Working at home is a viable option for parents who want to homeschool. Some parents need extra income to provide for the necessities of food, clothing, shelter and transportation. Others simply want money to pay for extras, like books, supplies, field trips and activities. Here are some steps to working and homeschooling.

Steps

1. Determine your goals. What do you need income to pay for? How much income do you need to earn?
2. Determine what it will take to reach your goals. How many hours will you need to work in order to earn the money you need?
3. Decide what type of work at home position you want. Do you want to start your own business, join a network marketing company, or work a traditional job from home?
4. Research the companies in your field of interest to make sure they are providing a legitimate opportunity.
5. Make sure you understand the benefits and responsibilities of the positions that interest you. What is the pay and benefits structure? How will you be trained? Will you schedule your own hours? Is there a minimum number of hours that you are required to work?
6. Find out what costs are associated with the position. What technical equipment and supplies will you need? Does the company help pay these costs?
7. If possible, talk to current employees to find more information about the pros and cons of the position.
8. Put a desk or table, computer, telephone, calendar and office supplies in a quiet, comfortable area of your home to serve as your home office.
9. Declutter your home so you can clean up quickly and easily.
10. Create a flexible schedule that gives you a guide to follow for each day. Include work, home and family duties in your schedule.
11. Choose a homeschooling method that fits your families needs. You may want a highly structured curriculum that allows older children to work alone or an unstructured program that permits you to teach through everyday activities.
12. Ask for help. Let friends and relatives teach your children subjects they enjoy. Let your child ride to and from activities with other home school moms. Don’t be afraid to pay for part-time help with housework and childcare.

Tips

• Set specific hours for your work day. Stop working when those hours are over. Don’t let work overshadow your obligations to home and family.
• Teach your children to help you with housework and work independently while you are working.
• Be creative. Teach on weekends or in the evenings, and take lessons with you as you travel to and from events.
• Find ways to home school inexpensively in order to reduce the amount you need to earn for curriculum.

Warnings

• Be careful not to take on too many commitments outside of your home in order to reduce stress and keep your family from becoming too busy.
• Your home school does not have to resemble a traditional classroom. Choose a schedule and curriculum that will work for you.

Related wikiHows

• How to Save Money on Homeschooling Curriculum
• How to Homeschool Your Children
• How to Choose a Homeschool Curriculum

Sources and Citations

• Working and Homeschooling
• WAHM.com
• Christian Work at Home Moms
• WAHM Talk Radio
• Make Money While Homeschooling

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