Working and Homeschooling – Can It Be Done?

In ideal homeschooling situations, one parent works, and the other parent does the majority of the homeschooling.  But what happens when a family can no longer live on one income?  What if the breadwinner is unable to work?  What about single parent households?  Can they work and continue homeschooling?

Let’s first consider work at home possibilities.  With the present day boom on the internet, more companies than ever are outsourcing tasks such as support and customer service to private contractors working from home.  These include companies such as retailers, airlines, medical and insurance transcriptions.  There are even opportunities to tutor a variety of subjects and teach online!  As long as you have a quiet space to work and your children are safe, this can be a viable way to earn money.

Though not as flexible as working from home, many parents are able to work in traditional settings if their children are high school aged, self-starters, or have family members that are willing to help them in their educational endeavor.

Depending on the age and abilities of your children will determine if this is a workable solution for you and your family.  Some important questions to ask yourself are:  Do you have support from family?  Are they able to step in to help oversee work or take kids to appointments as necessary?  Are your children older and more self-sufficient?  Are you able to share instructional time with another family?  Are you cutting your hours of sleep to make up for schooling and working hours?  Are you able to mentally and emotionally maintain the balance between family, schooling, and work?

As a single parent household, you will undoubtedly come up against many unique obstacles.  These can be overcome with careful planning and enlisting the help and support of others.  In recent years, there have been the many support groups popping up across the nation and the internet specifically geared towards single parent homeschooling.  In whatever capacity you are able to, I strongly suggest getting plugged into one.  Even if the group is virtual, you will still reap the benefits of those who have gone before you and receive support when you need it.

Though it’s not always a clear cut decision, the ability to continue homeschooling during seasons of unemployment, financial hardships, or singleness may be possible.   Let prayer and wise counsel help guide you in making this decision.