How to Balance Time as a Work-from-Home Homeschool Mom
Being a work-from-home homeschool mom definitely has many advantages. But it can also be tough to balance time when everything is less compartmentalized.
In today’s post I’m going to look at some of the time pros and cons of being a work-from-home homeschool mom. And then I’m going to give you some strategies that will help you balance time in an effective way. So let’s dive in!
The Time Pros of being a Work-from-Home Homeschool Mom
I’ve always been a work-from-home homeschool mom. And I love it! I feel like there are so many advantages to this way of life. It’s not the only way to work and homeschool, but it’s what I know best.
So let me share just a few of the things that I love about it…
Smart Multitasking
You know I’m not a fan of multitasking. I think it’s so important to be fully present when you’re working or homeschooling. It means that you can make the best use of your time by giving each task your all.
That being said, you can easily multitask with things that don’t need a lot of attention. Laundry and cleaning are great examples. And this kind of multitasking helps you to balance time!
I can put a load of laundry on at any time of the day, when it suits me. I can also easily spend 15 minutes decluttering a drawer in between tasks. And do a quick pick up around the house when I feel the need.
Something else I love to do is listen to podcasts or audiobooks when doing something boring like folding laundry. It’s a great way for me to get ideas and inspiration for my business and still get stuff done around the house.
I love this idea from Motherhood Life Balance: multitask physical and mental tasks. It’s so true that it impossible to try and do two mental things at once – even though I know I try sometimes!
More Time with Your Kids
As a work-from-home homeschool mom, you get to spend lots of time with your kids. And remember that it doesn’t have to be all structured learning too.
You have the opportunity to…
- carve out pockets of time to just hang out with your kids,
- teach them lots of useful life skills,
- be there in the moment when they need something,
- build a really strong bond.
The Time Cons of being a Work-from-Home Homeschool Mom
Obviously nothing is just all pros and no cons. And everyone’s reality is different. So if you’re thinking about working from home and homeschooling, let me tell you what I’ve found trickiest.
And I also want to give you some of the solutions that have worked for me.
Problem: It's Difficult to Separate Different Parts of Your Life
An article in Forbes speaks about people working longer hours during the pandemic. One of the contributing factors was people working from home and not being able to separate their day into work and then home.
Even though I’ve been working from home for almost a decade, I totally get why this happened! It’s so easy to add on hours in the early morning, evening or weekend. And if it’s your own business, it can be even worse!
This has definitely been the biggest obstacles I’ve had to overcome. The ability to balance time effectively without clear or obvious boundaries, has been hard won. So if you’re struggling, here are some tips…
Solution: Get Dressed in the Morning
Get dressed in the morning and then get undressed when work is done. I used to work in my pjs in bed. And it felt like I was never finished with work.
Now I get dressed and put on some red lipstick. 
It takes a few minutes and really creates boundaries around different areas of my life.
Solution: Create a Separate Work Space
I know this isn’t possible for everyone. But you can make a space with just a small table that doesn’t take up much room.
And then when you’re done, close the door or pack away your laptop. It’s a great way to separate the two parts of your life.
Solution: Be Present in Each Task
Be present in each task. This is something that’s going to take practice. We’re so used to doing a million things at once or being easily distracted. But it’s going to make balancing time much easier.
When you’re homeschooling, be fully engaged and present. And the same for work. It will also help you to use your time much more effectively
You’ll need to learn to set solid boundaries around each task. Even though it may feel tough or you might even feel guilty, it will be so worth it in the long run!
Solution: Balance Time with a Separating Activity
Something that’s also really powerful, is to break up your day with a separating activity – much like commuting does when you move from work to home.
Depending on the season, I like to separate my two jobs with a walk, reading for 30 minutes or even doing some cleaning. It gives my brain time to rest so that I can start fresh on the next activity.
Final Thoughts on How to Balance Time as a Work-from-Home Homeschool Mom
Being a work-from-home homeschool mom can make it difficult to balance time in your day. It’s easy for everything to feel chaotic and messy as it all melts into one.
That being said, with a few strategies (such as a mentioned above), you can find time for everything. And you can make the most of all of the advantages this way of life offers.
If you need to talk it out or work on some strategies, then please book in a session with me! Together we can figure it out!
Follow me Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest for more homeschool shenanigans, advice and resources. And please check out my working homeschool mom coaching if you need some extra help and support.
