Does Anyone Homeschool and Work Full-time?

I tried doing it while working part-time and it was a nightmare. My situation wasn't by choice, though, so I wasn't motivated to homeschool from the onset. However, it was just extremely difficult balancing it all and can't even imagine doing it while working full-time.

I don't currently, but I know many who do. Their schedules OR the ages of their children make it possible.

I go to school full time and homeschool my 9yo... it's super easy. I just take my classes during "afterschool care" hours. My son goes to "afterschool" care (sorry, it always cracks me up), I go to class. I do the vast majority of my work/studying at night when he's asleep. When he was younger, it was even EASIER, because there's daycare and preschool for the younger set, so I could take classes anytime, and not just in the afternoons and evenings.

But for folks I know who work full time:

- The dad (primary teacher) who is a fishing and hunting guide: he's home every morning by 10am (except during deer season, which is their "summer" break). Mom works from noon - 9. They have elementary aged kids. I know SEVERAL others who "trade" teaching or childcare duties because they arrange their work schedules so that someone is always home with the kids.

- SEVERAL families whose parents work from home (writers, artists, and computer people mostly; people who can set their own schedules).

- SEVERAL families of older children (middle and highschool) who work 9-5 type jobs or are single parents. Either the kids are at the point where they are taking lessons from outsiders (like the highschool kids at the community college), or they do school in the evening after extracurriculars (drama, sports, mathclub, chess, all the stuff awayschooled middle and highschoolers do after 2pm until dinner) when their parents are home from work. Their kids are, by and large, quite occupied during the daytime. Not even including all the extracurriculars offered after 2pm there are Homeschool groups or classes, part time work (tons and tons of work is available for those 14 and up, especially internships), tutors themselves or being tutored, in training for sports (I know several who iceskate, snowboard, or swim 6-10 hours a day, then come home the same time their parents do, take a break/eat, and bust through their school work), etc.

- A FEW families who can bring their children with them to work (1 archeologist I know, 1 home builder, 1 restaurant owner, a few hotel / B&B workers, 1 forestry family)

With younger children it's quite easy (because of the massive amounts of childcare available). With older children, it's quite easy. It's the elementary kids that it's very very difficult to arrange care for prior to "afterschool" care that is available.

I'm interested in seeing the responses as my husband was on a home schooling kick a few years ago and I asked him which one of us would be quitting our job to do so. I can't imagine being able to work FT and homeschool. I would think that in a case like that, you're either shortchanging your kids or your employer at any given time. The two can't be done well or thoroughly at the same time and there really aren't enough hours in the day for a full day of work AND a full day of school at separate times.

Everyone that said that they do it or know someone who has have jobs, that maybe full time, but allow for flexibility. If you have that option, than I think it could be done. However, do you really think you can work a 9-5 and properly educate your kids? When will you have the time where your kids will be alert and focused?

I really toyed with the idea of homeschooling about a year ago when my options for preschool were limited for my oldest daughter. I was planning on going the route where I signed up for a program that outlined the cirriculum and the work was done within a certain time frame. What I found out was that most programs like that recommend having a set scheduled time for learning, especially if you have younger kids that need to be wrangled at the same time. I found that with a full time job I would be getting up super early in the morning so that I could be home in time to teach the lesson and then still be able to cook dinner and then get kids to bed at a reasonable time. I pictured myself spending a lot of off and weekend time to accomplish the lesson plans and then there wouldn't be a routine. Most kids thrive on the set learning time and routine of the "classroom" I thought that it would be too stressful and time consuming, and I would spend all of my off time teaching instead of having fun with my little one. I do some workbook pages everyday but I find it far more enjoyable and I can't leave her to it while I cook and only help on occasion.

I think every child learns differently but you definitely have to meld the lifestyles when considering working and homeschooling.

Wow, I think that would take a huge amount of commitment on both your parts. If you and DH both had jobs w/ flexible hours (maybe each working 3-12 hour days) and didn't work the same days and both were committed to home schooling, I think you could make it work. There is no rule that says school is from 8 am until 2 pm M-F. Museums, zoos, science centers and other resources that you would incorporate are open on weekends so why not.

Some sites to look at http://www.progressive-homeschool.blogspot.com/, http://technomom.com/hs/ganaturalhs.shtml, http://tinderbox.homeschooljournal.net/

Several of these have some good discussions about the positives and some MAJOR negatives of home schooling.

That said, my son will go to public school, DH and I both work FT and neither one of us is feeling any guilt. Nor should you if you decide against home schooling.

I have to agree with the other responder I think you would be short changing the kids and/or employeer by trying to do both. I know you want to stay connected with the children & their schooling but I would use the energy to volunteer/support the school as much as possible. I have been a FT working mom all throughout my oldest DD's life and I would take vacation from work to attend the class parties, chaperone field trips, volunteer in the classroom. I would also donate items frequently and ask the teacher if she had anything I could take home and do in the evenings, etc. Believe me with all the homework children get these days you'll FEEL like your homeschooling in the evenings!

If you want to research the homeschooling more I think www.K12.com is a good place to start.

Anything is possible if you want it to be. I too had to go back to work because we couldn't afford for me to stay home anymore. I work from 6:30-11:30 and my husband works from 12:30-9pm ...we work opp shifts and don't have to pay daycare. We will be homeschooling for the first few years too. He will do math and science and I will do the rest. Its not what I had in my head when started our family but we make it work! Sonlight is what we will be using. There are many co-ops you can be a part of and lots of online homeschooling. My boss has 2 boys who homeschool with DVD's and her and her husband work fulltime.

Are you thinking that your parents will do most, if not all, of the schooling? Are they open to it?

Here is a cursory discussion of this issue, though I suspect you could google and find even more experiences: http://www.hslda.org/docs/hshb/74/hshb7423.asp .

When I first started thinking about homeschooling, I went to a homeschool support group in our area. I picked up a flyer of a small group of parents (like 3-4 kids max) who paid a certified teacher to meet with their kids at a church. We didn't end up doing it but I thought it was an interesting idea.

Anyway, my point is that you might want to attend a support group meeting and ask if any other families are working full time and homeschooling. You may get some interesting ideas and pointers.

IMHO it would be tough, but not impossible. I've been homeschooling for 4.5 years (didn't start until 3rd grade though), and at times have had to work part-time. Even that was stressful for me.

Good luck - where there is a will there is a way.

I had a friend who worked full time and homeschooled. Her kids were 6th + grades and self taught. She brought them to work. They started going to school in high school and are totally fine. I couldn't do it but if the situation is right you could, especially if you had help. I have another friend who works full time from home and homeschools but her husband does most of the teaching since his schedule is very flexible (he video's for weddings etc.) Your children are so young that actual "school" time would be very short for a few years. Good luck!!