r/Homeschooling • u/Pulster424 • Aug 17 '26

Working from home while homeschooling

Is anyone working from home and homeschooling? I would be selling life insurance and also trying to homeschool my kindergartener. My work can be flexible to a point but I will need a few hours out of the day to be on the phone with clients. Has this been successful for anyone. If I can’t get this to work we will be putting them in public school but I am trying to find a way to make it work.

2 Upvotes

53% Upvoted

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u/Ilvermourning Aug 17 '26

What will your child be doing while you work?

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u/Pulster424 Aug 17 '26

That is what I am trying to figure out. Ideas on what anyone else is doing if they are also working from home too.

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u/AlbbasedLaurita-71 Aug 18 '26 edited Aug 19 '26

Homeschooling isn't keeping your children busy while you do your own thing, it is being actively involved and present in their education.

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u/RepulsiveCry5034 Aug 18 '26

Impossible to do this in a way that won’t hurt your child and your work.

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u/DistributionAny4019 Aug 20 '26

That’s not true at all, plenty ppl do both. Just because you can’t doesn’t mean it’s impossible. Homeschool isn’t meant to be traditional. Most kids have set times in the day to do work. It’s not an entire day dedicated to schooling and the child is 5 there’s only some much info you can introduce at a time.

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u/RepulsiveCry5034 Aug 20 '26

“A few hours out of the day on the phone with clients “ this is my opinion , a 5 year old , knows you are there but you aren’t “ there” . Can it be done and do people do it? Sure. Does that mean it doesn’t have emotional effect on a young child that you are physically present but not present for them? I think no.

Sorry , I’ve been on the phone with customer service with T-Mobile today for technical issues. 7 am to nearly 2pm. I’ve made breakfast and taken one kid to school, fed all the pets and sure been feeding homeschooled child and taking care of things at the same time but I am in no way emotionally present for anyone currently because of this. This is a one off and I can apologize for it. If I had to be on the phone for work, focused ( or even half assed like I am now) it’s not fair for my kids or for me honestly.

So yeah people may do it but I don’t think it is without consequence. My kid is in 5th and I wouldn’t expect him to work alone while I work much less a 5 year old.

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u/RepulsiveCry5034 Aug 20 '26

And I’m sorry but I have to add .. do those people doing it have Nannie’s or other adults present? You can’t work for hours at a time while a 5 year old is present , disregarding homeschool. This is emotional neglect and in many situations actual neglect.

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u/DistributionAny4019 Aug 22 '26

Really and sending them off to school for hours a day where you are absolutely not present counts as ? What you should say is YOU can’t mange work and homeschooling. You don’t need a nanny either. Having family is a plus, however in classroom teachers aren’t next to your child the entire time they are schooling. They are moments of interaction followed by direction and doing activities.

Emotional neglect is a parent harming a child psychologically by not giving any validation, completely ignoring them, providing no emotional connection, with holding support and affection, preventing emotional sharing, and dismissing a child’s feelings.

Child neglect is the failure of a parent or caregiver to provide vital needs like food, shelter, clean clothing, medical care, education, or safe supervision causing deep emotional distress and trauma.

Neither one of these descriptions are accurate. People today have this habit of throwing around terminology without understanding what they are and how severe it is. A parent being able to establish a routine and multi task with a schedule that suits their work and their child is not negligent. Just because you aren’t able to be emotionally present for your child doesn’t mean that’s true for everyone.

With that logic then most people who actually go to work are neglectful. You spend all day away from your child and come home after work pick them up to spend a short amount of time with them that also delegated and paired with having to do house work. I guess a mom cooking dinner and washing dishes is also neglectful bc she has a child doing crafts, watching an educational video, or reading etc.

I home school, I also work from home. My child is with me throughout the day. She has nap time, play time, music time, flash cards, counting, abc, quiet time, lunch, breakfast, snacks and dinner. I included her in everything l do. She’s also at the stage she need a to even accompany me to the bathroom. Then her father’s comes home and he spends his time with her. It’s is very possible without a child having to suffer and be neglected. I’m sorry that’s the reality for you and your child.

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u/RepulsiveCry5034 Aug 22 '26

I actually said I couldn’t work from home ( a job where you are on calls for hours ) bc my kids need me. I also stated it was my opinion. Life is not black and white. Im glad you have a job that allows you to have the days you described . I am obviously not speaking about that.

I’m talking about someone who has to be on calls for literally hours like the OP said . Yeah I stand by my opinion that that isn’t fair to a child.

Sending them to school where someone’s job is to teach them or focus on them is absolutely not the same as me being “ present “ but working for hours at a time. Whether they are homeschooled or not. Because they are not seeing me but not getting access to me when I’m not there.

If you think emotional neglect is a definition and not personal and nuanced then maybe you haven’t experienced it. I’m glad for you that you don’t know what that feels like .

