Can You Really Homeschool While Working Full Time?

Spoiler alert... yes, you can.

But let’s not sugarcoat it. It’s not easy. It’s not for everyone. And some days, it’s downright ridiculous. But if you're wondering whether it's even possible to homeschool your kids and work a full-time job... welcome. You’re in the right place.

I’ve been homeschooling for 19 consecutive years (only 6 more to go!!!). I’ve been a stay-at-home parent, a part-time worker, and now back full-time in the corporate world. I’ve done this through babies, surgeries, setbacks, and successes. Currently, I’m homeschooling my two youngest while working full time... and I’ll tell you exactly what that looks like, what works, what doesn’t, and how I stay (mostly) sane.

What Makes It Hard

Time is tight.
You get up, work all day, and then remember... oh yeah... someone still needs to learn long division or write that report on ancient Mesopotamia. Time isn’t just limited, it’s elusive. You blink and it’s bedtime.

Guilt likes to hang around.
Am I giving my kids enough? Am I doing my job well enough? Why are there still 42 tabs open in my brain and 1,000 unread emails in my inbox?

It feels lonely sometimes.
There aren’t a ton of people who get this hybrid life. Most working parents rely on school. Most homeschoolers don’t also clock in 40+ hours. So when you do both, it can feel like you're inventing a new system from scratch. (Because, honestly, you kind of are.)

What Actually Works

Structure is my survival plan.
People think homeschooling is all flexibility and freedom, and to an extent... sure. But for me? Structure is the reason this works. We follow a rhythm that lets us actually finish things. We start school around 10am, not because I like to sleep in, but because we intentionally shift our day to enjoy more family time in the evenings when Dad is home. A later start time for the kids also gives me the quiet time I need in the earlier morning hours for critical thinking work tasks.
This decision alone has made this whole thing more sustainable for us.

Independent learning is a priority.
I’m not the cruise director. I help get things going, but my kids are expected to work independently, ask questions when needed, and take responsibility for their own learning. This isn’t neglect... it’s preparation for real life. One of the worst things we can do is everything for our children - that doesn’t prepare them for the real world. They need to be able to “go fish,” research online, find an alternative, or “phone a friend” (or sibling)... anything besides making their first instinct, “Ask Mom or Dad.”

We focus on essentials.
Reading, writing, math. We hit those consistently. Everything else rotates based on the season, our energy, and what rabbit trails we’re excited about. Science might happen through documentaries or experiments in the kitchen. History might come from great books or discussions at the dinner table.

I don't chase trends.
We don’t have a Pinterest-worthy homeschool room. Our “classroom” is wherever we are: the couch, the dining table, the floor. We don’t follow the curriculum that everyone’s raving about. Not because we’re rebels, but because I’ve learned the best homeschool curriculum is the one that fits your child’s learning style, your teaching style, and your lifestyle. What works for one family might fall flat in another.

Teamwork is key.
This only works because we’re all in. My husband supports the effort, and we’ve had very real talks with the kids about what this life requires from everyone. It’s not about perfection, it’s about partnership.

Who This Might Not Work For

Let me be real: this isn’t for everyone.

• If your job takes everything out of you, it may be hard to have anything left to give.

• If your kids need a high level of one-on-one attention that you can’t provide right now, consider how you’ll support that.

• If you need rigid, traditional structure during school hours, and your work hours overlap, that might be a deal breaker.

• If you’re in it because you feel guilty or pressured and not because it aligns with your values then it’ll be hard to stay the course.

And that’s OK. You’re not a failure if you choose something else. The goal is to give your child the best education you can, not the one someone else says you should.

But Can It Be Done?

Yes...
With structure.
With grit.
With coffee.
And with a whole lot of grace.

It’s not magical or perfect, but it’s deeply worth it. I get to watch my kids grow, learn, and struggle through hard things - and I get to show them that adults keep learning too. That sometimes we do hard things not because they’re easy, but because they matter.

So if you’re standing at the crossroads wondering whether you can really work full time and homeschool... I’m here to tell you it’s possible. Not Pinterest-perfect, not stress-free... but absolutely possible.

And I’m cheering for you.

Want help figuring out how to make this work for your unique family?
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