Homeschooling while running a business
One of my favorite lines in Harry Potter was Ron commenting "she needs to sort out her priorities" when Hermione implied being expelled was worse than death! It's such a simple statement, but my husband and I pull it out at random times when appropriate.
Sorting out my priorities basically gave me a breakthrough for creating balance in homeschooling and running my business. Ultimately, the big question was: Which one can I NOT afford to fail in? The obvious answer is homeschooling my preschooler.
My child is my TOP PRIORITY, so anything concerning him trumps anything I have to do for my business. It's not that I want my business to fail or my customers don't matter, but if it comes down to choosing between vending at a big event the same day or weekend a dinosaur park or exhibit is in town, I'll say bye to that vending opportunity with no hesitation...ok, well maybe a little hesitation, but knowing my priority helps to keep me in line.
Some moms want to do it all and I'm 100% in that category. I want to stay home and homeschool my little one, go on field trips, to the library, and learn and explore with my little one. But on the other hand, I want to do something for myself, that I can enjoy doing out of the realms of only being a mommy.
So that's exactly what I've done. I started a business in 2021, just after my little one turned 2 years old, and balancing homeschooling my preschooler and running a business is NOT easy! It is fun...but also exhausting. Without proper systems in place, it's easy to thrive in one and slip up in the other.
In trying to find balance and not fail in one or both endeavors, here are a few things I've practiced in the past year to maintain my sanity and succeed in both.
1. Sorted out my priorities
2. Being fully focused during homeschool time
When running your own business, is there ever a "clock out" time? In the beginning, I found myself constantly thinking about things I had to do, and at times would pop out my phone to make a quick post or respond to a message. At these times, if my kiddo got fussy I'd be a bit annoyed because my mind was pre-occupied with other things.
I wasn't 100% present and he needed my attention.
Since so much of my mental time was taken up with work WHILE we were supposed to be homeschooling, it didn't feel like we did much, so our homeschool sessions would continue in the afternoon when it was his time for freeplay.
After sorting out my priorities, it was easy to pick up on this and change accordingly. Now, when we're having our homeschool sessions, I fully focus on him. Distractions, mainly my phone, are kept in a different area, and I actively engage with him, so homeschooling is far more productive.
3. Created homeschool and work schedules
Being able to focus fully on homeschooling my preschooler also came about from scheduling time for homeschooling and play, and a separate time to dedicate to my business.
My mornings are fully dedicated to homeschooling: classes at home, field trips, going to the library, or whatever we decide to do on a given day. After lunch and quiet play or nap, it's free play for the rest of the day, which might also include going for a walk or to a park.
The afternoon is when I take some time to complete basic administrative tasks, while I'm in my kiddos' vicinity. I'm still available and accessible to him whenever he wants me.
The bulk of my work is done in the night after he's in bed. Just like writing this article. Not the business I'm referring to, but this is also being done late at night after bedtime.
4. Find a sweet spot where homeschooling and business crossover
Is there any part of your business that could be of interest to your homeschooler? As a home baker, I've found a few ways to allow business and homeschooling to crossover.
Cooking and baking are on our weekly homeschool agenda, so I use this opportunity to try new recipes to use in my business.
Grocery shopping is another activity we do for homeschooling. It's fun to observe and explore the various produce and products at the supermarket. Just as we do supermarket runs for the household, we do the same for my business (plus he gets to ride around on the big trolleys in the Restaurant Store).
We even attend meetings together. This way my toddler gets to meet new people, explore new areas and places we've never been to, and even try new food and snacks.
Homeschooling a preschooler while running a business will surely keep you moving and busy, but if it's something you enjoy, or you're good at, the overall experience is exhilarating and exhausting, but totally worth it!