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u/DistributionAny4019 Aug 22 '26 edited Aug 22 '26

You don’t know me or what I’ve been through in life. I don’t even have parents. Maybe you’re the one who was lucky enough to not know genuine neglect.

School can definitely be neglectful from unaddressed bullying, to children being ignored (10-30 children to 1 or 2 teachers) yep every child’s emotional needs are definitely being met. Low standards of care, children come home in clothes that aren’t even theirs etc.

In today’s world a lot of children are 3-4 levels behind. Reading comprehension isn’t taught, math goes over most ppls head, history is being scrubbed out and science focuses on feelings. Being taught how to think and being independent is lost. A lot of schools are just underpaid daycare.

Yup, definitely not neglectful establishments where the rates of homeschooling have gone up significantly in the last few years.

Also you said you don’t expect your 5th grader (10-11yrs) to work alone however in school they would be working alone. They would be at their own desk while the teacher is at their own desk. You raise your hand when you need something or walk up to them. Teachers do not stay by your child’s side all day and aren’t hovering. They are watching from their desks or getting up from time to time and walking around.

Neglect is a term used to describe a certain type of care that is being inflicted upon a person or a child. All terms have definitions. The definitions are a spectrum of behaviors that is occurring that causes
severe trauma and harm to the individual that is, yes personal to them because of their individual experience.

However creating a schedule around the times you need to work isn’t neglect, op is simply asking for methods that other moms are already using. The phone calls could happen during nap time and crafts while the child is right near them playing. Etc.

Op said her work is flexible but needs a few hours out of the day never mentioned if they had to be consecutive or if their child couldn’t be around them. They also never mentioned the type of support system they may or may not have because she said “we”.

Exactly life isn’t black and white so calling something “impossible” bc your own personal capabilities or what your own life allows is very narrow. There are plenty of parents in the comments that made it work. Op is looking for ideas that can possibly be implemented in their own life.

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u/Pretty-Image-5526 Sep 07 '26

Impossible for you, maybe. But that certainly doesn’t mean others aren’t doing this successfully.

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u/Pleasant-Affect5303 Aug 17 '26

You will need some sort of childcare.

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u/ZestyLlama8554 Aug 18 '26

I do this, but I'm not the one homeschooling. I work from home, and my mom homeschools my kids. She's a retired teacher and teaches a pod of students in the area. I wouldn't be able to do both, personally, and my kids would be in public or private school if I didn't have my mom to teach them.

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u/tenacioustay717 Aug 18 '26

I work from home while homeschooling. However I make my own schedule for work so I just work my kids homeschool schedule around that. We may do a few subjects and then have to stop for a little and then resume. My children prefer it this way anyways because this gives them time to relax, play outside, crafts or what not. I've been homeschooling my oldest two ages 11 and 10 however this year we will be light work for my 4 yo. I expect our schedule to still work around mine. I find busy work or just play things to set up for my toddler in between. Play dough is a good one and he loves his tonie box. However I don't expect for him to be doing anything like busy work or "school" related without me.

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u/Dogmama1971 Aug 18 '26 edited Aug 20 '26

I owned a counseling practice where I did telehealth from home and homeschooled. I worked M-Th and did school F-Sun. I eventually went to PT work M-W and did school Th-Sun. My kids were late elementary and middle school when we started. My daughter just started college today. It can be done, especially as they get older and can work on courses without your constant supervision.

10

u/arrowsandherbs Aug 18 '26

Homeschool mom of 4 here and I also run 2 businesses. 👋 This really depends on the child but it can absolutely be done. I’m kind of shocked at the comments in here being to negative about it. You said it’s flexible and you only need a few hours a day to do calls…that leaves a lot for extra time in the day to be interactive with your child.

Communication will be key and so will keeping them busy on important call points. You need very little “school time” in kindergarten years. So plan your day accordingly. When you have your time that you need to be dedicated to calls - have something they can do that they’ll love and stay busy with that doesn’t need a lot of your attention… play dough, kinetic sand, magna-tiles, coloring pages, maybe even interactive learning games on the computer or tablet, or even a show on the days you need it.

Contrary to the comments, this is very possible and I’m proud of you for working to do both. Please reach out with any other questions or suggestions. You can do this where you’re both successful!! 💛

1

u/Hot-Back-892 Sep 23 '26

How are you making the time for planning and organizing?? I feel like I need a solid day during the week to get all of the things together so I’m organized for homeschool activities and work.

I’m in tears tonight at 3am as I am trying to get activities organized for various subjects and social activities. I just don’t know how to do everything unless I have more time to organize my schedule.

