Homeschooling while working outside of the home.
This is a very common question! With good reason. There is a huge responsibility with homeschooling your children and there is a huge responsibility in having a job outside of the home. Let’s not forget all of the household duties that need get done on top of it all.
Also check out our post on how to easily start saving money around the house!
You might need to find a job outside of the home to put food on the table, pay bills, because you are a single parent, or just to have extra money. It is hard for most households to thrive on one income anymore. Not impossible, but hard. So I understand the need for a two-income family.
So is it possible? Sometimes yes it is totally possible and sometimes it’s not such a great idea. Let me explain.
I say yes because if you want something bad enough you will find a way to make it work. Luckily with homeschooling you can be as flexible as you need to be. If you work early mornings you can always homeschool in the afternoon. If you work late hours you can homeschool in the mornings or after lunch before you leave for work. Also, if you work M-F and have the weekends off, you could homeschool through the weekends and have 2 work days off from homeschooling. This would give you a small break during your busy work week schedule. There is no right or wrong day or time to homeschool your children. Whatever you choose you should try to be consistent with it.
I say sometimes because it can be overwhelming for some people. Doing both homeschooling and working outside of the home takes a lot of patience and planning ahead. If you are a good planner and stay organized things will go a lot easier for you.
Bottom line: Don’t run yourself ragged to the point where you completely burn out! If you are not the kind of person who can do both, go easy on yourself! We are all different and we all have different needs in life. You need to be in a place where you can truly enjoy life and enjoy your kids. Do what works for you and your family. No judgements here I promise!
Things to help you along your working homeschooling journey:
-Meal planning and freezer cooking! This will save you much time and you will thank yourself later. Check out “Don’t Panic – Dinner’s In The Freezer”
-Ask for help! Don’t be shy about it. If you need help just ask your family and friends to help. Maybe your spouse can also pitch in with some of the homeschooling lessons.
-Use boxed curriculum sets! This will save you time from writing out your lessons at the last minute (or forgetting to prepare beforehand). Try to find a boxed set that is customizable such as Timberdoodle.
-Chore charts! Everyone old enough should have a set list of chores to do around the house. Each person should have 3-5 daily tasks to complete. This will save you so much time trying to scramble around doing housework during the week.
-Date night, girls night out, or spa night! Schedule these in at least 2 times a month. This will help you destress and help you refocus. You need a break too and you deserve it! I love having a spa night after kiddo goes to bed. Check out the beginning of my post here on how to have an inexpensive spa night at home.
I hope this helps you decide what will be the best fit for your family. It’s a huge responsibility, but you have to decide if this will work for you or not.
Do you homeschool and work outside of the home? I’d love to hear about your experiences and tips you might have to share! Let me know in comments!
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Amy says
December 19, 2015 at 2:38 pmI so needed to read this post! Since I started blogging a few months ago, I realize that I am now working from home while homeschooling. My goal for the new year will be to start meal planning & freezer cooking. Also, asking for help! Thanks for your tips! I am so happy to have found you on The Homeschool Nook!
Jenny says
December 19, 2015 at 2:45 pmThanks for stopping by and the best of luck with your blog! 🙂
Beth Napoli says
January 12, 2016 at 9:29 amGreat points. I think we homeschoolers need to talk more about working while homeschooling. I worked for 8+ years while homeschooling. We had a nanny who supervised the girls’ structured learning time then I did Unit Studies with them in the afternoons after work. I wish that more women realized how possible it is to work and homeschool. Homeschooling allows for so much more flexibility than traditional schooling.
Jenny says
January 12, 2016 at 9:12 pmThis is so true! Thanks for sharing your story. I love the idea of the Nanny helping. I know others who have done this as well and it worked great!
Megan Passey says
January 29, 2016 at 12:28 amWorking while homeschooling was my biggest worry as we started homeschooling. I was never working full time, just part time, but it was still daunting. We were able to make it work and I am now home full time with the kids. I think homeschooling is easier without work, but it was definitely doable while I was working part time. Planning ahead and being organized was a must!
Jenny says
January 29, 2016 at 12:29 amGlad to hear it is working out! And yes, planning is key! 😉
Zilfarina says
March 15, 2016 at 10:27 pmI’m currently working full-time outside of the home & homeschooling. This is our 2nd year & I have 3 kids – 8, 7 & 3 years old.I’m fortunate to have a helper at home, though. We do lessons every night (with the occasional time-off when I come home late from work) for about 1-2 hours, sometimes finishing at 11pm! It can be exhausting sometimes, but my kids are loving it & thrived with the one-to-one attention! Just hoping that I can do this for years to come. 🙂
Jenny says
March 16, 2016 at 12:52 amGreat job! I love that you are able to find balance like this! 🙂
Juneth Flores says
March 17, 2016 at 7:13 amHi! It was great reading your article! I’m torn between going back to work or not. We are going on our 3rd of homeschooling and we are loving it! However, I just want to ask, what kind of activities do you leave with your kids while you are out working? Do you leave them with some structured learning or others? I have two daughters ages 9 & 5yo. If ever I go to work, I’m more concerned with my second daughter because I think she needs more time from me. While the eldest daughter, I believe is more independent and can do things on her own. Your insights will be great! Thank you!
Jenny says
March 17, 2016 at 9:51 pmIf it was me I would just homeschooling them before or after work and let them play while I was at work. If you are leaving them with a family member you could choose a few different educational shows to watch while you are away or even some really fun educational games. I have a long list of some really fun games! I should probably do a post on it. LOL! Other than that let them be kids and worry about lessons while you are there with them. It’s such a hard choice to make, but I know it is possible. You gotta do what makes you happy and what is best your family. Wishing you the best! 🙂
Robin says
October 31, 2016 at 6:36 amI have worked part time from home for a few years, without the family noticing too much. Recently, I started working outside the home full-time. It is hard but doable! I have had to have lots of extra help from my husband, grandma, and even friends! I am very blessed that my job allows me to teach my kids in the morning and then come in to the office. As part of my work agreement, often the girls come with me to work, they do their assignments while I work. They have their own little table and space to work and have been wonderfully well behaved so my work doesn’t mind at all. It’s a very unique situation and seems to be working for the past 3 months! Thank you for the encouragement!
Jenny says
October 31, 2016 at 8:40 pmThat is awesome! I love to hear it when your workplace helps give you that kind of support! 🙂
Melissa says
March 4, 2017 at 3:51 pmWondering if you think it’s possible to homeschool and work part time being a single mom? I love learning and teaching my son things, and have this desire to homeschool (he is only 2 right now) but I’m just getting into doing tot school, but not formally yet only here and there. I think it could possibly work but would love others opinions. Thanks and I love this blog, we are currently working on learning the color “red”.
Jenny says
March 5, 2017 at 8:39 pmYes! I think it is very possible! Help is always great to have so try and find a supportive family member or freind. 🙂
Lisa says
March 30, 2017 at 4:27 amWe have been homeschooling for 14 yrs and I have worked part-time and sometimes full-time outside the home. I have found that online classes for the older grades such as middle school and high school are fantastic ways of homeschooling while working.
Jenny says
March 30, 2017 at 6:00 pmThanks Lisa for sharing! 🙂