Working Moms: Homeschooling Your High Schoolers

March 24, 2026 by Leave a Comment
📚 Part of our guide: Homeschooling High School

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Working Moms: Homeschooling Your High Schoolers.

Can working moms homeschool high school successfully? Absolutely. Homeschooling high school while working may look different from family to family, but it is completely possible with the right mindset, realistic planning, and flexible expectations. In this episode, we’re sharing practical encouragement and real-life strategies for working moms who want to homeschool their teens with confidence.

an episode from Homeschool High School Podcast

Working Moms: Homeschooling Your High Schoolers

Working Moms: Homeschooling Your High Schoolers

Every single homeschool mom is a working mom!

If we are homeschooling, we are working at it, juggling our kids’ needs, growing, and managing households. Many of us also hold jobs outside the home (or inside the home) to bring in extra income for the family.

As most of our podcast listeners know, Vicki worked as a licensed professional counselor while homeschooling her kids through graduation. It helped pay the homeschool bills, and besides, it was her calling.

If you’ve ever felt unqualified, this encouragement on how to homeschool high school when you don’t know everything may help.

Encouragement for being a homeschool working mom with teens

It can feel intimidating and tiring to hold a job and homeschool high school. Vicki wants to encourage you that you can do this. Remember: There’s not ONE right way to homeschool. Homeschooling for working Moms can look many different ways! You can do this and your teens can do this!

Include your teens in the planning and process

When you are facing high school with your teens, sit down with them. Talk about your priorities (yours and theirs). What are the most important things that you need from them? What do your teens need out of their high school experience?

Remember: you are homeschooling high school in the way that is right for your family. There’s no right or wrong set of priorities.

Some priorities will include:

Think about your career and personal needs

Make sure you define your own career priorities and goals. Do you:

  • Need to advance up the career ladder?
  • Want to maintain the status quo in your career?
  • Pay off some bills?
  • Are you caregiving for an aging relative or for a member of the family who has a chronic illness?
  • Do you homeschool multiple children?

Remember: there’s no such thing as a Pinterest-perfect homeschool

Perfection is only in Pinterest photos. In real life, you are a real human, and your whole family is full of real humans. Real humans are messy, busy, and complicated! So, do what you can with the best heart you can.

Let go of “perfect”.

You may feel like your teens are not receiving the world’s most amazing homeschool education. However, if you all stay aligned, if you stay together on this, they will get the education they need. And you will get through it.

And, you may be tired, but motherhood’s all about tired.

Someday, they will be all grown up and out of the house.  You can sleep in on those days.

Don’t forget to pray

Remember to pray because we need God in on this. (That’s not cheesy.) 7Sisters Kym always says,

“Pray first, last, and always.”

Then you start planning. Check out 7SistersHomeschool’s useful blog post: Authoritative Guide to Planning Homeschool High School.

Find your community

We homeschool working moms need community as much as anybody:

Don’t forget to join 7SistersHomeschool Facebook Group. Ask questions. You matter! We will get this done.

You may need to be working to bring in some income. That’s not a bad thing. If this is what God has given you to do, then it’s the right thing. You can work the process in the way that works for your family. Community can happen in the homeschool world, in digital forums or in person. You can communicate with your teens. They will get educated and be well-prepared well for the next phase of life.

Thanks to Seth Tillman for editing. Hey, would you go to your podcast network and leave us some stars and/or a review? THANKS!!

Keep Listening

FAQ: Working Moms and Homeschooling High School

Can I homeschool high school if I work full-time?

Yes, many families successfully homeschool high school while one or both parents work full-time. High school students are often capable of more independent work, flexible scheduling, and self-directed learning.

Is homeschooling high school harder than homeschooling younger kids?

In some ways, yes—but in many ways, no. The material may be more advanced, but teens can usually work more independently, which can actually make homeschooling easier for working moms.

How many hours a day does homeschooling high school take?

Homeschooling high school often takes less time than traditional school because it is more focused and efficient. Many families complete academics in 3–5 hours per day, depending on the student and course load.

