How Single Parents Can Afford to Homeschool

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Many families believe they can’t afford to homeschool because they’re operating under the belief that Mom would have to quit her job, reducing the household down to one income. That may or may not be so.

Single parents homeschool and work, right? So do many homeschooling moms who are married. It happens. It can be done. Moms can work and homeschool. 

But the fact is, single parents are doing it all and usually on a single income. So how does a single parent afford to homeschool?

How Single Parents Can Afford to Homeschool
Guest post by Michelle Cannon of The Heart of Michelle.

First, I want you to realize if a family of four can homeschool on a single income (usually Dad’s), then surely a single parent can homeschool on a single income. That’s simple logic. If you’re a single mom making $60,000/year, then I guess you’re set. But for most of us, the matter requires a bit of creativity.

Here are some practical ways I’ve found for homeschooling my kids over the last 17 years.

1. Budgeting. I’ve homeschooled for as little as $200/year. That’s only about $16 per month. So if I put that back, I’m good! (One year, I homeschooled for about $6, thanks to my Kindle.)

2. Free/Frugal Resources. One perk of being a homeschool blogger is that I get products and curriculum free of charge. That helps a lot! If you are not a blogger, however, take some time to hang out on sites like Free Homeschool Deals. You can also find great free (or super inexpensive) unit studies, curriculum ideas, and other resources on Only Passionate Curiosity too. (Be sure to sign up for their newsletter if you want to have information about their free resources sent to your email as they are published.) Also, use Pinterest to your advantage. Look for free materials there.

3. Income tax returns. I know, I know. Not everyone gets a return. But for those of us who do, it’s a great time to stock up on homeschool curriculum. In fact, this is my #1 way of affording the things I otherwise couldn’t afford.

How Single Parents Can Afford to Homeschool

4. Use real-life learning. Every single day presents opportunities for learning. Cooking, math, researching on the internet (ahem – Khan Academy!), nature studies, visiting historical places. The list is endless. Most of our learning happens this way. (P.S. – Did you know you can go on lots of fantastic FREE virtual field trips? You can!)

5. Take advantage of local opportunities. Look around your area for places to go. History, art, and science museums are great for homeschooling. Zoos, aquariums, and marine centers have a lot to offer in the way of learning. Nowadays, many of these places conduct classes for homeschoolers. Some places offer reduced costs or even scholarships for annual passes. Visit this list of homeschool field trip ideas by state if you’d like to find out what’s available close to you.

These are just a few ways to offer your children a quality education without breaking the bank.

Do you have any additional thoughts on it? What other ways could you save money or better afford homeschooling?

Michelle Cannon

Michelle Cannon is a single mom homeschooling children who have dyslexia and bipolar disorder. She is also a parenting and homeschooling consultant. You can find her blogging at The Heart of Michelle.

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This article was written by a Weird, Unsocialized Homeschoolers guest author. See the author's full bio in the body of the post.

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8 Comments

  1. I am more concerned about time. When do single parents work? (I did nights, killing). Where children stay while parent at work?

    1. Hello, LA!

      I have worked all sorts of shifts. I’ve worked 1st, 2nd and, yes, even 3rd shift as a call center employee then manager. I’ve owned by own cleaning service, which was a hybrid of at-home and outside-the-home work. I’ve worked call center from home 9-5. And now I work 100% at home running my own business.

      As for where the kids stay – In my family, I was fortunate enough that I have two sets of kids. When I began homeschooling, my first set of kids were middle and high school ages. They were at home with my younger children during those years. However, if you have friends or family who will babysit, then it’s no different from anyone else who needs childcare. If you join local homeschool groups, I’m sure you’ll make friends with other moms. Then you could trade babysitting hours and such.

      You can work whatever shift and still be a homeschool parent. If you need any tips or advice, I direct you over to my blog (just click my name in this comment) where you can find more single mom posts and I offer consultations. Just let me know how I can help you. 🙂

      Michelle

  2. This is great but what money pays your bills as a single parent homeschooling???
    I have been trying to find this out and what I am finding it that the general thoughts are
    1- you can do it if you want
    2- use support
    3- use cheap/free resources

    Those are all great but seriously that doesnt tell Anyone how the electricity is left on and the bellies are filled and the car and house payments are made. I wish one of these posts would tell the dirty truth of how things are really paid for.

  3. The fact that your post itself did not address what these two commenters did (how can a single parent juggle homeschooling AND working to pay the bills?) is telling. You of course are fortunate to have older kids or family close by that can watch your kids, apparently. This seems to be a pretty crucial aspect of how you are able to do this, and thus should be discussed in your post.

    How would you answer the query if it’s being asked by a singe parent of only very young children and living in a city far from any free babysitting from family?

    1. Hi, Michael. This post was written by a guest author who was available to answer questions immediately after the post was published, but that’s been more than a year ago. I will email her and see if she is available to answer your questions. I’m unable to, not having any experience as a single homeschooling parent. That’s why I asked someone in that situation to guest post on the topic. Some options that may work are work from home jobs (I have a friend who is a successful medical transcriptionist and another who is a fulltime blogger), childcare swapping with a friend, or a situation where your child could come to work with you. I know that last one is rare, but I just saw the option on our local homeschool group’s Facebook page this weekend – an employer who was willing for a homeschool parent to bring well-behaved children to the office with him or her.

      I’m not sure what is “telling” about a person sharing what worked for her in a given situation and being unable to address questions with which she doesn’t have experience. Homeschooling as a single parent has to be undeniably tricky and won’t be an option for everyone. However, Michelle and I wanted to let parents know that when the logistics can be worked out, it can be done.

  4. Hey All!

    I am a single mom to 3, 8th, 6th and 4th grades this year.
    I work M-F from 8:30 – 5 outside my home.

    I give them work during the day to do, and I go over that work when i get home and go over the next day lesson plans while making dinner / eating. We do science experiments or art/ music field trips on weekends.

    I have tried both work books/ online and prefer work/test books.

    I just ordered books for next year at christianbook.com for little under $200 with their sale that end today BTW.
    Last year beginning of the year I order most books from amazon for less than $150 to start the year.

    There are many ways to teach kids through the internet, life skills, reading, games and TV. So much to learning and not all has to be crammed into a 9 months to take a test at the end of the year.

    So yes it is very possible, overwhelming at times yes but possible to home school and work a full 40hr work week outside the home and be a single mom.

    🙂

    1. Hello, I have a 1st and 4th grader, I am interested in homeschooling. However, do you simply leave the children to work by themselves? It sounds like your kiddos are on auto pilot which is a HUGE BONUS! Please let me know your technique if you do not mind. Thank you.

  5. I am actually starting over completely. I am new to homeschooling. I am new to single parenting and working. So this was pretty amazing and inspired me like crazy. So thanks for this article. This gives me the courage and inspiration to keep going and that everything will be okay!! I just wanted to comment so the mama that wrote this knows that she helped someone today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!

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