Balancing a Career and Home Education

by | Jun 11, 2022 | Blog

Photo by WorkingFromHome from Canva

The prospect of balancing a career and home education can seem daunting. However, it should not keep parents interested in homeschooling their child from taking on the challenge.

REASONS FOR HOME EDUCATION

When figuring out how to balance home education with work responsibilities, it is helpful to start by identifying your reasons for doing so. They may include:

  • Home education is not constrained to the hours of the traditional school system
  • Choosing a student-led approach to learning (e.g., unschooling) versus a structured, instructor-led approach

After you are clear on those factors, you can allocate time in your schedule for educational experiences.

CAREER GOALS

In addition to considering your reasons for home education, it is equally important to ask yourself about your career goals.

  • Have you reached a place where you are established in your career?
  • Do you have a good understanding of how to manage the required workload?
  • Are you presently trying to advance in your career? If so, what is the required time and energy commitment?
  • Are you trying to change careers?

If it is possible to homeschool your child in the circumstances above, you must now manage your time and energy.

MAXIMIZING FLEXIBILITY

When balancing a career and home education, try to maximize any available flexibility in your work schedule. There are a few ways to do this, including:

  • Full or partial remote work
  • Alternative and/or flexible schedule options (e.g., four 10-hour days, 32-hour workweeks, etc.)
  • Speaking to your employer and inform them of your intention to homeschool your child

 

Developing a schedule is essential to balancing career and home education. Identify the time you intend to dedicate to work and educational engagement with your child. Even if you work from home full-time and/or if you are self-employed, you still want to have a plan. 

CHILDCARE OPTIONs

Homeschooling parents should not overlook the potential need for childcare, even if they can work from home. Young children may have difficulty occupying themselves while their parents focus on work tasks. If that is the case in your family, you may wish to consider securing a babysitter, part-time nanny, and/or “afterschool” childcare programs. They can give your children opportunities for social interaction while giving you a predictable period to focus on work.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Creativity, intentionality, and flexibility are key to balancing your child’s career and home education. Although it can be challenging, it is possible to experience success in homeschooling and your career!

 

MindWorks Collaborative would love to invite you to learn more about interrupting the Model Minority Myth. Join future conversations on this topic by signing up for our community of justice-driven special educators here and sign up to get alerts for our next roundtable.

 

Guest Blogger Profile: Dr. Keena James Seward (AuD, MA, CCC-A/SLP) is an audiologist, speech-language pathologist, and homeschooling parent. She is the founder of 3L Therapy Solutions, LLC, a private practice that offers therapy, academic support, and parent coaching for families of children with communication disorders and learning differences. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, and traveling.