We started homeschooling ten years ago. For a portion of that time, I was homeschooling and working full time. Is it possible? Can you homeschool and work full time?
Certainly.
Was it easy?
No.
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But that doesnāt mean to say that you canāt work while homeschooling. You can.
Are you a little lost? Does your life suddenly resemble a feature film that you DONāT remember auditioning for?? š¤·š»āāļø
If you are homeschooling and need some honest advice and a virtual glass of wine? š·
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New to Homeschooling?
I am assuming that you are new to this way of life ā if this is the case, then read my post how to start homeschooling.
In that post, you will find five crucial beginner tips for every new homeschool mom including some homeschooling tips for all the dads out there that are supporting your decision.
If I was to give you one piece of solid advice it would be to put things in place from the beginning of your homeschooling journey.
This includes putting a solid homeschool schedule in place.
The schedule can be a five-day schedule or, if you are working full time and trying to juggle everything at the same time, you might prefer to know how to homeschool 3 days a week.
Either way, get a schedule in place.
Another piece of advice, (and this is crucial one) would be for you to go easy on yourself when things donāt go perfectly to plan.
Because they wonāt.
And thatās ok.
When things get hard I suggest coffee. And a reminder to yourself that you just being here makes you a very bright star.
Homeschooling and Working Full Time. Is it Possible?
Yes.
And no.
But mainly yes.
Bear with me and Iāll explain.
Knowing what I know now, by finding a homeschooling routine that works for you and putting that schedule into place as soon as possible, there is no reason why (with a little give and take you and practising a few self-love exercises along the way) can not make both jobs work.
Our Homeschooling Journey
My kids were 10 and 7 when I first started to homeschool them and I knew absolutely nothing about education, curriculums or pencil sharpeners.
I was a total novice who spent the first two years of her homeschooling journey crying, making it up as she went along and making loads of mistakes.
If youād asked me back then how to start homeschooling I would have probably have looked over my shoulder to see who you were talking to.
It took me two years to figure things out.
Two years.
I know. Iām a very slow learner.
Ten years on and those same children are now teenagers. My son has graduated and my daughter, along with the help of online education programs, is thriving and loving learning at home.
Meaning that I have recently (in the last two years) been able to return back to working full time while homeschooling.
My daughter now has a solid homeschooling schedule and I work full time and homeschool.
I juggle my hours around her ā thatās one of the benefits of homeschooling ā the flexibility.
Our Homeschooling life BEFORE I started working full time.
Our Homeschooling Problems
But, like all families who decide to take their kids out of public school to homeschool, we have had our share of problems; one of those was when I tried working full time while home-educating.
We needed the money (and to be honest, I needed a job for my sanity). I had saved all of the cash I could by exhausting all of my how-to homeschool for free tips, but still. We needed extra income.
So I set about working and homeschooling.
Is it possible to work while homeschooling?
Yes, itās possible (depending on the childās age and your type of work you do.) Letās find out more.
Later in the post, I will tell you about successful homeschooling moms (friends of mine) who still manage to work full time later in the post.
I will also be totally upfront and tell you why working full time and homeschooling didnāt work for us the first time around (and how you can make it work for you).
If you would like to read a more in-depth post on what our homeschooling experience was like then you can read my personal homeschooling journey blog post.
Why Not Take This Quick Quiz & See If You Are REALLY Cut Out For homeschooling?
Why Homeschool?
Everyone has different reasons for wanting to homeschool. The most common reasons people decide to homeschool are:
The world decides to throw a hissy fit, send us a pandemic and causes schools to close. As such, the kids are sent home to learn and the parent finds that they are now the āteacherā who must ensure that everything gets done on time and in the right order.
Bullying at school, leading to the child be totally miserable.
The child is not learning at their own pace. Either feels as though he is being left behind or she is too quick.
Religious beliefs.
Family want to spend as much time together, maybe wants to travel (eventually).
The Cost Of Homeschooling
I donāt want you to worry that you need to spend a fortune on homeschooling resources.
You donāt.
There are many pros and cons of homeschooling and the fact that you can homeschool on very little money (as opposed to sending your kids to school where it seems your hand is never out of your pocket) is a huge pro.
You can spend as much and as little as you like on homeschooling. ask anyone who has homeschooled for a while and they will tell you how to homeschool for free.
