Homeschooling While Working Full-Time

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Are you planning on homeschooling your little one, but feeling uneasy about juggling a full-time job? Take a deep breath, because you can make it happen. It will come with its own set of hurdles. This post is here to get you on the right path so you can confidently balance both! Grab a pen and paper and let’s discuss if homeschooling while working full-time is right for you!

Is Homeschooling While Working Possible?

The short answer is yes, homeschooling your child while working is possible. However, there would be certain hurdles to overcome and a few things to consider. Many families cannot afford to keep one parent home along with the child. This is understandable. It’s important to understand that homeschooling is not for everyone. Here are some things to consider.

Positive Things to Consider When Making a Decision

What is your main reason for wanting to bring your child home? Is it social? Perhaps your child is suffering in the negative social environment that school often provides. This can vary from family to family, however, bullying can be a major reason to pull your child from the situation. What if your child has medical challenges? Or is it the academics of the public school system that you don’t agree with? Some parents find that their child thrives at home when given the attention and time that is needed to develop.

You may find that you have a calmer, more relaxed child who has decreased feelings of anxiety and overwhelm.

Consider the Possible Negative Effects of Homeschooling While Working Full-Time

Socialization is a very hot-button topic amongst homeschool critics. Generally, I do not feel that socialization among homeschoolers is a problem to worry about, however, it certainly depends on the family. Will working full-time allow you to get your child out and about often enough? Will you be willing and able to get your child out of the house at times so they are not isolated?

What kind of work are you involved in? Does your job keep you away from the house for long hours at a time? Justifying that your child should be able to do the work while you’re away from home, even if technically they are old enough to be home alone, could have negative outcomes. Homeschooling while working full-time may not be for you if you are away from home for long hours and many days a week.

Realize That Homeschooling May Be Different Than What You Imagine

Everyone is different, and every child is unique. However, if you are thinking that you need to be sitting down, at a desk or in a “classroom” for several hours a day with your child this just isn’t the case.

Depending on the age of the child, education can take many forms. Thirty minutes a day can be more than enough for a small child. From kindergarten on much of the learning happens through play, and being active.

Consider Your Schedule Before Deciding to Homeschool While Working Full-Time

If you work from home this may be ideal for homeschooling, whereas someone who works away from the home may find it more of a challenge to homeschool. You as the parent are responsible for your child and their education, so leaving it up to a family member or close friend is not ideal. After all, they likely will not have the same desire that you do to teach your children, and in the same way that you would.

Is there a day that you have off of work each week that could be used for the bulk of your work? If you are following a curriculum, how strict is it? Online programs often tend to be more strict as they sometimes have teachers depending on the child and parent to work together to get assignments turned in on time.

Or perhaps you only work in the morning hours and have the afternoons and evenings free? Use this time to schedule your homeschool time.

Here Is a Typical Homeschool Day for Us This Year

Note, that I have had many schedules throughout the years, and this is perfectly normal. If you are not willing to switch things up, try a different approach, or widen your horizons on how to schedule and plan your time, homeschooling may not be for you. There is the saying “The only thing that is constant is change…” Well, that applies to homeschooling too. (Honestly, I am not sure if that is the exact saying, but you get the point.)

I have a 6-year-old and a 9-year-old, our schedule is undergoing some change, but as of now, this is what it looks like. (I am not working a secular job, but I do have other obligations that keep me quite busy.)

Monday-No formal bookwork, instead we do volunteer work. My state allows me to count this as a school day, and you better believe I take them up on it.

Tuesday-10 am-12:30 pm we do our curriculum. This could be science, language arts, math, or reading. Not all the above mind you, but we get what we can done.

Read more Curriculum Reviews

Wednesday-Most of the entire day is available for school work.

Thrusday-Most of the entire day is available for school work, but sometimes we go to the library to do our work, this keeps things interesting and we are able to have the library to ourselves during public school hours.

Friday-10 am-12:30 pm we do our curriculum, and in the afternoon we leave for errands or volunteer work.

Obviously, this is not the same as being away from home to work a secular job, but as you can see the time allotted for school work or bookwork is flexible.

Read more Homeschool Schedules

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that yes, it is possible to work and homeschool. However, it will take a good measure of planning, flexibility, time, energy, effort, and devotion to a good education for your child. Homeschooling while working full-time may be for you if you are willing to dedicate yourself to making it work. If not, remember, that homeschooling while working full-time is not for everyone. Your commitment to your child’s education can just as easily be applied to the public school system, if that is what works out best for you. If it is not the right choice for you right now, do not despair. Your situation may change eventually and you will find yourself homeschooling with the best of ’em!