Top 5 Challenges Homeschooling WAHMs Face

Submitted: August 31, 2009 | Author: Pat Fenner | Posted in: Working & Homeschooling

We’ve been homeschooling for 14 years now, and up until recently relied solely on a single income. With 5 children to feed (2 in college) it’s been nothing short of miraculous that we’ve been able to make it this far! My husband’s a hard worker, but the construction/remodeling business certainly has its ups and downs. As prices have soared and his industry continues to plunge to new depths, I’ve taken to building a home business as well. I’ve also spent some time talking and emailing other homeschoolers I know with their own businesses, and have come up with this (non-definitive, I’m sure!) list.

5 ~ Let’s get the obvious out of the way: having the kids home all day… every day… 365/24/7!

Now, for most homeschoolers, that’s really not a bad thing. After all, we have chosen this lifestyle. I know quite a few non-homeschooling WAHMs who say summer is their “downtime” and they punch it during the school year! We, however, don’t have that luxury. Therefore, in order to have a successful venture it is imperative to handle the next “hurdle”, which is…

4 ~ Having to balance between work and work.

No, that’s not a typo. As you progress in homeschooling, it quickly becomes obvious that even if your kids are fairly independent learners “school time” becomes somewhat consuming; this is especially true if you have young and middle-school children. School-related activities take up much of the time that a “day job” would: if’ we’re not researching, comparing and analyzing curriculum choices (times the number of children you have), then we’re teaching, helping them complete lessons, testing, correcting their work or keeping up with whatever administrative requirements we have to fulfill legally. Oh, yeah, then there’s the housework… and whatever happened to that order I was supposed to fill?…when am I supposed to meet that new customer?… and what’s the deadline for that article again?…. Get the picture ?

3 ~ Budgeting

This is especially difficult, because, although there are ways to homeschool for free or with a limited budget, there is a financial cost. And, yes, for the most part, we’re operating on a single income to start with, so…It requires a fine balancing act to fit in start-up expenses into an already possibly-tight household budget. Down the line, or course, hard work and diligence allow the business to support itself, but this is definitely an issue for a fledgling business.

2 ~ Overcoming the “what could I do” blues?

I can’t tell you how many homeschoolers I talk to that double over with laughter at the thought of starting their own business. Or at least look at me like I’m crazy. “What can I do?”, they ask “I’m just a homeschooling mom.” I have to admit, I was there once myself. Until I learned 2 things. First, people buy solutions, not products. (And boy do homeschoolers come up with some creative solutions!) Second, in this cyber-age we live in, it is possible to turn hobbies and interests into a business ~ I’m coming across it all the time!

But possibly the biggest hurdle homeschoolers need to overcome is

1 ~ Guilt

Huh? Yes, it takes time to build a business. It takes time to build a website. It takes time to build a network. Get-rich-quick schemes do usually work ~ for the guy who got your money! And in the process of taking this time away from the kids to build the foundation for financial success, homeschoolers go through tremendous guilt. It’s imperative to keep your eyes on the big picture.

Challenges are something we all face from time to time, and homeschoolers are some of the most creative people I know. So if you find yourself in a frustrating or tough spot right now, remember you’re not alone ~ and that working through it will not only strengthen you, but be a great example to your children, as well.

Pat Fenner and her husband Paul have been homeschooling their five children for 14 years. You can visit Pat’s websites at Help-4-Your-Homeschool.com.