Donāt believe anyone who tells you that you have to have some fancy pants curriculum in order for your children to learn.
You donāt. Take it from me. I know this for a fact.
We used lots of second-hand workbooks (some I would even rub the answers out of if they had been written in!). There are stacks of brilliant Youtube channels for kids and if ever you need to buy homeschool supplies you can always find companies that are offering things on sale.
Money doesnāt make the perfect homeschooler. Time, patience (and the odd glass of wine) does.
Ok. Rant about money over. Letās move on.
Working full time and homeschooling your kids. What does it look like?
How To Homeschool And Work. 6 Ways To Succeed At Both.
I totally understand that not everyone is in the financial position to quit their job and homeschool their kids full time.
If you are desperate to homeschool but you need to keep working then letās look at your options:
REMEMBER. Nothing is impossible. You can still work and be a successful homeschooling parent.
āļø You might also want to take this quick quiz to see if homeschooling your kids is going to be your cup of tea.
Homeschooling and working full time. Is it possible?
1: Invest In Some Excellent (FREE) Online Homeschool Courses
If you are going to work and homeschool at the same time you donāt want to be spending all of your earnings on expensive curriculums, and right now, is the ideal time to look into the option of how to homeschool for free.
Many homeschool courses are being offered free (or at a reduced cost) for the next few months so itās a good time to check them out and decide which ones would work for you.
If your kids are anything like my two you will find that they love having the independence of working through a course online.
And itās great for you because you can get on with working full time, knowing that your kids are being taught by professionals and are learning at their own pace.
Remember, you canāt do everything so donāt even try.
Do NOT rule out the excellent YouTube channels for kids that are available. Both of my kids learned 50% of what they know from Youtube ā people often overlook this free resource and they shouldnāt.
2: Preferably Do a Job Where You Can Work From Home
If you have a work from home job then you are pretty much good to go.
But.
You will have to have a very good weakly planner and a solid homeschooling schedule for the kids.
It sounds boring I know, but if you try and rely on spontaneity then you will quickly spread yourself too thin and end up with burn out.
And that doesnāt help anyone.
You will have to adjust your hours accordingly but thereās no reason why older kids (aged ten and upwards) cannot be given a project or some set work and work independently for a couple of hours at a time.
Again, I donāt know your kids, but mine would have been able to do about 40 minutes at a time. This gives you plenty of time to arrange your work into blocks.
Work it around your own kids but most importantly, make sure it works for you too.
Homeschooling and working from home is all the easier when you have a solid homeschooling schedule in place.
Listen While You Read!
Why not listen to our latest podcast episode. Homeschooling & Working. 7 MISTAKES I made & how to ensure you DONāT do the same.
3: Pick Your Own Days and Hours
Remember, homeschool kids donāt have to be āworkingā from 9 until 3.
You will find that your children will complete their formal learning in a couple of hours. After that, they can work on projects, build lego, read books, watch documentaries etc.
And there is no saying that āschoolā has to be Monday ā Friday.
Why not have two full days of learning (even though your kids will be learning constantly) at the weekend and have Mon ā Fri as unschooling days?
Condense homeschooling into a three day week and dedicate the other days to your job. This is another way to combine homeschooling and working (but please promise me that you wonāt work seven days a week without a break).
Next, you could readā¦
Homeschooling and working. 6 Things I did DIFFERENTLY the second time around (and why it worked)
The other option is to join a homeschool family conglomerate. I know lots of other families who do this.
This agreement meant that they would share the days that each parent had the group of kids at their house and worked with them.
If you have enough families that you like and trust, (and letās assume that the country is out of lockdown) then you can potentially be the āhomeschool teacherā for one day a week ā making this the perfect solution for families who wish to work and donāt want their children being sent to school.
Make sure that you ask for help when you need it. I mean it.
Do not try to be the hero for everyone.
There are many other working parents who are trying to homeschool that are in the same position as you are and would welcome a couple of days break.
Next, you could readā¦
7 Things every homeschooling wife needs from her husband
5: Part-Time Homeschooling
This is fast becoming a very popular option, with schools agreeing that rather than the child return back to school full time they can stay at home for part of the week.
Speak to your local school and ask them how this could work for you.
If you are working full time but still wish to homeschool then this could be your perfect solution. Talk about taking your child home for the afternoons, or for two full days a week.