What curriculum works best for working homeschool moms?

The best curriculum is the one your teen can use consistently and independently. Online classes, video-based lessons, self-paced courses, and open-and-go resources often work especially well.

Can homeschooled high schoolers still prepare for college or careers?

Absolutely. Homeschool high school students can earn transcripts, complete dual enrollment, prepare for trades or college, and build strong real-world skills along the way.

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Working From Home While Homeschooling

October 10, 2024 by Leave a Comment

Balancing work and homeschooling is manageable with flexible remote jobs like medical transcription, social media marketing, and virtual assistance, allowing parents to earn while educating their children. By creating structured schedules and utilizing technology, families can thrive in both areas.Balancing work and homeschooling can be a rewarding yet challenging experience for many parents. In recent years, the rise of remote work has made it easier for parents to manage both responsibilities, allowing them to be present for their children’s education while continuing to earn an income.

If you’re considering working from home while homeschooling, here are several job opportunities to explore, including medical transcription, social media marketing, and virtual assistance.

Be sure to visit our special birthday page for special freebies + a giveaway.

Work-at-Home Jobs That Complement Homeschooling

  1. Medical Transcriptionist One of the most flexible and in-demand jobs for remote workers is medical transcription. Medical transcriptionists listen to voice recordings made by healthcare professionals and convert them into written documents. This job allows you to work at your own pace, which can be ideal if you’re managing a homeschooling schedule. You can typically choose your work hours as long as deadlines are met, making it easy to fit your work around lessons or activities. Additionally, with the proper training a, medical transcription can provide a steady income.
  2. Social Media Marketing Manager Many businesses today, from small startups to large corporations, require a strong online presence. As a social media marketing manager, you would help businesses manage their social media profiles, create content, engage with followers, and monitor analytics. This job is perfect for homeschoolers because it often allows you to work at any time of the day, provided you can meet deadlines and maintain active online engagement. You’ll also need to be organized, as managing multiple accounts requires careful planning, but the flexibility can help you juggle homeschooling.
  3. Virtual Assistant A virtual assistant provides administrative support to businesses or entrepreneurs remotely. Duties might include managing emails, scheduling appointments, conducting research, and handling customer service tasks. The job often has flexible hours, allowing you to tailor your work around homeschooling commitments. If you have strong organizational and communication skills, this could be a lucrative work-from-home opportunity. Virtual assistants are in high demand, particularly in industries like real estate, e-commerce, and coaching.
  4. Freelance Writer Writing is another fantastic job that allows for flexibility, creativity, and self-pacing. As a freelance writer, you can create content for websites, blogs, magazines, or corporate clients. Homeschooling parents can carve out time during quieter parts of the day to write, allowing them to balance both work and teaching. There are various niches in writing, from copywriting and technical writing to creative fiction, which allows you to tailor your work to your interests and skills.
  5. Online Tutor If you have expertise in a particular subject, consider becoming an online tutor. This is a natural extension of your homeschooling role, and the ability to teach others can be a rewarding side gig. You can tutor students in subjects like math, science, or languages, all from the comfort of your home. Many online tutoring platforms allow you to set your hours, making it easier to fit tutoring into your homeschooling schedule.

Tips for Success

  • Create a Schedule: Juggling homeschooling and work can be easier with a structured schedule. Plan your homeschool hours around your work tasks and set specific times for uninterrupted work.
  • Set Boundaries: Ensure your children understand when you are working and that interruptions should be limited during those periods.
  • Utilize Technology: Incorporating educational apps and resources into your homeschool routine can allow children to engage in self-directed learning while you focus on work.

In conclusion, working from home while homeschooling is not only possible but can be highly fulfilling. By exploring flexible job opportunities such as medical transcription, social media management, virtual assistance, and more, parents can successfully manage both their careers and their children’s education.

Would you like to find out how you can work from home in a well respected career, while homeschooling your children? Check it out & Visit our sponsor.Would you like to find out how you can work from home in a well respected career, while homeschooling your children?

Check it out  & Visit our sponsor.

