request your coupon code to use on any purchase at bookshark.com. Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com. QUOTABLES Bethany: "...when I have too many demands on my time, it's overwhelming." DJ: "... our lives can't revolve around our homeschool. It has to be the other way around." Bethany: "Quarantine's ... shown that. A lot of these things we were just doing to fill our time and make ourselves feel like we were doing something." TIMESTAMPS 01:43 Bethany introduces herself. 02:27 Bethany tells why she chose to homeschool. 03:38 DJ tells about her choice to homeschool. 05:03 Does being an introvert make homeschooling harder or easier? 06:21 The problem with activities for your kids, including co-ops. 07:37 The definition of introversion. Are introverts shy?  08:56 How growing older allows your core introversion to manifest. And how the misconception of introverts being shy can mask actual introversion. 11:14 The socialization question! How do you socialize your kids when you are an introverted homeschooling mom? 12:31 Pushing yourself as an introvert to do more outside activities for the sake of your children, especially as they grow up and have a greater need for friends. 14:17 DJ explains how homeschool co-op drains her. 18:12 Recognizing your own need for downtime and recovering after outside activities. 20:44 What happens when you organize your entire life around homeschooling (versus organizing your homeschool around life). Dealing with the mom guilt. And a special note for new homeschool moms of young children. 25:26 Why you need an introvert friend who understands the energy demands of homeschooling. 33:20 How Being an Introvert Makes Homeschooling Easier (article by Bethany on the BookShark blog) 34:03 Enjoying being at home as an introvert and the slower pace it affords. 36:11 How to measure the opportunity cost of any outside activity. Ask yourself, "Is this worth our time, our mental effort, and well-being?" 37:26 Figuring the opportunity costs when you have babies and toddlers. 40:15 Accepting your introverted lifestyle and not worrying about what others may say.  42:00 How quarantine has revealed all the extras that were not really providing any benefit to the homeschool experience.  42:10 How fewer activities makes children appreciate them more.  44:18 How being an introvert adult helps you parent an introverted child. 45:14 And how it's harder to parent an extroverted child. 49:07 Bethany's tip for new homeschoolers Thanks to show sponsor BookShark. Request a homeschool curriculum catalog or download samples at bookshark.com.