Can you Home school and work at the same time?

Question

I just got pulled out of public school because i was just completly done with it. It's Horrible. Anyway, my mom told me that if i wanted to stay homeshooled i'd have to finish my school studies and go to work for the rest of the day. She's even considering making me pay rent, which sucks because im only 15. So what im trying to ask is, if i do my work and finish early, maybe like 11-12 each day would it be possible to get a job between the early hours??

Answer 1

Yes, you could homeschool and work - you can just do your schooling whenever you're not working.  But make sure you tell your job that you ARE a student, so they don't think they can just give you tons of hours and have you work whenever they want.

As for a work permit, you might be able to get it through the public high school even though you don't go there anymore - a lot of schools will help out with legal things like that (I took drivers ed at the public school while I was homeschooled, even though they wouldn't let me take any other classes there).

Answer 2

Well, no one can FORCE you to learn... and no one can teach someone that doesn't want to learn... Your future does depend on your education, so make that a top priority..  Your dedication to FINISH school is the most important thing.

In my state (GA) a 15 year old cannot work during public school hours, so it must be 'after school' and very limited times.  It changes at 16 here...  

Each state has different laws about children working, labor laws and work permits. Have your mom check with your local school, State Dept. of Labor or your local Board of Education. Or do a search online with "work permit" and your state. Most likely you will find the information you need and who to contact. There are federal child labor laws even if your state doesn't have them (most do!).

After you have found a job, you will need the work permit.. (not the other way around).A work permit just 'approves' the type of job that you are doing is not high risk or dangerous and that you will have the time to continue your education

As for charging rent.. we have done that and believe it to be a good life lesson. It is a good way to establish financial responsibility in teens. Bills and living expenses should always come first and if your family is now paying to educate you at home, a reasonable rent is not out of the question, no matter how tough you consider that decision.

I think you should put at least 50% of any earnings into savings too. Aren't you glad your aren't my daughter???

Answer 3

Yes...I'm 14, am home educated and have 2 all-year-round jobs (as well as 3 seasonal jobs). You just have to be very organised.

BTW The only reason I work though is because I enjoy it. My parents don't make me - far from it, they're the ones who are always complaining that I'm "doing too much".

I can't help you with getting a work permit though (maybe try your local Shire Council). I'm guessing you're in America because you said "mom". I'm not. If you were here, you'd say "mum" and not "mom" so it's a pretty good give-away that we're not in the same hemisphere as each other, leave alone the same continent, lol.

Just read your other thread: It seems like your mum has moved on since then. I guess she might be insisting you get a job and pay rent if you want to be homeschooled because she is either trying to make sure you are really 100% committed to doing homeschool or she is using the "get a job" line to try and encourage you to go back to school.

Answer 4

It would be possible.  However, you need to check on the Child Labor laws, there are certain hours minors are not allowed to work.  

It sounds to me like your mom is not happy about you leaving public school, so I assume that she has some reason to think you were not trying?  If that is the case you should know that homeschooling and working will require lots of EFFORT on your part.

My oldest daughter has been taught to put her homeschool work first, then if she has extra time she can look for a job.  Education should come first.

Answer 5

You may want to check the child labor laws in your state and see if you need a work permit, where you can get one and if you are allowed to work.  

You can locate your state's page here:

http://www.dol.gov/esa/contacts/state_of...

Yes you could work and homeschool at the same time, but you will need to be very disciplined and focus to make sure that you keep up with your school work.

Answer 6

We have a bad homeschool story that happened in our family.  A 14 year old had skipped school and the mom was served papers to go to court.  The mom decided to 'homeschool'.  She handed the kid a text book for an elective subject and told her to read it.  The girl immediately went and applied for a job, got her work permit, and started work. Her words were, "Since I'm not doing anything anyway, I might as well make some money." The sandwich shop was happy to have someone that would work for minimum wage during the lunch hours.  

This story has a semi-happy ending.  The girl eventually went back to public school.  Graduated with 20 credits.  (7 less than  required for the particular public school)

She later applied for community college and needed 4 semesters of remedial classes in Language Arts and Math.  

So, yes you probably can work but  make sure that you study and learn.  Your education is your responsibility.  No one can force you to learn.