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Work, Kids, and Homeschool? No Sweat!

Balancing work, homeschool, and, well, life can feel like herding cats in a hurricane. My husband works from home as a web developer while I run a massage therapy business. So trust me, I get it! We’re all about making it work with some creative scheduling, flexibility, and a good dose of humor.

TBH, sometimes “balance” looks more like organized chaos, and that’s totally fine. Here are some practical tips to help you manage the madness—without losing your mind!

Roll With It

Flexibility is your BFF. Forget the rigid schedule; life happens, and it’s not always on time.

  • Block Scheduling: Instead of obsessing over hourly plans, chunk your day into blocks. Mornings might be work time for one parent while the other handles homeschool, then switch in the afternoon.
  • Mix It Up: Who says school has to happen before lunch? Some days, we homeschool in the evening—it all depends on how our workday goes.
  • Embrace the Mess: Not every day will run like clockwork, and that’s okay. Flexibility lets you flow with the ups and downs.

Flexibility allows you to adapt and keep things fun—even when chaos strikes.

Plan and Prioritize With Purpose

You can’t give 100% to everything every day. (Spoiler: No one does.) So, prioritize what really needs to happen.

  • Sunday Strategy: Plan your week in advance. I use Sundays to map out my work appointments, the kids' schedules, and anything else on the calendar. Seeing the big picture helps me spot the crazy overlaps.
  • Non-Negotiables First: Start each day with your must-dos. Knock those out, then work the rest of the day around them.

Prioritizing helps you stay focused, avoiding overwhelm and helping you tackle your day’s essentials first.

Define Your Zones (Yes, Even at Home)

Setting physical boundaries can help you mentally switch between roles.

  • Dedicated Work Spaces: My husband has his workspace for coding, and I carve out a cozy spot for homeschool activities. Separating work from school—and from relaxation—keeps us from blending everything into one chaotic mess.
  • Quiet Zones: For those work tasks that require laser focus, establish quiet zones or quiet hours where the kids are occupied with independent activities.

Zones help you focus, making it easier to switch gears between work, homeschool, and relaxation.

Tag-Team

When both parents work from home, teamwork makes the dream work.

  • Daily Check-Ins: Every morning, we compare schedules. If I’ve got back-to-back client calls, he’ll handle more homeschool duties, and we switch if he’s swamped.
  • Take Turns for Breaks: Remember, tag-teaming isn’t just for work—self-care counts too. Make sure both parents get a little time to themselves, whether it’s for a walk, workout, or just chilling in silence for 10 minutes.

Teamwork ensures everyone has the support and space they need to thrive.

Get the Kids Involved

Sometimes, the best solution is to mix work and homeschool. Depending on what you do, your kids can even join in!

  • Tech and Coding: My husband lets the kids tinker with beginner coding programs while he works on a project. It keeps them busy and learning while giving him space to focus.
  • Marketing Madness: I let the kids get involved in brainstorming and creating social media posts. It's fun for them, helps spark their creativity, and they get to see how I promote my business.

Involving kids in work keeps them engaged and teaches them new skills.

Set Realistic Expectations (Give Yourself a Break)

Life isn’t perfect, and you don’t have to be either. Some days are productive; others…not so much.

  • Perfection is Overrated: Let go of the idea that you need to hit every goal every day. Some days will lean more toward work, others toward homeschool, and that’s perfectly fine.
  • Breaks are Life: Everyone needs downtime. And yes, it’s totally okay if the kids watch a movie while you wrap up a project. No guilt!

Realistic expectations help you embrace the ebb and flow of life, taking pressure off yourself.

Don’t Skip the Self-Love

You knew it was coming! If you’re not taking care of yourself, the rest will fall apart. So, build in time to recharge.

  • Steal a Few Minutes: Whether it’s meditation, a quick walk, or sipping coffee in peace, find moments to center yourself.
  • Switch Off After Hours: When work is done, it’s done. Boundaries between work and family time are game-changers for your mental health.

Self-care keeps you grounded, helping you balance it all without burning out.

You’ve Got This!

Balancing work and homeschool is all about finding what works for you. Forget perfection—it’s all about creativity, flexibility, and giving yourself some grace. With a little planning and teamwork, you’ll make it through those busy days feeling like a total rockstar.

So, take a breath, laugh off the chaos, and remember—you’re doing an amazing job.

— Amanda Jo, Co-Founder & CEO, The HOM Network