Homeschoolers Who Work from Home

Are you one of those parents who does it all from home? Is your house not just a home, but also a science lab, an art studio, a cafeteria, a library, a computer lab, perhaps with walls decorated in world atlases, posters featuring the anatomy of grasshoppers, time tables and number lines, and do you also happen to have a home office? Do you find yourself creating lesson plans one minute, helping your son with his math the next, only to moments later find yourself preparing lunch while your daughter sets up for her next science experiment, just before being interrupted by a client on the telephone? If this sounds at all familiar... you might be a superhero. Check for a cape hidden under your blouse or t-shirt. If you don't see it, it's only because your eyes are too tired from lack of sleep and the mistaken illusion that you're just an everyday mom or dad.

I'm in awe of men and women educating their children from home, while running a business of any size at all! I've been there to some degree... working online while my kids work on reading assignments or study for their next spelling test, but honestly had a very difficult time finding a healthy balance between the two activities, which inevitably both suffered in the process. I've met families who can somehow pull of the incredible task of working and schooling from home. I think it takes a very special (and high-energy) individual to accomplish a successful homeschool along side any kind of business.

If I were to give advice on how to keep the balance healthy, I would simply suggest not to take on too much responsibility outside of your homeschool. You don't want what started out to be something exciting and fun... a time to learn with your children, into a task you have to get through so you can return to your work. Your kids will sense your thoughts are on your work and not theirs and the relationship you were hoping to build with your children will suffer.

I've met many families who truly do it all, and do it well. They seem to have a handful of things in common, including little down time, waking up early, sticking to a rigid schedule, cooperation from their spouse (working as a team), and I couldn't help but notice that a lot of their success depends on the personalities of their children. If you have a high-maintenance youngster at home, you'll likely find working from home somewhat of an impossibility... at least while they're awake! lol If you can squeeze in some work time after they're in bed, without sacrificing your own health through lack of sleep, you might be able to make it work.

What's your story? Do you work from home for income in addition to working as a home educator? What advice might you have for other homeschoolers? I'd love to hear from you! I'd even be open to guest articles on this subject. Email me if you'd like to participate!