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Working And Homeschooling? Yes, You Can!

February 13, 2024 by Leave a Comment

Hey, homeschoolers! I was a stay-at-home mom when I started homeschooling. I did freelance writing and speaking and premarital counseling at my church. But I wasn’t spending even twenty hours a week on work until my last two kids were teens. Because of that, I assumed that it simply wasn’t possible to work and homeschool too.

My guest Dr. Celia Zamora changed my mind. Dr. Zamora has a Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics and was a teacher for 15 years before homeschooling her son. She is now a full-time director of a nonprofit who is also passionate about multilingual education and encouraging the Latino community to consider homeschooling. If you’ve wondered about working while homeschooling, prepare to be inspired by Celia.

Watch on YouTube

Summary

In this conversation, Melanie Wilson interviews Celia Zamora about homeschooling and working at the same time. Celia shares her background as a director of a nonprofit organization and a homeschooling mom. She explains her decision to homeschool and the challenges she faces as a working mom. Celia emphasizes the benefits of homeschooling for working moms, such as developing important life skills and creating a personalized education. She provides tips for success, including outsourcing tasks and prioritizing self-care. Celia also addresses misconceptions and fears of Latino families regarding homeschooling and encourages them to consider the advantages of homeschooling for their children’s language and cultural development.

Takeaways

Homeschooling can be a viable option for working moms, as they have the skills to balance multiple responsibilities and can prioritize what is important to them. Outsourcing tasks and finding support from family and community can help working moms manage their time effectively. Self-care is crucial for working homeschool moms to maintain their sanity and well-being. Latino families may have misconceptions and fears about homeschooling, but it can provide opportunities for language and cultural development for their children.

Resources from Dr. Zamora

https://www.actfl.org/ (World Language Org on the teaching of languages. Working on a platform for homeschool language educators as well!)

https://www.languageconnectsfoundation.org/ (a great foundation with research and initiatives on language learning, benefits of learning languages, etc.)

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cchomon-zamora/ (My LinkedIn profile)

My email address is cchomon.zamora@gmail.com

www.Preply.com a great website to outsource language conversation partners and tutoring

Filed Under: The Homeschool Sanity Show Tagged With:

Finding Balance with Working from Home and Homeschooling

October 25, 2023 by Leave a Comment

Looking to find balance with working and homeschooling? Listen in. Finding Balance with Working from Home and Homeschooling

Article author: Gina Steffy

Join us as we celebrate 10 years of homeschool podcasting on the Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network. Don’t miss the giveaway.

Thank our podcast sponsor: CTC Math.

Homeschooling Work-Life Balance

In this episode of “Homeschooling Work-Life Balance,” we’re delving into the intricate challenge of balancing a full-time job while homeschooling.

Full-Time Work & Full-Time Family Life

Juggling homeschooling and a full-time job? Bet you’re pretty tired. #ihearyou

If you’re employed with full-time work inside or outside the home, your work tasks can leave feeling overwhelmed when trying to balance this with homeschooling. It can take a toll on your mental health and you might feel like one more Zoom call will end you.

Even with older children, the demands of being a full-time homeschooling parent are a lot to juggle. Take a deep breath, I have some good news for you. You can be a homeschooling mom and learn to gracefully juggle all.the.things.

One thing I’ve learned over the past year (or 5!), is that embracing a daily schedule as a working mom is key.

When I say schedule, think flow. Give yourself lots of grace and know that you can’t possibly be all things to all people. Take the little bit of help when it’s offered, for example:

  • Can a spouse or friend (or the kids themselves if old enough) be present at some of the extracurricular activities that your family has chosen to participate in?
  • Can you manage to have a home office if working from home? Have a space to separate yourself from the rest of your work (raising your family), can give you a mental break at the end of the day.
  • Consider a block schedule or loop schedule, not just for your homeschooling, but for your business.
  • If you’re a single mother, take an honest look at your best helpers, including family, friends, and church. I’m a big believer in taking help with younger children when it’s offered and you feel comfortable with it.
  • Is it in your budget to hire your tribe? Seriously, Task Rabbit, Facebook friends who are local and trying to also launch a business while homeschooling could be among the best tips you have for getting some time back.

