Homeschooling and Working from Home: How to Make It Work

2 August 2025

If you're juggling homeschooling your kids while working from home, let me start by saying... you're a rockstar.

Seriously.

Balancing work deadlines with math lessons, Zoom meetings with lunchtime sandwiches, and that ever-growing pile of laundry? It's a lot. But you're not alone, and there are ways to make this wild ride smoother.

In this post, we’re diving into how to make homeschooling and working from home actually work. Not perfect, not Pinterest-level—but real, doable, and sustainable.

Let’s break it all down together.

The Reality of Homeschooling and Working From Home

First off, let's acknowledge this: Working remotely while being a full or part-time homeschool parent isn’t some dreamy walk in the park. It’s kind of like trying to juggle while riding a unicycle... during a windstorm.

You might be wondering—"Can I really do both without burning out?" The answer? Yes, but it takes some honest planning, lots of grace, and a bit of trial and error.

Step One: Define Your “Why”

Before diving into schedules and resources, pause and ask yourself: Why are we homeschooling?

Is it because of flexibility? Health reasons? A desire to personalize your child’s education?

Knowing your "why" keeps you grounded when the chaos starts rolling in. It reminds you of your purpose when the Wi-Fi drops mid-Zoom call and your second grader can’t find his workbook…again.

Structure is Key (But Keep It Flexible)

Let’s talk about schedules for a second.

Most of us aren’t trying to recreate a traditional classroom at home, and that’s okay. Homeschooling doesn’t need to ring the bell at 8 a.m. sharp.

🕖 Create a Routine, Not a Rigid Schedule

Kids thrive on routine because it gives them a sense of predictability. But you need flexibility too, especially when you’ve got a conference call and your youngest decides it’s a great time for a “science experiment” (aka—making slime on the ceiling).

Here’s a simple trick: block chunks of time rather than planning every hour.

Example:
- 8:00–9:00 | Breakfast & Morning Chores
- 9:00–11:00 | Homeschool Focus Time
- 11:00–1:00 | Mom/Dad Work Block + Independent Activities
- 1:00–2:00 | Lunch & Free Play
- 2:00–4:00 | Quiet Time / Learning Projects
- 4:00–5:00 | Finish Work / Review School Activities

This way, if things veer off track (and they will), you’re not stressed over every little minute.

Prioritize Like a Pro

Here’s one of the hardest but most freeing lessons: You can’t do everything every day. (And that's okay.)

Start each day by listing the top three priorities for both work and homeschool. Just three. Not ten. Keep it real.

Ask yourself:
- What must be done today for work?
- What must my child learn or practice?

Everything else? Bonus.

Use Tools That Actually Help

You don’t need to invest in twenty apps or complicated systems. The goal is to simplify, not make your head spin with more logins.

🛠️ Helpful Tools for Working Parents Who Homeschool

- Google Calendar: Block off school and work time.
- Trello / Asana: Manage homeschool lesson plans AND work tasks.
- Khan Academy / Outschool: Give your kiddo structured, engaging content while you tackle work.
- Timers: Pomodoro-style timers help keep everyone focused in small bursts.
- Headphones: Noise-canceling ones for you, and fun ones for them. Game-changer.

Remember, tech should serve you—not stress you out.

Set Expectations With Your Boss (And Your Kids)

Communication is everything.

If you’re employed, have an open conversation with your boss or team. Let them know your homeschooling setup, when you’re available, and how you’ll stay on top of tasks. Most people are surprisingly understanding—as long as you’re upfront.

With your kids? Be honest but age-appropriate. They don’t need to know every detail, but they should understand when it’s “Do Not Disturb Mom Time.”

Use visual cues like a “Stoplight” system:
- Green = You can talk to me.
- Yellow = Only if it’s kind of important.
- Red = Emergency only (a real one, not "I can’t find my LEGO guy").

Smart Ways to Keep Kids Engaged While You Work

Let’s get real—there will be times you need your kids to be occupied without you. And that’s okay.

🧠 Ideas for Independent Activities:

- Daily reading (Let them choose books they love)
- Audiobooks or educational podcasts
- Puzzle time or building blocks
- Printable worksheets or coloring pages
- Science kits or single-task projects
- Online classes (sparingly—but use them as needed)

Rotate activities to keep boredom from sneaking in. Keep a “boredom box” with supplies they only get during your important work meetings. It’s like treasure.

Tag Team the Parenting (If You Can)

If there’s another adult in the house—partner, spouse, grandparent, etc.—try to share the load.

Even alternating mornings and afternoons can make a world of difference. It doesn’t have to be 50/50 to feel like a team win.

And hey, if your kid wants to video call Grandma to read aloud? That's still learning. Use your village.

Practice Grace on Repeat

Here’s a hard truth: Some days will feel like a total mess.

You’ll hit send on an email with peanut butter on your shirt. Your child will cry over long division. You'll second-guess everything.

When that happens, pause. Breathe. Laugh if you can.

You’re not failing. You’re living. You’re showing your kids resilience, creativity, and how to adapt. That’s real education.

Celebrate the Wins (Even the Small Ones)

Finished a full week sticking somewhat to your plan? Celebrate.

Had a good day where everyone ate, learned, and smiled once? That’s a win.

We tend to focus on what we didn’t get done. Flip that script. A little gratitude goes a long way when you're feeling overwhelmed.

What About Socialization?

Ah yes—the question every homeschooler hears on repeat.

Fact is, your homeschooled kid probably interacts with a wide range of people throughout the week—neighbors, family, coaches, tutors, online groups.

If you’re worried, consider joining a local homeschooling co-op, virtual meetups, or extracurricular classes. Homeschool families are often super social in creative ways.

A Few Words About Self-Care (No, Really)

You can’t pour from an empty cup. We all say that, but do we live it?

Carve out time for yourself, even if it’s just 10 minutes before bed to journal, shower in peace, or stare at the wall without anyone asking for snacks.

Because burnout isn’t a badge of honor. It’s a warning sign.

And you, my friend, are too important to run on fumes. Your kids need the best version of you—not the most exhausted.

Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This

This whole homeschooling-while-working thing? It’s messy. It’s unexpected. And it’s also kind of magical.

You're creating a totally unique life experience for your family. One filled with learning, laughing, crashing, and real connection.

There’s no perfect blueprint, just progress. So trust yourself, adjust when needed, and give yourself permission to grow alongside your kids.

One day at a time—that’s all it takes.