I was looking for the most recent hs + wohm thread, and this seemed to be it. I wanted to bump it to see if there are others who can chime in or just share their experiences.
I work a technically FT job. But half those hours are flexible. (I teach mornings, do prep/admin/paperwork in the afternoons). DD1 went from 3rd grade last year to homeschooling this year. She's 10, and so I wanted to share that at least for me, hsing is a really different thing with an older kid - for us, in a good way.
She went to a great small private school, and learned a lot there. Mostly we switched to home because she & I both wanted to, and it suits the way she learns much better. She happens to be really independent, though, and by this year is a totally independent (and avid) reader. Also writes and uses a computer independently.
For me, it works to hs an older kid while working. She can understand my schedule and work needs and we can help each other out, honestly.
We also started the year with a 3 year old, however, (now 4) and we decided to keep her in school. It's a great preschool and she loves it, so that helped the decision. But I am also POSITIVE I could never have made it work with both home.
Here's what works for us:
1. DH has a different schedule from me (12-8), so he's home when I work - though not homeschooling, only sleeping, lol. Still it gives some flexibility.
2. DD wants to be independent for a lot of her learning. We use a ton of books for reading and computers.
3. She can come to work with me in the afternoons, and I have a teaching-related work environment, full of resources.
4. As someone else said, I LOVE my job and it pays well for what it is. It is a field I'd like to stay in.
Here's what doesn't:
1. I feel stretched and divided ALL OF THE TIME. A day when I do well at work is a day I neglect homeschooling. And vice versa. Sometimes I play hooky to do a cool field trip or activity or homeschool group and I pay for it majorly with work.
2. Nothing seems to get my full attention ever - including DD1, DD2, marriage, and the housework (what housework?)
3. Trying to connect with other hsing families is reall hard. They are free more than we are - and while I'd love dd to have playdates, I can't reciprocate much, because life is so packed, and she gets lonely. If I weren't working the social part would be a bigger focus.
4. My feeling stressed from juggling things changes how I parent. When dd1 was little, I was home. Now dd2 gets no where near as much of my full attention and I am much less creative and patient.
So that's my experience, for what it's worth. Would love to hear from others!
- mb