Hello,

I was thrilled to find this website to submit a question I've had for quite awhile now. I have submitted it through our local homeschool group too and received some great insight.

I have graduated after 3 years with an A.A.S. degree in Medical Health Technology and a certificate in Medical Reception. I have majored in Medical Transcription and Medical Coding. I am, however, at a cross roads as to know where to direct my children, or myself for that matter.

Financially, my husband and I are okay without me working, but we realize that if we want to make a down payment on our own house, I would need to work and save aside some of my income.

My children, are ages 9, 8, and 20 months. For the past two years, my older kids have attended a private school located about 45 miles one way, away from our home. However, they doubled their tuition, costing us approximately $11,000 for one year for the two kids. We opted not to put them through this year for that reason.

We registered them into another little school(45 students K-8) closer to home, however, we're still finding that the $550 a month is a little steep for us.

With the school situation as it is, I am wondering if I should put them back into public school for this year, or attempt to work full-time and homeschool them in the evening. Does this work? Has anyone tried to do both without working from home?

Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated! I am a 1996 graduate of homeschool, and realize the great benefits of schooling from home. But, in today's world, where most homes are requiring two incomes, I am stressed with the idea of doing too much, but also want the best for my children.

Thanks!

Could I ask - would it be possible to work part time like in the evenings when your dh is home? Would that be of any help financially?

I used to work part time as a cashier while homeschooling. It was difficult but I did it. I know it's not the same as your profession.

Are there any other good private schools in your area you can check out? Some could be competitive; it may be well worth a look.

I hope you find a good solution for your family!

I don't mean to be nosy, but if you and your husband both worked full-time during the day, wouldn't you be paying childcare? Maybe not as much as the private school, but I would guess it would still be pretty steep. Is it possible for you to work different shifts, or you at least work part-time, so you aren't paying full-time childcare on top of homeschooling?

Other than that, as for your question of is it possible to work full-time and homeschool, I've heard of people doing it but haven't done it myself. With an 8 & 9 yr old it would be quite challenging, depending on their learning styles and personalities. Some kids work pretty independently by that time, others don't. The more help they needed from you, the harder it would be. Then in a few years when you added your little one into your homeschool, you'd really have your hands full! But it probably is possible if you decide it's what's best for your family. I think, assuming you work Monday-Friday, I'd consider doing Saturday school, maybe doing 6 shorter school days rather than fitting everything in to 5 days. I'm thinking maybe a couple of hours each evening and a full day on Saturday, with projects or things that take longer done at that time. Of course that cuts into family time so would present it's own challenges. But it is do-able, I think.

What does your husband think? He would definitely need to be on board with this for it to work.

Lori and Chris have hit the nails on the head for my thoughts except for one point...can you FIND the $ in your budget instead or working outside the home...kind of like paying yourself??? I know this sounds silly...maybe. But hear me out...I have an idea, and actually it's one that I heard Dave Ramsey talk about the other evening on his tv program, one WE ARE DOING...

Let me explain: We are a one family income...sometimes we can tighten our belts a bit or a lot depending...if your husband's income didn't decrease, then WHAT did increase now that you may not be paying tuition? Could THAT money come in handy for the down on a home? HEY, if folks have any kind of decent credit, then the housing market which is DROPPING by the day is a good time to purchase NOW! I know because we are buying a repo home for less...much less than rent. There are several loan programs out there for first time...(I'm assuming) home buyers out there with good rates and down payment amounts. I have a medical profession that could potentially earn our family about 30-40K more a year than what we live on right now...but...last year when I went ONE semester to finish and upgrade my degree, it was hurtful to my children in the schooling area. I have schooled now in the eighth year...and it was NOT EASY to do both...so instead of trying to have it all right now, which I am NOT accusing you of dear sister in the Lord, but for US...we decided to CONTINUE to do the thrift thing...pinch/scrimp/frugal...the Dave Ramsey part was that he advised someone to go and get that "5K couch for $50 bucks at a yard sale...go cash and inexpensively as possible. He also asked a woman if she was a housekeeper of her own home...of which she answered yes, he said that this could produce a good income that was flexible in hours and days...

I guess I am just thinking and sharing about our commitment to schooling our children~it won't be THAT much longer...and every penny I save is ONE I have EARNED for the family without ANY OUT LAY such as gas for the car to commute, clothes to wear to the workplace, lunches packed or eaten out, extra childcare...hair styles up with the latest 'do' and well...the WHOLE work thing! Oh I guess I don't look like an dino in my look..I HOPE NOT! But I wear some stuff that I have had for years...but the good news is, I do get new stuff as well as my family too...but we are forever shopping thriftily. After an hour of owning it, it's used anyway...and good used is a whole lot less costly...it's a priority for us...now I have some friends that this lifestyle just won't do for them...and that's ok~they can afford it. We can't. AND my kids mean more to me than driving the latest, living in the biggest, best(est), or having the most wonderful...
Just some thoughts...not real popular. We don't have cable, but we do have internet. We don't go to movies all that often...maybe once in a couple of years, but then we sometimes purchase the dvd...now we've discovered the library...we are pinching in areas that just don't matter...and how do we make it without the cable-the news...streaming video. It's free online...watched both conventions about the election...got to see many of the 'talking heads' and headlines surrounding most any story...Guess I've gone on and on...YOU know the value of being home educated, and I am guessing you see it as valuable. YOU can't do or be it all, but you can 'have it all' with the Lord as your guide in what is really important...you and your hubbie need to come to an agreement on how to proceed too...you could work and school or stay home and school...either way-you have to decide which is best, but save all the same.
Blessings from above!
cheryl