Can you home school your child and still work full time?
Home School: In today's society, most families earn two-income households. Someone who wants to move their children from public school or home school may shy away from the idea simply because they currently have a full-time job.
While it can be a difficult task, it is certainly one that can be accomplished with creative planning. You would first like to consider how much time most children are actually at home during the week. The typical home school schedule is very different from the traditional public school schedule, which is generally about eight hours a day Monday through Friday. Most home school programs can be completed in just a few hours a day.
Then you want to consider the individual student. Are they old enough to stay home alone while you work during the day? Can the student get a lesson plan for the day and is this work expected to be ready for you to review when you return home? Does your child work well independently? If the answers are yes, then this is an easy decision for you. If your child is not old enough to be left at home, you need to be a little more creative.
Since your average student doesn't follow the traditional school schedule from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., you'll find that homeschooling early in the morning or late at night works best for your family. You may also consider doubling your work on your days off or during the weekend. It is not uncommon for students to be homeschooled on Saturdays and Sundays. Remember, you are in charge of the individual schedule and it can be made into anything that best suits your family.
There are many online curricula available to choose from and work at your own pace without a set schedule. This not only gives your child the educational freedom to work at his level, but also gives you the opportunity to train your child at a time that suits you best. Another option is a library-based curriculum. There are many free resources online that can be used for this type of curriculum. Although this choice requires a little more planning and effort, you can still set your schedule to what works best for you and your student.
The decision to go home is often compared to a huge leap of faith. Trust yourself and your instinct to know what is best for your child's education. Homeschooling while on a full-time job can be difficult at times, but it can certainly be a rewarding achievement.