Apples of Gold Home School News

Managing schedules becomes even more cumbersome if you have to work a job and homeschool, or if your student works a part-time job while homeschooling. Juggling studies within the time constraints of job schedules is something more and more of us face, either because economically we have to take in extra income to meet family needs, or because our children are reaching ages when they, too, are entering the workforce and testing their skills and interests.

Five years ago I was compelled to pick up extra income by taking on an outside job, and at about the same time some of my children were beginning to take on part-time jobs as well. Juggling both our schedules made for hectic days and some pretty frantic homeschooling experiences. But eventually we figured out what worked for us, and you can too, if you find yourself at this place in life. Here are some tips to help you muddle through what is doable, but not easy.

*Realize that the order of of your day will change, and accept that.

If you've been used to starting school at 8 am, but now your 16 year old is needed to stack your elderly neighbor's firewood at that time, then be willing to adjust your schedules accordingly. There are no rules about when you must do school. School after lunch can be just as productive as morning school, if that's what it needs to be. Reading literature before bed or in bed can be more enjoyable than seated around the table at 10 a.m while trying to rush through to get done before an afternoon activity.

*Decide what is most important, because sometimes you can't do it all.

Some days will slide by with little done in the way of "school work". Maybe you'll have to do math 3 days a week, and double up on biology on Fridays. Then decide if you can let the creative writing slide for a few days or weeks, or if you absolutely must do that science experiment, or instead watch a good youtube video of the same thing in place of it. Some things just have to go or be moved around if you or your child is holding a job. Try to find the educational value in the job if it makes you feel better.

*Don't beat yourself up.

If you as the parent is the one that has to leave home to work, the hardest thing to deal with can be the guilt. I'm not doing all I should. I'm not there for them. I'm torn in too many directions. Hopefully you've addressed these issues before you made the plunge to work, but there are some things you can never foresee. You CAN homeschool while you work. There WILL be sacrifices. You CAN raise a successful, well-educated child despite them. It takes dedication, committment, and no limit of energy. But with focus and determination, you can see it through. You can only do so much. You are one person, or a single small family team of people. Make of it what you can, and leave the outcome in God's hands. He's more than capable of filling in your gaps.

*Do what works for YOUR FAMILY, not someone else's.

The Bible tells us that comparing ourselves among ourselves is not wise. Yet it's sometimes difficult not to look at what someone else is doing and feel that we are woefully lacking. Don't do that! Especially if your circumstances are different. God put your child in your family because he wanted you to make the decisions for that child. You have to follow your instincts sometimes, and sometimes you just have to do what you can, especially if you're juggling jobs and school.

Take your days as they come, one at a time. What's that saying? Write your plans in pencil and let God have the eraser. Trust and prayer and patience are the key to homeschooling while job-juggling. Handled that way, it can all be accomplished.