Online School and Working Mom- How One Family Makes it Work

Homeschool??? Online School and Working Mom? WHAT? 

I never envisioned anything other than a public-school education for my children. My husband and I both attended public school and we assumed that we would choose the “normal” route for our children- not online school or e-learning.

Fast forward until my kiddos were miserable in 2^nd and 3^rd grades – I am thankful that there were alternatives and new “normals” and that we were willing and able to try them, including homeschooling as a working mom. Now, five years later, they are entering 8^th and 9^th grades via online school, AND I have another child who is happily attending public school. 

EVERY child’s educational needs differ! When my kids were in 2nd and 3rd grade, each day was filled with tears at drop off, nurse visits for my daughter getting stomachaches from anxiety, and rushed commutes to athletics eating macaroni and cheese. I frequently traveled for work, so I would return home only to have them gone all day at school.

My kids begged to be homeschooled because some of their gymnastics teammates were taking that route. Because of working full-time, I initially didn’t believe it to be a viable pathway- until I discovered online school. Online school and working mom CAN go together.

I truly believe online school offers such an amazing option, even for working parents! Note that I said ‘option’, which is important, because it isn’t for everyone. I have another daughter who is now in 3rd grade who marches to the bus stop with excitement every day! I will repeat- EVERY child’s educational needs differ!

I have learned so much over the last 6 years that I would love to share. My husband and I both work full-time and we have creatively survived over these years, and my children have thrived! My older kids are now 8th and 9th graders and participate daily in online school- some may call it ‘virtual’ or e-learning school.

Although we didn’t initially start online school due to athletics, it has enabled them to have a schedule to participate in high-level gymnastics, obtain an excellent education, get plenty of sleep, optimal nutrition, and time to relax!

I have tips and tricks regarding online school platforms, curriculum, calendars, technology, and just lifestyle methods that get us through each week.

Who am I….

I’m a 43-year old Midwestern mom with three kids, two dogs, and a husband. I love Facebook groups, podcasts, Netflix, and running on trails.

Parenting two level 10 gymnasts (boy and a girl) and one daughter starting her first year on dance team is my challenge!

I’m trying my best to implement clean eating and prepping food in advance. I am culinary challenged but obsessed with finding easy and healthy Instant Pot recipes and making Kale smoothies in my Vitamix.

I love organization, technology, God, Trader Joe’s, Audible, Outschool, and eraseable pens.

Oh, I also run an Airbnb as a side hussle to allow my kids to do competitive sports. I’m truly just trying to live my best life and wanting to share with my community of moms.

What can you expect? Honesty, our experiences, organized compilations of tools and sites that have or are helping us, and the reality of what it’s like to utilize online and e-learning for schooling. I will share the mistakes I have made related to online school and working mom (like paying one virtual provider over 1K only to have her disappear….).

My goal is to build a community of online people trying to figure out and optimally utilize online education in 2020 and thereafter- how we can make it effective and doable for those who want to do it due to athletics, family, bullying, religious reasons, or whatever reason you have! Make sure you join our Facebook group for sharing all things about Online School!

What questions do you have about working AND homeschooling? Comment below!