Let’s join Vicki Tillman for her seasoned advice for homeschool schedules and additional resources and ideas to give us the highest quality time in the most effective way.

Vicki works as a counselor in her regular job, and offers life and career coaching services at vickitillmancoaching.com. Vicki helped found a large homeschool “umbrella school” and served that community for almost 20 years as an upperclassmen academic advisor and teacher (where she helped hundreds of students take the next steps toward college or career). She graduated all 5 of her children from homeschool. They are all pursuing or have completed varying levels of college degrees from BA to PhD.

Sabrina, Vicki and Kym are your Big Sisters as they share the experience they’ve gained in over 20 years of homeschooling. They are the talky-3 of the 6 Sisters at 7SistersHomeschool.com. They are often joined by their other sisters, Kym and Marilyn OR other 7th Sisters! When YOU join us at The Homeschool Highschool Podcast, YOU will be our 7th Sister, too! Hooray!!

Come be our 7th Sister each week for The Homeschool Highschool Podcast, Tuesday mornings at 9:00 am EST!

We love community, so come be part of ours! We want to help your homeschool high school experience to be the best ever!

Additional Resources:

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Replay | Balancing Military Life, Working from Home, and Homeschooling

June 12, 2023 by Leave a Comment

, Conli McVey, joins Crystal Niehoff to discuss how she juggles military life and working from home while homeschooling. Episode #4- Military spouse, Conli McVey, joins Crystal Niehoff to discuss how she juggles military life and working from home while homeschooling.

Conli is an Army Chaplain’s wife. She understands military life. She’s served the Lord alongside her husband, Greg, in his role since 2006. She’s graduated two of her three homeschoolers. Her passions include leading Bible Study and equipping and encouraging women. She also blogs at “Whatever State I’m In” (whateverstateimin.com). She’s proud to be the MOC (Maintainer of the Calendar) of the McVey household for her often-traveling husband, two young adult daughters, and sixteen-year-old son. After earning a B.S. in Marketing and an MBA, Conli has worked in non-profit ministry development for 25+ years, currently as an at-home copywriter. Conli has been married to Greg for 23 years. She considers being his wife and life partner the greatest gig ever!

Back in 2006, when her husband joined the military, Conli was looking for a way to tailor her children’s education and give them consistency through frequent moves. So when a friend mentioned homeschooling, she knew that’s what she was going to do. All the while, Conli has also worked from home. Over the years, she has adapted their homeschooling to meet the needs of her family and accommodate her work schedule. Sharing her insight from years of experience, Conli shares her secrets to getting it all done as a busy work-at-home homeschooling mom of three.

Resources:

Conli’s Blog, Whatever State I’m In

Join Crystal and her guests each week. They provide relevant information to equip you, stories to encourage you, and content to inspire you. You don’t have to go it alone. Tune in to the Military Homeschool Podcast, and be energized in your military homeschooling journey!

How to listen:

  1. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or Stitcher
  2. Subscribe on your favorite podcast listening app
  3. Or listen right here (just scroll down)

Got questions, comments, or have show topic ideas? Contact Crystal via email at militaryhomeschoolpodcast@gmail.com or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Please subscribe, follow, and share with all of your military homeschooling friends!

 

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Special Replay | The Working Homeschool Mom – HIRL Episode 141

December 8, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Are you a homeschooling mom who needs to work? Are you contemplating a job alongside homeschooling? Join us for this episode of Homeschooling in Real Life as we talk with Jimmie Lanley, a mom who found the need to be employed but also wanted to continue educating her daughter at home with excellence.

Jimmie is straightforward and encouraging as she shares her experience and wisdom with our listeners.

