Realistic expectations? HS'ing while working PT, weird shifts...

[major_mama11]

DD is 4.5, and we JUST (as in last week) started "officially" hs'ing (as in loosely using a curriculum- we've been learning all along). DD and I are both very excited.

Ideally, I would like to be a SAHM to facilitate hs'ing, but that's just not in the cards at this point, considering the current financial instability of DH's workplace. DH works FT (when they actually have work, that is ), and I work per diem (flexible, very minimal schedule, but no benefits). This has been a decent balance for us thus far.

I recently found out that I am being considered for a benefited position in my new department. Benefits- yay! Part time- yay! Night shift- not so yay... (although it's only 2 nights a week, and my mom is willing to watch the kids while I nap during the day after a shift).

I have worked night shift in the past, and it made me cranky and irritable and a not so great mom or wife. But in order to get a benefited position (and we really do need the benefits), I have to start out on nights- that's just the way it is in my field.

Has anyone successfully homeschooled while working out of the home, and/or while working odd shifts? I need encouragement that this can actually work! Stories, please!

[inky leeuhhh]

i work full time and we make it work. dh helps a lot though. i get her curriculum together, and he does most of the work with her in the afternoon when he gets home from work (he works an early shift, i work 9-6 pm). if there's anything they get stuck on, they just leave it for me to do either when i get home or on the weekend. the good thing about homeschooling is you can do it any time (weekends, over the summer..). if you think outside the box, you can do it!

[major_mama11]

Thanks for the perspective! It sounds like you and your dh are a great team.

My dh is supportive of hs'ing, and great about answering DD's questions, reading to her, etc, so I have high hopes for him to be very involved, the way your dh is.

My mom, who does all our weekday babysitting, wanted to homeschool my sis and I but didn't, so she is very eager to be involved with hs'ing, since this is what she always wanted to do.

I guess we will just try to work as a team, take advantage of the hours when I am home, and all that like you're saying. I am feeling better about this already!

(I'm going to be laughing at myself if I get myself all worked up over all the details of this, and then find out tomorrow that someone else got the position...).