Homeschooling while holding down a full-time job might sound overwhelming and impossible. While taking over your child’s education under these circumstances might be challenging, it can be done. In fact, many parents homeschool while working a full-time job and hold onto their sanity. Here are some of the ways you can manage this important balance.
How You Can Homeschool While Working Full-Time
More and more U.S. households are choosing homeschooling arrangements for a variety of reasons, such as more control over curriculum, the ability to instill values in their children, and flexible scheduling. But, for parents who also work full-time, how is homeschooling possible? Here are some of the ways parents make the decision to homeschool while working a success.
1. Investigate Work Adjustments
Switching to homeschooling from a traditional arrangement is a big adjustment. Depending on your situation, it might be worthwhile to see if you can make any changes to your own work schedule. Some options include working from home or having a more flexible schedule. Even if you can’t make these adjustments, there are still plenty of things you can do.
2. Create a Homeschooling Schedule
A defined schedule is an absolute must when you are balancing working and homeschooling. Without it, something is sure to get missed. While some homeschoolers may keep regular school hours, yours might be slightly different. Provided you adhere to your state’s requirements, the hours you choose won’t matter.
3. Choose the Right Curriculum
It’s vital that you select a curriculum that will work for your particular situation. If you work full-time, it won’t be practical to have a curriculum requiring you to sit next to your child as they work through their lessons. Fortunately, there are many options that allow for flexibility.
4. Teach Your Children Independence
It’s a common misconception that parents must be present for every moment of homeschooling for the program to be successful. This isn’t the case. One skill you can teach your children is how to study and learn independently. Of course, your presence may be needed to explain lessons and answer questions, but a lot can be accomplished through independent learning.
5. Outsource Different Subjects
When you choose homeschooling, that doesn’t mean you have to stand at the front of the room and teach every subject yourself. Don’t hesitate to outsource different subjects to give your child a different perspective and give yourself a break. Choosing an online course or hiring a tutor is a great way to save time, ease stress, and ensure your child still gets a great education.
6. Ask for Help
Asking for help can be challenging for some parents. But you and your child will be more successful if you learn this valuable skill. Ask friends, family, and others in the homeschooling community for help with lesson planning and other items that might fall through the cracks due to your busy schedule.
Get the Support You Need for Your Homeschooling Journey
If you’ve made the switch to homeschooling or are considering doing so, you don’t have to travel this journey alone. There is plenty of qualified assistance available to answer your questions and provide access to valuable resources.
The South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (SCAIHS) has been supporting homeschooling parents and their children since 1990. We offer academic programs, curriculum assistance, bookstore discounts, online reporting and documentation, and much more. Contact us to learn more about SCAIHS membership and the many ways we can provide the assistance you need.