Either that or let me help you to create a schedule that allows you to homeschool for 3 days a week.
And promise me you wonāt get caught up in the trap of thinking ātheir friends will exclude themā. They wonāt. Not if they are real friends.
6: Take Care Of Yourself
This is the last and probably the most important tip in order for you to succeed at homeschooling while working full time.
You must remember, for the sake of everyone, to take care of yourself.
Practice some self-love exercises or if you donāt have time for that then promise me that you will at least read a few of these self-love quotes every day. They really do work in the inspiration department and will go a long way in ensuring a successful homeschooling journey.
You are not a superhero (although to your kids you always will be) you are human and you must treat yourself with care at this challenging time.
- Take regular breaks. It is a proven fact that taking a break increases productivity. Take a five-minute break every thirty to forty minutes. This break must include getting up from your desk, walking around and stretching.
- Consider taking a break from social media until you are in a place of stability. You do not need any excuse to compare yourself to others right now. If you canāt cut social media out for at least two weeks then limit the time that you check your feed.
Are you a little lost? Does your life suddenly resemble a feature film that you DONāT remember auditioning for?? š¤·š»āāļø
If you are homeschooling and need some honest advice and a virtual glass of wine? š·
Then sign up for my FREE 15 part homeschooling email guide & let me show you how EASY this can be! āļø
Homeschooling & Working Full Time. (What it Looked Like For Us).
- Homeschooling while working full time. Itās hard, but itās not impossible, especially not if your kids are teenagers and are capable of sitting with the work that has been assigned to them.
- As your kids become older, your homeschool routine will change and adapt. By using more online tutors your time will be freed up. As mine was.
- This was probably the insane reason I decided to start my own business again and believed that I could manage both homeschooling and working full time.
- I am addicted to starting new ventures; I get a real buzz from it. I was ready for a new challenge and so decided to build a touring theatre in education company.
- This I did, and it was a huge success. But what was supposed to be a part-time venture took over nearly 40 hours a week of my time for a year. I was homeschooling and working full time, and it wasnāt easy.
- The trouble was not being able to give 100% commitment to either one or the other. I tried to balance both, but in the end, it was too much.
- Educating at home while working full time. Itās not easy. Yes, it helped that the kids were both involved in my business, but at the same time, It was a massive juggling act.
- My daughter was only 12 when I started to work and she had to take a bit of a back seat.
- Although I donāt think it did her any harm, in fact, it was probably good for her to see her mum create a business from scratch and then make it all work, I also know it wasnāt easy for her.
- I quit the business and returned back to full-time homeschooling.
- Three years later and I am now, once again, homeschooling and working full time, but this time it is different. This time it is a success. My daughter is older and I have lowered my expectations. I now know that kids learn with or without traditional lessons, so I am able to trust in myself a lot more.
Why not listen to our latest podcast episode. Homeschooling & Working. 7 MISTAKES I made & how to ensure you DONāT do the same.
Do I Know of Anybody Whoās Made a Success From Homeschooling and Working Full Time?
Yes, I do. I know lots of people.
- A vet who made homeschooling work for her family. Her boys were both under ten years of age. They would spend all day playing games and writing out projects while she was in her practice mending animals.
- I have a friend who works full time while her son (who surfs for New Zealand) is left to fit his work in around his own schedule. He is a successful teenager, and the family make it work.
- A full-time midwife juggles three children under 12 and still manages to smile when she sees me. Some days she takes the children with her to the clinic, and other days her husband is at home for a few hours. They juggle, work with a schedule and make it happen.
Next, You Could Read...
A homeschool routine (that works) for busy families
10 Things that successful homeschoolers do before 10 am
How to homeschool. 5 Steps to ensure you can go the distance
Homeschooling & Working. 7 Surefire Ways to FAIL (& then succeed)
Our homeschooling Journey. What it looked like over eight years.
Homeschooling with wine (& sometimes the F word)
Homeschooling. The benefits that you probably didnāt know
Homeschooling vs public schooling. The facts.
How to homeschool for 3 days a week. And not mess up.
For Pinterest ā
Summing Up Homeschooling And Working Full Time
The one thing that I want you to take away from this post is that you must go easy on yourself while both working and trying to help with your childās education.
If some days you donāt feel up to teaching them then stick a movie on and have a snuggle day.
