• START HERE
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • SHOP
  • CONTACT
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • YouTube

CHALK Academy

  • HOMESCHOOLING
    • TOUR & ORGANIZATION
    • TRILINGUAL SCHEDULE
    • FAITH & REFLECTIONS
    • PARENTING
  • TEACHING TIPS
    • Raising Multilingual Kids
    • Verbal
    • Reading
    • Writing
  • ACTIVITIES
    • Animals
    • Clothing & Textiles
    • Colors
    • Earth & Solar System
    • Food
    • Holidays
      • Birthday
      • Chinese New Year
      • Valentine’s day
      • Easter
      • Mother’s Day
      • Father’s Day
      • Dragon Boat Festival
      • Mid-autumn festival
      • Thanksgiving
      • Christmas
      • Dongzhi Festival
    • Me & My Body
    • Math
    • Nature
    • Seasons & Time
    • Shapes
    • Sports & Recreation
    • Transportation
  • CHINESE RESOURCES
    • ACTIVITIES
    • APPS & GADGETS
    • BOOKS
    • DICTIONARIES
    • MUSIC
    • TOYS & GAMES
    • VIDEOS
  • Korean Resources
    • ACTIVITIES
    • ALPHABET
    • BOOKS
    • DICTIONARIES
    • MUSIC
    • TOYS & GAMES
    • VIDEOS
  • Interviews
You are here: Home / Our Journey / 10 Survival Tips for Working While Homeschooling

10 Survival Tips for Working While Homeschooling

By Betty
March 26, 2020

26 Mar
125shares
  • 13
10 Survival Tips for Work-At-Home Homeschooling Families

Over the past few years, I have gradually made the transition to work-at-home homeschooling my 6-year-old and 3-year-old kids.

Normally, working while homeschooling takes a while to figure out, so please give yourself grace if you’ve been suddenly flung into this situation.

This post may have some affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, I earn a small commission which supports my blog and free printables at no additional cost to you. Please see the disclosure policy for details.

Survival tips for work at home homeschooling parents
Working while my 3-year-old son naps in my bed

This is not normal homeschooling. This is crisis schooling.

The balancing act is challenging, even if you’re used to multi-tasking under pressure, because we weren’t meant to parent alone on top of work.

However, preparation and a positive mindset can make the days go more smoothly.

10 Survival tips for work-at-home homeschooling parents with young kids

Here are 10 survival tips that I’ve learned along the way!

I hope some of these insights can help your work-at-home homeschooling days!

Chelsea Lee Smith thankful quote

1. Be grateful

If I wake up feeling like it’s a lose-lose situation, then I’ve already lost the battle.

But if I start the day by thanking God for each and every blessing, our whole family is already on a better path.

I try to read a few bible verses to suppress the overwhelming feeling of worry and focus on the next steps I can take.

The poem above by Chelsea Lee Smith has specific examples of how a change in mindset can set the stage for a positive day.

Remember, so many people would love to work from home but cannot!

9 Survival Tips for Work-At-Home Homeschooling Parents With Young Kids
Daughter (age 2.5 at the time) curious about mommy’s work

2. Have realistic but flexible expectations

Working at home and homeschooling is going to look very different from a 9-5 desk job or traditional school schedule.

With kids around, work will usually have interruptions, and both of my kids have sat in my lap at some point while I finish typing at my computer.

Therefore, back-up plans, such as working when kids sleep, will be needed to maximize productivity.

As for homeschooling, academic coursework usually takes much less time compared to traditional schools.

Toddlers and preschoolers can simply play with open-ended toys or whatever they want.

For example, they are learning math for free – without workbooks – simply by lining up toy cars or building with blocks.

For older kids, a common rule of thumb is that elementary school takes ~1-2 hours per day, middle school ~2-3 hours per day, and high school ~3-4+ hours.

However, the pace will vary with each child.

The beauty of homeschooling is that you can adjust learning to your family’s schedule!

If you’re a week behind in spelling, it’s really not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.

Play room before and after decluttering with multilingual kids pictures inspiration

3. Declutter, declutter, declutter!!!

  • Eliminate potential problems in advance. Too many options (eg, art supplies, toys) can be overwhelming and counterproductive.
  • Clear up your workspace so it’s easy to find what you need.
  • Prepare your home by following this helpful guide: Play Area / Homeschool Room Before and After: 11 Tips for Decluttering

4. Encourage independence

  • Safety is the first priority.
    • Kids’ space should only have items that are developmentally appropriate (eg, no choking hazards around babies)
    • Lock cabinets that contain dangerous cleaning supplies (eg, Safety 1st Magnetic Lock System, Munchkin Xtraguard)
  • Remove any toy or material from the space that requires significant parental help and supervision.
    • Example 1: No Legos for my toddler unless Daddy’s home to help!
    • Example 2: Put food in containers that kids can open independently.
  • Set up a self-serve water and healthy snack station.
  • Books should be reachable and accessible to kids.
  • Offer non-toxic cleaning supplies within reach to encourage clean up.
Visual daily routine chart for kids - free printable in Chinese, Korean, English

