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As the number of homeschooling families grows, the stereotype of the homeschooling mom dressed in overalls, living in the country, and raising several children slowly disappears. The homeschooling community is quite varied now a days. The different educational methods, the vast amount of resources, and the diverse family lifestyles, make of each homeschooling household a unique one. With these variations also come the rising community of working, homeschooling moms. This month we will explore and learn of different successful homeschooling schedules of working moms, some who work from home, as well as several who work outside the home.
We begin our series, Successful Homeschooling Schedules of Working Moms, with an interview with Dr. Melanie Wilson, a successful language arts curriculum writer.
Hi Melanie, tell us about yourself, what do you do for a living?
Hi Maritza! I’m a blogger at Psychowith6.com, podcaster at HomeschoolSanity.com, and homeschool publisher at GrammarGalaxyBooks.com
That’s excellent Melanie! That is quite a lot to juggle. Please share with us your work schedule.
I typically write early mornings, homeschool late mornings, then do other work, exercise, and manage family commitments in the afternoon. I try to reserve evenings for family.
Very busy days…How long have you homeschooled for and what are your children’s ages?
I’ve homeschooled for 19 years and have children who are 22,19, 18, 16, 14, and 12.
Wow, you are a veteran homeschooler! When do you schedule your homeschool time and how long does it take you on average per day?
I homeschool later in the morning for an hour. My kids are old enough to work on their own and they prefer to do individual work at their own pace. I also teach co-op class for an hour and a half one day a week. The rest of the time is spent reviewing work and helping with homework.
Do you do all the teaching or do you have someone assisting you?
I have a friend who does my children’s science labs. I teach her children language arts.
That’s excellent teamwork. Could you explain in what ways has working benefitted your homeschool life and/or vice versa?
My children have learned a lot about starting and running a business as well as language arts because my business is selling language arts curriculum. My kids help with proofreading, shipping, and exhibiting at conferences. They have also learned to think about my goals instead of just their own. They’re my cheerleaders!
That is an encouragement! and with your type of schedule, do you have time for extracurricular activities? (e.g. field trips, co-ops, etc.)
We are in a learning center once a week as well as a home-based co-op once a week. We frequently take structured and casual field trips. The kids play tennis, which is very easy to manage for our family, and volleyball, which is more of a challenge. My husband and I play tennis, golf, and pickle ball.
A very sport-oriented family. Have you found that co-ops benefit you in any way? If so, how?
Co-ops in my home have been my children’s favorite part of homeschooling. They’re happy because they’re with friends and having regular time to chat with my friends have been a huge sanity saver for me. Formal learning centers have been nice for making sure my kids have other kids to take classes with (informal co-ops like mine have become unpopular), but they are harder for me. They are expensive and time-consuming because of the drive.
Do you utilize a “boxed curriculum” or do you gather sources together to form your own curriculum?
I don’t use a boxed curriculum. I have an eclectic approach.
Besides following an eclectic approach, is there one style in particular that you emphasize?
I’m eclectic but followed a unit study approach for many years.
What is the main challenge you face of working with a homeschooling lifestyle?
As an at-home entrepreneur, there’s constant tension between working and focusing on family. I embrace the tension now, but in the past I was always trying to decide which to focus on. I do both and I love my lifestyle.
That’s great! It’s important to enjoy the journey! What is your best time management tip you would share with a working mom who is just beginning homeschooling?
Schedule your days. I make a tentative schedule for the day each morning that includes time for relationships, making dinner, and a reward for myself.
Melanie, thank you so much for your time.
You are very welcome, it has been my pleasure.
I pray that you find this interview insightful. As always, “We can do all things through Christ, who strengthens us” (Phil. 4:13), but we can’t do them all at once.
**Learn more about Melanie’s language arts program, Grammar Galaxy, by visiting her Grammar Galaxy Shop.
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