Stories from the Homefront – Homeschoolers in Business
Early on in my “homeschooling life”, I subscribed to every homeschooling magazine available, searching for curriculum, resources or “how to” articles. One thing that always struck me were the families that were chosen for the covers – a gajillion kids, all dressed in coordinating outfits that were (of course!) made at home by mom, each holding a different instrument, and (of course!) working together in a home business. Then the catalogs started coming in, and I noticed, again, how many outfits were run by families! Aaargh!!! What was wrong with my family? Why didn’t I sew neat outfits, and have a gajillion kids, and teach them all a different instrument, and be part of a family-run business? I know my husband has always wanted our children to someday be a part of his construction business, too, but none of that has panned out, yet!
Having been a member of support groups over the years, I’ve met many people who work from home, and many are not involved in internet-based businesses. Out of curiosity, I sent out an email recently to some of them to conduct an informal study. I already knew some of the challenges about setting up a home business as a homeschooling mom, but I was more interested in the feedback from those who had been at it awhile and were successful at it. These families range from “newbies” to veterans (think: back when homeschooling was not “legal”) and small to large. One group that is not represented is the group that all wears coordinating outfits made by mom!
My friend Carol and her family work with a national direct-sales company. Their business (www.BigN.com/tldaughtry) has provided them opportunities to “practice needed time-management and organizational skills and pass information on to her children”. She states “the training and spirit of entrepreneurship [being taught] is priceless”. They have incorporated these business skills into home schooling subjects that are preparing their 2 sons for real life. Another “perk” is that they get to take the boys with them to conferences (instead of them being stuck in school!)
Debbie’s business is much more direct and hand-on. “As a former homebirth midwife, and a present-day childbirth educator, doula and lactation counselor (http://www.BlessedBabiesandFamilies.com), my hours are not always set, as you can imagine. This means any time I’m teaching, I might be interrupted and have to leave. Sometimes, this works to my child’s benefit; it gives her a little longer to think about what I had just taught and then when we pick it up again, she understands it better. Other times, though, it seems as though I have to re-teach the whole lesson.” However, one of their primary goals as a Christian homeschooling family was to teach their children to love one another. Getting to know the women Debbie worked with created a real concern for them in her children, accomplishing an important goal. It also taught them to “go with the flow” – an important life skill in itself!
The Health and Wellness industry is getting bigger every day. Mary’s business (www.creatingwhatmatters.org/534473) allows her to sell something she is passionate about, and it shows! Her word of caution: “While the flexibility of homeschooling and working at home is great, each can infringe on the other with neither getting the best.” Again, time management and developing your own tools for needed organization are crucial.
As I often find, homeschoolers can come up with some pretty creative solutions to lots of situations. Although they continue to homeschool, Cindy’s husband has been chronically ill for some time, creating some financial challenges. She’s turned her hobby into an opportunity to bring in some much-needed cash (http://www.mycmsite.com/sites/cindybartley). Her business also allows her to take her children with her to parties or demonstrations, and because of the creative nature of it, is further developing that quality in her own family’s life.
As you can see, there is no formula for working from home, just as there is no formula for the “typical” homeschool. Success looks different for every business; every family. The bottom line, the ultimate question is: does it work for our family? It’s important to set goals, as well as decide where you don’t want to go, and then run with it. Businesses can run the gamut from internet-related to hands-on. It can be totally run from home, or take you to others’ homes as well. You can see just from this small sampling how different they can be! How to get started? Well, that’s a topic for another time.
Pat Fenner offers encouragement to homeschoolers at Help-4-Your-Homeschool.com. For monthly doses of encouragement, inspiration and ideas, sign up for her free newsletter “Sparks for the Flame”.
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There’s a great blog written by a 16 year old homeschooler from Texas on the topic of business and entrepreneurship. He chronicles ways that students can start their own business while still in school. http://www.kidpreneurclub.com. Great information. More families need to look into these types of activities. The skills learned and used to start and maintain a profitable family-based small business is great for students creative learning.
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