Homeschool Working Mom: 35 Ways to Survive and Thrive

How to Homeschool and Work Without Going Crazy??? Is it Possible?

I started the path as a homeschooling working mom 7 years ago before it was ‘the thing’ to do (eg, when quarantine hit!). I’ve always worked full-time in the corporate world and never considered homeschooling a viable option for us. Fast-forward a few years into public school with VERY unhappy kids- I reevaluated our options and took the chance to try a new path – working mom and homeschooling!

When we started homeschooling, I felt super isolated and I didn’t know a single other person trying to work and homeschool- NOT ONE. I also traveled for work quite a bit, making me even more of an outsider- I felt like homeschooling moms looked ‘down’ at me and I just didn’t fit in.

How to Homeschool and Work

After living this life for almost 7 years, thankfully, I’m a part of a FB group for working moms that has thousands of members- the growth of working homeschool moms is exponential and I can only imagine what the future holds. I also started my own FB group specific to online school because I have so much to share about our journey (and to finally connect with others in the same boat who want to be a homeschool working mom). Life is GOOD! I want to help other working parents and homeschooling families figure out what’s right for them.

First, I will warn ya- I promise it’s not going to be easy to be a working parent and homeschool.

Listen up-I tell my kids that nothing good ever came from easy- so I’ll tell you the same. It will be hard but it will definitely be worth it. I don’t have a ‘simple guide’ or ‘easy how-to’ because every family and every child is completely different. Like anything else you do in life, figure out your “WHY” and plaster it everywhere as a reminder on the tough days. Personally, I have three kids, two dogs, a working spouse, a busy job, and a passion for education and growth mindset. I’ve experienced frustration and mistakes along the journey, but also amazing, proud moments as a mom who is working full time and homeschooling.

After 6 years of this, I’m going to share with you 35 ways we survive (and sometimes thrive) as a homeschooling family with two working parents who also travel- homeschooling as a working mom CAN BE DONE. Challenge Accepted???

3. Hold your kids accountable and save the first few Saturdays of the school year..if you are prepared for the first few weeks to be a bit ‘rough’, you will save your sanity. For younger kids, you can do a quick review of their activities on a daily basis (when possible). If the kids are in middle school or high school, give them some accountability. My 9th grader spent his first 3 Saturdays of freshman year doing hours of homework- he quickly learned to be more efficient during the week!

4. Use educational podcasts in the car for your kids, and motivational podcasts for yourself. Podcasts continue to expand and can be amazing content on-the-go for kids, teens, and for YOU as a homeschool working mom. During this period of life, you aren’t going to have a lot of free time to read – use podcasts as much as you can.

5. Get exercise and eat right (this applies to your whole family). I really cannot emphasize this enough. It’s like the rescue float on the plane- if you don’t take care of yourself, you cannot take care of your family. One year ago, I joined an online bootcamp for women that has been amazing for me. What do you need to hold you accountable to an exercise and nutrition program?. If you are going to thrive at homeschooling and working full time, you need to take care of yourself first.

6. Don’t listen to other people’s opinions. They are not your business. Whether they ‘believe’ in homeschooling or online schooling is not your business. Remember, you have a “WHY”.

7. Listen to your kids. Now more than ever, you can tailor curriculum to their style of learning AND their interests. The course options for elementary students now are what I dreamt of finding when my kids were that age- take advantage- be creative. High school students should have input into their schedule and their curriculum.

8. Instill a passion for learning in your kids. I truly believe this is the most important thing you can do as a parent and whether you work 80 hours a week or stay at home, this matters. This is the one thing that they definitely will not forget. Yes, you can survive working full time and homeschooling.

9. Make a password list of any school-related accounts for each kid and hang it up. The worst thing ever is receiving a phone call while you are in a work meeting or someone outside your office during a conference call complaining that they are locked out of class or forgot a password. Fix it before it’s a problem. This is my biggest recommendation for how to homeschool children and still work!

10. Make a daily schedule– if your kids don’t like the schedule, ask for their suggestions and edit it- but agree on a schedule. What time are they getting up? When is lunch? Don’t make your kitchen an open-all-day cafe or you will lose your sanity.

