Balancing Homeschooling and Full-Time Work: Tips for Success

The rise in homeschooling in the United States has been a significant trend in recent years, with a sharp increase in the number of families choosing to educate their children at home. According to a 2023 segment by PBS NewsHour, 1.2 million students have left public schools since 2020, leading to a doubling in the number of children who are homeschooled between the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years. This shift in the homeschooling community has also seen an increase in the percentage of Black families who homeschool, challenging the traditional perception of homeschooling being reserved for white middle-class families.

With more households now comprised of parents who work full-time while homeschooling their children, the dynamics of homeschooling have evolved. Parents like Lauren Rowello, a freelance journalist, and homeschooling parent, have had to find ways to balance their careers with their children’s education. Rowello often finds themselves working in the back of a classroom, stealing moments to edit drafts or send pitches while also overseeing their children’s schooling.

Nikki Coleman, a mom of three in Pittsburgh, homeschools her sixth-grader while working a standard 40-hour work week. She acknowledges the challenges of balancing work and homeschooling, especially with a toddler and an infant at home. Liz Bolton, who first began homeschooling while living on a remote Alaskan island, now juggles grad school, teaching a college class, and working as a senior copywriter while homeschooling her two kids.

To support parents who homeschool and work full time, resources like Practical By Default and the Working Homeschool Mom Club provide online communities and resources for parents in similar situations. These platforms offer support, advice, and a sense of community for parents navigating the challenges of balancing work and homeschooling.

Practical tips for parents who homeschool and work full time include finding a homeschool schedule that works for their family, challenging expectations about learning, outsourcing learning activities and childcare when possible, prioritizing social-emotional learning and mental health, seeking support from homeschooling communities, and viewing work as a learning opportunity for both parents and children.

Overall, the rise in homeschooling among families with working parents highlights the need for flexibility, creativity, and support in balancing work and education. By leveraging resources, seeking community support, and prioritizing the well-being of both parents and children, parents can successfully navigate the challenges of homeschooling while working full time.