Being a working mom comes with a unique set of challenges, especially when you’re homeschooling your child. It’s a balancing act that requires strategic planning and flexibility. But I have had a practice of 6 years of homeschooling. As a full-time worker and mom to my 10-year-old daughter, who now attends online school (Grade 4) from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, creating a homeschooling schedule that works and fits us has been an ongoing process of trial and error.
Over the years, I’ve had to adapt my approach to homeschooling in a way that accommodates both Ira’s learning needs and my work commitments. Over time, I’ve learned what works best, and I want to share my experience with you. If you’re also a working mom trying to homeschool, hopefully, these tips will help you create a manageable routine that works and suits your family.
1. Set Realistic Expectations
The first thing I had to learn when I started homeschooling Ira was to be realistic about what I could actually achieve. As a full-time worker and a mom, I can’t expect to follow a traditional school schedule with hours of uninterrupted time for each subject. I had to remind myself that homeschooling doesn’t have to be perfect or look like what you’d see in a traditional classroom. The goal is to inculcate a love of learning in Ira and ensure that she is getting the foundational knowledge she needs to grow academically.
How I Set Expectations:
- I decided to focus on quality over quantity. Don’t pressure myself or my daughter to get through every single lesson or cover all subjects each day.
- I aim for consistency, but I also embrace flexibility, knowing that some days will require adjustments or just a little less structure.
- I’ve learned to prioritize key skills that Ira needs the most support with, like writing her book and math, and leave other skills for when we have more time.
2. Break Down the Day into Manageable Blocks
Since Ira attends online school from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, I’ve had to adjust the homeschooling schedule accordingly. The key is to balance Ira’s online learning time and my own work commitments while still ensuring there’s time for breaks, physical activity, and family time.
Morning: Focused Learning with Online School
- Ira attends her online school session from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. During this time, I focus on my own work tasks, knowing that she’s engaged with her lessons.
- While Ira is in her online class, I can focus on emails, meetings, and other work-related tasks. This also allows me to check in on Ira and offer support if she needs help with anything virtually. (We connect via facetime and screen sharing is a real saviour when she needs help.)
Post-Lunch: Continued Learning & Independent Work
- O how I miss the naptime. But since Ira turned 9 she has stopped taking afternoon naps. But a good thing is that she has friend’s from all over the world, so she has zoom video calls with them and moms are not allowed. They generally have lunch dates, play games, talk about their favourite books or watch Dr Binocs.
- After lunch, usually around 3:00 PM, Ira continues with independent work, like reading or project work. I also guide her through subjects that require more hands-on interaction, like science experiments or art projects around 4:30 PM.
- While Ira works independently, I focus on my own tasks or catch up on anything I missed earlier in the day.
3. Establish Set Hours But Be Flexible
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that setting consistent hours is key, but being flexible is just as important. Having a routine gives Ira a structure, and it helps her know what to expect. That said, I’ve come to realize that life happens(or more like friends happen to ring the door bell early because they didn’t go to tuition today), and flexibility is necessary when you’re juggling homeschooling and work.
How I Make My Schedule Work:
• I try to stick to a consistent start time usually around 10:30 AM for me and 9:00 AM for Ira), but some days, it’s okay if we start later or adjust as needed. I work from home only once or twice a week, so most days Facetime and iMessage are our best friends)
• If I have an urgent work task or meeting, I adjust the homeschooling schedule. If Ira has a big project or something she’s really interested in, we make time for that, even if it means pushing other things around.
Like for example – She was participating in her online school’s and our society’s republic day celebration, so most of her time a week before went in dance and art practice. At the end of the day, what I feel matters is, how much fun she has on an everyday basis and how her mood is at the end of the day. Because education and learning is a lifelong journey, she will learn at her own speed and timeline. That’s the entire purpose of homeschooling.
