Juggling Homeschooling and Working from Home: Tips and Strategies for Busy Parents

Juggling Homeschooling and Working from Home: Tips and Strategies for Busy Parents

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in remote work and homeschooling for many parents. While the challenges of juggling work and homeschooling can be substantial, there are also potential benefits for employees who can work remotely while also educating their children. The sheer numbers verify that homeschooling has become more mainstream. According to the most recent Homeschool Marketer Demographic Report, the pandemic has driven a massive influx of new homeschoolers. There are now over 5.5 million homeschooled students in the United States alone, accounting for 11.1% of the K-12 students in the country.

This article will discuss the benefits, when to start, how much money you’ll save, and much more. So let’s begin.

What are the benefits of Homeschooling as a work-from-home parent??

One potential benefit of remote work and homeschooling is increased flexibility. A study by FlexJobs found that 80% of respondents working remotely while home-schooling their children felt that the flexibility of remote work allowed them to manage their work and family responsibilities better. This flexibility can be particularly beneficial for parents who may need to adjust their schedules to accommodate their children's needs, such as attending virtual parent-teacher conferences or assisting with schoolwork during the day.

Another potential benefit is increased productivity. While some studies have found that homeschooling can lead to lower productivity, other research suggests that remote work can increase productivity. A study by Stanford University found that remote workers were more productive than their office-based counterparts, completing an additional day's work each week. This increased productivity may be due to various factors, such as reduced commuting time and fewer distractions in the home environment.

Remote work and homeschooling also provide opportunities for increased family bonding. With parents and children spending more time together at home, there may be opportunities for shared activities and quality time that may not have been possible in the past. A study by LinkedIn found that 48% of parents working remotely while home-schooling their children reported feeling more connected to their families.

Remote work and homeschooling may provide personal and professional growth opportunities. With the increased flexibility of remote work, employees may pursue personal interests or professional development opportunities that may not have been possible in a traditional office environment. Additionally, the skills and experiences gained from juggling the responsibilities of work and homeschooling may be transferable to other areas of life, such as time management, multitasking, and adaptability. A lot has changed, even in the past fifty-odd years, so much so that it’s opened up opportunities that many older generations wouldn’t have dreamed would be possible in their lifetime. The allure of working from home is undoubtedly attracting more and more people as new opportunities and careers become available.

How much would you save when you do homeschooling?

Homeschooling is becoming an increasingly popular choice for many families, as it offers children a personalized and flexible education option. One of the many benefits of homeschooling is the significant cost savings compared to traditional schooling options.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average cost of private school tuition in the United States is $12,756 per year, while the average cost of public school education is around $11,400. These costs do not include additional expenses such as textbooks, school supplies, uniforms, transportation, and extracurricular activities.

On the other hand, homeschooling costs can vary widely depending on the chosen curriculum, materials, and resources. However, the cost of homeschooling tends to be significantly lower than that of traditional schooling options.

A Home School Legal Defense Association survey found that homeschool families spend an average of $600 per year on educational materials and resources. This is a fraction of the cost of traditional schooling options, with potential savings of up to thousands of dollars each year.

Furthermore, homeschooling allows families to save money in other ways as well. For example, homeschooling eliminates the need for transportation costs to and from school, saving on gas and vehicle wear and tear. Additionally, homeschooling allows parents to work from home, reducing the need for expensive childcare services.

Homeschooling can provide significant cost savings for families seeking a more personalized and flexible education option for their children. Families can save thousands of dollars each year by utilizing affordable educational resources and eliminating additional costs associated with traditional schooling options.

When is the right age to start homeschooling our children?

Many parents are unsure about when is the right age to start homeschooling their children.

According to the National Home Education Research Institute, the average age of homeschooled children is 7.5 years old. This suggests that many families start homeschooling in the early elementary school years.

However, there is no set age requirement for homeschooling. Homeschooling can be an option at any age, depending on the needs and circumstances of the family and child. Some families choose to start homeschooling in the preschool years, while others may opt to begin in middle or high school.

When deciding on the right age to start homeschooling, parents need to consider their child's developmental readiness for homeschooling. This includes their ability to focus, follow instructions, and engage in independent learning.

It's also important to consider the legal requirements for homeschooling in your state or country. Some jurisdictions require that children attend a school or be registered for homeschooling by a certain age.