SHOW NOTES:

Recommended Resources:

Get Social With Us:

Follow Fletch/Kendra:
Fletch Twitter
Kendra Twitter

Follow the Studio Dogs:
Betty the Surf Dog – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website
Rasta The Chocolate Lab – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Website

Previous Episodes Mentioned:

None

Music clips used on this episode:
The Hustle – Van McCoy (Buy it on iTunes here) 

SUBSCRIBE AND LEAVE AN iTUNES REVIEW:

Allow the magic of the internet to deliver Homeschooling In Real Life to your tablet or smartphone. Let us show you how easy it is:

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  3. Subscribe to the HomeschoolingIRL website, and you will be notified when every new episode is released. Follow this link and begin your FREE SUBSCRIPTION.

Thank you to our Sponsor | 5000 BLANKETS


Inspired by a true story, 5000 BLANKETS will encourage you to give to others. Find hope this holiday season when you see 5000 BLANKETS in theaters. Exclusively in theaters December 12 & 13! 

LISTEN HERE

Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.

Join Fletch (from theMangoTimes) and Kendra (from KendraFletcher.com) for the HomeschoolingIRL podcast every week as they interview guests and talk through some of the goofiness they have experienced in nearly two decades.

LISTEN HERE

Are you ready to listen to Fletch and Kendra get real about homeschooling? Press the PLAY button below.

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Two Are Better Than One; Homeschool Mom Networking

August 16, 2022 by Leave a Comment

Life Skills 101 Two Are Better Than One; Homeschool Mom NetworkingTwo are Better than One: Homeschool Mom Networking

Today, Lisa Nehirng, director of True North Homeschool Academy is joined by the amazing team that makes up the Homeschool Mom Collaborative, Susan Hale, Natalie Vecchione and Steffanie Williams. Each of these women has homeschooled for several years and made an impact on the homeschooling community. Together they are joining forces to support and encourage fellow homeschoolers around the world!

Susan Hale: Solution Point Homeschool Division

Computer Courses, Record-keeping, & Transcript Solutions

Natalie Vecchione: FASD Hope, Blazing New Homeschool Trails

Steffanie Williams: Eww! You Homeschool?

Homeschool Mom Collaborative

Podcast URL

 Facebook Page

Facebook Group

 

Looking for an amazing group of Homeschooling Mommas to travel True North with? Look no further than, the Navigators. A Mom-to-mom membership site developed to encourage, equip and support one another! (Ecc 4:9)

Are you called to homeschool, but not sure where to start? At True North Homeschool Academy we take delight in coming alongside fellow homeschoolers as they head True North!

 

Resources and FREE Printables from True North Homeschool Academy!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO Life Skills 101 VIA COMPUTER

  1. Follow this link to our Apple Podcasts page.
  2. OR take this IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in “…your favorite podcast source”
  3. This will take you to Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast source and our own podcast page.
  4. Click SUBSCRIBE.
  5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!)
  6. Thanks!

OR PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE

  1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone
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  3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast
  4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon
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  6. Please tap *Ratings and Review*

 

Thank You to our Network Sponsor – CTC Math!

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Balancing Military Life, Working from Home, and Homeschooling

June 14, 2022 by Leave a Comment

, Conli McVey, joins Crystal Niehoff to discuss how she juggles military life and working from home while homeschooling. Episode #4- Military spouse, Conli McVey, joins Crystal Niehoff to discuss how she juggles military life and working from home while homeschooling.

Conli is an Army Chaplain’s wife, serving the Lord alongside her husband, Greg, in his role since 2006. She’s graduated two of her three homeschoolers. Her passions include leading Bible Study and equipping and encouraging women, and her blog “Whatever State I’m In” (whateverstateimin.com). She’s proud to be the MOC (Maintainer of the Calendar) of the McVey household for her often-traveling husband, two young adult daughters, and sixteen-year-old son. After earning a B.S. in Marketing and an MBA, Conli has worked in non-profit ministry development for 25+ years, currently as an at-home copywriter. Conli has been married to Greg for 23 years and considers being his wife and life partner the greatest gig ever!

