Can I Do it All?

Posted by Jane | 0 comments

Is it possible to be a full-time “payroll” mom and homeschool at the same time?

It certainly doesn’t fit my picture of the ideal homeschool scenario.

Yet sometimes (most of the time?) God pushes us outside our comfort zone. And recently I’ve been prodded to take on full-time work outside the home. I’ve spent the last few weeks trying to juggle it all. I know I want to homeschool – that’s nonnegotiable for me at this point. How do I make it fit?

There are a few things in my favor: We have only one child. I have somewhat flexible hours. My husband has somewhat flexible hours. I can work from home on occasion. But it’s still 40 hours that has to come from somewhere…

Whether you are on a payroll, or working in a home business, or homeschooling a whole passel of brilliant minds, or volunteering numerous hours at your church, or managing a blog that touches thousands of other moms, or coping with special needs – we’re all challenged with time management issues.

Here are some things I’ve been working on:

Be present.

Ever notice how multi-tasking seems to result in wasted time as you hunt for your car in the parking lot, wait for a locksmith to let you in, or try to remember why on earth you came to the kitchen? Even worse, do you know what you’re missing when you catch up on emails while your daughter is telling you about her day?

With the jillion and one things I need to do bouncing through my head, this one is hard for me. But I’m learning to write down my scrambled thoughts in a notebook so I can set them aside and move back to the present, and I’m learning to appreciate life so much more.

Seize the moments.

I’ve heard that “love” is spelled “T-I-M-E” where kids are concerned. When your time is tight, how do you show the love? Especially when you’re trying to get schoolwork done during that time? I used to shop by myself as much as possible so I could get it done faster. Now, I’m looking for every opportunity to keep my daughter with me. Grocery stores are perfect educational moments for a young child. When we’re not listening to audiobooks or scripture songs during our hour-plus commutes, we’re packing in meaningful conversations. I’m putting together a couple of totes filled with colored markers, learning games, books, and other supplies that will stay in our vehicles, so if dad takes daughter to a job site with him, or I’m dropping her off with a friend, or she and I are waiting in line at the DMV, she’s got her schoolwork with her.

Taking time to sit and eat meals together is another area I’m working on. Not only am I trying to squeeze in as much time with my child as I can, I’m trying to make sure that time counts.

Maximize your energy.

I don’t get a lot done when I’m in zombie mode. So I’ve worked on keeping my energy level up during the day. So far I’ve cut out refined sugar. I walk or jog five days a week. Sleep is a priority for me. My next big challenge is cutting out caffeine. So much of this is counter-intuitive – sugar and caffeine are quick energy boosters, while sleep and exercise are the first to go when you’re short on time – but I know if I get through the first couple of days, it is so worth it.

Invest time to save time.

Make realistic plans. Plan out your children’s schoolwork ahead of time. Make a habit of using your calendar. In the evening, lay out your clothes and any items you need to take with you the next day. It’s easier to check things off a list than to put out fires all day long. I’ve had to adjust my thinking – I used to think menu planning involved scanning through recipe books and putting together a list of dishes that took two or more hours to prepare. My shopping lists were quite elaborate. Now I just jot the basics down: rice and stir fry on Mondays, burgers on Tuesdays, soup on Wednesdays, fast food – gasp! – on Thursdays, etc. My shopping lists are now just the basics we’re running out of. It’s still planning and it still saves the time…

You might even need a plan for when your plans don’t work out. For instance, when my daughter wakes up ahead of schedule, I have a stash of DVDs she can rummage through so I can keep to my own schedule. I’m working on a “home continuity plan” for what to do if one of us gets sick, etc. And I’m trying to leave one day a week empty so we can either work on whatever juggling act needs it most, or just enjoy time together as a family.

Adjust your definition of “enough.”

If I cook supper, wash dishes, keep the trash from overflowing and finish a load of laundry, I’m doing great. Spending time with my daughter supersedes getting the floor swept every day. This was supposed to be “the” year of the vegetable garden. All the learning opportunities, quality time together… I’ve had to reconcile myself to just growing a few potted plants instead. On the homeschool front, I’m wholeheartedly eclectic and like putting together my own themed, customized, coordinated plans. I just don’t have the time to research, though, so I’m doing more canned or textbook-type things, applying my personal touch during presentation.

Develop a network of people you trust.

This one is hard for me. We didn’t get a babysitter for my daughter (outside of grandparents on very rare occasions) until she was 2 and a half, and even now, it’s always a family friend. It’s MY job to take care of my daughter! But as in so many other areas of my life, God is leading me to let go, and ultimately He is the one I’m trusting. First things first. Obviously, this means saying “no” to the things you don’t have time for. It may also mean you’ve got to negate on previous commitments. I’ve pushed my family aside while trying to finish a product review on time, for instance, and the consequences are just not worth it. On the homeschool front, it means I have to say no to some of the fun homeschool activities available in the community. Or drop my daughter off at the activities in the care of a trusted friend while I get work done. It may mean putting off personal goals and hobbies for a season. Kids are young for such a short time. As moms, we’re often told to take care of ourselves first, but there is a difference between taking care of yourself – getting your sleep and your exercise – and gratifying your desires and whims.

Is it possible to be a full-time “payroll” mom and homeschool at the same time? One baby step at a time, focusing upward, we’re making it through.

When she’s not battling too-sticky play dough and untangling herself from the hot-glue webs surrounding her too-cute felt ladybugs, Jane contemplates how to instill in her four-year-old daughter a heart to change the world for Jesus. Her family has circled the globe and landed in rural Oregon where the grass is green and the sky is blue, though not usually at the same time. Their eclectic homeschool adventures are chronicled at Mozi Esmé.