Has anyone here balance homeschooling with going to school for you?

[caefi]

I'm starting to stress out just a little. I signed up to take 12hours of online courses from our local college. PLUS I am homeschooling 7 children AND teaching three other kids with mine for science, one day a week.

I need tips and advice on balancing it all and keeping focused.

Anyone?

[kittie313]

I'm doing it right now. Managers of Their Homes is the only thing saving me. I have a fairly structured schedule for our days, with me hsing 2 (3 when my dcb is here too), keeping 2 preschoolers occupied, and a FT college courseload on top of my h working 12-16hr shifts and my work as the head of student activities for our hs group. Basically, how it works is I do my classwork before they are up in the mornings (I get up at 5am for this purpose) and after my h is home from work at night. During the day we do lessons, mornings are our combined subjects and dd1 does her individual stuff before breakfast normally and dd2 does hers after lunch.

I learned real fast that to pull all this off I need to have a schedule and stick to it. I know not everyone does well with the structure that a schedule dictates, but honestly I have to do it or I will self-destruct. My family will fall apart and nobody will have a clue of what is going on if I don't have a schedule in place that is consistent. If the idea of a schedule makes you want to vomit, try just listing a set wakeup time for yourself and then an order for your day. I literally only have specific times set for meals and my wakeup and am fairly flexible within the schedule I have set, the times on it are just general timeframes usually and it allows me time to get the activity done and do the transition done when and how I need to. Also, I taught my kids real fast that if mommy says she's got to do some of her schoolwork, that is an automatic signal to go find something to play in their bedroom because momma needs to focus (usually I only do this for writing a paper)

[briansmama]

Goodness, Woman! I consider myself pretty balanced, but no way on earth would I be able to pull that off.

I think you may just have to resign yourself to the fact that you are probably not going to be very balanced while you are in school and hsing that many kids.

I'd go into survival mode and just focus on making sure I get plenty of sleep and healthy food each day to manage that schedule. Everything else (exercising, visiting friends, personal time/activities, outside obligations) would be put on hold.

Good luck!

[CrazyCatLady]

Wow. I was going to chip in with some advice because I go to school full time, work some, and also home school my daughter. But 7 + 3 kids? Schedules don't work well for me. But making sure that I'm always on task and not goofing off (on mdc especially ) help me get it all done. I never get enough sleep either, but I make sure to get as much as possible. Being sleep deprived on top of everything would just make me nuts. I also take and keep little notes and calendars everywhere (a more organized person might use their phone or something to keep track of everything).

Sorry I don't have much advice. I'm totally impressed with your multitasking skills though.

[caefi]

Originally Posted by CrazyCatLady

Sorry I don't have much advice. I'm totally impressed with your multitasking skills though.

cute!!lol I haven't managed it yet!!!


I have used MOTH before and have gleaned much from the book. So far, I've made and excel sheet of who has to be where, when and who is studying what, when, and such.

I just don't know when *I* will study.

[be11ydancer]

I'm in your boat sort of too. I'm hs'ing 3 kids and taking evening classes. Basically, my schooling and study time will have to be at night and the kids schooling time will have to be during the day. My garden has been neglected and the kids are learning to pick up after themselves. I am absolutely savoring this three week break between semesters and trying to get any painting, organizing, gardening, and especially kids lesson planning done before I start back for the fall. It is stressful and also very expensive.

This too shall pass!

[Pariah]

I've never heard of MOTH, but maybe I should check it out. I work full time, college part time, have side businesses (concert photographer, a couple websites, record label with boyfriend), and a ton of other projects, and HS my four year old. Everyone has said I'm nuts for doing it and occasionally I wonder if they're right, but I'm determined to do it all -- and do it well -- even if I'm my only supporter. No advice here, as I'm in a similar boat, but lots of and for taking on so much!

[jlpumkin]

I was stopping in to wallow in pity as I'm trying to do this as well... however after reading hsing 7 +3 ~ I've decided to take my happy butt on my way With just 2 & a part-time job, school threw me into the deep end a little. I've eliminated any activities that aren't necessary and relinquished control to my hubby of somethings that were "mine" but I'm certain you've probably already done all of that just to successfully hs 7! Good luck!

[cookie_monster]

I am starting a course next month which is online, and I plan to study at night. Currently, ds#1 and ds#2 are homeschooling (ds#3 thinks school work involves eating paper and throwing cars lol). DP works 6am-2pm on weekdays so he is open to helping out if needed in the afternoons.

[AngelBee]

I work 15-50 hours a week depending on the season and homeschool my 7 children. It is possible but not always easy.

#1 for us: we school year round. It makes it possible to spread out curriculum and work harder when I have time off.

[caefi]

Originally Posted by AngelBee

I work 15-50 hours a week depending on the season and homeschool my 7 children. It is possible but not always easy.

#1 for us: we school year round. It makes it possible to spread out curriculum and work harder when I have time off.

thank you, angelbee. I'm working 15hrs. I thought I would have time to study there, but it's turning out that I don't. The last two nights the college's website was down and I couldn't study at home either! lol Today went much better though. I think we're going to find a good fit.... maybe... i hope! lol

[jlpumkin]

I just started a new routine this week and it's going ok... I'm getting up at 5 and studying until 7 when the littles typically start to want breakfast. I say it's only going ok bc I don't find my brain is really ready to hit the ground running first thing... BUT it is quiet and the only interruption is my hubby. So I hope the sleep fog will learn to clear w/ practice.