In this post
A day in my life with chronic pain while homeschooling. This brings unique challenges and rewards.
Every day is a delicate balance between managing my health and making sure my children get the education they deserve.
Pain dictates much of my routine but I aim to create a balanced life for us all.
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A day in my life always includes pain
Living with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a battle I never expected to fight.
It came into my life uninvited, like a storm that never clears.
It started affecting every part of my world at the age of 10.
Read “My Pain Journey” to learn more.
As a mum of two amazing girls, homeschooling them while managing this condition is a challenge.
A challenge that demands more than just strength, it needs resilience, creativity, and endless love.
Waking Up to a New Day
I am one of these lucky parents whose children sleep in, in the morning.
I never sleep very well and so my girls learnt at a very young age to let mummy sleep.
Some days my body refuses to let me rest. The pain doesn’t sleep, so I often find myself awake in the early hours, trying to find some comfort.
These quiet moments are mine alone.
A time to breathe deeply, meditate, and mentally prepare for the day ahead.
When the rest of the house stirs, this is usually when I fall back to sleep out of exhaustion.
However, this is short-lived.
Once up, my focus shifts from managing pain to being a mum.
My girls are full of energy and excitement, especially my youngest. Who has more enthusiasm than I can sometimes handle.
But their joy is infectious, and I can’t help but smile, even through the pain.
Morning Routine: A Balancing Act
Getting out of bed is the first hurdle.
Some days, it feels like moving through quicksand.
The burning sensation in my knees and feet makes standing difficult. Almost as if I have been standing the entire night.
The stiffness, the aching, it all makes simple tasks like showering or getting dressed feel like climbing Mount Everest.
But I push through because I have to. My daughters are my world, and they need me.
They are incredible and I am so grateful for their support and love.
Our morning routine is a careful balance. My husband used to get their breakfast. Recently they have learnt to make their own.
They’re young, but they’re learning to be independent in small ways.
While they eat and have their hour of screen time, I mentally map out our day.
Homeschooling or as I prefer it, home education, isn’t just about academics.
it’s about life skills, creativity, and creating a love of learning.
Find out more about the myths and truths about home education.
But with CRPS, it’s also about pacing.
I have learnt when to push forward and when to take a break.
I don’t always get this right.
Take a look at my post on Pacing here.
Homeschooling: Lessons in Life and Learning
Homeschooling my girls is one of the greatest joys and challenges of my life.
Neither of my girls has ever been to school, not even nursery.
It’s a gift to be so involved in their education and to see them grow and learn right before my eyes.
But it’s also a challenge, especially on days when the pain is overwhelming. I often feel guilty and wonder if I’m setting the right example.
We have different activities on different days.
On Thursday they have English, maths and science lessons with a tutor. The Learning Barn.
On other days we have swimming, dancing and tennis. Among lots more.
These ones are the most challenging for me. Driving.
Driving can cause such intense pain that it can lead to a flare-up.
That’s why planning my day is so important.
My girls are curious and eager to learn, which makes my job easier.
They often sit with a book or a game.
Sometimes, we take our ‘lessons’ outside if the weather allows.
Letting nature be our classroom.
Both my girls love the outdoors.
A walk in the woods. Checking the different leaves or hunting for blackberries can be a highlight for more than just them.
Unfortunately, there are moments when the pain is too much. When I can’t focus on their education because my body is screaming for relief.
On those days, I have to be gentle with myself.
Learn about saying no and being compassionate here.
We might watch an educational documentary or they play together.
Their sounds of joy and laughter help with my pain.
I’ve learned that it’s okay to adapt and to change the plan when necessary.
Saying no and making changes is key. Both in homeschooling and in managing my condition.
Afternoon: A day in my life
By the afternoon, my energy levels are low.
This is when I have to be most mindful of my limits.
They have some activities that they do after school hours.
This means I need to be sensible and allow my time and energy for what’s important.
Some days we may do arts and crafts, music, or even some baking instead.
These activities are not just educational, they’re a time for us to bond. They allow me to connect with my girls in a way that doesn’t require constant physical movement.
I also take this time to rest. It’s important, not just for my body but for my mind.
I might sit on the sofa with my cooling socks and my book. Close my eyes and just breathe.
My girls understand that I need these breaks, and they’re surprisingly patient.
They’ve learned that muma’s pain is part of our life.
Evening: Wrapping Up the Day
As evening comes, we wind down.
Dinner is often a simple meal.
Something I don’t have to stand too long to prepare and cook.Also something healthy and enjoyable.
My husband is wonderful. He doesn’t make a fuss about having worked 9 hours and coming home to find he needs to cook sometimes.
We eat together, talking about our day, and the things we are grateful for.
After dinner, everyone helps to return the kitchen to the state it should be in. Clean worktops, washing up done and the table cleared.
There’s some quiet time—reading bedtime stories or playing with dolls.
Bedtime is a struggle, not just for my girls, but for me.
The pain often intensifies as the day ends, making it hard to relax.
I have Restless Leg Syndrome too, making sitting still painful.
But I’ve developed my own bedtime routine—a distraction thanks to the TV, reading and meditation.
Reflecting on the Day
As I finally settle into bed, I reflect on the day. It wasn’t perfect—some moments were hard, really hard.
But there were also moments of joy, laughter, and love.
CRPS might be a part of my life, but it doesn’t control it.
My girls are my light, my reason to keep going, even on the toughest days.
This journey is not easy, but it’s mine. And I’m grateful for every moment, every challenge, and every achievement.
Through it all, I’m teaching my daughters something important.
You can do anything.
Thanks for reading.
Please comment, I love hearing from you.
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The person behind it all
I am a Mumma of three, a Wife, a Home Educator, a Blogger and lastly a Chronic Pain Sufferer.
The most common questions I get asked are “How do I get my hair curly, is it natural?” “
“How are you so organised?”
“You must be really smart to educate your children, are you a teacher?”
and lastly “What is CRPS?”
I have suffered from chronic pain since the age of 10, it has been a daily struggle ever since.
I know thousands of people suffer as I do and I want to share what helps me and my expertise in CRPS, chronic pain and more.
So, I started this blog to share my answers to those questions, journey and experiences with you. I have always been passionate about health, personal growth, and creating a balanced lifestyle for myself and my family.
Searching for ways to enjoy life in a minimalistic way, be part of my children’s education and reduce stress and pain as a whole is important to me.
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