Self-Care for the Muslim Homeschool Parent

Juggling home education, household responsibilities, and personal needs can be overwhelming.

We know self-care is important, but so much of the advice given on the topic doesn't factor in our spiritual needs as Muslim parents. That's why it's vital to make sure you have time management and self-care strategies that are tailored and aligned with Islamic values.

1. Prioritizing Time with Allah (SWT) in Your Daily Routine

This month during Morning Mindset, our guest speaker, Marwa Aly, discussed the importance of Tazkia, or purification of the self.

She compared spiritual self-purification to the care we give our bodies in our workout regimes. For example, we have Leg Day, Chest & Biceps Day or Back & Shoulders Day. But what about our spiritual care and nourishment? How often do we set time aside for Dhikr Day or Sunnah Day in order to strengthen our souls?

We can begin this journey by anchoring our day around the five daily prayers. Use these times as natural breaks in your routine, allowing you to reset and refocus on your relationship with Allah (SWT). Marwa also advised to use the night hours to give more time and focus to our prayers as opposed to the day hours which are highly distractable. Consider waking up earlier for Fajr to engage in dhikr, Quran recitation, or even a brief period of reflection.

We love The Productive Muslim book. It provides a practical framework that helps Muslims lead a productive lifestyle ­Spiritually, Physically, and Socially that centers on faith.

2. Simple Self-Care Strategies for Health and Well-being

Self-care is not indulgent; it’s essential for maintaining your ability to homeschool effectively. As enriching and beneficial as homeschooling can be for families, it can also be incredibly time and labor intensive for parents. When you make time to care for yourself, you'll have more energy and capacity to give your best to your children.

But for many homeschooling parents, finding the right time for self feels impossible when so much of our time is dedciated to our children's learning and activities.

Insead of waiting for the "right time", try taking small, regular breaks throughout the day—whether it's 10 minutes of reading, a short walk or a run, or deep breathing exercises.

Physical activity, such as yoga or light exercise, can be incorporated into your routine to refresh both your body and mind.

Spiritually, connecting with a supportive faith community such as Prophetic Living Dikr & Fikr program on Thursdays or taking part in online Islamic classes for personal growth can also rejuvenate your spirit, allowing you to serve your family with more energy and patience.

3. Tips for Preventing Burnout

Setting realistic expectations and boundaries is key to avoiding burnout. When you're feelnig overwhelmed, try:

  • Breaking your tasks into manageable chunks and write them down.

  • Asking for help, whether from your spouse, family, or homeschooling community.

  • Regularly assess your routine—if something isn’t working, be flexible enough to adjust or even cut things out.

  • Embrace the concept of tawakkul (trust in Allah’s plan). Accept that you cannot do everything perfectly, but your sincere efforts, combined with reliance on Allah (SWT), will bring barakah (blessings) into your daily life.

By structuring your day around faith, practicing self-care, and setting achievable goals, you can balance the demands of homeschooling while nurturing your spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being.

Christina Elahmarhomeschooling, homeschool, homeschooltips, selfcare