Do any other homeschool moms work from home?

Susie - posted on 05/16/2013

I work from home doing a few things. I own my very own web site & blog. I am an affiliate marketer, a blogger mom brand ambassador, & I make crafts to sell at my site. This is my site at homemaker-mom.com . I also do mystery shopping from time to time and I am a paid mod at CafeMom

Stephanie - posted on 03/04/2013

I am in the same position. I work full-time online, go to online college full-time, and homeschool. I wish I could find a balance. My husband helps out with the house, but he is a horrible cook so cooking is up to me. I LOVE my crockpot!! If I am very pressed for time, I will give the kids their assignments that they can do on their own and save the rest for later in the evening when I am less pressed. We homeschool on different days of the week too. Sometimes, we have school on Saturdays or Sundays, sometimes, it is all done in the evening. I set a schedule when I get my work schedule ( I am a virtual ESOL teacher) for the week so the kids know what to expect. We go from there. Sometimes, I have to change something due to emergencies or just the kids desire for a lazy day. As for quality time with my husband, we try to spend as much time together as possible. If it has been a while since we have spent time together, we will set a day of the week when we don't have to be up early the next day to have a late night backyard or living room date. We put the kids to bed and do whatever we have planned that evening. We sometime splay a game together, watch a movie, or just talk. It is extremely hard, but we get through it. I have moments like last week that the kids get a little behind, but we get caught up or we work a few more days at the end of the year until all material is covered and understood.

Heather - posted on 02/03/2013

I give my girls a chore chart. Each of them does the same chore for a month. Then they switch. This helps to cut down on how much time I am spending cleaning up the house. They are also required to pick up after themselves or they will lose whatever it is they have left out. Sounds mean I know but after a few times of losing their favorite toys for a week or so they learn that Mom means business. As far as their school work goes, it is done first. I have set times that they are to be working on set subjects. I don't ever give them more work then they can get done in that amount of time. As they help make dinner, do their chores, and pick up after their selves they are learning how to cook, keep house clean, and care for their belongings. I even let my girls help make the breakfast, lunch,dinner, and snack plans for the month. This helps them learn to eat healthy and how to plan meals with the budge we have. So there is more math practice that they don't even realize they are doing. So it works out great! My girls are 11 and the twins are 10. So it's much easier. However since they was about two I made them pick up after their self and has they grow I add a little more to what they can do to help. It brings you closer with your kids, takes some of the pressure off of you, and most of all you have a little time to breath. Remember you always have to make time for yourself or you are going to become burned out !! I am not working anymore because of my health battle with cancer. I do have a lot of Dr appointments, a few treatments etc that take up more time then when I was working those 40 hours a week. So I do understand trying to fit it all in. I hope maybe some of this will help you guys. Good Luck.

Lane - posted on 08/03/2011

I homeschool my high schooler,middle school, and elementary children. My 5 year old will go to public school this year. My husband and I run our business from home. I have learned that it's not a big deal if they don't finish all of their work in a timely manner. Take breaks and take your time. I find that when they are not frustrated about their assignments trying to rush it all in at a certain time,I can manage the house better. I try to keep the same schedule as if they were in school which seems to work. If they still have work after 3pm it is considered homework,and what child that is homeschooled wants homework? That seems to work as well when it comes to punctuality for them. Now for us and our business we have deadlines and it's a must that we make them. We set aside the times we are avaliable to help them,If we can't post-it on the clip board. As soon as we are avaliable I take the post-it note they wrote and I go in order helping them with their needs-This may help for you-coming up with a system this way slows down the frustration of them needing you immediatley.-Hopes this help!

Jessica - posted on 07/27/2011

Hi Heather! I am a freelance writer and I work from home. I don't have it all figured out yet, but I seem to operate best when I set up a schedule for myself. Also, I give myself a break. I recognize that something has to give, so I don't worry if my house isn't spotless. I handle the necessities, like washing dishes, and I straighten up when I can, but I gave up trying to keep my house like a show place. I give my kids -- 8 and 10 -- a lot of responsibility in their school work. I illustrate any concepts they don't know and help them with problems, but the curriculum they have keeps them working independently most of the time. I just check their work and make sure they're learning. Their school day doesn't start in the morning -- no law says it has to! -- we start our school day at 2 or 3 in the afternoon because it works best for us. Also. I focus on the three r's during school time -- reading writing and 'rithmatic -- and I teach the rest organically through books, family discussions, outings, nature shows, etc. I don't try to get every subject in every day. And I think they're doing pretty well.

My kids have chore time every day (although we don't always remember or have time to get to it), and they help with emptying the dishwasher, dusting, and sweeping. My 10-year-old can work the washing machine now. And my husband pitches in by doing the laundry.

It is very, very hard to do what you're doing. In my experience, you just have to know that getting it ALL done isn't possible. So, you separate the things that HAVE to get done from the things that can slide, then make your schedule around that. Then forgive yourself for not being perfect at everything all the time -- nobody can be!

Like I said, I'm still working this out myself. But hope something I said was helpful to you in some way!

-Jessica

Suzanne - posted on 05/26/2011

I can't help other than to tell you I am in the same position... I have two daughters one that's two and a half and that isn't so difficult since her school work is about an hour of the day. Our 9 1/2 year old is where I find I struggle. I know that school needs to be done and work and home necessities but I find that I am stuggling to find a balance and a schedule that will work. I go to bed late and find it so hard to wake up in the morning... :(