What Is A Working Homeschool Mom?

Let’s be honest, labels are everywhere. Have you ever wondered what a “working homeschool mom” is? Or Why that even matters? 

When kids were little they had a label maker.

It was one of those types where you turn and find a letter, click to punch the letter and continue on until you get the whole word. Peel off the back and stick! Voila!

My kids had a blast sticking those labels to everything in sight. 😉 No one worried where the cupboard was or what is this thing in the kitchen that had 4 legs? (the table only because it wouldn’t stick to the dog!)

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Labels to the rescue!

As you can see some labels are beneficial, they let you know exactly what is what.

Labels as a homeschooler, on the other hand, can be tricky. There are so many different labels out there as homeschoolers come in all kinds of shapes and sizes.

There are labels for learning styles.

Labels for teaching styles.

Labels for how involved the parent is or isn’t in each situation.

It can get just plain exhausting to try to keep them straight, even though labels can be helpful in certain situations.

Personally, I don’t seem to fit under most of these labels, but there is one I do fit perfectly.

The Working Homeschool Mom Label

Working homeschool moms also come in all shapes and sizes, per say.  After all, we are all individual people.

Some of us have huge families, some have one child.

Some work outside the home, some are self-employed.

Some of us don’t make any money…and yet consider ourselves business women, mom boss, entrepreneurs etc.

Working homeschool moms have a unique privilege of juggling both the challenges of working and of homeschooling. If that is not enough we also balance all our responsibilities of mom, wife, daughter, friend etc.

However, I have noticed a trend lately among moms that work. Many aren’t quite sure what the label “Working Homeschool Mom” is?

The answer sounds simple enough.

A “working homeschool mom” is a homeschool mom that works.

And yet…

I have chatted with several moms who work not only inside the home but outside the home who tell me they are not working moms. When I asked why they felt that way the answers varied from “it’s only a few days a week” to “I don’t have a boss”. Some even said it is because they aren’t paying bills thus they don’t feel like they are working.

It leaves me to wonder, has the definition of what is considered “work” changed?

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What Is “Work”?

When talking to others, I noticed that if you don’t get paid with money, it wasn’t considered working.

Which leaves me to wonder, what about volunteer work? What about the work you put into making gifts? Creating those freebies you find on blogs and websites?

They all take time, effort and energy to do. Yet, you don’t get paid for those things. Does this mean you are not working?

I checked Merriam Webstar.com for a definition. I needed to know how “off base” I was in thinking that I was working no matter if I was getting paid or not.

Here is what they have:

I was curious so I reached out and recently asked a few friends, “What is your personal definition of a working homeschool mom?”

Here are some of their answers:

“A mom that homeschools as well as having part- or full-time employment, either inside or outside the house.” -Kelly, The Take Action WAHM

“A working homeschool mom is any mom who homeschools and spends a substantial amount of time on projects that generate some sort of income or other resources for the family.” – Shelly, There’s No Place Like Home

“A woman who homeschools and works full or part time, in or out of the home, online or “in the real world”, to create an income for her and her family.” – Jackie, You Really Can Homeschool

“By definition, as working mom is a mother who engages in a work life aside from their duties as a childcare provider. In my mind, all homeschool moms are working moms who have many different job titles. They are teachers, administrators, lunch ladies, janitors, principals, school board members, and more! Just because you don’t collect a salary doesn’t mean you aren’t a working mom.” Michelle, Homeschool Your Boys

“A working homeschool mom is anyone who does work outside of homeschool or home responsibilities. This type of work may be at home or outside of the home. Work may also be paid or volunteer-based.” –Amy, Rock Your Homeschool

Why It Matters!

Okay great, but what’s the big deal? Who cares if you are working or not?

*raises hand* I do!

In my personal experience, when you understand that what you are doing is actual work, that your actions are important, have meaning and purpose. Then you can better deal with problems and challenges when they arise.

Because when you acknowledge that what you are doing makes a difference and vital you won’t just sweep it under the rug or put it off “until later” which means often results in never.

As a working mom, I know why I am tired. I know that I need to be flexible in my schedule. I know I need help. I understand that if I try to keep doing it all on my own that I will hit that brick wall.

As a mom who works and homeschools, I understand the challenges of finding the right curriculum that will allow me to teach when I am not actually in the room, the tools that will make my life easier and the support I need when I want to quit.

I understand that I may have to be flexible enough to do school on weekends, days off, or evenings.

Being a working homeschool mom matters because I remember being a stay at home mom and feeling like what I was doing was useless, less important. Until a stranger spoke up and made me realize we matter too! (You can read how you are not just a stay at home mom here)

Knowing you are a working mom can limit the guilt you may feel when you return to work.

To answer your question, does it matter? Yes. It does.

A Short List of Working Homeschool Moms:

Now that we have a definition and we know why it matters, let’s look at some real-life examples of working homeschool moms.

1 Please meet Dawn.

She is a working homeschool mom of 3. She is also has been blogging for 15 years but does not consider this her business as she does this as a hobby.

However, she is a published author of the book I Am, I Can, I Ought, I Will: Charlotte Mason’s Motto Explained for Upper Elementary Students. (It’s free) and works part-time as Community Care Coordinator. You can read how she juggles these challenges here.

2. Next, I’d like you to meet Devin.

Devin is a working homeschool mom of two. She is also a certified teacher who taught in public school for nine years as an 8th grade Math/Algebra teacher and made the decision to homeschool her children.

Also, this is Devin’s 2nd year of homeschooling. On top of that, she still works part-time as an Intervention Math Coach at an elementary school. You can read her story of overcoming challenges of balancing them both here.

3. I’d like to introduce you to Shelly.

She is a working homeschool mom of 11 children and her business is her blog and a store on Teachers Pay Teachers. With 11 children and a business to run, I was interested to see how she found time to do it all.

After all, I  only have two children and I am scrambling. She has 11. Here are her answers.

4. Please meet Kelly.

Kelly is a very inspiring working homeschool mom of 5. She not only writes for her blog, runs an encouraging and successful facebook group and has online courses for helping new homeschoolers get started in homeschooling.

She also is Host of Start Homeschooling Summit. You can read how she balances it all right here.

5. I’d like you to meet Crystal.

Crystal is a working homeschool mom. She is currently homeschooling her 5 and 3-year-old girls, chasing a baby, running a website and creating an online art course for homeschool teens. So how does she do it? Find out here!

6. I like to introduce you to working homeschool mom Melissa.

Melissa is from both “Sweet Spot Bookkeeping” & “Violet & Willow” on Etsy. She currently is homeschooling two girls, ages 7 and 8, while running a small bookkeeping business & Etsy shop from home. Two businesses and homeschooling, this is how she does it.

7. Please meet working homeschooling momma and Esty Store Owner Lindsay.

She is homeschool mom of 4 who runs her own business, works outside the home part time as a merchandiser and mystery shopping. You can read about how she juggles her business and homeschooling here.

8. Meet Amy.

She is working homeschool mom of 2. A published author. Writes and maintains two websites. Oh, she also lives and works on a farm. A bit to do? Read her story here.

Are you a working homeschool mom?

Labels… sometimes I love them, sometimes I hate them.

They let you know what is what. Unfortunately most things in life aren’t as simple as punching out the correct one and sticking it to you.

The question of the day remains yours to answer, are you a working homeschool mom? 

Take care,

Jen

PS. If you decide you are and you are looking for support, encouragement and inspiration on how to cope with your unique challenge, I encourage you to join us in The Club, where you will find moms on the same journey as you.