Join our community to connect with fellow joy-choosers!
  • ABOUT
  • STORE
  • PRINTABLES
  • SPEAKING
  • BLOG
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

Not Consumed

Homeschooling » Simple Homeschool Schedule for Working Moms

Simple Homeschool Schedule for Working Moms

July 29 By Kim Sorgius 45 Comments

29 Jul
simple homeschool schedule for working moms

I am a homeschool mom. I also am a working mom. Nope, that’s not an oxymoron. In fact, I work 40+ hours a week and homeschool all 4 of my kids, as a single mom. Probably the most common question people ask me is, how can a single mom afford to homeschool?

A fair question to say the least, but the bigger question is how can you homeschool when you have a full-time job, right?

It’s definitely possible to work full-time and homeschool your kids, but your daily homeschool schedule is going to need some tweaks. Let’s dig into several practical homeschool schedules for working moms. I’ll include the actual schedule I used when my kids were all in elementary school, when they were in middle, and even now as they are in the teen years.

simple homeschool schedule for working moms

Simple Homeschool Schedule for Working Moms

Year ago I wrote about how much I hate the minute-by-minute schedule and how I use chunks of time and routines to create our daily homeschool schedule. In a sense, our schedule is still in chunks. Although I haven’t always outlined it as such on the schedule. It still follows a similar regimen to the old one: morning chunk, lunch chunk, afternoon chunk, and evening chunk.

The difference really is in the detail that we follow in that chunk. Instead of a loose list of things to accomplish, I’ve assigned more structured time frames in the early years and then gone back to a more loose schedule as they’ve gotten older.

==> Morning Chunk

This is the part of the day BEFORE we start school. It starts with me getting up and starting my day off right with God’s word, and then utilizing a fresh mind to work on upcoming projects. When the kids get up, the start with the morning checklist to help them accomplish a morning devotion time, breakfast, and morning chores.

teaching responsibility morning checklist

==> School Chunk

reading with preschoolers

I’ve done the school chunk many different ways. But in this stage of life, it’s working best as a concentrated chunk in the morning. (Remember to do what is right for you! It doesn’t have to be done in the morning.)

I start the day off by teaching our worldview curriculum to everyone. They work in the accompanying notebooks as I read. Then I have a little time with Luke (pre-k). We will do a few pages in his books and read together. Meanwhile, Nathan (2nd grade) is reading his story to himself. Once I am done with Luke, Nathan will read the story to me.

By this point, everyone is usually settled in with their school work. I work at the table with them answering questions as they arise. During this time, I keep my work schedule light. I want the children to be able to interrupt me if they get stuck on something.

Do I teach them every single subject directly? No way! I’ve worked really hard to teach them to love to learn. I’ve taught them that they can learn anything by teaching themselves. I do help as needed and somedays that is a lot. But my older children (4th and 5th grade) do not need me to micromanage their lessons. See more about the specific curriculum and methods I use here.

==> Lunch Chunk

Next we prepare lunch and I read aloud something to everyone while they eat. We read missionary biographies like Hudson Taylor or history, science, worldview… pretty much anything. One of our all-time favorites was Prayers that Changed History.

Each child has a lunchtime chore (often associated with preparing or cleaning up from lunch). When my kids were in early elementary, I would also check their weekly checklists after eating lunch. by grading the day’s work. Typically older kids need a bit more time.

==> Afternoon Chunk

reading time

Typical afternoon activities:

  • Naptime or quiet reading time
  • Appointments
  • Time to explore interests
  • Outside time
  • Free time

Afternoon is one of the biggest chunks of work time I get. When my kids were babies and toddlers, they slept. For many seasons, I had a sitter come in a few days a week or even every day to help keep the kids engaged (and safe) while I work. I love a homeschooled teen for this. They usually want the work and often have lots of experience with siblings. Since I don’t actually leave, even a 12-year-old can work well.

