Would it be possible to homeschool a child if you have a full time job outside the home?

Question

has anyone ever been able to do this??

i've always wanted to homeschool my LO for the first few years, at least, but unfortunately, i have to work full time to pay my mortgage & bills. (i work 4 days a week)

would it still be possible to homeschool?

Answer 1

That is a really tough one.  Do you have a spouse to help?  I guess that would be the key.

I work part time,  (up to 3/4)  and I find it extremely difficult, I get no help from spouse with household chores or with the schooling, (he actually disrupts the school day) the children are not productive when I am at work, so I find it quite fatiguing.

I do know other mothers who work part time and have husbands who are supportive.  They usually work nice day jobs and come home and mark the work they assigned in the morning.  They have nice regulated households and everything is good.

So it really depends on your support system and how responsible your children are.  Anything can be done if you put your mind to it.

I reassure myself with the knowledge of no matter how bad I do with home educating my kids I can never do as bad as the public school system. (one of my kids went school for a few months and was way ahead of her age group, they call her "that smart homeschooled kid", so we're not doing so bad.)

So yes, you can do it. Just get your schedule and stick to it. Good Luck

ps.   School a waste of time?  Well, my daughter was in school for 8 months last year, she did not cover any new material, the work she brought home was asinine  and irrelevant. (even she thought so) She had the "experience" of going to school.  It was an eye opener for her all right.  Next year I will just pick up where I left off with her homeschooling because she doesn't want to go back.  Yup. Academically it was a waste of time.

But she wanted to go to school (never set foot in one before) and I was stressed and thought I could not teach her at home.

Answer 2

well, it depends on how old the child is, and what your job is. My mom took me to work with her. She worked at a private school. And she taught me there. But I mostly knew what was going on, and pretty much taught myself. It's actually quite fun at a young age to be homeschooled. But when they turn 10 or 11 it begins to get harder. That is, unless the child likes to learn, like me! I hope I helped

Answer 3

If you go with A Beka, they're dvd program is really good, and the kids pretty much work independently.  I've heard of people using this program for their kids when both parents had full time jobs.

Good Luck!

www.abeka.org

Answer 4

It is definitely possible to work at home and homeschool.  The key things you have to do are:

1.  Have outside support, even if it's just from other homeschool moms.

2.  Create a workable schedule.

3.  Remain flexible and think outside the box

4.  Choose a method of homeschooling that work for your situation - one that does not require too much time/parent interaction.

5.  Stay committed and persistent.

You may want to look at a complete hs curriculum or a computer based programs or you may prefer a relaxed style.  Here are descriptions of each:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

Here are some tips for affordable homeschooling:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

Good luck!

Answer 5

I think it would depend on the age of the child and if you can get someone to watch them during the day while you work.

Home school can work on anyone's schedule. I work part time from my home so it's easier for me. It doesn't matter what time the school work is done all that matters is that it is. You can work your 4 days and then do all of the school work during the 3 off or you can do the school work when you get off of work. We work all year on a 6 week on and 2 week off schedule taking from Thanksgiving until New Years off. The Holidays are so busy that it's best to just not work on the written stuff and concentrate elsewhere.

If you are willing to do it then it is possible. At first it will be overwhelming but you need to find the rhythm that works best for your family. Every family is different.

Answer 6

Well yes it is possible.  I am doing it.  I have homeschooled my 8yr (soon to be 9) old twins and my 6 yr (soon to be 7) old.  When we first started hs I worked part-time 2 days a week.  My hubby was a over the road truck driver.  I now work full-time and my husband drives local.  We are still homeschooling.  Even with this said there are alot of single parent families whom homeschool also.  

I would suggest looking for support groups in your area and online.  Their are a lot of them out there.  Homeschooling is very rewarding for you and your child/ren.

Answer 7

Yes, it's possible. My mum has 7 of us (aged from 18 yrs down to 14 months) learning at home, in addition to running her own stud business and helping our dad run the property and the cattle business etc...so at least it is not impossible!

I reckon the one major thing that has the power to make or break your ambition to home-educate your child will be your support network; or, more precisely, the strength and extent of your support network. Is your child's father able and willing to do his share? Do you have family and friends living close-by who'd be able and willing to take a turn? Initially, much of your child's education is likely to come down to playing games and doing everyday activities together; is there an active grandparent etc who can look after your little one and involve him/her in their daily lives (whilst you're at work)?!?

I honestly think it'd be possible for you to home-educate your child but I think you'd need even more discipline and organisation than - say - a stay-at-home mum might.