Back in 2006, when her husband joined the military, Conli was looking for a way to tailor her children’s education and give them consistency through frequent moves. So when a friend mentioned homeschooling, she knew that’s what she was going to do. All the while, Conli has also worked from home. Over the years, she has adapted their homeschooling to meet the needs of her family and accommodate her work schedule. Sharing her insight from years of experience, Conli shares her secrets to getting it all done as a busy work-at-home homeschooling mom of three.

Resources:

Conli’s Blog, Whatever State I’m In

Join Crystal and her guests each week as they bring relevant information to equip you, stories to encourage you, and content to inspire you. You don’t have to go it alone, tune in to the Military Homeschool Podcast, and be energized in your military homeschooling journey!

How to listen:

  1. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, iHeartRadio, or Stitcher
  2. Subscribe on your favorite podcast listening app
  3. Or listen right here (just scroll down)

Got questions, comments, or have show topic ideas? Contact Crystal via email at militaryhomeschoolpodcast@gmail.com or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Please subscribe, follow, and share with all of your military homeschooling friends!

 

Filed Under: Military Homeschool Podcast Tagged With:

Working Homeschool Mommas

June 12, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Are you clear about what you are called to? Homeschooling is a job, managing a home and rising kids is a job and paid work is a job.Working Homeschool Mommas

Hey hard working Homeschooling Momma! It can be hard to juggle everything, amiright?! You’re working, managing a home, homeschooling. In this episode, we’ll go over some practical tips and helps that will allow you to manage the many roles and responsibilities that you have so that you can thrive and enjoy this busy season! You know practical life skills are what’s keeping you going in this crazy busy season!  Let’s dive in!

First of all, I want to encourage you that you ARE a Proverbs 31 Women- hard working, critically thinking, resourceful and wise with time, money and provisions. Way to go!

First Things First: Take a searching fearless inventory of all that you are managing: Work, Homeschool, Housework, Budgeting, Self Care, Spouse Care and More!

2. Evaluate how you are doing with managing and maintaining your greatest resource: YOU!

  • Physical
  • Mental
  • Social
  • Spiritual

3. Understand the difference between Roles and Responsibilities

4. Utilize Habit

5. Discover the power of Outsourcing

6. Batching for maximizing your time and energy- remember set up and clean up take a huge amount of time!

7. Consider Child- Care vs Homeschooling

8. Keep 168 Hours in Play

9. Rethink Time

10. Rethink Money

11. Ditch Distractions

12. The 1% Rule

13. The 15 Minute Rule

14. Swim in Your Own Lane

15.  GIVE UP! destructive thoughts and time wasters

16. Get  like-minded support and fellowship! Our True North Homeschool Academy Mom’s Membership site offers three LIVE online meeting options a week- Book Club, Parent Equipping and more!

True North Homeschool Academy offers Testing, Advising- General, SPED and NCAA, K-12th Grade live online, dynamic, interactive classes, clubs and Parent Equipping! Ready to head True North with a dynamic, international community? We’re here for it!

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO Life Skills 101 VIA COMPUTER

  1. Follow this link to our Apple Podcasts page.
  2. OR take this IMPORTANT STEP: Under our Homeschool Highschool Podcast logo, click on View in “…your favorite podcast source”
  3. This will take you to Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast source and our own podcast page.
  4. Click SUBSCRIBE.
  5. Click RATINGS AND REVIEW. (Please take a minute and do this. It helps others find us. Thanks!)
  6. Thanks!

OR PLEASE SUBSCRIBE VIA iPHONE

  1. Tap the purple Podcast icon on your phone
  2. Tap the search icon on the bottom-right of your screen
  3. In the search bar type: Homeschool Highschool Podcast
  4. Tap the Homeschool Highschool Podcast icon
  5. Tap *Subscribe*
  6. Please tap *Ratings and Review*

We love coming alongside fellow homeschoolers to offer encouragement and support! Let us know how we can support YOU!

Filed Under: Soft Skills 101 Tagged With:

Working While Homeschooling, Interview with Julie Smith Mendez

May 12, 2020 by Leave a Comment

This week on Homeschool Highschool Podcast: Working While Homeschooling, Interview with Julie Smith Mendez.