4. Use Time Blocking for Efficiency
Since I’m working while homeschooling Ira, time-blocking has become my best friend. This allows me to focus on one task at a time, whether it’s homeschooling or working, without feeling like I’m constantly juggling both. Time blocking is essential for staying organized and ensuring that both homeschooling and work commitments get done.
Time Blocks for Ira and Me:
- Morning Block (9:30 AM – 12:30 PM): Ira’s online school session.
- I focus on my own work during this time – checking emails, attending virtual meetings, and completing sales and admin tasks .
- Friends Time (12:30 PM – 1:20 PM): Ira has zoom meetings with her friends and they chat, A LOT.
- Lunch Break for me (1:20 PM – 2:00 PM): Ira has her school snacks break at 11:50 PM so she is not hungry till 2 PM. But I have my lunch time from 1:15 PM to 2PM so we video call and talk about hour first half of the day, her school day, anything important that needs my attention and ofcourse what funny thing her friends said during the Zoom meeting.
- Lunch Break fro Ira (2:00 PM – 3:00 PM) : Ira has her lunch and continuing the Zoom meeting with her friends.
- Evening (After 3 PM): This is when I focus on work, and Ira can finish any leftover homework or independent assignments. (At the moment she is learning Hindi, Piano and art on her own with the help of Duolingo and Youtube Kids) At 6 PM sharp Ira goes for either swimming or cycling for an hour and another hours later her friends gather down to play.
5. Incorporate Family Time
Even though I have a full work schedule, I make sure to dedicate time for family activities at night when I am back home after 8 PM. This is one of the most important aspects of our homeschooling schedule. Homeschooling can be intense because learning happens throughout the day, and I don’t want Ira to feel like she’s always in study mode. Family time is about connecting and unwinding. So after Ira comes back home at around 9:30 PM from playing, we both have our dinner and night time routine together.
How I Make Family Time Work:
- Nights are for bonding: We spend time together just talking about the day or do something we are in the mood for, whether it’s reading, playing games, journaling or watching a movie (only on weekends because we both have enough screen time during weekdays).
- Outings : We occasionally do go out and honestly don’t care about our homeschool plan. Over the years I have realised that every experience is a lesson and there is no better teacher than life.
6. Use Homeschooling Tools and Resources
One of the best things I’ve done for both Ira and myself is invest in homeschooling tools and resources that make learning more manageable. There are many online platforms, and apps that make homeschooling easier. These resources not only support Ira’s learning but also give me a little more breathing room to focus on work. Do you want me to write a blog about all our homeschooling tools and resources we have used in the last 6 years? Do let me know in the comments below.
7. Involve Ira in Homeschooling Decisions
Another important step is to involve Ira in decisions about her learning. When she feels included in the planning process, it boosts her enthusiasm and makes her feel more empowered. It also helps me understand her interests, so I can tailor our plans accordingly.
How I Involve Ira:
- I ask Ira for her input on what subjects she wants to explore or what learning methods she enjoys. This makes her feel like an active participant in her education. Along the way, interests change and we adjust. We keep the topic that she didn’t enjoy for long in notion and revisit it in six months to see her response.
8. Plan for Different Age Groups and Grades
As Ira progresses in her learning, I recognize that different age groups have different needs. When homeschooling multiple children or adapting for different grade levels, it’s crucial to keep in mind that each age group will require its own approach. For Ira, as a 10-year-old, I focus on balancing academics with plenty of time for creativity and self-expression, but for younger children or older kids, the structure will vary.
For Younger Children (Ages 4-7):
- Younger kids benefit from more play-based learning, and short bursts of study (15-20 minutes per topic).
- It’s important to use interactive, hands-on activities to maintain engagement.
- Their schedules should be flexible and include frequent breaks to avoid burnout.
- My personal favourite approach for this age group is montessori with Jolly phonics. That is what we followed and Ira didn’t know how to write till the age of 8 years.
For Elementary-Aged Kids (Ages 8-10):
- With Ira, we focus on independent work but she still requires guidance for subjects like math, art, and coding.
