How To Homeschool While Working Full-Time Outside The Home
Are you a working mom who aspires to homeschool your children but wonders if it’s just wishful thinking? Perhaps you and your spouse both have full-time jobs outside the home, and the idea of homeschooling seems completely out of reach. However, don’t lose hope, because, in this article, I will show you how to homeschool while working full-time outside the home.
I cannot count the number of times I’ve been told that homeschooling while working is impossible. Usually, I hear those words as I clock out of my day job and prepare to head home to homeschool my own children.
But let me assure you, it can be done! With the right strategies and a little bit of determination, you can make this lifestyle work for you.
In this article, we will explore practical tips and insights from full-time working moms who are successfully homeschooling their kids. By implementing these proven strategies, you’ll gain the confidence and tools necessary to embark on this fulfilling journey of homeschooling while working full-time outside the home. So, roll up your sleeves, and let’s dive into how to make it work!
Working Full-Time Outside The Home While Homeschooling
“When there is a will, there is a way.” This saying holds true when both parents work full-time outside the home and you desire to homeschool your children.
While working full-time outside the home may present some challenges to homeschooling, it is by no means impossible. With a little (or a lot!) of creative thinking, effective communication, and simplifying your schedule, you can make it work.
As a mom who has worked full-time while homeschooling my own kids for the past 16 years, I have learned valuable lessons through trial and error. In this article, we will focus on the practical steps and strategies that will help you establish a solid foundation for successfully navigating the world of working full-time while homeschooling your kids.
So, let’s dive in and explore the keys to making this unique lifestyle work for you and your family.
How To Homeschool When You Work Full-time Outside The Home
When it comes to learning anything, the best approach is often to seek guidance from those who have successfully accomplished what we aspire to do.
To provide you with valuable insights, I had the opportunity to connect with five remarkable moms from diverse backgrounds who are successfully homeschooling their children while working full-time outside the home. Their experiences and strategies will shed light on how they effectively manage this juggling act.
Let’s dive into their shared wisdom on balancing work, homeschooling, and family life.
Insights from 5 Working Moms Juggling Homeschooling and Work
Ladies, please say hello and introduce yourselves.
Meet Joy:
“Hello. My name is Joy. My husband is Patrick. We have a blended family. He has two grown, married children: a son (32), a daughter (30), and a granddaughter (9).
We have three children. Tater is 9, Noodle is 6, and Nugget is 3. Obviously (hopefully) those are the kids’ nicknames. Pat is 13 years my senior. His parents are both deceased, and my family lives 6 hours away. So, it is just us and a few friends who are our adopted family.”
Meet Edna:
“I am Edna, wife, mom, and librarian, and a veteran homeschool mama too. Married to John, who is a jack of all fix-it jobs and master of human care from cradle to grave as a pastor and a full-time care provider from many different angles. …long long story. Most recently, John added to his checklist…pituitary tumor survivor. It’s been a wild ride.
We have four kids, two married, one kinda moved out, and one 13-year-old son still at home. Life has thrown us a lot of interesting curveballs, but we muddle through together. Couldn’t be a prouder wife and mom.”
Meet Christina:
“Hi! I am Christina. I am a wife to my wonderful husband Bob and mom to our crazy awesome 11-year-old son Aiden. We live out in the country on a small piece of land and have one dog.
I am a Yankee in the South, who moved (prior to meeting my husband) to the metro ATL area to expand my career as a firefighter/paramedic. Our son started in private school, and we began our homeschool adventure after 3rd grade.”
Christina adds, “If you’re in North or Central Georgia, Homeschool Fieldtrip Club is a fantastic resource for the arts (The Fox presentations, orchestras, local theater), career field trips, environmental exploration, etc.”
Meet Amber:
“Hi, my name is Amber, and I work full-time outside the home as a trauma recovery coach. There are five of us: myself, Mike, Lindy, Wubs, Ari, and Brody.”
Meet Amy:
“Hi, my name is Amy, and I am married. Our daughter Ali is out of the house. Our daughter Ana is at public school, and our son Daniel is homeschooled.”
Insights into Their Full-Time Working Schedules
One of the biggest challenges for working full-time outside the home as a mom is finding a schedule that works for both you and your family.