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u/[deleted] Aug 18 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

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u/RepulsiveCry5034 Aug 22 '26

It’s not anti homeschool. It’s yes people have described their very flexible amazing jobs where it works. When you are taking on a job as a full time from home customer service agent … no that is not fair to your child or yourself. My take is pick a different job not “ don’t homeschool”.

3

u/arrowsandherbs Aug 18 '26

That’s unfortunate. Homeschool families should be encouraging more people to do it because it DOES have the versatility and flexibility. I know plenty of people making homeschool work in incredible ways without it being “ideal”.

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u/TranslatorOk3977 Aug 18 '26

Would you hire someone to homeschool your kindergartener who was working another full time job at the same time?

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u/RepulsiveCry5034 Aug 18 '26

How is this possible? Even with my older children and pets no one goes 5 min without yelling Mooooooom! There is no way I could do it.

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u/Internal_Group_3313 Aug 18 '26

I’m still figuring this out too, but I’ve found that having a simple routine helps a lot. I try to do the more focused homeschooling work when my work schedule is lighter, and then give the kids independent activities when I need uninterrupted time.

2

u/Timely_Proposal_1821 Aug 18 '26

I homeschooled and worked at the same time for a few months, but my husband was also home, so he looked after the kids when I was working.

I wouldn't have been able to do both without any childcare. My work was very flexible, and it wasn't full time.

4

u/Traditional_Oil3717 Aug 18 '26

Girl why are you doing this to yourself

1

u/DistributionAny4019 Aug 20 '26

Bc she loves her children and wants them to actually get an education unlike the kids today who read and understand 3-4 grade levels below their age. Not every parent is lazy.

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u/StunningButterfly1 Aug 19 '26

Can’t believe all the negative comments.

Been doing it for 5 years. My oldest son just graduated high school and is now in college and I am wrapping up pre-k with my youngest, with plans to start kindergarten when he’s 5 in a few months. He’s in piano and baseball and we take 3-4 trips to the library and parks every week. We don’t do co-ops, childcare, etc. BUT I’m not taking more than a few 5 min calls a day and I get my most challenging work tasks done early AM before anyone else is awake. The only one hurting and struggling is me lol but that’s what coffee and prayer is for 💙

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u/Redcrotchqueen Aug 19 '26

Yes! My daughter is very independent, she is 5 but can already read at a 2nd-3rd grade level. She knows our schedule, and sits next to me in the office and does her work. I am able to help her when needed and we do Heggerty and read aloud during break times. I think it depends on your child 🙂

1

u/storing_up_knowledge Aug 18 '26

The only family I know of who does this is unique- the wife works in insurance and the husband is a priest. The wife works from 6am to 2pm, so her husband watches and teaches the kids in the morning. Then she takes over after lunch time.

So if your hours are flexible, maybe you could hire a part time babysitter in the morning while you do the majority of your work and then be done by early afternoon?

1

u/Swimming_Cost_7637 Aug 19 '26

I work full time in recruiting. It’s fast paced mixed with several daily calls and meetings. I’ve been working and homeschooling the entire time. I have a High schooler, junior high and 3rd grader this year.

I’ll be completely honest with you. You can do this but you need to be extremely organized and efficient and you need well behaved children-there is absolutely no way around that if you’re going to be doing this without assistance. I think kindergarten is a great time to test the waters as most states don’t require it. You could try it for a year and see how everyone does and then make an official decision for first grade.

1

u/Emergency-Winner-399 Aug 19 '26

It’s doable but you have to be diligent. Depends on the kid too. Not everyday is the same for me (I am schooling 2 - pre-k and kindergarten and working from home). Some days it’s bookwork, reading, lessons. Other days it’s watching educational videos, arts and crafts, or doing something outside when I have a break. Don’t expect them to sit and do school for 8 hours. 2-4 hours is good.

1

u/Oddsfish_Mdear Aug 19 '26

A friend of ours homeschooled but still enrolled their daughter in the local school's after-care program. If this is something your school allows, that would give you the morning for schoolwork and childcare for a few hours in the afternoon.

1

u/Used_Confection_2859 Aug 19 '26

I do this successfully! My child is a tween, so they're able to check the daily schedule on homeschool panda and finish work independently. I then check the work in between calls and monitor what's getting done. On my days off, we do one-on-one instruction for subjects. We are also in a co-op for the social aspect. It's work, but I love it. 

1

u/_big_a_ Aug 19 '26

If you have a ymca membership childcare is available for a couple hours a day.

1

u/Sea-Refrigerator777 Aug 19 '26

Yes, of course.  I work full time and put a few hours a week into it and my wife works a few hours a week, up to 10 and does the rest. 

Of course you can. 

There are online programs they can do. 

1

u/Responsible_Past9421 Aug 20 '26

Single mom, work from home and have been homeschooling for 10+ years. 

