So far, in our series, Successful Homeschooling Schedules of Working Moms, we have met working moms that work day shifts, split shifts, evening hours, and now we meet Michelle, a Mother-Baby full time Nurse, working the night shift, while successfully homeschooling her children.
Hi Michelle! Can you please tell us about yourself?
My name is Michelle Roques. Wife to Kenny Roques, mom to Emma (15) and Kayson (7). I’m an RN at Ochsner Baptist on the Mother-Baby unit.
That’s neat! Can you share your work schedule with us?
In the last 6 years that I have been homeschooling, I worked 3 – 12 hour shifts, nights and weekends. Usually from Thursdays- Saturdays, but also as needed on other nights. Thanks to God, starting this month, I’m going down to part-time working 4 shifts a month.
That’s great for you and your family that you will be working less hours! Congrats!
Thank you! I’m quite excited!
Who takes care of your children while you are at work?
My children are cared for by their grandparents and their father.
How long have you been homeschooling for?
This will be my 7th year homeschooling Emma, and Kayson has always been homeschooled.
How long does it take you, on average, to complete school on a typical day?
It takes Emma 6 hours to complete her work. For Kayson, it can take anywhere between 2-4 hours.
Do you do all the teaching or does someone assists you with homeschooling?
I do all the homeschooling in the family.
Quite a bit of responsibility!
In what way(s) has working benefitted your homeschooling lifestyle and/or vice versa?
One way that working has benefitted my homeschooling is that when I need a resource, I can readily purchase it. I can also bless my community or class ( I’m a CC Tutor) when I feel to, and I have more financial means to do field trips, etc.
Do you have time for extracurricular activities?
I don’t have too much time for many field trips, but I do make time for our CC Community Day and Bible studies though.
Do you participate of Co-Ops, and if so, does it benefit you?
I don’t do co-ops but I participate in Classical Conversations, which is a great community.
Do you utilize a “boxed curriculum” or do you utilize different resources to put together your own?
I mostly follow Classical Conversations’ curriculum, but I also use other resources as well to put together the perfect match for my kids.
So, since you are part of Classical Conversations, do you mainly follow the Classical Method or do you mix with others (Charlotte Mason, Unschooling, etc.)?
Yes, I mainly, classically educate my kids.
What is the main challenge you face while working with a homeschooling lifestyle?
Time is my biggest enemy. I stretch myself so thin, I feel very tired most of the time and have little time to myself. It’s well worth the sacrifice though.
What is the best time management tip you would share with a working mom who is just beginning to homeschool?
After so many years of doing the same thing, the biggest tips I can offer are:
1. Don’t allow the curriculum to trump your relationships.
2. Do the most important things first, that way when and if you run out of time, you knocked out the hard/important things already.
3. Give yourself plenty of grace. If it were easy, everyone would do it.
Great tips! Thank you Michelle for your time.
You are very welcome!
I hope you found Michelle’s schedule 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.
Thank you! I’m an RN and work per diem, and plan to homeschool!