Tips For Balancing A Job And Homeschooling Requirements

By Patrick Bailey

Fall is just around the corner, which typically means preparing your kids for the new school year, but this year, many school districts have opted to start the school year with online classes. 

Whether your school district has made the decision that all their students will study online the first semester or you were given the option of choosing in-school or home-school, there is no denying the fact that being a working parent while homeschooling is difficult, stressful and overwhelming. 

Finding the right balance between work, homeschooling and your sanity may seem challenging, but managing that is possible. Here are a few tips to help you balance work and the new homeschool requirements.

MAKE A LIST

Schedules and lists will become your new best friend. Whether you work outside the home or have a home-based job, making a list of tasks will make it easier to complete them. 

Your list should be as detailed as possible. Each day should include your work tasks that are due as well as all school assignments that are due. Whenever possible, try to make weekly schedules instead of creating a new schedule each day. For example, spend an hour or two on Sunday evening to review your kids’ upcoming class assignments and what “special” requirements are needed for the assignment and jot down your work tasks that are due and when. 

Having school assignments and work assignments on the same schedule will allow you to have a better idea of how to manage your time.

KEEP CURRICULUMS SIMPLE

When it’s time for lesson planning and creating a curriculum, stick to the basics. Taking baby steps will help you get through the process of homeschooling and it will allow your child to explore what’s available and decide what they want to study. 

If a new curriculum isn’t necessary, don’t create one. Take it slow, follow the guidance of your child’s school and encourage your child to participate in all online discussions with their teachers and their peers. For example, if your child’s math teacher is hosting an online, optional tutoring session, encouraging your child to participate will not only give you a few minutes to focus on work, but it will also give you a break from trying to refresh your math skills.

KEEP YOUR WORK AND SCHOOL ROUTINE

One of the most difficult things about doing tasks at home when they are typically done outside of the house is staying focused. 

The easiest way to reduce distractions and stay focused on the tasks at hand is to maintain a routine. For example, if the kids were in school from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m., stick to these hours. Restrict television time until after “school hours,” have lunch during school lunch times, and make sure the kids are doing class work at the time they would typically be in that particular class. If you work from home, try to have “school” and your job in different areas of the house.

KEEP UP WITH ASSIGNMENTS

One of the most difficult things about homeschooling, especially when parents work, is keeping up with all assignments, both yours and your children’s. A common benefit of homeschooling is that it will take up less of your time, but if you don’t get a handle on assignments, it can end up costing you not only more time, but rushed time. 

It is essential that you check assignments and due dates on a daily basis. Don’t over plan, but don’t let things get away from you either. If you work from home, make it clear to your family what your working hours are and stick to them. It only takes missing a deadline on one work task to put you seriously behind, so make sure everyone in the house is aware of school times, working hours and family time.

Throughout the craziness of working and homeschooling, it may get easy to lose yourself. It is extremely important that you find time for you. For instance, if you are involved in a 12 step alcohol program, find time to attend at least one meeting a week. It is essential for you and your family that you not lose who you are during this “adventure.” Maintain a healthy balance, which means finding personal time just for you.

Keep in mind that when you’re happy, it will be much easier to successfully manage everything you try to do during the day. You’ll be more flexible, have the patience to roll with the punches and the energy to get through the day, so find time for you.

Patrick Bailey is a professional writer, mainly in the fields of mental health, addiction, and living in recovery.

He attempts to stay on top of the latest news in the addiction and the mental health world and enjoys writing about these topics to break the stigma associated. You can read more about Patrick on his website or catch up with him socially on Twitter, Facebook or Linkedin.