Homeschooling a child while also working full-time is no simple feat, and it’s definitely not possible for everyone. But many parents have made it work, often by considering all the family’s needs, finding alternatives, and asking for help.
If you’re considering homeschooling your child and working yourself, here are some questions to ask yourself first.
1. Is Homeschooling an Option for Me?
The first step in homeschooling your child while working full-time is to decide if it’s a real option for you. Your busy daily schedule might mean it isn’t a viable option, and if that’s the case, you’ll need to investigate other educational options that do fit your lifestyle. Think carefully about what you’d be committing to as a parent and a worker and decide if you can really handle it.
Consider how much time you’d need to devote to classroom activities, what you’ll need to learn in order to teach your child, and how you’ll fit homeschooling into your workweek. It may also be helpful to talk to other parents who have attempted this to get a better picture of what it entails.
If homeschooling does seem possible for you, the next step is to decide whether you can commit to homeschooling for a longer period. Homeschooling requires a long-term commitment, and you’ll need to decide if you can commit to teaching your child for the entirety of their primary or secondary school years before you get started.
2. How Much Time Will I Need?
Once you decide to homeschool your child, it’s important to determine exactly how much time you’ll need in order to make it work. This isn’t just a matter of deciding how many hours per day you’ll need in the classroom, but also how much time it’ll take you to create lesson plans, do the necessary research, grade papers, and provide feedback to your child.
In addition, you’ll need to make sure you also have time for other important aspects of parenting such as supervising homework or chaperoning field trips. You’ll also need some time to relax and spend with your child outside of the classroom. Seeing how you’ll fit all these tasks into your workweek will help you decide if homeschooling is feasible for you.
3. What Types of Learning Resources Do I Need?
In order to homeschool your child successfully, you’ll need access to various learning resources. These resources include books, printouts, worksheets, math games, storybooks, music, educational films, and more.
Make sure you have all the necessary materials on hand before homeschooling commences in order to ensure an effective homeschooling experience. It’s also a good idea to make use of the internet when planning your classes. There are countless websites that offer helpful homeschooling advice and tutorials, many of which are designed specifically for parents who are homeschooling their children while also working full-time.
There are also many homeschooling supplies and materials available for purchase online to make the process easier.
4. How Can I Ask For Help?
It can be difficult to manage working full-time and homeschooling a child, especially if you’re trying to do it all on your own. It’s important to reach out for help when you need it, whether that means enlisting family members for assistance or reaching out to other homeschooling parents for advice. Homeschooling doesn’t have to be a completely solo endeavor.
Many families opt to form learning cooperatives, where several parents get together to enrich the learning experience and alternately teach different grades or topics to group of students. Some parents also work with online tutors or part-time teachers to provide additional support.
No matter how you go about it, don’t be afraid to ask for help. It may seem intimidating at first, but it’s important that you don’t become overwhelmed by homeschooling and work and instead create a system that allows you to handle both responsibilities.
5. How Can I Make Time For Self-Care?
Inevitably, when you’re trying to homeschool a child and work full-time, something is going to have to give. That’s why it’s important to make time for yourself in order to avoid burnout. Find a few minutes each day to relax, take deep breaths, and practice mindfulness.
Make time for yourself on the weekends and take advantage of any free time after work to do something you enjoy and recharge. You’ll also want to make sure you get enough sleep each night.
Sleep deprivation can lead to decreased productivity, an impaired memory, and can even increase your risk of developing a mental illness. Try to get 7-9 hours of sleep every night to keep your mind and body functioning optimally.
Finally, don’t forget to give your child regular breaks away from the classroom. Just as you need time to recharge, your child needs the opportunity to take a break from studying and spend some time doing things they enjoy.
6. How Can I Incorporate Social Opportunities Into Learning?
When you’re homeschooling your child, it’s important to ensure that learning doesn’t completely consume their life and that they have opportunities to have fun and socialize with friends. Think of ways to incorporate social activities into learning, such as field trips, games, art projects, and sports.
You can also arrange for your child to participate in activities outside the home such as community sports teams, meet-up groups, libraries, and more. These activities can provide both educational and social opportunities for your child, and can help prevent you from feeling isolated.