Or two.
I promise you, your kids will be fine and the break will do you the world of good.
Everything will be fine
Homeschooling is a job in itself, granted it might be an unpaid job, but itās still a job.
Donāt spread yourself too thin. The years that you do homeschool may be poor ones but please make sure they are happy ones.
You can always be supermum when the kids have left home.
If you are thinking about homeschooling but donāt know if you can homeschool and work full time then please drop me a comment below and let me know how I can help. Iād be happy to answer any questions you might have.
Are you a little lost? Does your life suddenly resemble a feature film that you DONāT remember auditioning for?? š¤·š»āāļø
If you are homeschooling and need some honest advice and a virtual glass of wine? š·
Then sign up for my FREE 15 part homeschooling email guide & let me show you how EASY this can be! āļø
What you omit to say Lizzie, is that you have done an amazing job in turning out two delightful, confident,talented and very intelligent children!! Well done!!!
Thank you Mum xx
I am from India and I am planning to homeschool my 13 year old. I am an educator who works 8 to 4. I cannot leave my job due to financial constraints. In India we have NIOS which has a pretty good curriculum which can guide me and I am confident that I can teach my son well. My son goes to regular school now but I still end up teaching him everything. He doesn’t get anything academically from going there. My concern is about his social development. My husband and I work and we both are not be available during morning hours to engage him with something. What do I do? Please guide me.
Great Post
I’m a mum of two kids, from Nigeria. I would to like to homeschooled my children as this as been my husband and I desire long before we got married. However coming from typical Africa where most times a family has to live according to the detect of they extended families makes you bend or sometimes even abandon completely your choice of how you want to rise your kids, which often time lead to bitterness and regrets anyways.
The second hurdle is finance: just like you outline earlier In your piece you had pick up work and do businesses to ends meet, so also with me hear, though I’m self employed but I’m sure I don’t need tell to you that a successful business requires time diligence and so it also with wanting to become a successful homeschoolers. But I won’t lay to you I really I need the finance backup except I want to leave like an island or orphan, and my husband have given me the decision of how I want the children’s beginning should be this I must tell you is one of the toughest task I’ll b given so far the future of my kids;? Considering the mentality of my people. Though your piece has help in answering some of the questions, but I’ll like to know what is best to start homeschooling a child? My kids are between 5 and 2 and my business is just starting.
I hope my mail in time.
Thank you in anticipation for your response ma’am.
Mrs Sola
Hello, Mrs Sola,
Thank you so much for your comment and for sharing with me such an intimate part of your life.
I didn’t start homeschooling my kids until they were aged 10 and 7. I wish I’d started earlier but like you, I was involved in my own business and also like you wanted to give one or the other my full attention.
5 and 2 are still so young, and by reading your comment I would say that you should dedicate a couple of years to your business and get your finances where you want them to be. People will tell you that you can do both, and perhaps you can – but for me, I needed to be there with my children 100% of the time and so, working full time made it too stressful and that’s not the point of homeschooling.
I don’t think there is an ideal time to homeschool, this depends on your personal circumstance and what might have been right for me may not work for you.
You have time on your side Mrs Sola, perhaps take your business to where it needs to be and then look at homeschooling again. Perhaps when the kids are 7 and 4 or even 8 and 5. Still a beautiful age where they love mummy and daddy over anyone!
On the subject of family pressure. These are your children. You are their Mother. Your husband sounds like a lovely, understanding and supportive man. Do what makes you and your husband happy. In twenty years time, the people who are discouraging you probably won’t even remember that you homeschooled. They will be worrying about something else. You, on the other hand, will remember nothing else for the rest of your life.
Be kind to yourself. Whatever decision you make will be the right one. Lucky children to have a forward-thinking Mother like you!
Hope this helps! Keep in touch,
Liz x
Mrs. Sola please think of your family first.
We have tried Home schooling techniques at the weekend, watching documentaries or reading about places we are going to visit. Listening to audiobooks etc. They are not interested. Do you think it could be as they have been at school all week? Children ages 11 and 6. Getting worried for how we will cope on a gap year.
Do NOT go by what they are like at the weekend Steve. Let’s face it…all kids (teenagers anyway) just want to be left alone in their room with the door shut and as much technology as possible.