Ultimately, the decision to homeschool should be based on the individual needs and circumstances of the family and child. Homeschooling can offer a personalized and flexible education option for children of all ages, and the decision to homeschool can be made anytime.

There is no set age requirement for homeschooling. Families can choose to start homeschooling at any age, depending on their child's developmental readiness and the legal requirements in their jurisdiction. With the proper planning and resources, homeschooling can offer a rewarding and effective education option for children of all ages.

What is the success rate of homeschooling?

According to a study by the National Home Education Research Institute, homeschooling has a high success rate. The study found that homeschooled students typically score higher on standardized tests than their public counterparts. Homeschooled students score, on average, in the 87th percentile on these tests, while the average public school student scores in the 50th percentile.

Homeschooling also has other benefits. Homeschooled students tend to have higher rates of college acceptance and graduation than their public school counterparts. They also tend to have better socialization skills and higher levels of self-esteem.

However, homeschooling is not without its challenges. It requires a significant time commitment from parents, and providing a well-rounded education that includes all subjects can be difficult. It can also be challenging for homeschooling families to find socialization opportunities for their children.

Despite these challenges, the data suggests that homeschooling can be a successful and rewarding option for families. It provides the flexibility to tailor education to a child's individual needs and interests and can lead to academic and personal success.

Homeschooling is also becoming more accepted due to what is happening with the job industry. It’s changing and becoming more fluid, so it’s only a matter of time before the school curriculum will have to change and adapt to move with the times. Otherwise, it becomes outdated and could harm the future generation’s ability to get the desired career.

If you're interested in homeschooling your children, there are several steps you can take to get started:

Check your state's laws: Homeschooling laws vary by state, so it's essential to research what your state requires. Some states have specific requirements for curriculum, testing, and reporting, while others have minimal regulations.

Choose a curriculum: There are many different curriculums available for homeschooling, so you'll want to choose one that aligns with your child's learning style and educational goals. You can find homeschool curriculum providers online or at homeschooling conferences.

Set up a schedule: Homeschooling requires discipline and organization, so it's crucial to establish a schedule that works for you and your child. This schedule should include time for academics, breaks, and extracurricular activities.

Join a homeschooling community: Homeschooling can be isolating, so connecting with other homeschooling families in your area is important. You can find local homeschooling groups through social media, homeschooling conferences, or online forums.

Here are some websites that offer helpful guides for starting homeschooling:

Homeschool.com: This website offers a wide range of resources for homeschooling, including curriculum reviews, articles on homeschooling laws, and a directory of homeschooling groups.

The Home School Mom: This website provides resources for homeschooling parents, including a free planner, a homeschooling blog, and a directory of local support groups.

Time4Learning.com: This website offers an online homeschool curriculum for pre-K through 12th-grade students. They also provide a guide for getting started with homeschooling.

Outschool.com: Outschool is an education platform that offers online classes for kids ages 3-18. Unlike traditional classes, Outschool classes let kids explore their interests with live Zoom classes taught by experienced, independent educators.

Thinkwellhomeschool.com: Thinkwell's online video courses feature engaging lessons from award-winning teachers, along with automatically graded exercises and more. It's like having the world's best teacher right by your side.

Homeschool Buyer’s Co-op: To get different discounts on a lot of different programs (like the Thinkwell classes!).

Internationalvla.com: IVLA is an online accredited, NCAA approved, private school for students in grades K-12. IVLA is fully accredited by Cognia and is available to students in the United States and internationally.

Calverthomeschool.com: As a leading homeschooling curriculum publisher, Calvert Education's award-winning products have enabled thousands of families to discover the amazing benefits of a homeschool education.

Keystoneschoolonline.com: The Keystone School is fully accredited and backed by nearly 40 years of experience. Since the first program was introduced in 1974, they have been recognized as an innovator in flexible, online learning and homeschool programs.

If you’re thinking of either homeschooling or working from home, do your research and think about it: if it’s something that’s best for you. The worst-case scenario is that you try it, which doesn’t work. At least you tried, and that’s better than living with regret or what could have been.

While the challenges of remote work and homeschooling are significant, there are also potential benefits for employees who can balance these responsibilities effectively. Employers can support employees in achieving this balance by providing resources and tools to help them manage their work and family responsibilities, such as flexible schedules, childcare assistance, and access to mental health support. By recognizing the potential benefits of remote work and homeschooling, employers can help create a more supportive and flexible work environment for all employees.