==> Evening Chunk

family dinner evening schedule

The evening chunk is flexible and should be based on your family’s needs. Typical activities include:

  • Preparing, eating, cleaning up after dinner
  • Family time (taking a walk, reading, playing games)
  • Showers and bed time routine

Sample Elementary Homeschool Schedule for Kindergarten-5th grade

Below is what our schedule looked like when all of my kids were in elementary school. At that time, my kids were in 5th grade, 4th grade, 2nd grade, and Preschool.

Some of the things to consider with this schedule: Still having a preschooler means my involvement is much higher than it will be when he is in later elementary, so be sure you consider the ages of your kids. Also, for a work at home mom, a sitter is your best friend.

I like to do my own teaching, but I’m fine with having someone come in the afternoon to keep my kids out of trouble.

Sample Middle School Homeschool Schedule

As your kids get older, you can’t do things they way you used to. (<— Not rocket science, right?) Sometimes we do forget this, though and we keep trying to stuff big kids into a little kids’ schedule.

Below is our middle school homeschool schedule. At this point, my kids were in 8th grade, 7th grade, 5th grade, and 2nd grade. We chose to cram our school into 4 days a week and took every Friday off.

The schedule was different enough that I kept my middle schoolers and my elementary kids on a different grid. It was easier to follow. Below was the schedule my boys kept (2nd and 5th grade). I still had a sitter for the boys two days a week and a co-op that my kids attended while I stayed home and worked.

Just like the schedule above, I did work before the kids got up and every afternoon. Then I would often work a few hours in the morning.

I would also work a full day on Tuesday while the boys were in co-op (the girls were home, but they didn’t need much help in middle school).

Homeschool Planning Boot Camp

Are you needing a bit more inspiration and vision for your homeschool? I totally get it! I’m a working mom too and often need my vision refreshed.

I’d like to invite you to my FREE Homeschool Planning Boot Camp. In just 5 days you will be ready for your best homeschool year ever!

Click the image below for all the details. I hope to see you there!

homeschool planning boot camp
kim sorgius
Kim Sorgius

Through practical tools & Bible-based resources, Kim Sorgius is dedicated to helping your family GROW in faith so you can be Not Consumed by life’s struggles. Author of popular kid’s devotional Bible studies and practical homeschooling tools, Kim has a master’s degree in education and curriculum design coupled with over 2 decades of experience working with kids and teens. Above all, her most treasured job is mother and homeschool teacher of four amazing kiddos.

Comments

  1. Sarah says

    March 16 at 6:13 pm

    I love this! How can I print your schedule?

    Reply
    • Suzanne says

      March 19 at 12:04 pm

      Hi Sarah, it’s not so much a written/printable schedule as a way to divide up the day into manageable sections.
      There is a link to the printable morning checklist in the post that can be printed for the kids!
      Suzanne@Not Consumed

      Reply
  2. Christal says

    April 15 at 4:01 pm

    So, how do you get in a 40 hour work week while still maintaining your children’s schedule? Do you maintain the schedule during the weekend also or do you work during the weekend while your kids have free time. Thanks for your help! I appreciate your perspective!

    Reply
    • Kim Sorgius says

      April 21 at 8:04 pm

      Well, I CREATE my kid’s schedule, so that’s not as much of a problem. The joys of homeschooling! I typically work early in the morning, then help them with school. They work independently a good bit while I work more and then we meet in the early afternoon to check and go over things.

      Reply
« Older Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

Reader Favorites

Want help cultivating sibling relationships? Check out these resources. Helping kids develop devotional habits Want some help planning your homeschool year? Want to learn how to blog?

Some of our Favorite Printables

  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer Policy
  • Terms of Service

Here’s What Others Are Saying about Not Consumed

profile-pic
Laura, homeschooling mom of 6

Love everything you do!

As far as the other things, I LOVE my brothers keeper and we've done it twice over the past year or two. I recommend it all the time on so many groups online. I type notconsumed.com almost daily somewhere on something. At times I will come across another resource you have created and it's like you are in my head. So much of what you create is exactly what I want but am not techy enough to do! I had googled a checklist for homeschooling recently and yours popped up. It was exactly the simple thing I wanted. I told my husband that you "get me" when I found it. :) I ended up buying it then hearing about the course and did that too. Even as a veteran homeschool mom I learned a few things from your course. I really love how you foster independence in your kids in stages. Again, exactly what I want to do!

profile-pic
Ferne Downs

Fabulous, heart-felt resources for parents!

