by Sara Mcgrath

Created on: March 05, 2010

Why should homeschooling make a difference in how much personal time a parent takes? Homeschooling parents find time for themselves just as working parents do. If they have hobbies or crafts, they find time to do them. If they want to go out on a date or do an exercise workout, they make arrangements.

Parenting is a full-time job whether or not we homeschool. Finding time for ourselves doesn't require any more effort for the homeschooling parent than for the parent who works while their children attend school. I would even argue that the homeschooling parent has an advantage and that homeschooling actually makes it easier to find and take time for oneself.

Consider the fact that the homeschooling parent and his or her children spend a lot of time together. They share a lot of experiences and have a lot of conversations. On the other hand, the working parent and school children spend their days apart. They need to reconnect during the time that they do spend together. They need time to maintain their relationship. The children have experiences they need to share and conversations they need to have and the parents need to listen and respond and share their own thoughts and feeling with their children.

Ways I Find Time for Myself

Every day includes times when my children do not have an immediate need for me. I take those opportunities to sit and have a cup of tea or read a magazine.

My children and I work along side one another a lot of the time. I do my projects while they do theirs.

I like to run. On some days, I take the children to a large open space and we run together. On some evenings my husband stays with the children while I go out for a run.

I do freelance writing and transcription on a deadline. My children and I have an agreement about which hours I will work.

I like to read. I station books all over the house and pick them up while food cooks or while the children play or work on projects.

I enjoy homeschooling. I enjoy the time together with my children. I don't have to miss them or feel guilty for the times when I do take some time just for myself. My children and I have a secure attached bond to one another. Our closeness keeps us together even when we're apart. Homeschooling does not make it difficult for me to find time for myself. It makes it easier.

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