I asked Joy, Edna, Christina, Amber, and Amy to share a glimpse of their schedules. Remember, it’s best to gather inspiration and adapt ideas that suit your own family’s needs.
Joy shares, “I work a 4×10 overnight schedule (9 pm-7:30 am) with set days. As a manager, I typically spend at least 45 hours per week at work. Considering my commute, it’s probably closer to a total of 50 hours.
My husband manages the grocery department at a store. He has been at his job for close to 30 years, and his schedule varies from week to week, starting at either 7 am, 11 am, and sometimes 2 pm. Additionally, I own my own MLM business and sell a product that I love.”
Edna reveals, “I work 2-day shifts and 2-afternoon shifts a week, and manage a large Facebook group, write on my blog, and have a homeschool consulting business in between.”
Christina explains, “I work 24 hours on and 48 hours off. Due to our incredibly short-staffed, rural department, several of us are working lots of overtime. On a slow week, I’m at 48 hours; on a full week, I’m at 96 hours.”
Amber shares, “I work 35-40 hours, set by the week.”
Amy states, “I work Monday to Friday, 8 AM – 5 PM.”
Incorporating Homeschooling into a Full Schedule
Discover how these moms successfully fit homeschooling into their already busy lives:
Joy emphasizes, “To incorporate homeschooling, I had to shift away from the traditional public school schedule mentality (9 am-2 pm, Mon-Fri). It took time to realize that learning can happen at any time, and without filler work, we can cover core material in just a few hours.
I also accepted that electronic babysitting is sometimes necessary for rest breaks. On my work nights, we do schoolwork when I get home in the morning, and the older kids have online course material while my husband tends to the toddler.
We participate in co-ops on one day off, and on my days off, we engage in teaching, library visits, field trips, and more. My husband supports me by taking on additional housework responsibilities.”
Edna shares, “I typically prepare lessons on the weekend, and we have sit-down lessons before and after work, as well as on Fridays and Saturdays.”
Christina explains, “While homeschooling is a priority, I prioritize life learning over book learning at this stage. Fortunately, my 24/48 schedule is known well in advance, allowing me to plan events, travel, and accommodate field trips or other activities by swapping shifts.”
Amber reveals, “I negotiated for a late start with my business and use an online curriculum that delegates much of the record-keeping and teaching. I have streamlined our housekeeping systems and often work on my side business during my lunch breaks to minimize work-related tasks while I am home.”
Amy shares, “We opted for a curriculum that allows my son to be independent and requires minimal preparation and review. We chose Lifepac, covering the basics of math, science, history, and language arts, which currently works well for both of us.”
Routines vs. Flexibility for Working Moms Homeschooling Outside the Home
As I mentioned earlier, having a routine or schedule is key to figuring out how to homeschool while working full-time outside the home. I use a combination of routines and schedules but let’s see what these moms have to say:
Joy explains, “We have a general, yet very flexible routine.”
Edna shares, “Despite experiencing a lot of changes in the past year, we try hard to stick to a routine that adapts and grows with us.”
Christina reflects, “While I wish we had a routine, it’s not currently feasible. We lean more towards unschooling since our schooling days ebb and flow. Depending on my work shifts, his tasks become more independent, allowing me to rest. Once I wake up, we review his work and focus on areas where he needs guidance. Our school calendar is year-round, and we make use of rainy weekends and educational car time during our travels.”
Amber follows a pattern: “Homeschool, work, dinner, cleanup, side gig, and bedtime routine.”
Amy mentions, “My son takes a relaxed morning approach after I leave for work, and we are also dual-enrolled with band activities three days a week. He completes most of his work in the afternoon.”
Overcoming Challenges When Homeschooling and Full-Time Work Outside the Home
When it comes to homeschooling while working full-time outside the home, there are various challenges to overcome. Here’s what these moms shared:
Joy reveals, “Lack of sleep and figuring out what to do with my toddler when I need rest. We found a babysitter for him two days a week, and he will be starting preschool soon. While I trust my older children while I nap, the toddler still requires supervision.”
Edna reflects, “One challenge I had to overcome was my own perception that school could only happen between 9-3. Additionally, finding the need to schedule and not having much downtime resulted in missed field trips.”
Christina discusses the challenge of time management, stating, “Effectively managing my time is crucial. On days when my son is with his Grandma, I need to have planned remedial work or reading. He feels more confident with new math concepts when it’s just him and me.