Thank you, Kim, for continuing to offer such fabulous and heart-felt resources to us parents! I was not raised in a Christian home and feel like I’m floundering in the dark trying to raise my children to know and love the Lord. Your emails and bible studies are my lifeline! You should write a parenting manual!

May God continue to bless you and your family abundantly!

profile-pic
Tara, single homeschooling mom

Brings courage to my heart!

I want to thank you for your transparency and dedication to blessing families with resources. Thank you for the life giving words that I read over and over. I cling to the hope I see in your story. Not only did you help me work through things that had happened, you prepared me for a situation that could have consumed me. God used your encouragement to strengthen me. I was so beaten down, discouraged, and tired from the long and difficult path I had been walking. It was a refreshing rain in the middle of a weary road, and it made me hope for a future that is victorious.

profile-pic
Cathy, homeschool mom of 2

Bible Studies are Incredible!

I just ordered and am in the process of printing out so many of your amazing resources and I can't wait to get started! Your bible studies are incredible and so thoughtful, your planner is wonderfully laid out and your breakfast and lunch stations will save me so much time!! I don't know how you do it all, but I'm thankful you do!

profile-pic
Paige L.

Lasting Impression on My Entire Family

I wanted to write to encourage you and say, "THANK YOU!" I've been following your blog for years, and you have made such a lasting impression on my entire family. We've purchased many of your Bible Studies and a few other wonderful homeschooling resources, all of which we absolutely love!!! Still, I believe the greatest compliment I can give you is that because of your Bible Studies that my children and I have completed together, my oldest daughter has been so inspired, she's started creating her own daily devotionals, modeled after the ones you've made. They are absolutely precious (in her own little 12-year old way), and she prints one off each morning for our entire family to complete during our quiet time. When she finishes her first "study" (which is on the Fruits of the Spirit by the way), she plans to print a set to hand out to her small group at church. To see my daughter take ownership of her faith in this way and to bless others with a deeper study of God's Word is a precious gift to me, and I can't thank you enough for your inspiration and positive influence!

profile-pic
Brittany, mom of 2

Like Being With a Girlfriend

Thanks for sharing a piece of your family. Your blog is, honestly, the only one I have ever subscribed to. I feel like I'm on the phone with a girlfriend every time I read your words. I love it! I often find myself spending hours clicking from one post to the next telling myself, "okay, one more and then go to bed!" It's all just so helpful!

profile-pic
Julianne

My daughter loves it all!

I just want to write and let you know that my 13-year-old daughter loves, love, loves everything I have ever ordered from you and says that she wants your entire inventory of bible studies for her next birthday!

Thank you for making a positive difference in our lives!

profile-pic
Noel M.

Positive Impact in My Life

I've been following your blog for a couple years and I have enjoyed participating in your free bible studies/devotions as well as those I've purchased from you. I just wanted to let you know that you've made such a positive impact in my spiritual and home school life, as well as support and encouragement for motherhood. Thank you for being such a blessing to so many moms.

profile-pic
Sheryl

Monthly Scripture Pages

Thank you for creating the monthly Scripture pages... especially the KJV one! It's the only Bible I use and hardly any bloggers use it on their stuff. I also really appreciate the products that you provide. I really appreciate the insights, laughter, and thoughtfulness put into your blog, emails, Facebook posts, etc.

profile-pic
Kimberley

You're in my head, sister!

