Hey there, Momma! Are you wondering if you can homeschool and work full time? I’m here to tell you—it absolutely is! I’ve been working full-time for two years while homeschooling my children, and while it’s not always easy, it is doable.
Choosing to homeschool while working full-time takes grit, determination, sacrifice, and the ability to set realistic expectations. Balancing work and home is a challenge for all parents—you just have to choose your hard.
How I Structure My Day And Set Realistic Routines
The number one thing you need to do to successfully work full-time while homeschooling is to set realistic routines and structure your days intentionally. Before diving into scheduling, I highly recommend going through a deschooling period to observe the natural flow of your day while working and having your children home. If you’re unfamiliar with deschooling, check out What Is Deschooling? Everything You Need to Know Before Homeschooling to learn more.
Once you’ve deschooled and gained insight into your family’s rhythms, start crafting a routine that works for you. I suggest trying it out for a few weeks before making adjustments. Kids thrive on consistency, so whether you choose to do school before or after work, setting clear expectations will be key.
I set these clear expectations by printing daily schedules for my children to follow. I have alarms that go off for start and stop times, similar to a school setting, but structured around our specific needs. Since we need to complete a full school day before I clock in, that is a sacrifice I choose to make. Another way I reinforce expectations is by verbally acknowledging and thanking my children when they stay focused and move through tasks without resistance.
Here’s a look at our daily rhythm:
5:00 – 6:00 AM – Wake up (depending on when my baby starts our day). Feed, change, and connect with the baby.
7:00 AM – Wake up older children. They complete their morning chores and have breakfast. While they work through their tasks, I take time to read to the baby, play on the floor, or do quick prep (pumping, diaper stuffing, folding laundry).
8:30 AM – School begins. If they finish their morning routine early, we may start early, but if they aren’t ready by 8:30, the work must wait until school.
10:30 AM – School ends. I feed the baby, lay him down for a nap, and take a few minutes to get ready for work.
11:00 AM – 7:30 PM – Work hours.
7:30 PM – Baby bedtime.
8:00 PM – Older kids’ bedtime.
What we tackle during school:
- Morning basket
- Math
- Language arts
- Independent reading
- Loop schedule (History and science on rotation) → Learn more about loop scheduling here.
What My Kids Do While I Work:
- Read books
- Watch documentaries
- Play outside
- Help in the kitchen
- Visit the library or park
This routine keeps learning at the heart of our days while giving us the flexibility to roll with life. It’s not always perfect, but it works for us—and that’s what really matters!
Choosing the Right Homeschool Approach
There are many ways to homeschool, and finding the right fit makes balancing work and homeschooling so much easier. I use a mix of Charlotte Mason and Classical education, and having that foundation helps me make confident curriculum choices.
When it comes to picking curriculum, I focus on the essentials—math, language arts, science, and history. Keeping things simple helps me avoid decision fatigue and keeps our school days running smoothly. Now that I’m in my sixth year of homeschooling, I have a solid idea of what works for us and have let go of anything that felt too prep-heavy, time-consuming, or just didn’t fit our structured schedule.
One of the biggest shifts I made when transitioning from stay-at-home homeschooling to working full-time was switching to non-consumable curriculum. I love that we can revisit lessons as many times as needed without worrying about running out of pages. Plus, when my younger kids reach the same material, I already know the best way to teach it—making things easier for all of us!
Handling Interruptions and the Importance of Independent Learning When You Homeschool and Work Full Time
One of the biggest challenges of homeschooling while working full-time is the short time frame. So when interruptions happen (and they will happen), it can feel like a catastrophe. This is where having a solid support system is a game changer. Whether it’s a spouse, grandparent, sibling, or friend, having someone to step in when you can’t get to lessons makes all the difference.
On days when I just can’t get through a full school day but still want my kids to get some structured learning in, I keep a few independent workbooks on hand that my husband can help oversee. The key is finding work that’s challenging enough to be meaningful but simple enough that it can mostly be done without me.
Now, I couldn’t just hand my 7-year-old an Evan-Moor workbook on day one and expect her to thrive. I had to build up her ability to work independently. I started small—giving her workbook pages to do while I worked with her brother. It kept her busy and gave her practice reading directions, following through, and problem-solving on her own. We’d go over her work together afterward, and over time, she gained the confidence to work independently. Once she had that foundation, I found additional math and language arts resources she could tackle on her own—especially on days when interruptions are most likely to happen.
Some of my favorite self-directed activities are audiobooks, STEAM projects, art or craft kits, and educational games. These give my kids something engaging to do, whether independently, together, or with dad jumping in when he can.
Homeschooling Effectively in a Short Timeframe
Yep, we’re back to the short time frame—because let’s be honest, it’s the biggest stressor when balancing homeschooling and full-time work. How do you make it all fit? The key is prioritization.
You can’t do it all, momma. I know that’s tough to hear, especially when the internet is flooded with picture-perfect homeschool spaces, elaborate lessons, and daily field trips. But here’s the truth: your homeschool doesn’t have to look like that to be effective.
When planning your days, focus on the essentials—language arts, math, science, and history. Everything else? Trust the process. Kids are always learning—through books, documentaries, conversations, and curiosity. Just because you don’t have time to teach every single subject doesn’t mean they won’t learn about what excites them!
I encourage my kids to ask questions—about the world, things they hear, or something they read. Instead of just accepting information as truth, I want them to develop a habit of digging deeper. This builds critical thinking and research skills, which, honestly, are more valuable than any single lesson I could teach. And once they start exploring a topic on their own, the questions just keep coming—which turns into learning that sticks.
