Adding a New Hat to the Collection: Balancing Work and Homeschooling

Hey there, fellow moms of the world! Welcome to WTM (Who’s The Mom), where juggling hats is practically an Olympic sport, and the quest to maintain the delicate balance of family, work, and education is a marathon of wit and humor. It’s time for another WTM Mom update, and boy, do I have some exciting news to share. I’m thrilled to introduce a new addition to my collection of mom hats, and let me tell you, it comes with a twist!

With the ever-evolving tides of time and the perpetual rise in expenses, the decision was made to dust off the work hat and rejoin the professional world. Now, I know what you’re thinking – how on earth can one possibly work while also homeschooling? Believe me, it’s a question that echoed endlessly in my mind.

Enter my superhero husband, who, in a heartwarming twist, graciously offered to don the homeschooling hat during the day, providing me with the opportunity to jump back into the workforce. It was a tough decision to make. But fret not, fellow moms, as I couldn’t bear to entirely hand over the homeschool reins. I remain an active architect in designing curriculums and scheduling engaging activities, ensuring I’m still part of the educational journey. Yet, I knew that just wasn’t enough for this mom.

However, finding a balance between work, homeschooling, and household chores was a puzzle that required a fun solution. While my husband is doing school, I still wanted to engage with the kids in a way that allows me to be a part of their educational journey. The result? Cue the dramatic drumroll for the grand reveal of the “Wheel of Fun”! Picture this: The Wheel of Fun is like the spinning wheel you’d see at a carnival, but instead of prizes, it’s filled with various subjects that can inspire a daily, fun activity contributing to the kids’ education. Each week, the kids take turns spinning the Wheel of Fun, giving me a subject to plan a daily little lesson. It’s a way for this mom to continue bonding with her kids while nurturing their minds, all while navigating this exciting new chapter in our lives. Stay tuned for my upcoming how-to guide on the Wheel of Fun!

Here’s how our new routine is shaping up: While my husband champions the core subjects during the day – encompassing Reading, Language Arts, Writing, Spelling, Math, and technology – my role kicks in post-dinner, where I take the Wheel of Fun activities and bring them to life. The kids eagerly await with excitement to engage in their pre-selected theme for our after-dinner learning rendezvous, a cherished time that allows us to explore, discover, and bond in a playful educational setting. Now, as for the rest of my workload – well, it’s still a work in progress. But, one step at a time, right?

The adjustment of sharing a hat I’ve worn for so long has its moments of challenge, but the flexibility that homeschooling allows is a beacon of gratitude. It’s this flexibility that enables us to adapt, thrive, and take care of our family’s needs while venturing into this new chapter.

The journey ahead is undoubtedly a mixed bag of surprises – the good, the challenging, and inevitably, a few “oh, crap” moments. But fear not, dear Mommas, for I’ll be documenting our adventures here at WTM. Expect updates, anecdotes, and perhaps some hard-earned wisdom from this rollercoaster ride we call life.

So, fellow mamas, fasten your seatbelts and stay tuned for our escapades. Cross your fingers for us, as we navigate this brave new world of balancing work, homeschooling, and a spinning wheel of educational fun. Until next time – here’s to juggling hats with flair!