Homeschooling while working full-time is no small feat—but it can be done. One of the best ways to set yourself up for success is to embrace the idea that your schedule won’t look the same every day. Just like in an office setting, some tasks will take longer than others. Some days will feel focused and full; others more flexible and light. That’s okay. What matters most is the rhythm over time—not fitting into a rigid daily box.
Start With Your Quiet Time
Aim to wake up an hour or two before your kids. Use this time however you need: drink your coffee, catch up on emails, prep for your day, or just sit in silence. This simple shift can set the tone for a calmer, more intentional morning.
When your kids wake up, you’ve already had a moment to ground yourself. Now, you can move into breakfast, brushing teeth, and getting the day started without that frantic overlap of parenting and logging into work. You’re not scrambling—you’re just taking a 15–20 minute pause. Think of it like the kind of coffee break you’d take at the office.
Homeschool Hours: How Much Time Should You Spend?
Let’s talk expectations. Homeschooling does not need to run from 9 to 5. In fact, it shouldn’t.
Here are general guidelines by age:
•Preschool (ages 2–4): 30 minutes to 1 hour per day
•Kindergarten–2nd grade: 1 to 2 hours per day
•3rd–5th grade: 2 to 3 hours per day
•Middle School: 3 to 4 hours per day
•High School: 4 to 6 hours per day
These times don’t have to be done in one big block—or even Monday through Friday. If your kids haven’t been to public school, they don’t have a built-in sense that “learning only happens on weekdays.” That means weekends can be used to catch up or explore something new—without guilt.
Use Breaks Intentionally
You’re already taking short breaks during your workday—refilling your coffee, stepping outside for a breath of fresh air, hopping off a call. Use some of those 15–20 minute breaks for focused homeschool sessions.
You can rotate between your kids:
•First break: Work with one child on a short activity.
•Next break: Check in with another.
For kids of different ages, group lessons can work well for things like read-alouds, science experiments, or art. Then, customize follow-up tasks for each child.
I love finding ways to engage all my kids with the same topic. For example, if I’m reviewing colors with my two-year-old, I might give my five-year-old lined paper to practice writing the color names—great for spelling and penmanship. Amazon has tons of great age-appropriate handwriting paper! Or, I’ll ask her to use a color word in a sentence. Simple tweaks like that allow everyone to participate at their level.
Lean on Your Village
Whether it’s a co-parent, grandparent, nanny, or sitter—lean on your support system.
In our home, I create the weekly curriculum and talk through focus areas with my husband. But he brings his own creativity to it—coming up with hands-on activities I wouldn’t have thought of. That kind of variety is such a gift for our kids.
And when you’re homeschooling young children, it helps to remember that everything is a learning opportunity. Yes, have goals and focus areas each month—but also know that the world is brand new to them. A trip to the grocery store, folding laundry, or even playing outside can be filled with lessons.
Your Mindset Matters
Let’s be real—homeschooling while working full-time is more than a full load. Protect your peace. If you feel yourself getting overwhelmed, pause. Give your kids a break so you can take one too.
You’re not just teaching academics—you’re modeling how to approach life. If your stress leaks into every lesson, learning becomes a burden instead of a joy. So show curiosity, patience, and grace—even on tough days.
Sometimes, that looks like:
“You’ve been doing such a great job! Let’s take a little break so Mommy can get some work done. You can color, build with blocks, or flip through a book.”
(And yes—even toddlers can be encouraged to explore books independently! They may not sit and read every time, but when you consistently set a calm tone and invite them to look at books they enjoy, you’re planting the seeds for a love of learning and imagination. Sometimes, they’ll flip through pages, point at pictures, or even make up their own little stories—That’s storytelling, creativity, and a love of learning all in one.)
Set Boundaries with Work
One of the most powerful things you can do? Log out on time.
Of course, some workdays will run long. But there’s a difference between someone else’s emergency being placed on you versus you choosing to go the extra mile.
Get comfortable communicating how long tasks will take. Set realistic timelines and be clear with your team. You deserve to protect your family’s rhythm—and you have every right to do so.
Need help time-blocking your tasks? Consider utilizing a free T-Minus Schedule for planning project timelines and avoiding burnout.
And Finally… Rest and Sunshine
You deserve real rest—not just sleep, but the kind that refreshes your body and mind. And don’t underestimate the power of sunshine. Even 10 minutes outside with your kids, reading a short book in the front yard, can be grounding and joyful.
These little pockets of peace matter. They recharge you—and remind you why you chose this path in the first place.
What does a sustainable homeschool routine look like for your family right now?