5. Have a visible work-at-home homeschooling schedule

  • Create a visual routine chart or written schedule of the typical day. Kids can help draw pictures or write the schedule depending on their developmental level.
  • During the work block, point it out on the schedule and prepare work materials.
  • See our work-at-home homeschooling routine details here
Playing board games with daughter
Playing board games with my daugther

6. Connect with your child

  • Start the day giving undivided attention to your child (eg, put away your phone/computer)
  • Check-in with cuddle breaks
  • Young children may need to sit near parent during work time. Offer work that seems important and similar to parent’s work so he or she feels included.
  • Hug them and pray through their tantrums.
  • Apologize if you’ve lost your temper.
  • Thank them for their patience.

7. Plan ahead

  • Dedicate one night or weekend to plan simple learning activities. Throughout the week or month, you can gradually introduce these activities.
  • Meal planning can be blocked off to weekends to remove some burden from the weekdays.
Kids vacuuming and sweeping kitchen
Vacuuming and sweeping the kitchen with kid-friendly cleaning tools

8. Everyone helps with chores

  • On a daily basis, involve children in practical life skills (aka chores)
  • Here are our favorite cleaning supplies for kids!
  • Don’t worry if you can’t get to every chore. Laundry can stay in the basket if you need to get other stuff done or go to bed.
Big sister helping bathe little brother
Big sister helping bathe little brother a few years ago!

9. Special tips for work-at-home homeschooling parents with babies

  • Babywearing! Walk around while carrying baby in a sling or baby carrier to help baby nap. Then you will have free hands to work during naptime.
  • Set up a safe “yes” space for babies and toddlers to explore. The Kavanaugh Report has a helpful guide for creating a Montessori-inspired baby space.
  • Remember that this age group does not require structured activities. Everything in the world is naturally new and exciting!
  • Welcome older siblings to help so they feel important. Gradually, they can learn important skills, such as how to change a diaper and give a bath.
Throw back to 3 years ago: Just finished breastfeeding my son while working at my desk!
Throw back to 3 years ago: Just finished breastfeeding my son while working at my desk!

10. Take care of yourself

Drink water, eat healthy, and call a friend or relative for support.

A few times a week, try to block off some time for exercise that you can do next to your kids or after they go to bed.

Last but not least, if you’re a believer, the best self-care is to spend time with the Lord. Throughout the day, even if I have a few minutes here and there, I try to pray for God’s truth to nourish me and my family.

Do you have other survival tips for work-at-home homeschooling parents?

Please share in the comments below!

We are all learning as we go, and we can encourage each other!

More about work-at-home homeschooling

  • Homework Routine: 6 Tips for Survival and Success
  • Schedule Challenges with 2-and 5-Year-Old Kids Learning 3 Languages
  • Kids Art Cart, Storage System, and Organization Tips

You’ve got this, friends!

2 Comments

About Betty

I'm a Chinese-American mom who is having fun teaching my children Mandarin Chinese while re-learning the language myself. I love coming up with creative, hands-on, and educational activities, and I hope these ideas help your children have fun learning Chinese!

« 100+ Popular Korean Children’s Songs and Nursery Rhymes
12 Free Online Learning Websites and Videos for Homeschooling Kids »

Comments

  1. Irene Chang says

    April 20, 2020 at 2:29 pm

    Betty, Thank you so much! This post is so helpful!
    I think i need to read it every few days to remind me!
    Every single tip is so important! Love
    Thank you. Take Care 🙂

    Reply
    • Betty Choi says

      April 21, 2020 at 11:07 pm

      You’re welcome, Irene! I’m so glad to hear it is helpful! Sending hugs during this challenging time!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Dr. Betty Choi CHALK Academy - 2

Hi! I’m Betty, a Chinese-American mom, believer, pediatrician, and writer.  I’m having fun learning Chinese with my children, and I love sharing multilingual resources and teaching tips!  I hope these ideas can help your family or school! Read More…

Great picture books for Women's History Month in English and Chinese for children

20 Picture Books for Women’s History Month in Chinese and English!

Effective Ways to Praise Kids Instead of "Good Job" (Chinese and English)

Effective Ways to Praise Kids Instead of “Good Job” (Chinese and English)

Disney songs and soundtracks in Chinese, Korean, English

Favorite Disney Songs and Albums in Mandarin Chinese, Korean, and English!

COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Unauthorized use and/or duplication of any content without express and written permission from CHALK Academy is strictly prohibited.  Excerpts, pdfs, images, and videos may be used only with permission, provided that full and clear credit is given to CHALK Academy / Betty Choi with appropriate and specific direction to original content.

  • Home
  • About CHALK Academy
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Subscribe
授人以鱼,不如授人以渔。
Give a person a fish and you feed him for a day;
Teach a person to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
COPYRIGHT CHALK ACADEMY 2017 - 2021

Powered by Easy Cloud Solutions
125shares