Homeschooling for the Working Parent

Most homeschool families are single income families. Does this mean that working parents cannot homeschool? No, having a career does not preclude parents from homeschooling their children. It requires a careful balancing act of career and home but it can be done. Not every occupation lends itself to a homeschooling schedule but most parents can make it work if they put homeschool as a priority.

Two Income Families

Many families are two income families. Living on a single income may not be an option for every family who wishes to homeschool. In order for both parents to remain employed and the children to be homeschooled adjustments in schedules are necessary.

The easiest way to juggle homeschool and career is to see if one parent can work a later shift than the other one. This way one parent can homeschool the children while the other one is at work. Take a very close look at your relationship before embarking on this route. Time with your spouse will be at a premium. You may only see each other on weekends. To pull this off the couple will need to have excellent communication skills. Household chores will have to be equally divided and all of the children must pitch in.

Another option is for one parent to telecommute. This is an ideal situation. Having one parent at home will allow homeschool to run smoothly. A babysitter or other homeschool parent can help out during the times when a trip into the office is necessary.

Single Parents and Homeschool

It may seem impossible for single parents to homeschool. While it is a daunting task, many single parents choose to homeschool their children. They key here is to be flexible. Enlist the help of other family members and friends. Join one or more homeschool support groups and see if there is a co-op where your child can take a class or two. Many co-ops will let working parents perform administrative work in lieu of teaching a class.

Try to adjust your work schedule around homeschool. If you can work a later shift or work weekends instead of during the week that may help. There is no set law that mandates school has to be Monday through Friday from 9 am to 3 pm. If you cannot change your work hours, change the hours and days you homeschool. It may work better for you if you homeschool on the weekends and after work. Perhaps you can go in an hour early and leave an hour early. Some employers will give you that flexibility.

The Balancing Act

It is very difficult to work full time and homeschool. You can make it work but it takes a concerted effort and massive amounts of cooperation between you, your children, friends and family. Expect older children to take on the responsibility of household chores. They can do their own laundry, wash dishes, set the table and help with meal preparation and planning. Teenagers who drive can help with grocery shopping. All of these tasks are important life skills that children will have to learn whether or not they are homeschooled.

Learn to tag team with your spouse or significant other. Leave notes, send texts, and keep a color coded calendar. Plan your homeschool a month at a time. Write down who is responsible for teaching, driving kids to classes and events, and who will do the cooking. Have bi-weekly planning meetings so that everyone stays on the same page. Keep a list of backup sitters in case of emergencies.

You can homeschool and work full time. It will be difficult but the rewards far outweigh the hardship. Knowing that you are giving your child the best education possible is what drives so many working parents to homeschool.