Because at the end of the day, the goal isn’t just to get through the lessons. It’s to raise kids who know how to learn and never stop.
Planning and Prepping for Success to Homeschool and Work Full Time
Let’s talk about what planning and prepping actually look like. You might be wondering what’s worth planning and what’s not—I get it. Your time is valuable, and the last thing you want is to spend hours planning something that never gets used.
I keep it simple. I don’t plan too far ahead when it comes to lessons. Over the weekend, I look at the week ahead. Do we have any appointments or outings? Any holidays or special occasions? Once I’ve noted those things, I glance back at the previous week. What didn’t we get to? Do we still need to work on a specific topic? Were there any struggles?
With that in mind, I map out what needs to happen on each day. I jot down page numbers or lesson names in my planner, then pull it up when the day rolls around. Once we finish a task, I highlight it, and we move on. That’s it. No overcomplicating things—just a system that works.
For long-term planning—like scheduling breaks or rotating subjects—I keep it just as simple. Our school year starts the Monday after Labor Day, and we follow a six-week schedule, schooling Monday through Friday. During each six-week session, we loop either science or history. After six weeks, we take a one-week break, then jump into another six-week session. This cycle continues until we hit 180 days.
During our break week, I reset our space. I tidy up, make sure everything is where it needs to be, and lay out our new materials. I also check for upcoming experiments or projects, gather supplies, and pencil in when we’ll tackle them.
Planning and prepping don’t have to be overwhelming. Focus on the week ahead, reflect on the week behind, and do what your future self will thank you for. And remember—this is all a work in progress.
Overcoming Challenges when you homeschool and work full time
If you’re anything like me, you want to know the hurdles ahead before you’re face-to-face with them. Every family has its own challenges, but I can share how we’ve navigated some of the biggest ones since I started working full time.
One of the hardest adjustments has been not being able to reteach a concept in the moment. When I was home full time, I could quickly spot when something wasn’t clicking and adjust on the fly—playing a game, having a discussion, or weaving it into our day naturally. Now, with me gone for eight hours, I have to revisit those tricky concepts later, sometimes multiple times, before they truly stick.
This can make learning feel slow, and honestly, it used to frustrate me. I was so aware that if I were home all day, we would have moved on weeks ago. I had to shift my mindset and remind myself that mastery takes time, and a gradual pace doesn’t mean we’re falling behind—it just means we’re learning in a way that fits our reality.
And of course, the comparison game sneaks in, especially on the tough weeks. It’s easy to look at another homeschool family and wonder if we’re doing enough. But the truth is, every child, every home, and every homeschool looks different—and that’s a good thing. The beauty of homeschooling isn’t in keeping up with someone else’s version of success, but in creating a learning environment that works for your family.
Managing Work and Homeschool Organization
One of the most practical ways I balance work and homeschooling is by staying organized. I rely on both a digital planner and a paper planner—each serving a different purpose. My digital planner helps with long-term planning, record keeping, attendance tracking, and noting each child’s interests or learning styles. My paper planner, on the other hand, is my go-to for week-to-week lesson planning and daily task management.
Mornings are precious, and with a limited timeframe to complete our homeschool lessons before work, we can’t afford to waste time searching for materials. That’s why I make it a priority to keep our homeschool space tidy and ready to go at all times. My kids know that if they take something out, it needs to go back where it belongs. While things naturally get a little messy throughout the week, we do a full reset every Sunday so we can start fresh on Monday morning.
To keep everything organized, I use magazine holders, plastic drawers, and pencil boxes. If it can be labeled, it is—no more ‘I don’t know where it goes’ excuses!’ I store away anything we’re not currently using to keep our space clutter-free and minimize distractions. Having an organized homeschool setup allows us to start each day smoothly, without unnecessary stress—making it easier to juggle both homeschooling and work.
Encouragement for Working Parents Considering Homeschooling
Okay, Momma—you made it! I hope these tips and ideas have helped you navigate homeschooling while working full time or have given you clarity as you consider this journey for your family. I know making the leap can be terrifying. The questions, the doubts, the what-ifs—it’s a lot. But here’s your reminder: the sacrifices you make to homeschool while working full time are absolutely worth it.
Because I choose to homeschool, I get more time with my family. If my children were in school, we would lose at least four hours a day together. Those hours are precious—they’re filled with connection, laughter, and deepening bonds that I hope will last a lifetime. I love that we have the flexibility to adjust when life happens—like pausing structured lessons on a Thursday because the baby was up all night with a fever. Instead, we spend the morning curled up with books and a cozy cartoon.
But the best part? The ability to create a meaningful education. We’re not bound by someone else’s schedule or curriculum. We can follow our children’s natural gifts, explore subjects that spark curiosity, and—most importantly—model that learning isn’t just about school. Learning is lifelong, and that includes Mom too!
So, yes—homeschooling while working full time is possible! Is it easy? No. But with a solid plan, a little support, and the determination to make it work, you can do this. And trust me—it’s worth every effort.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Balancing homeschooling and working full-time isn’t easy—but you can do it, and you don’t have to do it alone. Having a support system of like-minded moms who understand the juggle makes all the difference.
If you’re looking for encouragement, practical tips, and a community that gets it, I’d love for you to join our Facebook group! It’s a space where homeschooling moms—whether working full-time, part-time, or staying home—come together to share ideas, ask questions, and support one another.
Come be part of a group that understands the real challenges of homeschooling while working—and let’s do this together! Join us here
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