If you work a 9 to 5 and your child goes to daycare, you might feel like homeschooling is completely out of reach. I used to think the same. I believed homeschool moms had endless hours, Pinterest-worthy schedules, and an extra dose of patience. But here’s the truth: learning how to homeschool your kids as a working mom is not only possible, it’s deeply meaningful.
Don’t get me wrong. Some of these ideas I’ve learned from full-time homeschool mamas, and they’re absolute rock stars. But what I’ve discovered is this: teaching your toddler intentionally after daycare counts as homeschooling, too. You don’t need to quit your job or mimic a public school classroom. You just need a few minutes of connection, a sprinkle of creativity, and a whole lot of grace.
By God’s grace, I’ve been able to teach my son some pretty amazing things, nothing fancy, just everyday moments used with intention. And honestly, that’s where the beauty of it lies. You can see my simple steps on how I taught my son to read here, and now he is reading short stories. And yes, I did this while working a full-time job and recently juggling blogging too. If I can do it in the middle of busy evenings and bedtime routines, so can you.
Evening Learning is Still Learning (Even if It’s Just 10 Minutes)
You don’t need hours of school work. After a long work day, your young children can still thrive with just 10 to 20 minutes of focused attention. Whether it’s reading a good book, sorting toys, or counting steps on the stairs, your daily life becomes the lesson.
Those little pockets of learning while cooking, doing household chores, or even during quick phone calls can make a huge difference. This is a great way for working parents to nurture growth without feeling overwhelmed. For older children, you can engage in independent reading time or help them journal about their day. For younger children, interactive games are often enough to spark interest.
Homeschooling parents know that learning on a daily basis does not always come from traditional schools. The truth is, some of the most valuable lessons come outside school hours.
You Don’t Necessarily Need a Desk. You Need Connection
Most of our reading classes happen when we are all cozied up under a blanket in the living room after dinner. Sometimes, it’s just on the floor while he eats a snack. He’s already had a long day, so it’s important to make it as flexible and comforting as possible. Do we sometimes use a desk and chair? Absolutely, especially for interactive activities. But for the most part, comfort and connection come first.
It didn’t require a homeschool curriculum, chore charts, or a formal school subject plan, just full attention and presence. Many homeschool parents agree: connection is the foundation.
This connection also supports the mental health of both parent and child. At the end of the day, when work tasks are done and your time is limited, even a short moment of engagement matters.
Follow Their Curiosity. That’s the Secret
My son is obsessed with space and numbers. So what do I do? I lean into it. We watch Numberblocks videos, color planets, and use interactive toys like solar system puzzles, magnetic number games, and matching cards that reinforce what he’s naturally drawn to.
For language arts and writing practice, I tie it to what excites him. One week, we focused on the word planet, and that alone gave us so much to work with. He practiced writing each letter of the word planet, which meant he was working through six different letters. You see, by focusing on just one word he was excited about, he ended up learning and practicing several letters. It became the springboard for more learning and built his confidence in such a beautiful way. I shared this in this video
I’ve done the same with coloring activities and even simple math concepts. There are so many resources online that use common kids’ interests to teach learning concepts in creative ways. This makes me feel like a working homeschool mom, even if our classroom is the living room after the end of the day.
You can do this too. Whether your child loves dinosaurs, baking, trucks, or drawing, use their natural interests as a launchpad. It’s one of the most practical tips to create lasting educational impact.
Use What You Have. God Will Multiply It
I’m a working mom with a full-time job. Some days are tough days. But even when all I can give is 15 minutes of school subject based play, I remind myself: those 15 minutes are enough. I’m sowing seeds, and God is faithful to grow them.
Whether it’s Play Doh, flashcards, a board game, or coloring, you can create a beautiful thing from simple tools. This is independent work at its finest, guided by love and presence.
One of my favorite activities I do with my son is sorting cutlery from the dishwasher. I just make sure to remove the knives ahead of time. It can teach sorting, safety, responsibility, and fine motor skills without needing anything extra. Sorting laundry can teach colors, patterns, and matching. These are practical skills your child will remember in the long run.
Small Tools. Big Wins
You don’t need to buy the entire internet. Here are a few tools and resources that have worked wonders:
- Dollar Store: Great for flashcards, sticker books, puzzles, and preschool activity packs. You can also find board games and school year calendars.
- Etsy: Search for printable homeschool activities that align with your child’s age and interest. You’ll find math games, matching cards, language arts sheets, and even chore charts.
- Twinkle: Structured and educator-designed materials for every school year. From middle school to preschool, they’ve got you. It’s also a good source of content for block schedules and subject themes.
- Amazon and Temu: For educational toys, learning towers, toddler tables, and themed play tools for younger children and older kids. Many of these items are helpful for homeschool co-ops or homeschool families in smaller spaces.
Each of these platforms offers low cost options for working moms, single moms, and homeschooling families. Even better, they work well for a variety of family schedules and learning styles. You can even create your own homeschool curriculum by combining these tools based on your family’s needs.
The Beauty of Independent Play
Independent play is one of the most powerful tools in a homeschool parent’s toolkit. It supports mental health, encourages curiosity, and gives you space to manage work tasks or cook dinner without guilt.
If your child is used to structured public school hours or daycare time, easing into independent play is a great option. Start with simple setups: puzzles, coloring, sensory bins, or quiet books. Over time, your child will start initiating their own learning. That’s a win for both of you.
In fact, this is where successful homeschool moms thrive by letting children explore and solve problems independently. It gives you space to clean the house and review your never-ending to-do list.
Create a Simple Schedule That Works for You
You don’t need to follow a strict block schedule or mirror traditional schools. As a full-time working parent, flexibility is your best friend.
I also create an overview of things I want to teach my son within a week. This takes the guesswork away and helps me stay focused. I even infuse it into our TV time on weekends. It also helps me select the types of toys I want to buy. It doesn’t have to be rigid, but it gives structure and peace of mind.
Build a rhythm around your work hours and family needs. Morning story time, evening workbook pages, or weekend field trips can all be part of your homeschooling journey.
Keep your schedule realistic. Some days will feel off. There will be hard times, skipped lessons, or days where screen time takes over. That’s okay. What matters most is consistency over time.
Final Thoughts: You’re Already Doing More Than You Think
Your consistent 10 minutes a day is successful, mama. Don’t be discouraged. You’re doing beautifully with what you have. If you’re reading to your child, helping them recognize letters, or exploring different ways to connect after work hours, you are homeschooling.
Whether you’re a single mother, a work-at-home mom, or juggling your own business, you are part of the homeschooling community. Your homeschool journey might look different, but it is full, rich, and deeply impactful.
Even with a busy work schedule and a to-do list that never ends, you are teaching. You are leading. You are thriving.
Bonus Tips for Working Moms Who Homeschool
- Outsource, outsource, outsource—if you can. Many of my parent friends currently do this with their kids, and it has been effective. Just don’t let it take away your own connection time. If you’re interested in being part of something I’m doing, I’m offering a free 6-week pilot program for kids. You can sign up here.
Free Pilot reading program - One thing I personally want to work on is infusing more outings during the weekend. As someone who is such a homebody, I struggle with this, but I know it can be high impact. We took my son to a music store recently, and it was amazing to see what he learned and how excited he got. A trip to get a drumming stick for my husband turned into a huge learning opportunity.
What are some ways you incorporate learning into your busy work schedule? Please share in the comment section.
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