Working While Homeschooling, Interview with Julie Smith Mendez. Many moms are working homeschool moms these days. Here are some tips to make it fun.

Working While Homeschooling, Interview with Julie Smith Mendez

These days there are many, many mothers who are homeschooling and working a paid-job at the same time. Some started out homeschooling and added working as family needs arose. Some were career moms who started homeschooling because of COVID-19 or simply because that was best for their families.

There’s not ONE right way to be a homeschool mom! Working moms can also be happy homeschool moms!

That’s why Vicki asked her friend, Julie Smith Mendez, to join her for a discussion about being an homeschool mom with a career. Julie is a Career Coach and also invests in the homeschool community by supporting moms who are both working a job and working as homeschool moms.

Julie has two homeschoolers: eighth grader and sixth grader. Julie is also a Career Coach (another reason Vicki enjoys chatting with Julie, since Vicki is also a Career Coach).

Because of Julie’s husband’s career, they move every two years, often overseas. Homeschooling presented itself as a great option when her oldest was facing kindergarten.. Homeschooling would require fewer transitions when they had to move mid-year. Nine years later, they are still homeschooling and have found it to be fun and a perfect fit for her family.

Julie became a career coach when they were stuck between assignments for her husband’s work, with the expenses of living in Washington, DC. She had been a career coach before she had her girls, so she found that she could re-engage the career she loved (and could work from home).

At the time, Julie became the only working homeschool mom in her Washington DC homeschool groups. The first couple of years she felt like a unicorn in her homeschool community. It was especially noticeable when she had to start saying to her friends in regards to some homeschool activities, “Sorry, I can’t do that, I have to work.”

However, when they moved to Pennsylvania, they found themselves in a blue-collar community, where most of the homeschool moms worked: gigs, side-incomes, part-time outside the home and business owners. She was excited to be part of the community that was creatively working while homeschooling. She loved *not being the only one*. She loved being part of a community that valued flexibility and resilience of her new homeschooling community.

Now, Julie has found that many homeschool moms are in some manner, bringing in an income. (This is especially true during COVID-19 because many, many American families have suddenly become working homeschool families.)

What are some skills that Julie uses for happy working while homeschooling?

Julie uses the analogy of spinning plates. Julie says that working while homeschooling is like managing those plates: you run from plate to plate and keep them spinning. BUT, you spin one plate at a time!

  • The important thing to remember is that this hectic time is temporary. Eventually your homeschoolers graduate, and even before they graduate, they become more and more independent learners, so the plate-spinning job becomes easier over time.

Julie makes a point of self-care (sometimes that simply looks like taking a shower). For Julie, during this time her self-care can look like:

One thing that helps her manage self-care is knowing that her daughters are watching her and learning how to manage adulthood from her habits and routines.

  • Julie found she has to live life and treat herself the way she wants her daughters to treat themselves, the way she wants them to accept being treated by others. She and her husband have the saying, “There’s no medals for martyrdom.”

Teach your kids to do chores.

  • For instance, Julie’s girls do laundry to learn integrity and attention to detail.)

Tips for homeschool working moms: Treat yourself the way you want your kids to treat themselves. -Julie Smith Mendez on Homeschool Highschool Podcast

Remember! Teach your kids by your lifestyle the way you would like them to live their lives. While you will not manage their adult lives, these years are so influential in self-concept and ideals.

Julie has found that she loves homeschooling and working while homeschooling. As the 7Sisters say, “There’s not ONE right way to homeschool!”

Julie began her career coaching career as a young adult in New York. She loved knowing she was helping people get their life needs met. Once the digital world grew, Julie got married, she found that she could carry that career anywhere they traveled for her husband’s work. She helps people with career coaching for everyone’s needs *soup to nut* from best career-fit, job search, resume work, and more.

You can connect with Julie Smith Mendez at:

Join Vicki and Julie for an encouraging discussion about working while homeschooling! Also, check out another HSHSP interview with our working-mom friend, Stacey Lane Clendaniel.

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Working While Homeschooling, Interview with Julie Smith Mendez

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