I recently had a conversation with Global Trellis Podcast to answer a listener’s question about moms needing sabbaticals on the field or during home assignments, and she wondered how to make that happen in the busy of life with kids.
The question reminded me of my days with three little girls at home. I was often running on empty, homeschooling, working, taking ministry classes, dealing with health issues, and just doing too much.
I remember asking another older and wiser homeschool mom how she fit in quiet time or rest time during her days while also being a mom, teacher, nurse, cook, and playmate. She answered, “You take the time right there in the busy moments of the day. Sit on the floor with the kids, read your Bible, journal, write, pray, study . . . let your girls see you taking that time for yourself and for Jesus.”
Her advice stuck with me, and I obviously still think about it today. Implementation of the advice took a little trial and error as I worked out how to make it all work while focusing, praying, or learning. I had to adjust my expectations, reframe what I thought quiet time or rest time could be, and really allow Jesus to walk with me in the moment.
As I continued thinking about the answer to this listener’s question, I thought about this advice and how it could also apply to a sabbatical. Yet I also recognized that the simple advice I’d followed as a young mom needed more depth to fully apply to global worker families in need of true sabbatical time.
Is it even possible for missionary parents, moms especially, to take a sabbatical? Is it possible for couples with littles to have sabbatical time together, or should they plan separate times?
In the podcast, I offered some tips, ideas, and layered ways to make sure young families or busy moms can also take sabbatical time. There’s a lot to consider, but here are the top seven things you can do to take a sabbatical as a parent.
- Redefine what sabbatical means for your season.
You don’t have to leave your home, your country, or your kids to rest. A sabbatical can simply be a slower pace, gentler expectations, and a little more breathing room. Think of it as a pause or a slowdown that shifts how you move through your days rather than trying to plan a dramatic break from your life.
- Set a few intentions, goals, or expectations before you begin.
Ask yourself what you want to feel at the end of this sabbatical. What do you want to accomplish, learn, pray through, or focus on during your sabbatical? What you need to release, what needs to be restored, and what you want to hear from God?
These quiet questions can help you pay attention to what your sabbatical time is actually for, instead of arriving at the end of your sabbatical and wishing you’d been more intentional.
- Make small, practical changes at home.
A home‑based sabbatical is built on small changes from normal. This could look like simpler meals, lighter homeschooling, fewer ministry tasks, a daily anchor like a quiet hour or a walk, and/or one day each week where you don’t host, meet, or do any outside work. Even small pauses like tea outside, a slow walk, a quiet hour, or a creative moment will begin to add up.
- Choose what you’re pausing and what you’re keeping.
You can be strategic. Hospitality, team responsibilities, ministry output, language learning, extra personal goals, and discipleship of others can all be set down for a season. Basic parenting, simple family rhythms, and connection with God can become more normal during sabbatical. This isn’t quitting ministry or failing at global work. It’s choosing a time of sabbatical that fits what you’d like to have for a sabbatical.
- Bring your family into the process.
Let your kids know you’re slowing down for a little while. Let them see you develop a sabbatical that includes them in the intentional plans. Create a family “slow list” of restful activities the kids can do while you read or study or exercise. Build small rituals like quiet mornings or simple meals. Kids learn rest by watching you rest, and a sabbatical can become a gentle reset for everyone.
- Communicate clearly with your team or organization.
A few simple sentences of preparational communication can protect both your health and your ministry. You can say things like, “This is a temporary rest season,” or “This helps me stay healthy long‑term.” Most teams respond well when they understand the purpose behind your pause.
*I’ll add a caveat to all of this planning to mention that your organization might require special permission or approval for taking sabbatical time. Be sure to check in with them early in your process!
- Set aside dedicated time, if needed.
For some, having a very free-flowing, easy, laid-back sabbatical time is the perfect fit for you. If it were structured, it wouldn’t feel restful. Plan that way.
For others, having a structured, planned, and fully orchestrated routine is going to keep you on track and help you stay motivated to accomplish what you’d intended for sabbatical time. Of course, there’s a group in the middle that needs to plan for some of both options!
It’s important to understand yourself and be self-aware enough to know what will be best for your rest, renewal, and refreshing while also helping you grow and learn.
Additional Resources for Planning and Taking a Sabbatical
Velvet Ashes has many specific posts and resources about taking a sabbatical.
Right here at A Life Overseas, you can find more information about taking a missionary or ministry sabbatical.
Over at Global Trellis, there is a full Sabbatical Journey Course with downloads, videos, and guided discussions that can be used in personal journaling, with your spouse, or in a group. Global Trellis runs small groups through zoom calls with other workers who are going through the course. These are offered when there is a need for community. If that’s you, please contact Global Trellis about groups or other ways to find community.
As you research, plan, pray, and start to build your sabbatical, coaching or spiritual direction can be very beneficial in giving you dedicated time to focus on your own journey through a sabbatical. If it is scheduled and on your calendar, it’s more likely to happen.
If you’d be interested in one-on-one coaching, I know there are people who’d love to help. There’s something special about having someone walk with you in this. All of the websites above have more resources for coaches, counselors, and spiritual directors.
If you’d like to talk with me specifically, please reach out!
