The Old Schoolhouse Magazine

One of the myths about home- schooling is that the mother has to be a full-time, stay-at-home mother. I am here to say that this is not true. For most of my children’s lives, my husband and I have both worked outside the home. I have also homeschooled. How are the two possible? For our family, we have made homeschooling and working possible by being committed, flexible, and determined.

Committed to the Big Picture

Putting my children in school is tempting at times, but I know that homeschooling will give them the type of education that is best for them.

Committed to Family

My husband and I currently work opposite
shifts. We make sure to spend time together
each night after I come home from work,
even if I am tired. I also make sure to spend
some time with the children before they go
to bed.

Flexible in Scheduling

When my son was younger, we home-schooled year-round. Now we make the August-May school year work. I try to schedule three weeks for things that come up and for those days that we just need a break from school. When I have to work an occasional day shift, we do what we can before I leave.

Flexible in Extracurricular
Activities

Even if I were a full-time, stay-at-home
mom, we would not be doing a lot of extra
activities. But, working afternoons makes
even the few activities we are interested in
difficult. If one of the children is interested
in something, we will find a way to make it
work. I may have to ask an extended family
member to take them, rearrange my work
hours occasionally, or use a personal day.

Homeschooling when one parent is home is difficult. Homeschooling when both parents work outside the home adds even more obstacles. Therefore, we are determined to be wise in time management.

We Are Determined

We are determined to find reliable childcare. I began working the late afternoon/ evening shift when my son was two years old. At the time, we could not afford a daycare center. We were blessed that our church’s nursery director was also an in-home childcare provider who kept him (and later our daughter) for a very reasonable rate and was flexible about drop-off www.TheOldSchoolhouse.com by Karen Robuck