Homeschooling when both are working?

Question

My daughter has attended a private one-room religious school since kindergarten. That's closing because there are not enough students anymore. My office is at home (my wife commutes to teach in a public school). Can we home school even though we're both working? Does time of day matter? or summertime school? We're in North Dakota, a pretty restrictive home school state.

We're pretty intimidated by this even though we're both college graduates.

Answer 1

Legally you can. Your state will have its on laws regarding hours per day, but not on when those hours must occur.  You work it the way it needs to be worked and give little thought to anything else. Laws are made to serve the people, not to hinder them. The kids are what matters here and you know you would not attempt this if you did not feel deep down that it is the best option. You can absolutely fulfill state guidelines while continuing to work. However, you are looking at a challenge. It may be difficult to balance all of your responsibilities, but not impossible. Do be sure to have a certain time of day when the kids get undivided attention. The same goes for work. Also, switch off with your spouse. Tag team homeschool works for many families. Also, be accepting of the fact that it may take you all a while to get into the groove of HS. Be patient. This is not uncharted territory, it is just off the beaten path. You can do it.

Answer 2

First off I understand the whole religious thing, because that's just my parents home schooled my brother and I. But you know, it kind of depends on how she learns. When I was home schooled I never really got most of it when my mom taught me and I was never really motivated to do my work. My brother on the other hand is a genius and had no problem learning. You also might want to think about how she will do socially. In some places they have big home schooling groups, so socializing isn't a problem. But if there isn't very many people home schooled in your area she could start to feel lonely at home all the time; I know I did. I got really depressed because I was alone all the time. And who is going to teacher her and will you both have time to teach her something if she doesn't understand it?

Answer 3

Why not send her to school?

If you're both working during the day and want to teach in the evenings, what will your daughter be doing all day?

Answer 4

I think a lot is going to be depend on how old your daughter is.  IF she is still in grade or middle school  then SOME one has to be home with her and you will be available to her.  

If she is responsible and HS then probably you can just give her assignments and as long as she knows her requirements including work hours then she should be OK.  Check with your state regs.

Answer 5

http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/default.as...

This is the website I would visit FIRST to see what my legal requirements are...

Then its all family preference and standards...

If she is old enough and mature enough to work on her own, I would go with that... I would also not get HOOKED on one curriculum, buy the one you want to first, see if it works, if not you can always switch at the half way mark of the year (so don't buy a whole year, buy a half year curriculum)..

THe great ( and sometimes frustating) thing about Homeschooling is that you control which curriculum and time and focus....

I say go for it... Even if she has to be at work with one of you etc or have some kind of alternative activity she enjoys with adult supervision if required that is fine..

Just do what works for you all!

Answer 6

Well, my biggest question would be what grade is your daughter in? Many students, by about 5th/6th grade become pretty independent in their work. If you feel that your daughter is independent, I'd say absolutely!

Most curriculums allow students to be independent. Some reccomended curriculums:

A-beka- good curriculum, but grading may be overwhelming

Alpha Omega- SOS curriculum has computer grading assignments, so most work is taken of parents' shoulders

Online curriculums such as Jubilee Academy, Grade Academy, and MorningStar Academy, are also helpful, giving online tutors (in GA and MSA) to explain problems that students have trouble with, and also are graded by these teachers.

There's a possibility there are rules about times in ND, but if there aren't and you so chose to do school in the evenings because your daughter needs help or for other reasons, go ahead! Homeschooling=flexibility! :)

Final advice is don't be intimidated! There are so many around you who are doing what you want to, and are willing to help.

Answer 7

We do it! I work from home as an insurance inspector in La. I go out twice a week to do my inspections and get someone to help my kids through their day. Grandmas are great! If you don't have to leave your home even better. My husband is in construction so he works 5 days a week and we take weekends to catch up if we fell behind during the week. Usually we don't but there are times when we have an off week. Since your wife is a teacher you can actually wait until she gets home to do the home school work so that you are doing it together. Or you can get something that works well for independent learning.

God Bless!

Answer 8

When the Lord put on my heart to homeschooling, I kept saying "you have to be kidding".  I am a single mom of a 16, 7 and 2 year old, working full-time and living check to check.  What I can now say, less than a year later, is that God is so faithful.  My Children are doing incredible and it has brought us all so much closer together.  He knows your heart to protect His child and to raise her in Him and he will provide a way.  There are many creative ways to educate you daughter , especially at her age, with your full schedule.  I recommend reading some books by John Holt.  I found them comforting in helping me to trust my teaching and my daughters ability to learn in a non-traditional way.  Your wife could do the more core curriculum that you want to teach her during her school vacation times.  There are great on-line and computer programs.  Reading books that excite her add so much to a child.  Pray about having her spend some some with a homeschooling family.  Pray how you could use the money you are not using for the private school for classes that interest her.  Assisting you in your work would not only give her life skills but strengthen the bond between the two of you.  The world truly is a classroom.

I have never replied to an on line question before, but because of  the experience my family has had through homeschooling, I just had to stop and encourage you that this can be done.  God bless you.