Homeschooling & Working Full Time
Homeschooling & Working: How to Balance Work and Teaching
Working full time and homeschooling IS possible. Working full time and homeschooling can be a challenge. Whereas many families have one parent working and the other staying at home to homeschool, more families these days are making working and homeschooling a possibility. It just takes a bit of upfront organization and commitment. Anyone can work and homeschool with a bit of planning and support.
From managing hours to working from home options, more and more families are adjusting to the cost of living and the failing public school systems to make homeschool happen in their lives.
For our friends, they both work and have four kids. We often help them out by watching their children if they need it. This is their support system. We do the same with them when my spouse and I are very busy. They take our children to co-op and we may take their kids out to an event. There is balance in support groups as each person can contribute something valuable and help each other.
Top Pointers for Homeschooling & Working
- Use organized curriculum
- Be flexible
- Teach independence
- Use support systems
- Allow for imperfection
Don’t be afraid to use online programs and videos for instruction -your children are capable of any expectations you set – just give them grace and give yourself grace – don’t feel guilty. Many of the videos that come with curriculum (like Math-U-See) are amazing and helpful.
Free websites to review content or watch a short informational documentary add in that extra easy element to learning content without taking up too much time and need very little planning.
How to Stay Sane: Budgeting Time and Money
Streamline your Everyday tasks to minimize struggle
- Streamline Chores – everyone has a part and needs to help- minimize the necessities. You don’t have to dust the baseboards every week! (chore chart template) OR magnetic chore charts here
- Make meal plans – don’t be afraid to use a lot of crockpot meals and pre-made (meal plan template)
- Schedule errands to one day (so you can accommodate for those emergency runs to get milk and bread!) This is going to reduce stress and also less trips wasting time for one or two items during the week when you have limited time already.
- Use checklists for the weekly lesson plans so everyone can keep on task (checklist template)
- Make a game plan calendar (to map out, organize and schedule subjects, time and testing up to 6 months ahead of time) this takes a monumental effort up front to plan but once it’s set, you at least have a guideline when life gets hectic. (Calendar planner example)
Homeschooling & Working: What Do People Actually Do?
- Work from home
- Start your own business
- Do a lot of side jobs from home (baking, selling, tech, typing, billing, health etc.)
- Do temp jobs or per diem jobs that pay per job and can be flexible
- Work different shifts or part-time jobs
- If there are two parents in the home, many work different shifts to make the balance work.
- One may work an 8-5 job and the other works a night shift.
- They each work multiple part time jobs with hours that can be flexible to accommodate for multiple children. Many jobs come with varying shifts.
- They modify their schedules
- 4 days on, 3 days off
- Evening learning
- Shorter days of schooling (set hours for 5-6 days a week instead or longer hours 4 days)
- Specific subjects per day
- Split schedules (teach 2 kids in morning and 2 kids in evening – possibly helpful for older kids)
- They utilize co-ops and support groups/tutoring
- (Types of Groups You Can Join)
- Classical conversations
- Workshops & tutoring
- Local groups (found online or here)
- Family Support -Someone taking care of children like a grandparent or other family members
- They have detailed/daily curriculums
Budget your time effectively and efficiently:
Time for your job:
Choose each morning or late night to get work done or a specific task completed. Make this a requirement so work gets done and there’s no guilt that you left it or fall behind.
For example, I work evenings after dinner is done and cleaned up (around 8pm-10pm) for my part-time job. This puts my job prioritized only on weeknights 3-4 times and frees up my weekends. I know I need to work two hours of concentrated uninterrupted time to get my remote job tasks done.
Time for the children’s school:
Choose a time that works for your schedule to prioritize children’s school check-ins and organization.
For example: I choose one afternoon on the weekend (Saturday or Sunday) to check and organize curriculum for next week. We review and it prepares us for the lessons the next week. More tasks off the checklist and off my stress plate during the week when my time is all budgeted.
Since we already have curriculum plans set and checklists, this weekend check-in allows us to compare to our plan and modify or “tweak” any lessons that need more time or less time.
Time for necessities:
Prioritize what is your ESSENTIAL and what is your OPTIONAL:
- SCHOOL: You need to get math and reading done this week but if you can’t get to Latin or Writing, it will be attempted the following week. Give yourself grace.
- CHORES: Your dishes need to get done but maybe vacuum only on Saturdays.
- WORK: Focus on the time slot you gave yourself to get what is most important done at your job and then leave the rest.
Forget work-life balance when it comes to working and homeschooling full time. Both are full time jobs. Give yourself grace. Allow yourself some time to organize and adjust. The most important thing is to be flexible and keep moving. If one system doesn’t work, discuss it with your children and support system to figure out what works best. Having an organized curriculum may be more expensive but it’s going to save time and energy for the year. You have precious time and each slot needs to be utilized to its fullest.
Above all – give yourself time to breathe and take care of yourself. Working and homeschooling are possible. Not only is it possible, it is rewarding because your children will have the best education and security knowing you devoted your life to them.