Episode 90: Working Moms

Working Moms - They can and do homeschool too. It may not always be easy, but it can be done! If you are wondering how, we share some tried and true advice on how to do it.

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Show Notes

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Scoop on the Coop

We started a new tradition with our Coop Group moms this year: The Coopees! We thought it would be fun to recognize the amazing women in our group with sweet sentiments, funny anecdotes, and unique memories from the last co-op year. We even created hilariously tiny chicken trophies to hand out - it was a fun way to end the previous year while we began moving forward and planning the new year.

Topic

Having to work shouldn’t be a barrier for parents to homeschool their children, sometimes it just takes creative problem solving. There are situations where it just isn’t possible - we will discuss that at the end. 

Flexibility

  • Set your own work schedule

  • Work from home

    • Depends on behavior and temperament of the kids and your ability to be interrupted

    • Have times you are available for your kids

    • Set schedules for work, academics, independent time, meals, etc.

  • Homeschool around a work schedule

    • Evenings & weekends

  • Enrichment classes/drop-offs

    • Farm school/nature schools

    • Drop off co-ops

    • Elective classes

Support

  • Spouse

    • If homeschooling is a priority, is there a way you and your spouse can work your schedules to always have someone with the children?

  • Family - homeschooling is an amazing way to incorporate extended family if possible! Use for childcare or academics while you work.

    • Grandparents/Aunts and Uncles - let them just enjoy time together or let the adults be available to help with academics if necessary. 

  • Friends - I like to think that I’d be willing to help a working friend homeschool her kids if that’s what it took for her to do both. Maybe not every day, but some schedule that would be helpful.

  • Alone Time - find support to help you reset and recharge to continue working and homeschooling

Customization

  • Curriculum - find curriculum that will HELP you

    • Open and go: curriculums that provide a schedule, lesson plan and all materials for you

      • Abeka

      • Sonlight

      • BookShark

    • Online - this can be helpful particularly for older children who need less help with technology and on devices

      • Time4Learning

      • Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool

  • Unschool - look into unschooling and see if you are comfortable with this learning philosophy and support your child’s interest based learning

  • Block or loop scheduling - if you have small windows to sit down with your children, maybe cycle through a subject a day, a subject a week or even a month rather than trying to touch all the subjects in a day. 

  • Independent Time - have educational materials that you know your children can explore on their own.

Jessica’s Work Situation:

  • Work part time - it’s been anywhere from 12-20 hours per week over the last 6 years of homeschooling

  • My kids come with me, spend time with cousins, or stay home with my husband

When we asked a friend of ours who homeschools and works full-time as a lawyer for advice, she said this:

  1. Know your child’s needs

  2. Organize, Organize, Organize

  3. Use screen time

  4. Understand that you will have good days and bad days

  5. Take time for yourself to refresh for the next day

If you don’t have job flexibility or a strong childcare support system, we understand that homeschooling could be nearly impossible while your children are young - especially for single working parents.

Coop Q & A

Question: Is homeschooling truly an “at your own/their own pace” experience? I’m only able to devote 1/2-1 hr a day during the week, is that enough?

Answer: Yes, homeschooling should be customized and at the pace of the child/family. We believe learning is a lifelong adventure and isn’t confined to specific times of day or years of our lives. A ½ - 1 hour a day is definitely enough time - you get to decide what is most important for you to utilize that time for: instruction, read alouds, reviewing independent work, etc. As we said above about customizing - consider focusing on one subject during your available time and then rotating daily/weekly/monthly. Consider unit studies - a study on a single topic that pulls in multiple subject areas: Gather Round is our favorite. We also have to ask, is 1/2 -1 all you have available in the entire day, or just the 8am-3pm “school” window? Remember, learning doesn’t have to be confined to specific times of the day!

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