11. Ask for help (humbly). Find at least one good friend or family member you can count on. Help others WHENEVER you can so that you don’t feel bad asking at the last minute for a car pick-up or sleepover.

12. Eat simply. Meal prep as you can, but if you keep your grocery list simple, it will make life so much easier (including clean up). Hey- if you are really motivated, meal plan and make ahead. For us, theInstant Pot and Vitamix are life-savers.

13. Have books EVERYWHERE. Keep a basket in each room of the house and a basket in each car. Switch them up every few weeks. If you do nothing else on this list as a homeschool working mom, do this one- BOOKS EVERYWHERE!

14. Especially for younger kids, go to the library on the weekend and get a ton of books- keep them in one specific basket (all library books STAY in that basket to prevent losing them). Books are the spine behind being working parents and homeschooling.

15. Use Audible and Epic). Make sure you have some for yourself too.

16. Find a few sitters or drivers (we use www.care.com). Find them in advance and save their numbers in your phone.

17. If you travel frequently, buy an extra set of toiletries and make-up and have it packed in your suitcase ready for your trip. Ask your kids to write you a note to hang up in your hotel room. Write them daily notes to open while you are gone- especially in the younger years, it’s something to read and a way to bond when on the road.

18. Use Amazon Prime. I think this one goes without saying, but I added it just in case.

19. Have a grocery list that everyone can add to– we use Wunderlist but you can also use a traditional paper one.

20. Use Postable to send cards. Your kids can type the messages.

21. Pack non-perishable snacks in your car. Always have snacks. Never let yourself or your kids get to the ‘hangry’ stage. NEVER!

22. Buy plenty of cell phone chargers and scissors. Seriously- anyone else feel like those are the things that are always missing? These should be annual stocking stuffers.

23. Use educational Youtube channels and Netflix shows– these are your ‘friends’. Do your best to make tech time learning time.

24. Have an end-of-the-year ‘conference‘ with your kids to plan for next year’s homeschool or online school year. Just because they don’t bring home a report card doesn’t mean you don’t discuss progress and next steps. How did you do as a homeschool working mom?

25. Practice work presentations in front of your kids. Sure, they are not going to last listening to you or understand the content, but you may be surprised what they take away regarding eye contact, enunciation, and just overall awareness of the need for rehearsal.

26. Use online classes to teach life skills like babysitting, cooking, and organizing.

27. Take a day when you need it– whether it’s to sleep in, read a book, clean the house, or spend time in nature. Don’t ever feel guilty about paying someone to help you homeschool!

28. If your child wants to try an extra-curricular, try an online class for the area of interest before you dedicate the time as uberMom. Online piano lessons, online art classes, etc (we use Outschool) are great ways to sample and see what will want to stick with.

29. Take your kids with you to work conferences when you can- it’s a reward for all. One of my favorite memories was taking my 12 year old and my mom with me on a trip to Boston- they were able to sightsee while I worked without the stress of making up schoolwork upon return. That is truly the life of a homeschool working mom!

30. Ask for subscription boxes for activities for gifts. These can be homeschooling in a pinch and your kids won’t even realize they are learning.

31. Squeeze in learning time anytime (are you ready for this one- there’s a podcast for your kids to listen to in the morning and evening while brushing their teeth that not only will ensure they do a thorough brushing, but will teach them a thing or two. Who knew?

32. Contract out what you can. If you can afford a cleaning service, do it. No questions, just do it. This doesn’t mean your kids don’t need to help out with daily chores.

33. Minimize the mom guilt. Don’t envy the other homeschooling moms who don’t work. Envy will get you nowhere. What do you tell your kids if they are comparing themselves to others? Try telling that to yourself. Do the best you can every day.

34. Remember your why. Ours is….“Because we want the opportunity to pursue an amazing education while allowing time to be curious and explore individual passions.”

35. Give yourself a pat on the back. As working moms who homeschool, we constantly strive for perfection. Instead, strive to be a role model for your kids- demonstrate hard work and a positive attitude and everything else will fall into place.

Well, that’s 35 ways to survive as a working homeschool mom. What did I miss? Make sure to comment any other suggestions AND join our Private Facebook Group about All Things Online School.