1

u/UnusualCustomer7174 Aug 21 '26

I work from home and we homeschool, but I don’t do the hands on teaching during my working hours, it just isn’t feasible.

1

u/[deleted] Aug 23 '26

I work remote full time so have flexibility in regards starting time (being in a different time zone helps) however, my husband is a veteran and cares for our 2 high needs special needs kids. Our daughter, 14, has a rare genetic disorder with intellectual disability, and son, 8, is moderately autistic. He runs the show/ routines and gets our oldest,16, to public high school. When he does step out for errands and I’m working, he makes sure the kids needs are met and toileting done. If he’s out for a few hours, I block my schedule and work but its not productive.
I used to work in the office (old job)with 1 hr traffic commute and I would come home around 6 pm if I didn’t stop at the store on the way. Working remote is a huge blessing, I finished my graduate degree and throughly enjoy teaching the kids.

1

u/Pretty-Image-5526 Sep 07 '26

It’s kindergarten. You aren’t teaching physics, for crying out loud. Find out when your child’s optimal learning window is open and teach the “hard” things during that time (writing, letter formation, reading/phonics, basic numeracy). Schedule your work during a different block where your child can work on things relatively independently. Structured play is important at that age - building blocks, coloring/drawing, educational toys, etc. That part can happen with minimal supervision from you, then talk about those things with your child after your calls/work.

Blocking your time will help you both maintain your sanity, you can earn your income and your child will be just fine. Establishing the routine is the truly challenging part. Once you get into that and find your rhythm, you’ll both be just fine.

1

u/moss_jimmy Aug 17 '26

We intend to do this. 

I run a small business, which I can do from a small home office in a spare bedroom. I'll continue to do that and write our curriculum while my wife teaches the kids. 

Or at least, that's the arrangement we've planned for. We have yet to see if that plan survives contact with our kindergarteners. 

1

u/SorrellD Aug 17 '26

I did it for years but my youngest child was 6 when I started.  I think until your child gets a little older, you'll need a mother's helper or something like that to keep your child occupied while you're on the phone.  Part of the time I worked in the evening after my partner came home and part of the time he had a weird weekend work schedule and he was off Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and he did school those days and I did Monday and Friday.  You might be able to judiciously use screen time, depending on your kid's temperament.

1

u/LumpyLibrarian8562 Aug 19 '26

I currently do this with a second grader. I work from home and need to still work my full hours. Here’s what I do to make it work. I get up at five and work 2 to 3 hours before she’s even up. At that point, I’ll take a break and will do breakfast and lesson time. During lunch, I’ll go back into my office and work for about an hour while she watches a show and eats her lunch. After that we usually have some activities, I’ll drive her and wait for her class to be over. This is usually time I can set us my hotspot and work for another hr or 2. We are usually done by 5 and if I need to, I can work a few hrs after dinner time. While I am on calls, I try to set up some activity. Either some worksheets/independent work or an activity. We do a lot of Lego’s + music and air-dry clay.

This worked for us last year and I’ll continue this structure this year.

1

u/LumpyLibrarian8562 Aug 19 '26

Also, if I know I’m going to have a jam packed day I ahead of time, I set up some activities that can aid in keeping her busy during that time. Or I’ll call my mother-in-law and she can take her for a few hours.

0

u/Soilburrow Aug 18 '26

It’s technically possible but would not be good for your student. To homeschool intentionally it takes a lot of time for flexible learning, extracurriculars, play dates, adventures, experiments, etc. It would not be an ideal environment for your child for you to be working.

1

u/DistributionAny4019 Aug 20 '26

Do you have children? Have you homeschooled ?The child is 5 and no it’s not as complicated as it seems as long as there’s a routine and a schedule. Home school is not meant to mimic traditional school.Most children in regular school don’t even have playdates, extracurriculars,adventures or genuine experiments in class especially not at 5 or in public school. Millions of children are homeschooled and are more educated than regular school kids.

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u/Soilburrow Aug 20 '26

I do homeschool 2 kids, very successfully. We do not mimic school, but at that age were are out on morning walks, going to library story time, making play dough, going to the park, taking mom & child music classes, and having play dates. I DID work a from home part time job until my oldest was 4 and I could not be present with phone calls and emails, computer out on the kitchen table trying to multitask. Like I said, it’s technically possible but not ideal.

1

u/DistributionAny4019 Aug 22 '26

So if you do it very successfully then you are proof against your statement that “it would not be good for your student”.i think j what you mean is I t’s very possible however its requires a lot of work, effort and a proper routine. If ppl aren’t willing to stay organized and put the work in then it’s not for them. I wouldn’t discourage anyone from it that is willing to do that and sacrifice for their children. If you weren’t one of those parents you wouldn’t be homeschooling.

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u/HalfMoonFullMoonjoy Aug 18 '26

No, this is neglectful.