7. What Curriculum Options Are Available?
When you’re homeschooling your child while working, you’ll want to find a curriculum that works for both you and your child. Often times, this means creating a hybrid curriculum, or a mix of different materials and resources. You may want to use traditional textbooks, but you can also look for innovative approaches such as using document-based learning or projects.
Think about what kind of learning environment best suits your child, their interests and needs, and how they learn best. You should also think about how much time you’ll have to devote to teaching your child, and how to best utilize it.
8. How Can I Facilitate Exams?
When homeschooling your child, you’ll likely need to track their progress and make sure that they’re mastering the information. You can do this by having them take assessments or tests throughout their studies.
You’ll want to make sure that the exams are relevant to their learning and that they understand the material. To facilitate exams, you can enlist the help of standardized tests, online tests, proctored tests, and even tests administered by a professional.
9. How Can I Connect With Other Homeschoolers?
Homeschooling can be an isolating experience, especially if you don’t have family nearby to help or local friends to turn to. In order to get advice and support, you should look into connecting with other homeschooling families in your community. Look for homeschooling meet-up groups, classes, and co-ops in your area.
You can also connect with other parents online through message boards and homeschooling blogs. Being part of a larger homeschooling community can provide you with a wealth of resources and a much needed support system for when you feel overwhelmed.
10. What Reports and Records Do I Need to Keep?
One of the responsibilities of homeschooling is keeping track of your student’s academic record. Make sure to track all tests and attendance records, and keep a written record of the curriculum you used each year.
This should include the books, textbooks, materials, and resources that your student used, as well as any activities, fieldtrips, and special events that you participated in. You’ll also want to keep track of any standardized tests that your child takes, as well as any awards, achievements, or projects completed. You should also keep a record of your student’s progress, such as their grades and attendance.
11. What Can I Do To Take Advantage Of Opportunities?
When homeschooling a child, it’s important to take advantage of all the opportunities available. Look for options to build on the curriculum you’re teaching, such as guest speakers or field trips. You can also look for ways to expand your child’s learning, such as exploring interests outside of the typical curriculum, visiting museums, and taking part in online classes or online tutoring.
You can also look into apprenticeships and internships that may be beneficial for your student. Finally, offer your child chances to socialize outside of the classroom.
Homeschooled children can be at a disadvantage when it comes to social skills, so make sure to provide ample opportunities to make friends.
12. What If My Child Needs Special Education Services?
If your child has special needs or requires special education services, you should be aware of the laws and regulations related to homeschooling differently-abled students. This includes the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which guarantees all children access to a free and appropriate education. If your child qualifies for special education services, you may be able to receive assistance from the school district for services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and counseling.
Make sure to research your state and local regulations and contact the school district for more information.
13. How Do I Know When To Stop?
Homeschooling can be an incredibly rewarding experience, but it can also become overwhelming and stressful at times. When the pressure becomes too much, it’s important to know when to stop and reassess.
If you’re feeling overburdened, take a break, talk to a mentor or other homeschoolers, and remind yourself why you decided to homeschool in the first place. It’s also important to reassess your child’s learning goals and progress. If you feel like they aren’t getting the education they deserve or your family is feeling overwhelmed, it may be time to reevaluate and rethink your homeschooling plans.
14. How Can I Encourage Self-Learning?
One of the benefits of homeschooling is teaching your child how to be a self-directed learner. Self-directed learning is when the student is encouraged to ask questions, seek out answers, and come up with their own solutions.
One of the ways you can promote this type of learning is by introducing them to a variety of resources, from online learning materials to books and magazines. You can also let your child choose their own topics for research and writing assignments. This will help them develop motivation, confidence, and creativity.
15. How Can I Foster Independence In My Child?
Homeschooling can also help promote a sense of independence in your child. As they learn to work on their own, they’ll develop the skills they need to become an independent, self-reliant adult.
Encourage your child to take responsibility for their learning and to feel a sense of pride in their accomplishments. You can do this by taking the time to congratulate them on their successes and by discussing their assignments with them. By letting them take charge of their studies, you’ll help them to build confidence and independence.
Conclusion
Homeschooling a child and working full-time can be challenging, but with some proper planning and preparation, parents can make it work. Start by asking yourself the questions in this article and adjusting your lifestyle and curriculum accordingly. Reach out for help when you need it, and make time for yourself and your child.
With the right strategies, you can create a system that allows you to successfully homeschool your child and have a job, too.