Working While Homeschooling: How Moms Really Make It Work Full Time
Is working while homeschooling actually possible — a real, full-time, hands-on job and a thriving homeschool under the same roof? In this episode of Everyday Educator, host Delise Germond sits down with Lisa Bailey — veteran homeschool mom of two grown daughters who has worked for Classical Conversations since her girls were in Foundations — and Randa Clay — graphic designer, former Foundations and Essentials director, and mom of three boys — for an honest conversation about how working homeschool moms make it all fit.
Lisa’s motto: you can have it all, just not all at the same time. Together they share how their rhythms shifted as their kids grew — deep work before the house wakes up, mornings with the kids and afternoons for work, and working side by side with teens in Challenge. You’ll hear Randa’s case for a daily afternoon quiet time with a pile of Usborne books, Lisa’s “hot chocolate coffee break” and her silly end-of-workday song, and Delise’s mid-day sweet treat that makes mom’s work time a highlight of the day. Plus: training kids to wait respectfully (a hand to hold, a whiteboard, a “special things” box), setting up a workspace anywhere — from a plant stand to a tool crate — go-to weeknight meals like crockpot chili and baked salmon, and why meaningful chores are a gift to your kids.
If the Lord is calling you to work and homeschool — even just for a season — this conversation is your reminder that it’s doable, and it doesn’t have to look like your neighbor’s. Grab a hot chocolate (or a coffee) and share this one with a working mom who needs the encouragement.
Resources:
📘 Teaching From Rest by Sarah Mackenzie
“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” — 2 Corinthians 9:8