- I find a balance between structured learning and creative, free-form learning. Art, music, and storytelling are essential.
- Their schedule can have slightly longer sessions but should still have plenty of downtime.
- Ira reads only 120+ books every year (because I am officially broke with her ever growing TBR list), writes 2-3 books for her online school’s literary festival and art is a daily practice in our household.
- But the most important time of the day is play time. Ira has every day of 3+ hours of playtime and the myth that homeschooling doesn’t support social interactions or growth is just that. A MYTH.
For Middle and High Schoolers (Ages 11+):
- As a homeschooling mom whose child has never been to a offline school, I want to emphasize that if you find it difficult to homeschool, just enroll your child in an online school and just be there for them and spend time with them.
- These kids can handle more independent learning, with sessions lasting 1-2 hours for each subject.
- Schedules should include a mix of online learning, self-study, and project work.
- Virtual classes or courses can be helpful for subjects like advanced math or foreign languages.
- Teens can take on more responsibility for their schedule but should still have regular check-ins and guidance.
- This is the time when children start to have an understanding of self, helping your child navigate through these changes is important. Encourage your child to be socially more open if you find that retrieving in their shell.
- Bullying, body shaming, self image, self worth and other problems arise more intensely during the tween-teenage, as a educator you need to introduce these issues to your child and teach them not only what to do when they face a bully but also the importance of why not to be a bully. For every parent their child is an angel, we all need to touch the grass and see our children as humans again.
9. Don’t Be Afraid to Adjust
The beauty of homeschooling is that it is flexible. Some days, Ira might feel particularly motivated and complete her tasks early, while other days might require more breaks or a slower pace. It’s important to be flexible and adjust when things don’t go as planned.
How I Adjust When Things Go Wrong:
- I always keep a buffer in the schedule for catch-up time. If we fall behind in the afternoon, we can catch up at night or even the following day.
- I adjust based on Ira’s energy levels or mood. If she needs more time for a particular subject or needs a break, I listen to her needs and adjust accordingly.
- If my workday gets busier, I scale back on Ira’s project work or shift the schedule so that she can work independently for longer stretches of time.
10. Self-Care and Avoiding Burnout
Taking care of myself is essential. If I don’t prioritize my well-being, I won’t be able to fully be there for Ira, my work, or homeschooling. I’ve learned to create small routines for self-care, even if it’s just 10-15 minutes a day, to recharge and avoid burnout.
How I Make Self-Care a Priority:
- Short breaks: As most of our learning happens on video calls, sometimes it does get too much for me to handle work + homeschooling. I take short 5-10 minute breaks throughout the day to clear my mind. This can involve stretching, stepping outside, or listening to 2-3 songs.
• Weekends are for rest: Iminimize work-related tasks on weekends so I can spend quality time with Ira. This also gives me time to recharge for the upcoming week. Our weekends are for chilling on the bed and quick grocery runs.
• Boundaries with work: I’ve learned not to mix work with homeschooling. When I’m homeschooling Ira, I focus solely on her, and when I’m working, I avoid distractions from homeschooling tasks. In the beginning when I joined work, I had a bad case of creative rut due to imbalance and no clear boundaries. With time, I learned my own limits.
Creating a homeschooling schedule as a working mom is all about finding a balance that works for your unique family situation. For me, it involves balancing Ira’s online schooling from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM, while also carving out focused time for my work and self-care. Each day brings new challenges and adjustments, but with flexibility and a clear routine, homeschooling can be both effective and fulfilling.
Remember, it’s okay to be imperfect. Homeschooling doesn’t need to look like a traditional classroom. The focus is on Ira’s well-being and fostering a love of learning, while also making sure that I maintain a balance in my own life. Creating a realistic schedule, setting clear boundaries, and adjusting when necessary will help you navigate the journey of working full time and homeschooling with greater ease. Don’t be pressured. You do You!
With love,
Harshala