It is common practice that when you do start to homeschool your kids (ie: take them out of school properly) for every year they have been at school, kids need to take a week ‘off’- to decompress. And it is so true. Do not worry about taking your kids out of school for a year; pleassseee!! They will learn SO much more being with you all day and travelling than they will EVER learn at school. And I have the evidence to prove that so there. Sonny…now 18. I worried myself sick that he was going to ‘miss something’ because he wasn’t doing ANYTHING schooly for a whole year. He has just started working for a media company, doing their photography, videos etc for events in New Zealand. Where did he learn this skill?? Playing around with our camera and drone for a year. Just trust yourself, Steve. You and your wife are the best teachers there are for your kids. Enjoy your year away and stop worrying š
Hi, I really liked your article. I’m a teacher and I decided to homeschool my kids ( 6 and 3 years old). I’m struggling with the ideea of working and homeschooling at the same time, but my job is in the morning time regular school time 8 am-3 pm. Last year I did two days per week, but this year I want more but I don’t know how…
Hi Elena, Thanks for your comment. Two days teaching or two days homeschooling? It depends on your financial situation. If you cannot give up work because of money then while your kids are so young the two day option sounds to me like a good compromise? Going down to one income was hard for us but now we are through it (that was 9 years ago) I am so glad we made that choice to go without.
All I will say is don’t feel pressured to do anything. Do what makes sense. If you need the money stay with two days. If you think you can survive without your wage homeschool full time for a term and see how it goes? What are the laws and stigma attatched to homeschooling in France? I’m assuming that is where you are from? Would love to hear more about your journey! Good luck and ask away if you need any help x
Its 5am and ive read this whole post. Im in tears thinking of how wonderful it sounds to homeschool my kids. I tried it for a semester, but we lacked discipline and the learning didnt take off. The following year i went back to school. I am in clinicals now and im dreaming of how can i homeschool and finish this degree…the weekends are bliss to spend time with them and they are nearly in tears by time to go back. I want to teach them like you did. They are 9 and 4. My 4yo just started prek in august. And my 9yo took off last year and made straight as after that bit of homeschooling! This year has been more of a struggle and has caused me to look for alternatives especially for spelling. The strict school policies are another reason im looking at alternatives. Thank you for your post! I enjoyed every word.
Thank you so much Brandi for sharing your story with me – I am glad that it helped you in a little way. I am not surprised in the slightest that your 9-year-old did well after homeschooling, believe it or not, kids learn far better at home (and lets face it, they are learning stuff that is actually going to help them in the real world).
I hope you can make homeschooling possible but remember, don’t beat yourself up over it if you can’t. It has to work for everyone and if right now isn’t a good time then do it in a year or so…your kids are still very young and you have plenty of time:)
Thanks again for your comment – Liz x
Thank you Liz for this! I have been a homeschool mom for 10 years and I agree with you that it is not easy. Years ago when I started homeschooling I went on a scavenger hunt to find other homeschooling moms who work full time, I got as much information as I could on how their days are scheduled. It is amazing that many mommas are actually succeeding in this. It was a good feeling being a hands-on mom while being able to contribute to the family’s income.
Hi Kimberly, we must have started at the same time (it gets a lot easier doesn’t it?!)
It’s a juggling act but one that pays off if you are patient (and go easy on yourself) at the beginning. Thanks for the comment, your blog looks great too!
I would love some direction on where I can find some āschedule tips/pointersā for a full time working mom! So glad I found this post….Iām leaning towards taking the leap next year, but am terrified of the juggle w 3 boys under 10, one who will be starting preschool.
Hi Ashley,
Thanks so much for your comment. Did you sign up for my free email guide? In there you will find schedule tips as well as lots of other videos and free information!
https://itsadrama.com/free-homeschool-email-guide/
Hope this helps!
Liz
Thank you for your article! Itās giving me hope! I do need to work full time for financial reasons and for my husbandās peace of mind (eg, if he got laid off or injured or sick, weād still have some income). I will only have 2 days per week that I can totally devote to homeschooling. Do you know anyone who makes that work, perhaps with some lessons sprinkled in after work during the week?
I should add that my children are 9, 7, and twins who are 1!
Hi Yava, thank you for your message and your kind words, I’m so glad that post resonated with you!