I just wanted you to know that I LOVE your blog. I can’t tell you how much the homeschooling posts have meant to me. It’s like you’re in my head, sister!! Thank you so much for taking the time in your busy life to minister to struggling moms and making me feel as if I’m not alone.

profile-pic
Christi, single homeschooling mom of 7

Life-giving Words

What an encouragement your words have been to me! The practical tips and realistic systems that you share are so super helpful, but what I have appreciated the most has been your genuine heart for the Lord and for the things of the Lord. What I sense through your words is a heart submitted to the Lord, clinging to Him instead of to bitterness. Walking a path that you never signed up for, painfully aware of your brokenness and inadequacies, but keeping your eyes focused on the only Giver of Life. You have a testimony of victory, of overcoming, Kim. Your life-giving words boast of the faithfulness of a God who hears and sees and knows and provides and comforts. A God who doesn't change.

Want to share how you’ve been blessed by Not Consumed ministries?

Blessed Assurance. This song has brought comfort a Blessed Assurance. This song has brought comfort and peace to many since it was written by Fanny Crosby in 1873! The story of how the words of this song came to be is fascinating! Have you heard the story?⁣
⁣
You can learn about the history behind MANY hymns in Still Singing-our music appreciation unit study curriculum. Your family will learn to appreciate the hymns of the faith even more once you know how they came to be! Link in bio.⁣
⁣
#notconsumed #biblestudy #biblestudymoments #devotionsforkids #christianparenting #homeschool #homeeducator #homeschoolmom #homeschoollife #homeschoolmama
Teaching kids about how to handle money is a GREAT Teaching kids about how to handle money is a GREAT skill for them to learn as early as possible! Let's be honest, a lot of us are well into our adult life before we learn good money habits. However, you can't teach kids HOW to handle money unless they HAVE money to handle. 😉 ⁣
⁣
This post will help you take the steps for creating a chore chart system that will pay your kids and help them learn how to manage their money. I've even included a printable for you. 😀Link in bio.⁣
⁣
#notconsumed #biblestudy #biblestudymoments #devotionsforkids #christianparenting #homeschool #homeeducator #homeschoolmom #homeschoollife #homeschoolmama #teachkidsaboutmoney #smartmoneysmartkids
Do you have a vision for your family?⁣ ⁣ #notc Do you have a vision for your family?⁣
⁣
#notconsumed #quotablequotes #thoughtfulquotes #thegoodquotes
If you've been waiting to take advantage of our de If you've been waiting to take advantage of our devotional sale, NOW is the time to act-don't wait any longer! This sale ends tonight and I don't want you to miss it!! Get Bible studies and devotional resources for your family at an amazing price, but hurry-do it now! Link in bio.⁣
⁣
#notconsumed #biblestudy #biblestudymoments #devotionsforkids #christianparenting #homeschool #homeeducator #homeschoolmom #homeschoollife #homeschoolmama
It's in His presence that we find the strength to It's in His presence that we find the strength to face whatever comes in our lives!⁣
⁣
#notconsumed #scripture #Scriptureoftheday #faithinJesus #gratitude #godisalwaysgood
Developing any habit requires discipline and a pla Developing any habit requires discipline and a plan. Our Kids Devotional Method course is your starting point to teaching your kids how to have their own time in God's Word. This course gives you a game plan for helping your kids develop this vital habit and practical help and strategies for sticking to it!⁣
⁣
Get this course for free right now with coupon code: TIME4DEVOS. Link in bio.⁣
⁣
#notconsumed #biblestudy #biblestudymoments #devotionsforkids #christianparenting #homeschool #homeeducator #homeschoolmom #homeschoollife #homeschoolmama
🌟⁣ #notconsumed #faithinJesus #gratitude #god 🌟⁣
#notconsumed #faithinJesus #gratitude #godisalwaysgood #hymnquotes #hymnsing
Load More... Follow on Instagram


OUR MINISTRY

About Kim
What We Believe
FAQ
How to Blog


GET CONNECTED

Contact Us
Visit our Blog
Get our Free Printables

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube

WAYS TO HELP

Donate
Shop
Hire Kim to Speak
Affiliates

Copyright © 2021 · Not Consumed.

Not Consumed® is fully trademarked by Not Consumed Ministries, LLC.

All Rights Reserved.

Site Design by Visibilia Media