Quick Question???

[emmasmom]

I have posted before that I would love to homeschool dd, however financially I can't afford to quit my job. I am trying to get everything I possibly can paid off so that I can at least go part time by next fall when she starts 1st grade at the local elementary school.

I was just wondering if those of you working moms who homeschool could give me a little advice. I was wondering if I can arrange it to work in the afternoons, say 12:00-5:00 or 1:00-5:00, do you think that is enough time in the morning to get all of the required stuff done. Dd does not do well in the evening. Even now it is a struggle to get her Kindergarten homework done. So I don't think I would be able to continue where we left off in the evenings, so what we needed to get done would have to be done in the morning.

She was out of school for three days in December because of sickness and we "did school" and we both really enjoyed it. In fact she said mommy I want you to be my teacher. I just went in my room and cried. I get so angry with myself sometimes because I see all the mistakes we made with our finances and how if I had only done this or that I would be at home with her right now. But that pity party is for another day!

So I guess my question is, how long to do you homeschool, is it all day or just in the morning?

Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

[jab300]

I have been homeschooling during the day and working evenings for years now. We honestly get everything for the day "done" by lunch. My dks have never been good at doing school at night, either, and honestly I like to have my evenings "free" as well lol (when I'm off that is.) When you are one-on-one with your child and there are no distractions the work can get done in a very short amount of time. And they are actually learning all the time!

Basically I get up first and start my chores and such and then the dks rouse around 7:30 and have about 30 minutes to eat, brush teeth, dress, etc. Ds3 (who is 6 and doing kindergarten) is not a morning kind of guy so he gets to take as long as he wants to accomplish his morning tasks...things go better when he is in a good mood.:happy: Therefore ds2 and I first tackle things I need to actually "teach" him like a new math lesson, etc. Then he does assignments like reading a chapter and taking notes that he can do solo while I work with ds3. When the planets all line up right I can sneak in a few chores while they are both occupied lol. We chug along like this until lunch when we stop and eat. Then they have "free time" while I clean the kitchen and get the littlest one to nap. Ds2 may have some studying for a test to do, and I will give ds3 a craft related to whatever our current theme is to keep him busy if we don't have to leave the house to run errands or go to the park. By now I have to get ready and go to work.

The point is, yes, you can homeschool her in just the mornings. You may want to check your state's laws on homeschooling...here in Fl we don't have to account for actual days or time spent, but some states do make you keep track. I think it's great that you are so interested in it and want to give it a go. I sure hope you will be able to do so soon. Good luck!:flowerface:

[marabeth]

I'm thinking since she would be your only student, you would get even more done in less time- no siblings to go back and forth between. I'd bet you could finish in a couple hours easily. You'll know when you're ready and able. This is exciting!

[emmasmom]

Thanks! I think I just wanted to make sure that I wasn't being unrealistic in thinking that we could do it all in a few hours. I am hoping that the financial stuff will work out. Keep us in your prayers please.:flowerface:

[marabeth]

praying for you. I think it's wonderful that you feel the "pull" so strongly. the finances will work out.

[Lisa]

As long as you can keep her focused, you shouldn't have a problem. As they get older, things take longer, but as they get older, they also do a lot more on thier own. I think you would have plenty of time. There is nothing wrong with trying it and seeing how it works for you. If you don't try, you might regret it later from the way you are talking.

I will be praying. I know you are going to do great!

[okgoatgal]

most of the things she'll need to do in first grade can be covered easily in a morning. a lot of school time is taken up waiting on students to transition from one subject to another, bathroom breaks, etc. having just one student to work with will make it very easy for you to teach the things she needs to know and get the work done in the morning. also, going to the store, etc can be treated as educational, if you have her read the list/packages, etc. i sure wish i could homeschool, but it's simply not possible for me. good luck.

[emmasmom]

Thanks everyone! I am going to start compiling some material and keep plugging away at that debt. Hopefully, they will work with me here, I don't know if I could get a job somewhere else with the starting salary what I make per hour here. That will be a big consideration if they won't work with me here. So many variables! I am a list kind of gal and I like to have a plan, so all the unknowns are really unnerving me.

[Miss Kitty]

I know I'm late to this thread but I wanted to quickly share this:

My gf works 7-3:30 and her husband works 4-midnight.

When she gets done with work she homeschools their son until from 4-5 to about 9 to 9:30. She says this schedule is working great for them. He sleeps in while Dad sleeps then they get up and eat breakfast. By noon they go for enrichment activities or the Y to workout.

When she gets home and unwinds a bit then they get started.

Hope this helps a little.