In answer to your question, it is far more than possible to homeschool for two days a week. Don’t forget that your children will NEVER stop learning so unless they are going to spend the other five days with their head under their covers they will be learning something new every day (we tend to forget this super important fact!).
Your children are all at a wonderful age and so although it may seem like a steep hill to climb, once you have your routine (and remember, your routine need look like no-one else – very important!) there will be no stopping you!
https://itsadrama.com/free-homeschool-email-guide/
I am hoping that you signed up for the free 10-day email series? If not I have included the link above š
There is loads of info and support in there and please always feel free to email me if you need any more advice (or just want someone to talk to!!) Good luck Yaffa! You are going to be fab!! Liz x
I am a working woman with 7-5 job, 5 days a week. I have a 2yr old daughter and there will be more soon. I want to ask do you think that working full time and doing homeschooling is worth it or not? The tight schedule, 24/7 responsibility is that more effective than case 2. Case 2 is if I let my children go to a good school. And in my time (evening and weekend) I let them learn what they need to or what they want. I take them to see the world, to explore different places, to work on projects, go to libraries etc. Don’t you think it will be more effective this way?
I think you have already answered your question Saima!
I would say case 2 sounds perfect for you and your children. You are a busy mum who wants the best for her kids and if option 2 sounds more viable then go with it! And do not feel guilty, PLEASE.
Nobody should be guilted into homeschooling. If your children are happy (and you are happy) with school then don’t change it.
Please don’t take this response the wrong way, just know that there is no right or wrong answer. Only what is best for you and your family.
Your babies are still very young too so you have lots (and lots) of time. Perhaps you would like to consider homeschooling in the future? If that is the case then know that I am here to give what advice I can:)
Hope this helps Saima, have a lovely day – Liz
Hi, Liz! Thank you for this awesome post! I am the TEACHER who resigned after the pandemic started and then started my own literacy business to help parents who didn’t want to be forced to send their children back to school (before they were comfortable). I didn’t realize, until today, that there are parents who are working FULL time AND homeschooling. As a National Board, licensed reading specialist, I provide affordable and virtual 1-1 supplemental reading service for those who need support. Currently, ALL of my K-3rd grade students attend school in the day time. However, I am available and happy to help homeschool parents who would like supplemental reading instruction for their children. So, thank you SO MUCH for sharing this perspective! *I enjoyed listening to your podcast as well! š
Happy to share this information Shondolyn if it will help all parents out there that are struggling, thanks very much! š Liz
You’re welcome and thank YOU!
Thank you for all your homeschooling blogs! AND for being honest and realistic on how things went for you and how they turned out etc! You sound like a wonderful mom! Your kids are so lucky to have you and your husband!
lm a mom to a 6, 3 and 8 week old. Due to COVID and also an interest we āhomeschooledā our 6 year old 2 days a week this past fall and then She went to a kindergarten program the other 3 days of the week. My husband and I work full time. I work from home and the two days I was homeschooling I was also working… it was SO hard! I did not give it my best at all with either and because of that my daughter did not like homeschooling. By the way I stop the workbook thing awhile back and when I created fun things that was not sitting down and doing work books I can tell she liked it. She mainly played those two days and we also meet up with other homeschooling families for play dates. But I Never had a system or routine of what we were doing on those days and for my kids and me everything was a mess and chaotic! Now we are approaching this fall and she is signed up for first grade at our local public school (Iām so sad about it .. cried a few times because I want to be the one to teach her and show her the world.. along with my other two) … she is also going to a nature school one day a week! She is excited for both. I am however SO sad because I want to homeschool her full time and have her attend that nature school one day a week, but because of finances my husband is not on board at all! Due to a particular bill that passed in our state my other two will not be able to attend any school including preschool starting next fall of 2022, my daughter on the other hand is grandfathered in but I know it wonāt go over well if my two youngest see their older sister attend school and they canāt go. So we decided next fall I will homeschool and work part time. This year Iām working full time while trying to start a business with the hopes it will be running somewhat well by next fall.. so I can work that part time. So my concerned is that my daughter will not want to be homeschooled (along with the other two). I know what I need to do in order to make it fun and great and this year was a reall flop! So how/what do I need to do to get at least my oldest excited and wanting to homeschool with the hopes it will also encourage a positive feel for my younger two (or at least my 3 year old). Any advice?