Despite my desire for a set routine, it never seems to materialize. I’m still learning not to measure my dedication to him based on meeting certain expectations. Sometimes, other aspects of my life need to take a backseat for the team, whether it’s my home, my husband, my job, or even our homeschooling.”
Amber succinctly states, “Finding reliable sitters!!”
Amy points out the challenge of organization and prioritization of time as she navigates homeschooling and work commitments.
The Rewards of Working and Homeschooling: Perspectives from Moms
While working and homeschooling present their own set of challenges, there are indeed benefits that these moms have experienced. Here’s what they had to say:
Joy expresses her love for the quality time she gets to spend with her children, stating, “I love that I get to spend so much quality time with my kids. I always know where they are at emotionally, physically and academically. I can adjust our lives and schedules to help them excel.”
Edna says, “Money and educational freedom.”
Christina shares her perspective, saying, “I wish I didn’t have to work. But, I guess it gives me a broader scope of life and career possibilities to bring back to Aiden for him to explore.”
Amber says, “My kids are learning how to prioritize and balance. Increased income(more fun) I get adult time & I get to pursue my personal goals. “
Amy says, “I have had to get myself organized and have a schedule.”
Advice from Experienced Moms: Homeschooling While Working Full Time
When it comes to juggling the responsibilities of homeschooling and working, these experienced moms have some valuable advice to offer. Here’s what they shared:
Joy advises, “Give yourself grace. The days will be hard. Yes, your kid(s) will argue with you, whine and complain. You are not a superhero. Take a nap if you need to, take a timeout if you need to. Give grace because it will all get done eventually. Make sure that you take care of yourself (get a massage, join a book club, go for a run).”
Amber reassures, “You can totally do it!!!! Decide what is really important, hold off on the “extras”, take good care of your health(sleep, exercise, nutrition) and just go for it!!”
Edna encourages moms to embrace flexibility and create their own unique approach, saying, “Take everything you know and have read about a typical day and smush it like a big ball of playdoh…then make it your own creation.”
Christina emphasizes the freedom to define education on your terms, advising moms to let go of preconceived notions and trust in their and their children’s abilities. She reassures, “Take a deep breath, discard what you’ve been taught education *is*, and know that you and your child(ren) will do just great!
- There is no wrong way to homeschool.
- Every year will look different. Heck, for the first few years…each week or month will look different. It’s trial and error. It’s normal. Embrace the adventure.
If some of the greatest minds who laid the foundations of civilizations, that had *NO* access to the technology we do today, and still be amazing… your family will accomplish great things too!”
Amy says, “Don’t be afraid to change and be on groups like homeschool working mom to bounce ideas and get advice.”
Explore More: Additional Resources for Homeschooling Working Moms
Learning how to homeschool while working full-Time outside the home isn’t easy. However, here are some additional resources that will assist you in navigating this challenging journey.
- Free Time Management Apps For Homeschool Moms
- Homeschooling While Working Full-Time: 5 Essential Keys for Success
- Time Management for Busy Moms
- Homeschool Planner For Working Moms
Working Full-Time Outside The Home Moms Can Homeschool
You can learn how to homeschool while working full-time outside the home.
As you’ve seen from the experiences shared in this post, it may require some creativity and a strong determination, but it can be done.
Take the time to explore different schedules, routines, or a combination of both, and don’t hesitate to try new approaches. If something isn’t working, take a step back and reassess your strategies.
It’s completely normal to have moments where you question if you should continue on this path. Remember that challenges are a part of the journey, and you’re not alone in facing them.
To find support and connect with other working and homeschooling moms, I recommend checking out these two communities:
If you’re currently balancing work and homeschooling, I would love to hear about your experiences and the strategies you’ve found successful. Please leave a comment below and share your insights.
Remember, with determination, flexibility, and a supportive community, you can thrive as a working mom who homeschools her children.
One thing that is vital as a working mom is creating a simple schedule. Sign up below to learn how to do that!
📌Don’t let this post get lost in the internet abyss – pin it to your Pinterest board now!
Hi, I’m Jen. I help working moms juggle their career and homeschool their kids by providing support, systems and tools. You are warmly invited to Join the Online Community Here!