Hello, thank you for this website! Due to covid and no vaccine for kids under 12, I’m forced to withdraw my kid from elementary school this fall in NJ. What tips recommendations do you have, any specific learning program online? I will be working full time but don’t know where to start in terms of curriculum. Also, how easy is it to enroll back to school once I decide, hopefully in 6-7 months?
Thank you so much.
Hi Stephanie, I am about to record a podcast episode with a lady called Jenn. She is from New York. I met her when she bought my home-schooling course last year and we have been friends ever since.
Jenn is (what I call) a high flyer. She works full time and is a very busy lady. Then, in 2020 she was forced (by covid) to homeschool. She was terrified. She would message me every week in a panic. Very similar to what you are saying. She had never done this before and she couldnāt imagine being able to tutor her child and continue with her job. She panicked that Addy would fall behind.
That was almost 18 months ago and I can tell you thisā¦she is acing it. Her daughter returned to school last month (her daughters choice not Jennās) and she was way ahead of her class.
She willshare her story of how she went about the entire process in our podcast.
Please look out for it!
I home schooled my child when he was 4 and 5 but at the time had a supportive partner. Fast forward 7 years and now I feel stressed because I have an unsupportive partner and my child has an IEP. He is on the autism spectrum disorder and although he doesn’t have a cognitive delay I did notice some things we overcame coming back in the year that schools were closed. He just began middle school in person and between our religious beliefs and all the bullying I want to take him out. I was considering a private religious school even if it will spread my income very thin but my concern is that he will not be taught common core standards and that they will not be able to provide the assistance he needs with regards to counseling, extra time for exams, repetition of questions and assistance with lack of focus etc.
I had been a single mom for so long and recently got married to a man child thinking it would do my child well when in fact I still feel like a single parent.
During the year of Covid I was so stressed and spread thin because I love my child more than anyone but being at home and not around other kids made him require a lot of time and he felt constantly depressed but at school he is either getting physically attacked or beginning to act out to fit in with the wrong crowd because he cares so much about the opinions of others and being “cool”.
I apologize for the ramble but I feel so stuck. I do work 2 jobs from home and on occasion have home visits or meetings with families to do as I do social work. Leaving 1 job is not an option.
Any advice is appreciated and congratulations on turning out great kids. Xoxoxo
I am so sorry to hear that you are struggling Stephanie, I wish that there was something I could do to make things easier for you. If I can offer any advice it would be to go easy on yourself and your expectations. Your child will be wonderful regardless of outside circumstances because he has YOU as a parent. Any person that is willing to go to the trouble of reading blogs and doing such research is a parent who truly cares – and that, at the end of the day, is the secret recipe to a well-rounded child.
Have you looked at joining any free Facebook support groups for HS? There are plenty to choose from, it’s just a case of singling out the right crowd for you š
Keep strong Stephanie, and remember that a lot of what are kids go through is always a phase. So many times I have worried myself sick over something that my child had suddenly decided to adopt (usually an unsuitable friend or even worse a girlfriend??!) Only to find that in three months time it was all over and done with.
Do what makes your life easier. Ignore what others think or what you ‘think’ you should be doing, just do what feels right. You will be fine.
Hope this helps Stephanie,
All the best
Liz x
Hi!! I am considering homeschooling my 15, soon to be 16 year old. He has dyscalculia (a math learning disability). We have been working with the special education program (he has an IEP) since he was in 4th grade (he is now in 9th). I feel like the school district is not doing right by him. He seems to be falling further and further behind no matter what is done. I feel like I am constantly having to stay on top of his teachers due to the lack of communication and that it is only getting worse. Is it possible to start homeschooling at such a later age? My husband and I both work outside the home so I know that this will be a challenge, but I am at my wits end with our school district. Any insight would be helpful.
Hi there!
I’m sorry that you are going through such a difficult time with your school. It’s so frustrating when your children’s happiness (and education) is in the hands of another and you feel as though they are doing the right thing.
In answer to your question, is 15 too old to homeschool? Absolutely not!!
Have you watched (or listened to the podcast) my latest Youtube interview with 17-year-old Tyrese?
He is autistic and was having problems so he started to homeschool when he was 15. He now has his own successful radio show.More importantly, he is happy and he is kind.
Check it out here!
https://itsadrama.com/new-zealand-teenagers/
Hope this helps and reassures you in your decision to move forward. You can do this!!